Product Watch

During HQ Powerkites' trip to Fano they unveiled their new race kite called the Prodigy on the beach.  We first reported on the new HQ race kite back in July 2008 and now the first photos of the kite have appeared.  The new kite is said to be an easy handling race kite offering maxium performance.  Feedback on the kite has been its stability and remarkable upwind performance of the kite.  At the event in Fano the pilots on the new HQ Prodigy race kite were reaching speeds just shy of 100km/h with the changing wind conditions.

We have photos of the complete Naish 2010 lineup.  This year Naish will be introducing a geo-tech delta kite called the Charger to their range.  Along with the new kite Naish are also releasing a new board called the Momentum available in 130cm, 132cm and 134cm lengths.  Some nice photos of the new Naish Helix 2010 with the geo-tech removed for a different design this year.

Perhaps there's something inside Flexifoil HQ that the general public don't know about, with names such as the Asylum, Anarchist and Hooligan we're surprised they didn't release a Terrorist.  These are the names given to Flexifoil's new lineup of kiteboards and footpads released on their new website today.  The Anarchist being an all round freeride board and the Hooligan being aimed more towards the freestyle and pro level riders.  The Asylum Footstraps are flexifoil's new "backless binding" setup with air cushion heels.

Some more photos of the North Vegas 2010 kites have appeared, this time with production graphics on the kites.  The new kites nearly have and "old skool" look to them with the colours schemes.  So far there is a Blue and Orange scheme, White and Black colour scheme and finally a Brown, Green and White colour scheme.  We also believe there will be a Yellow, White and Green colour scheme based on the earlier North Vegas 2010 Prototype photos.  The colours are accompanied by a nice touch of off-centered graphics on the kite.

Naish have continued with their Sigma series for 2010, with photos of the new Naish Helix 2010 showing a more rounded look to the elbows on the leading edge.  The print on the Helix looks interesting, being non-symmetrical with middle sections of the canopy being different colours.  There are photos of the new 2010 Twin Tips and Wave Kiteboards and a photo of the new Torch.  The footpads on this years Twin Tips look different, nearly like a deluxe style sandle. 

U-Turn have released an update to the Oxigen line of kites with the Oxigen III featuring U-Turn's new PPNplus Technology on the kite.  PPNplus is the use of small synthetic rods sewn to the cell walls and the center of the cell openings to keep them at an open and defined shape throughout the flight of the kite.  The Oxigen III is the complete replacement to the Oxigen Basic and Oxigen Pro and will be available in 2.5m, 3.5m, 4.5m, 5.5m, 6.5m, 7.5m, 9.0m sizes.  

The new Flysurfer Speed3 kite has been seen in a video with what looks like final production prints and designs on the kite.  Previously the kite had been seen in a gold and black colour, now the blue and white Speed 3 can be seen.  The kite is on the Flysurfer Infinity Bar and will feature the Flysurfer Triple Depower on the kite.  The new kites look incredibly high aspect similar to the older Speed 2 however much squarer in the wingtips.

The new ION4 kite from Flexifoil has made its way out the factory doors and in to the hands of kiters!  The new kites have a similar design to the previous model with a new pattern on them.  The kites also also seen to have no center strut, similar to the Hadlow Pro 2009 model kite from Flexifoil.  This year Flexifoil seem to be making aim at creating a more versatile kite, with both fast and slow turning settings on the back of the kite, and also featuring Freeride and Freestyle settings on the front of the kite. Flexifoil have also continued to use the One-Pump system on the new kites.

North have been the first to have photos of their new 2010 kites leak out in public, after having the prototype North Vegas 2010 and North Evo 2010 appearing for a session.  The 2008 Vegas was one of the most popular C-Kites for the year, with the 2009 having a few changes the pickup wasn't as good for North as in 2008.  The new 2010 Vegas looks like it has been changed in some aspects back to a more similar 2008 model.  The kite looks slightly higher aspect then the 2009 and also a deeper wingspan.  The other photos around the Vegas are most likely of the North Evo 2010.

Photos and information about the new upcoming Flexifoil Blade V is starting to make its way out with the first demos appearing.  There's still no official word direct from Flexifoil at this stage and information is scarce.  However what we do know so far unofficially is that the kites will be available in three sizes, 4.0m, 4.9m and 6.5m.  The kites will be offered one colour per size, so three colours will be made available.  Rumors continue that Flexifoil is due to release the kites somewhere between August and September.