First impressions of the Gaastra GXR 16.5m2 2003.

Out tuesday in 5.5 m/s - and it is simply the most impressive big kite, high AR type, I have ever flown.

It turns so fast and smooth, that you believe you are standing with a 12 or 14m2 kite.

Stands stable in the air, and flies relatively fast.
No jellyfishing at all - a good segmented fronttube.

You can trim a LOT on this kite, almost too much.
Can be flown on the backlines as well as the frontlines - no problems.

But you have a big movement on the trimrange, when you as I did, used the front and rear line attachment points.
There are, like on many other kites, optional choice of attachment points.
If you move the lines closer together in the tips, you will be able to trim with less movement.
It is a personal choice what you prefer.

A good light bar pressure.

And the jump takeoff is amazing, because it turns so fast.
Even in 5.5m/s, there were LOTS of acceleration upwards, when you took off. Really impressive and surprising.

And in aerial jibes you could dive the kite fully down to the water again, in the landing, to get full planing power again.

Really a well balanced kite, with excellent performance, and agile compared to its size and low end.

Not quite as fast and agressive as an Airblast - but lifts way more, and turns faster.

8/3-2003: Tested in more wind here today 3 days later.
It shows that it gets overpowered earlier than high-end kites like Airblast or Airush lift or Takoon Skoops.
But the enourmous extra low end you get, is amazing !

Clearly the best big kite Ive flown.

They get good reviews everywhere, the big Gaastra GXRs.

It has 5 separate struts only, because the tips are integrated in the front-tube:



Looks good - when you look at the tips !

Quite interesting, that there often is huge difference on big and semibig kites, between different brands.
F.eks the old Naish ARX 15.5 is an incredible low end machine, but if you go one or two sizes down, they change character and get flat and fast in the profile, and are much better in powered conditions.