Switch Combat (2012)

This is a high performance C kite but is still user-friendly enough for the intermediate and above. Really precise handling due to the Carbon battens and five struts. The downsides of this is that it does not compact as tightly as other kites and needs to be flown aggressively when the wind < 10 knots. The depower is far better than CC kites of old and as good as many non-C kites, but the steering will slacken if the kite is depowered. Awesome pop and heaps of slack to pass the bar. I don't personally think the bar pressure is that high, many high performance C kites are more intense.

(Discretion: Review done by Switch Kites team rider)

Performance Highlights:
-Top quality unhooked riding, sitting at the very edge of the window without back-stalling
-Easiest C Kite I've ever relaunched, very comparable to Ozone's C4 (without the bridles)
-Fast turning due to wingtip battens, also a fair amount of bar pressure (you'll always know where the kite is)

On the Water:
The Combat is a serious Kite meant to throw huge passes on, and yet with it's fast loops and unmatched freestyle performance, it's still able to relaunch on a dime. The bar design is very simple and easy to use, and adjustments to fit any size in your quiver. I'm very confident to try new tricks, especially with the below-the-bar flag out system and 5th line set up.

Reality Check:
The Combat isn't going to yank you to the moon with those sent jumps, but it will aid you in learning those mobes and slims you've bee dreaming about. Also, old men beware, there is a fair amount of bar pressure when free riding.

Bottom line:
The Combat is ideal for intermediate to expert freestyle/wakestyle riders that want to push their limits, and with a price tag almost half the cost of the competing market.


-Sean Buell