 |
For the last couple of months I have been riding my new Flexifoil HadlowPro 2008 kites. My weight is between 75 – 80 kg, I ride a 133×41cm board. The kites I have choosen are the 13m2 and 9m2 Flexifoil HadlowPro kites (the kite comes in sizes 13m2, 11m2, 9m2, 7m2).
First of I would like to say that I have previously ridden the Flexifoil Fusion 12m2 and 9m2 (and they are my all time favorite kites). I have been riding the last year on Blade Vertigo kites (a hybrid kite), that I loved. But I must admit it is f***ing awesome to be back on pure C-kites!
Bag and package
The bag is a “one shoulder bag” (not like a backpack), so it’s kind of hard to move around with if you have some distance to walk. On the upside you can stack 2 kites in the 13m2 bag without problems (as long as you take the battens out). Different kite sizes comes with different bag sizes (bigger kites have bigger bags). The bag has a print of the setup for 5-line mode and 4-line mode, so it’s easy to convert on the beach. A manual, repair-kit, stickers and extra valves for the one-pump system is included. One room for the bar and leash, and one room for the kite (you can pack the kite without taking the battens out).
Handling
The Flexifoil HadlowPro kites are some of the most direct kites I have ever ridden (reminds me alot of the Flexifoil Fusion kites). They give you constant feedback on what is happening, and you can allways feel where the kite is in the sky. It does not turn on a dime, but it is not slow either, it’s right in between. No problem doing loops.
Power
The power is consistent and steady. There is no low/medium/high “gear” on this kite, it’s one gear all the way and very very reliable. It gives good lift and hangtime when jumping, and pop’s really really well for unhooked tricks. When just riding it feels safe and easy managable, just remember to use your board to depower (this is important if you only have ridden bow/sle kites with long depower ropes. Use your board instead of the long depower rope to handle the power of the kite).
Windrange
I have read a few reviews of the Flexifoil HadlowPro online, and they kind of made me think that the kite was a train that just never stopped. Well, let me assure you, that is not the case. The depower on theese kites are just as good (or better) as any other C-kite on the marked. I have ridden the 13m2 when others have been out on 9m2 kites with just half the depower strap pulled in, and had no problem unhooking or doing my thing. The 13m2 has a low end for me on about 13-14 knots, and the high end I have tested it in would be around 20 knots (thats when you should pull out the 9m2). I haven’t gotten the chance to ride the 9m2 in overpowered conditions yet, but the low end for me is about 18 knots.
Relaunch
Just like any other C-kite, you swim 3 strokes toward the kite. The kite will then role over on it’s back, and you pull either one of the backlines. Or you can use the 5-line, just pull it until the kite roles over on it’s back and pull one of the backlines (it’s important that the frontlines are not crossed to much when you do this). Make sure you pump the kite nice and hard, if it’s not pumped hard enough the relaunch will be tricky as the wingtips will fold.
Bar
I think the Flexifoil bars are some of the best on the marked. There is a few things tho, the safety release takes up quite a bit of space below the bar. This results in getting used to haveing the bar alittle further away from your body than normal. It’s about 25-30cm from the bottom of the chickenloop to where the bar begins when you pull the bar all the way in. In return the safety release will allways work no matter what happens. The 5th line seems to get abit of work if used freaquently (but the kite can also be used as a 4-liner)
On the other hand, the bar is clean and has a lovely grip. The bar diameter is alittle smaller than other bars (whitch I think makes it fit perfectly in your hand) and just feels awesome. The depower line is covered with rubber, so no friction on the acctuall rope. The depower strap is a pull-pull system, and easy to use. O-shit handles on both bar-ends, and there is a ring on the chickenloop to connect the leash for “suicide mode”, and a ring from the 5th line to connect the leash for a more safe solution (the kite will flag out on it’s back and fall from the sky).
The Flexifoil HadlowPro kites comes with one size bar for all kite sizes, 45cm.
My final thoughts
In my mind this is one of the best kites I have ever ridden, it does exactly what you would expect it to do. As with all new gear, if you come from any other brand it would take alittle getting used to. But once you got it dialed in I’m confident that you won’t be let down. Either you are an intermediate or semi-professional rider looking to get that extra “something” to try out some new moves.
More info on the kites and bar can be found here:
HadlowPro kite
HadlowPro bar
The HadlowPro site
Flexifoil site
Norwegian Flexifoil site
Thanks to my sponsor Kitebutikken for getting me theese kites, they are the Norwegian Flexifoil dealer.
