| After a
flight test in South Africa with the new North Vegas 08
- Charlie Railton tells us his thoughts on North Kiteboarding's
latest SLE!
Conditions >
25 - 40knots
Size
Tested > North
Vegas 7m 2008 >
Taking the new Vegas to South Africa was
an absolute treat. The trip was made in January which is
their summer and the time of year when some of the world
top riders head to Cape Town to abuse some of the best conditions
in the world. After seeking some local advice before going,
the 14m was kept out of the bag and only the 9 North Rhino
07 and the 7m North Vegas 08 were packed. That advice turned
out to be spot on as the majority of the trip was spent
on the 7m.
Handling >
Having been riding a SLE kite for well over a year I was
uber excited to get the Vegas out on the water. Loved it!
The precise and solid feel translates into great kitesurfing.
In gustier conditions there is a little
more time spent playing with the vario-cleat than on a hybrid,
but de-power is readily available.
This kite is a good jumping tool, I had
a couple of sessions where the kite was really powered up
and the jumps were massive, but even at the lower end you
could get enough height to have fun. Where this kite excels
is in more wake style powered tricks and manoeuvres.
The North Vegas 08 is a popular choice in
South Africa and you are guaranteed to see people there
using it to pull kiteloop handlepasses.
Unhooked the kite is a dream, North have
obviously spent time ensuring that the kite works well off
the hook and it does just that.
Re-launch was a piece of cake, the kite
was on the water several times after failed trick attempts
and there were no issues with re-launching, hopefully the
larger sizes have the same characteristic.
When off the hook, putting a handlepass
leash on the chicken loop works well, if you lose the bar
there is sufficient depower when the bar hits the stop and
re-launch is easy but often the kite is left sitting at
the top of the window waiting for you to regain the chicken
loop.
Jumping >
The first massive impression of the kite after launching
is how stable and solid it is in the air. I could park the
kite above my head and it would sit there with little input
at the bar. Turning is direct and feel at the bar is precise
and crisp. I managed to get out on the kite in both gusty
and consistent wind conditions, for a non hybrid or bow
design the Vegas eats the gusts exceptionally well.
Swapping between the Rhino and the Vegas
highlighted the differences between the two designs and
the more aggressive classic style characteristics of the
Vegas.
Build Quality >
It’s often said, but again North’s solid construction.
Looking at it side by side with the Rhino 07 there is even
more reinforcement in the tips and it looks even more durable.
Control Bar System
> North 08 bar, simple
and easy to use, one bar fits all, keeping costs down. Easy
to trim as so much adjustment through the vario cleat.
Overall >
Who should use the North Vegas 08? The Vegas 08 is a must
have item for those people wanting to develop their powered
tricks.
Ever been in the situation where you just
don’t have enough consistent power and grunt from
your kite, well the Vegas is the answer for you.
The North Vegas 08 is aimed at the freestyle
rider but on the trip to Cape Town I got one friend doing
their first runs on a kiteboard and another in the water
doing their first upwind body drags.
This latest derivative of the Vegas has
the largest wind range yet and has become even more refined.
A great tool and thanks to Powerkiteshop for letting me
have use of the kite!
You can view more information on the
North Vegas 08 here >
Regards,
Charlie Railton
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