6 Light wind kites tested

Revival of the big sizes. Big sized kites are back in the air. There has been a great development in the light wind section. So we asked manufactures to sent us their light wind weapons. 
If we test we find out which key points (characteristics) makes a certain model unique.
Every tested kite is added to overall kitefinder search engine. 
If you like to add your experience just add a review to kitefinder.com

The following kites where sent to us!

• Airush Lithium Zero 18m 2013
• Ozone Zephyr 17m 2013
• Slingshot Turbine 17m 2013
• North Dyno 15m 2014
• Flysurfer speed3 21m 2013
• Ozone Edge 13m 2013

How did we test?

• 2 days of wind between 7 - 16 knots, 
• In flat water conditions
• 5 test riders of different levels & disciplines. 
• Test form with all the 24 characteristics.
• Find out the key points (characteristics) that define a kite
• Every tested kite is added to overall kitefinder search engine
• We only tested the kites that where available at that moment. More tests coming up! 
• Comments? Please add your kite experience to kitefinder.com. Sharing information generates a better overview.

Important characteristics for light wind kites

• stability in light wind
• low-end 
• relaunch - 10 knots
• wind range
• high-end
• steering reaction
• up wind with 8 knots

Not good or bad.

We believe in the combination of flying characteristics.

What are your 3 most important light wind characteristics?

See how well they perform in our test!
For all 24 characteristics go to KiteFinder.  

 

KiteFinder ranking by Characteristics

Please understand that this ranking is about the best performance in 1 specific characteristic.
The personal best kite is always a combination of different characteristics.
There are more light wind kites than we tested, but not available on that moment.
More light wind kite info? Please go to www.kitefinder.com and choose light wind kites for all models!

First one on the water
1. Flysurfer speed3 21m 2013
2. Slingshot Turbine 17m 2013
3. Airush Lithium Zero 18m 2013

Best Stability
1. Flysurfer speed3 21m 2013
2. Slingshot Turbine 17m 2013
3. Ozone Zephyr 17m 2013 & Airush Lithium Zero 18m 2013

Greatest Relaunch in - 10 knots
1. North Dyno 15m 2014
2. Flysurfer speed3 21m 2013 
3. Ozone Edge 13m 2013

Widest Wind range
1. North Dyno 15m 2014
2. Ozone Edge 13m 2013
3. Slingshot Turbine 17m 2013

Greatest High end performance
1. North Dyno 15m 2014
2. Ozone Edge 13m 2013
3. Ozone Zephyr 17m 2013

Fastest Steering reaction
1. Airush Lithium Zero 18m 2013
2. Slingshot Turbine 17m 2013
3. North Dyno 15m 2014

Best Up wind in 8 knots
1. Flysurfer speed3 21m 2013
2. Slingshot Turbine 17m 2013
3. North Dyno 15m 2014


If you have any comments or feedback please add your product experience to kitefinder.com
If you like to contact us please mail to info@kitefinder.com

Choosing a kite depends on your weight, level and riding style.
Know your most important kite characteristics and it will be easier to make the right kite choice. 
To be sure, test before buying!

KiteFinder developer made a small peak in the revalidation of Youri Zoon

History Youri & KiteFinder
Youri Zoon and KiteFinder developer Stef de Jong (left) are going a long way back. As a youngster Youri would be the next talent in the Philips Coolskin team with riders like Ruben Lenten, Gianni Aragno and Cesar Portas. Stef ( team coach ) was responsible for the scouting and training programs. We always looked for riders with a good kitefeel and exceptional locomotion. Youri was one of those guys. But this international team quit end of 2004 (Philips stopped).
As we know now  talents always float to the surface. and Youri became 2 times PKRA World champion.

How is Youri's Revalidation doing?
Like a real sportsman Youri has a great motivation to get well. He's around 10 weeks in his revalidation and it looks pretty good. Trains and revalidate every day. His Sports Physiotherapist Leon Meijer (right) also a fanatical kitesurfer said: "You always have to earn the trust of a sportsmen body, we see progress every week.
Youri is physical & mentally focused on recovery!"
Well it's great to see a real sportsman finding his way back on track!

Revalidation with Stand Up paddle
Youri had a shoulder luxation during the PKRA competition in Germany beginning of August. Undergo a fast operation to restore the damage and prevent more luxations. Leon Meijer controls his recovery progress and it was time to start with some functional training of the shoulder joint! SUP is a great active way to do so and ... water contact again!
So Youri (the golden boy) is back on the water with a paddle in his hand.

Go Youri, keep up the good spirit!

1 Hour kite races, a new kitesurfing concept?

What is the concept?

• one beautiful day @ the surfclub with
• 1 hour kite races 
• choose your own starting moments
• multiple runs
• who sails the most miles in 1 hour
• big ranking board with real time updates

Development of kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is getting bigger & more global every year. More people starting to follow a kite. The sport also became more diverse. Freestyle, race, wave, airstyle all great disciplines with athletes showing their best, setting the standards higher every year.
But in this race to develop higher skills we widen the gap to the recreational riders. Making them viewers instead of participants. That's why we want to bring this new 1 hour race concept to your mind.

 

GPS 1 hour race concept

1 day @ a surfclub, 1 hour kitesurfing races and the one with the most sailed miles is highest on the ranking. This changes during the day when riders can start when ever they like ( between a certain time, for example 10.00 - 18.00). The field can be open so long tracks are possible (have to be back on time) or set up by buoys.

Rules

• Choose your own start moments
• bring back the GPS in 15 minuts after your 1 hour race
• you have to wait minimal 30 minutes before your next attempt

Ingredients

• 1 beach/surf club
• gps readers
• personal mobile phone (safety)
• judge table @ the beach
• lots of enthusiastic kitesurfers
• score board with updates of the latest rankings

Boost the recreational riders!

During this day the ranking will change, participants will try again to sail more miles to climb up in the ranking. Aside of the competitive elements we will see a a lot of rumour on the beach. Riders will talk about technics & material. Weather will be a issue. No level or equipment will be excluded, every rider with its own equipment can participate. The organisation can add special rankings for twin tips/ directionals or male/female/seniors/kids or maybe a team ranking. So this 1 hour race concept can be a great value for surf & beach clubs to address all members.

Good fun and please share your product experience