Slingshot 2006


Well we have been finally given the green light to announce all that is new for Slingshot in 2006.

This is definitely the year the Slingshot organisation comes of age, now in only their fifth season, they are ready and able to take on the majors in what is the fastest moving watersport currently in existence. Kitesurfing is currently in a white hot development phase, as its oversubscribed market base vies for commercial advantage.

Barely five years ago Slingshot was a small company nestling in a corner store style operation in the backwoods of Oregon run by kitesurfing enthusiasts. That fact still remains (the enthusiast bit) but the small has become arguably world number two and they are set with a product line that has set its sights on being world number 1.

They have announced a four line range this season which is a risky departure from their successful model of having a “one kite does it all” philosophy, but the line has the benefit of having grown organically through the previous season.

Control Bar
3 new control bars with a new safety feature at the chicken loop, and control mechanisms for fifth line or bridle kites.

Octane.
A kite rich in aerodynamic features that combine to keep the kite climbing to every last centimetre possible before the stall returns the rider slowly back to the water.
With the ability to vary attack angles, and batten assisted flare to ease the exit angle, no other kite has the range of performance of this light at the bar booster.
Phantom power is the way the power band has been described by marketing department as a mean of explaining how a kite that generates so much speed and apparent wind generated lift can do what it does, however you read it, it is a kite for the technical rider with huge jumps in mind. Like they say, don’t buy anything else til you’ve tried an Octane.

Fuel
The Fuel has grown from strength to strength over the years, no other kite has the longevity in the market, the sheer build quality and the canopy shape and flare.
This season it gets fifth line as standard, but it still remains a solid four line performer. Its two piece leading edge with double overlapped segmentation, internal taping and warp and weft aligned construction assure zero distortion at the front whilst the split struts built within the canopy offer a gust absorbing canopy which “breaths” and twists off to ensure maximum range for this classicaly styled kite.
The Fuel stands alone as the big wave riders arsenal, it can take the punishment of being downed in the overfall, swept up the beach, or trashed in the soup. There are even legends of Fuels being left overnight in the surf and coming up flying the next day when the owner recovered it. There simply is nothing tougher out there than a Slingshot Fuel.

Machine
This is the kite that lead to the innovations that gave the Octane its performance.
A forward weighted kite, with a large leading edge and wide range of attack angles to ensure flight in even the lightest breeze, yet continued use in quite a stiff breeze should one appear unexpectedly.
The Machine appeared during 2005 and astonished many a heavy rider with its ability to boost in wind as light as 10 mph, indeed the author has witnessed a rider weighing 100 kgs jumping 10 ft in wind that was indicated to be 8 -10 mph using the 20.5 model which is regarded as the “sweet kite” in the line.

Turbo Diesel
Since the Legaignoux brothers released their patented “bow” kite design in the spring of 2005, Slingshot have been preparing a version of this super safe design. Aimed squarely at the entry, intermediate and freeride market, this design fell right into the traditional Diesels market area.
With a bridle on the leading edge, there is no requirement for a fifth line, and by simply sheeting out the bar, the kite has more depower than conventionally controlled kites. Slingshot have also refined their control bar to assist the rider in the manual depower on the fly, by repositioning it to the rider side of the bar.
Combined with the surefire spreader bar system, this kite is about as safe as it comes and permits the safe performance of anyones repertoire of moves.

There follows some links to sites with more info, including my visit to the 06 conference, their taster website, and a discussion on the aerodynamics of it all on a U.K. web forum (take it with a pinch of salt and forgive the English irreverant humour)

Any questions I’ll keep an eye on the thread for a few days providing its not to windy here.

Distributer Meeting Trip

http://homepage.mac.com/graemefuller/PhotoAlbum21.html

2006 Preview

http://www.slingshotkiteboarding.com/6-preview-overview.htm

Octane Discussion

http://212.67.202.47/~tonyshep/newforum/viewtopic.php?t=5312