Slingshot Demo Day

Last weekend saw Slingshot Australia rep Dave Sorrensen in Geraldton to showcase the much hyped 2009 Rev2 and Mystic harnesses. Dave and grommet Slingshot team rider Matt from Perth arrived in the shop Saturday arvo and proceeded to display their wares. The new Mystic harnesses are looking even better than last season with a few changes such as more flexible edges,less weight and a new pin release system. The Rev2 looked great on the floor but I was eager to get it out on the water to see if it would live up to the wraps it has been receiving.

When I arrived out at Point Moore Dave had already hooked up with local Slingshot team rider Gavin Hirschausen who was flying the 13m Rev2 in the light air on the beach. Dave took the opportunity to show us the workings of the unfamiliar Slingshot bar and we were both impressed with the functional simplicity. Landing and launching these kites is a dream. All the benefits/characteristics of 5 lines in a 4 line bar. Why hadn't  someone thought of it before? We couldn't wait to try it out for real in the forcast 20-30 knt change the following morning.

 We woke to a steady but light pre frontal Westerly with a threatening cloud band out to the South West. Explosives (North Western tip of Point Moore) was looking fine and Dave rigged up the 13mt Rev2 and offered me a go. Bargain - only had to jump in a wetty - no rigging up! Even in the light air the 13 was keeping me upwind with ease. In the couple of runs I had the  kite felt light, responsive, powerful and super smooth. Unfortunately the wind dropped out and I returned to beach but the approaching cloud band promised an increase at any moment. Dave suggested I try the 9m as the wind started to gust back up to 20knts. Straight away I felt at ease on this kite. Everything felt balanced. Nice bar pressure, fast, smooth forward movement in the window. With the wind starting to gust over 20knts it was time to start boosting and the kite had great lift and hangtime. A positive feature of the bar is the stopper ball which won't slide  from bar pressure alone. I like this feature because it allows me to do one handed kiteloops and spins (part of my limited repetoir) but then releases easily when you push it with your hand. The "below the bar sheeting system" was also a joy to use after coming off kites with an "above the bar system". Trimming the kite for unhooking was way easier. The times I unhooked the kite behaved exactly as when hooked. Stable, predictable and responsive.

I came in from the session stoked on the Rev2 9m and handed it over to Gavin who proceeded to also be blown away by the kites performance. After a few tips from Dave on how to ride blind I went out again on the 13mt (this time fully powered). The kite had awesome top end stability. It was easy to load up even when lit and I got some wicked boosts.
I even rode blind for a few metres either way thanks to Daves tips. .
Just as we were beginning to tire the cloud band hit with a 30-40 knt gust that sent sand flying everywhere. We packed up and bailed but  the call from everyone that rode the Rev2 as we were leaving was "when can we get one?".
For anyone else interested in trying a Rev2,  G-Spot should be taking delivery mid to late Oct. after which a demo will be available. Below - Mr Mystic - Dave Sorrensen from Slingshot Australia.