Slingshot Fuel (2011)

So the guys at Surface to Air Sports (S2AS) sent me the 2011 Slingshot Fuel 9m to demo and review. The Fuel is a pretty famous kite that is well known for its sheer power and high performance, I wanted to put it through its paces and see if it really lived up to its name. I've taken this kite out quite a few times now and overall I have been very impressed with it.

Please see full review here - http://www.willbaileykitesurfing.com/slingshot-fuel-2011-9m-review.html

If you feel like bridles are no long able to etch your adrenaline glands then get the Fuel. Fast crazy powerful! Best money I ever spend!

I got to demo the 11 m, 2011 Slingshot Fuel at 24-7 Boardsports at Calshot a couple of times this last week. The first occasion was approaching low tide with flat water lagoon conditions with light, gusty winds of 10 -16 Knots. I was impressed that I had the kite in the air in minutes due to the one pump system which requires only one of two valves to be put in before pumping. The kite is great looking but I was initially surprised by just how chunky the leading edge was, at first I wondered how this would affect handling. The comp stick bar is also fairly beefy and has bullet proof lines.

On the water it was soon apparent that it had plenty of power and turned much quicker than I would have expected. Kiteloops were stunning – plenty of consistent power all the way round and even in the light wind the 11m caught me before landing. The kite also manages to stay parked during unhooked tricks, which makes life a lot easier when going for handlepasses.

The second session was freezing cold < 2 degrees but windy 17 -23 knots; this time sailing on the pool to the north of the shop, still with the 11m. The kite had phenomenal power, whilst still giving great control through the loops, allowing for some variations on the trick to be attempted. The kite does sit back in the window, meaning it lacks amazing depower at the top end of its wind range, giving your legs a descent work out.

The kite inevitably hits the water when pushing your riding and when it did I was very impressed with the quick and consistent, hassle free re-launch throughout its wind range particularly as it is a 4-line ‘true ‘C’ kite’.

This kite is for higher level intermediates looking to go extreme, all the way up to experts. Overall the Fuel 2011 is a good looking, good for going massive hardcore kite. :D

Check out 24-7 Boardsports for more information http://www.24-7boardsports.com/)

Ok here i am, Ive been at this level or riding for quite a while now and seemed to have plateaued. Im comfortably throwing powered loops, f16's, S bends, Railey's, unhooked front and back rolls land switch or normal and im basically at the point i wanna land blind and do some handle passing.

POP/UNHOOKING: I honestly believe this is the kite thats going to take me to the next level. The pop is AMAZING!, every time i landed i had so much line slack its exactly what i need to start trying to pass. I'm so stoked i literally just got back in and you cant get the grin off my face. No i haven't landed one yet but this is the first time i have really felt like I've been close.

KITELOOPS: Man this is one powerful beast when u loop it and it doesn't seem to stall back on the way to the top of the window like other kites have. My only problem is i have to get used to boosting on C kites again .. its been a while and more pendulum swing than im used to.'

RELAUNCH: well i didn't believe that a 4 line c kite was a good idea, thought i would have to go old school on it and swim towards the kite to get it on its back. But it relaunched exactly how the bow kites do.. Hold an outside line and bang up she pops. (I'm yet to do this in light winds though i don't feel it would be the same outcome)

BOOSTS: like i said have to get used to that c kite boost again its pretty different i have to swing the kite so much more. But what i do like is how even at like 2 or 10pm it still seems to hold you in the air and keep pulling very different to any of the hybrids/ delta kites im used too.

SAFETY: Yeh.. definitely use suicide the safety if activated is awful. Yes its a 100% depower but there is no stopper ball so if you do let it go it shoots up all the way to the kite and made it unlaunchable. I had to bring it back to the beach and re rig it. As for the depower rope.. don't leave it on all the way out. Its almost impossible to move. Before you go out pull just the tiniest bit of rope through (if you still want to be powered) so you can adjust the power while your out on the water.

Dead honest ive got access to heaps of kites working in the school, and this is going to be the only kite im going to want to use between 15-20 knots when im trying any wake style/ unhook tricks. If like me your frustrated with being stuck at the same level i cant recommend this kite enough. I'm sure soon you will here me all over perth screaming in extacy as i land my first slim chance or back mobe :)

It is my logic choice, since I kite with fuel's from 2003. I have skipped 2009 and 2010, and used 2008's for 2 years, but now I have 4 brand new Fuels 2011!

Out of the bag it's nice and crispy, normal Fuel setup from last year. In the air kite is more stable and has a slight difference in the canpoy shape near the tail edge which creates zero canopy flap. Loops are way better, very easy to unhook and keep it in the same spot. That's about it, still the same Slingshot build quailty and a much nicer looking kite than last years.