Een lichte verbetering?  ;)

Click read more for the low down on the long awaited Naish X3....go to the Kitesurf Gallery (X3 Launch Album) for the detailed pics

First off all... the photos of the X3 being pawed over and flown today at the UK launch at The Waterboard, Poole, are in the kitesurf gallery section

First off out of the bag the X3s seen here today (a 12m & 16m) look great - construction is just as good as the standard setting X2. The kites come with the Naish bag, lines, bar & pump with leash attachment. No great differences on the bar & accessories....the development is on the kite....

The main difference with the X2 is that the X3 has a fuller canopy profile and slightly thicker cord length to produce a kite with more low-down grunt.

As we know, the lack of grunt was a criticism of the X2 and this was because the canopy was relatively flat, requiring more wind/or riders had to hold a larger kite to boost properly. Personally I didnt find this to be a problem, as I loved hanging on to my 20m in 20knots & 16m up to 25knots.

Importantly the fuller canopy profile is locked into place by the new strut/leading edge attachment design. Basically the strut bladder protrudes into the leading edge, forming a ball and socket, this locks the camber/fuller profile into the canopy as the wind pick up/increases. Neil aka Dark Lord reckons that the X3s top end is just as good if not an improvement over the X2. For the difference, think back to those dark old windsurf days and the difference is camber inducer to rotational sails, except with the same turning speed.

As for the other differences, the graphics, except for the wing tips are very similar to the X2. The bridles have been beefed up with a thicker rope and these are now properly colour coded. In an attempt to ensure that even the most hung over rider can detect the difference between the back & front bridles, the backs now have loops and the front bridles have knots (as with the X2).

The kite fabric/material is very similar to the X2, just with different colour combinations - but red/white looks very sharp.

So the important bit....what does it fly like, does it boost higher, how different is it to an X10....etc,etc. Well first off, everyone needs to ditch the shall I get an X10 or an X3....you get the kites you need day to day, then if youre lucky enough to have the spare cash/room in your motor & want to scare yourself shitless...then get an X10 - also the X10, contrary to popular belief will only EVER be available in a 12m (although it feels more like a 16m). So sort your kite quiver out before even thinking X10

The answer....to the above is that on the day of the launch (Sat April 12) there was only 9knots on the beach at Bournemouth !!!! I flew a 16m for about 2 hours on the beach....so i dont know....and only have very broad/initial impressions...

So first impression...this kite is not the same jump as from an ARX to the X2 (thank god)...

It feels sweeter, EVEN sharper and importantly, it does feel more powerfull for each size than an X2....not by much, but it is noticeable. This is down to the wider chord (width to you and me) and possibly down to the struts, but in only 8/9 knots I reckon the noticeable difference was down to the increased chord width.

The X3 does feel like it turns a bit faster than the X2, again not by much, but theres a definite improvement there. Fortunately, it doesnt move as fast in the air as the X10...its far more relaxing to use..the X10 is an adrenalin ride that you do have to get off from....you couldnt use it for day to day use... more like hit it for 30 minutes whilst youre still fresh...whereas the X3 is your friend, but dont be fooled this baby will punish you if you get it wrong.

Well thats enough for the time being...... more to follow once I get to have a go on the water.

The Russian