Slingshot upholds it’s status as having legendary construction by continuing to improve the RPM year after year. Collecting input from riders and retailers about possible weak spots or flaws allows them to prevent any possible issues. In return the kite is solid, so solid that you feel it while flying it. The differential bridle system gives the rider a very direct feel with raw, yet fully controllable power. It’s low profile wing tips increase turning speed while reducing drag. The rear wingtip attachment points offer four options to alter the turning radius of the kite to help compliment your riding style. The RPM has been tested all over the world in every condition to make sure it’s the most well rounded kite available.

The 2013 Comp Stick Control Bar is one of the cleanest and most intuitive bars on the market. The Comp Stick features an active stopper ball that actually works along with many other great features. The front lines feature 800lb spectra with 500lb on the steering lines. The overall look of the Comp Stick has been redesigned for 2013 and is their cleanest bar yet.

2013 Slingshot RPM – The Evolution Continues…

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Best has gone way over the top in developing a kite that works for everything. The TS line features 3 different canopy profiles.

• 5m & 6m TS kites are designed for rock solid stability in high wind
• 7m – 12m sizes are designed for big air and all around riding. These sizes are geared towards new school riding and even waves.
• 15m & 17m are the most aerodynamically refined kites that Best has ever made.

The 15m TS V2 is an amazing upwind machine. Once the power stroke is initiated the kite delivers a smooth yet healthy pull to get you up and planing. The 15m’s higher aspect profile allows the kite to fly further forward in the window to get you upwind and keep you there. Lighter bar pressure was introduced on the 15m this year giving you longevity for your sessions but still has enough feedback to feel the kite.

What we really like about the 15m TS V2 is it’s wind range. As much as we all want the wind to pick up during a light wind session many dedicated light wind kites become a nightmare if that does happen. The 15m TS V2 performs beautifully at the top end of it’s range giving you insane hang time, explosive pop and great depower.

The 15m TS V2 is recommended to be flown on the Best RP Bar V3. In it’s 3rd generation the RP Bar is one of our favorites for comfort and usability. It’s well thought out, intuitive and packs some cool features including a replaceable Delrin bar insert to greatly reduce wear on your center line.

I highly recommend the 2013 15m TS V2 from Best Kiteboarding as a light wind kite for any rider 200lbs and under. For a heavier rider the 17m is a perfect fit. It offers the same light wind performance with a slightly greater pull. Best of all the construction on these kites is unparalleled with it’s Double Core Rip-Stop giving you twice the performance with no extra weight.

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Slingshot had this to say, “Slingshot has always been a brand that builds both leaders and champions, but we don’t buy them. It is an end of a great era – a time when our products and Rubens riding literally took the sport to the highest level possible today. We are now looking forward to kiteboarding’s next era of champions to take the sport beyond what is capable today.”

Slingshot CEO Jeff Logosz had this to say, “Ruben has been a part of our family since he was only thirteen. We have deep seated roots with Ruben as we have watched this kid grown into a man and transform the realm of possibility in our sport. On behalf of the entire global Slingshot family we wish Ruben the best in achieving his dreams.“

Ruben visited our shop for a couple days a few years ago along with Aaron Hadlow and Susi Mai during a Red Bull Tour of the Southeast. Ruben has more energy than anyone I’ve ever met. He really is like he appears in his videos, and then some. He’s also a good DJ!

There is no doubt Ruben has brought the extreme side of kiteboarding to the forefront and helped to develop the Fuel into the amazing C-kite that it is today. We wish Ruben the best in his future endeavors and as I type this he’s helping to host the Red Bull King of the Air competition in Cape Town.

What’s next? Only Ruben knows best!

Here’s a gallery of the SUP heat that was held right around noon.

Results:
1st Tony Lippi
2nd Eddie Toy
3rd Tony Malara

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Helga was amazing to say the least. She was incredibly helpful to the newbies and an inspiration to the rest of us. She demonstrated amazing paddle technique, was extremely friendly and offered a wealth of knowledge about the sport.

I think it’s safe to say everyone had a great time!

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The 2012 CrazyFly Skim will not be your ultimate lightwind weapon, it will not be your board of choice for head high surf and it certainly won’t pull you out of a barrel at Teahupoo… but what it WILL DO is quickly become your new favorite toy.

The new CrazyFly Skim is perfect in onshore small waves especially when the wind is blowing straight onshore. The board is magical. Something I’ve never really done before is ride a skim with fins on it. I find myself riding this one with the rear fins full time. The board tracks well, I can hold it down in some pretty decent wind and it has the best pop of any skimboard I have tried in the past.

Smooth ride? Sure, it’s got decent flex but not too much to take away speed and make you feel like you’re riding a wet noodle.  The tail is pulled in to give you a fairly tight turning radius but features a half moon cut to help give it some drive and a little more edge when powered.

There are two holes drilled near the nose of the board to give you the option of adding a fin so you can ride the board in the opposite direction or just better tracking. I don’t really see much use for it so I prefer to ride the board as a directional and filled the holes with surf wax.

Overall the 2012 CrazyFly Skim is a neat toy. I’ve had one for a few months now and it comes to the beach with me almost every session. When I’m not on my surfboard I’m riding the skim.  Try one for yourself, it’s got a little bit of a learning curve but is incredibly fun once you get a few tricks dialed.

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