Airush 2011
Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:17 pm
Over the past three weeks we have had the chance to try out some of the new line offered by Airush. We have not seen many of these in this neck of the woods for several years but that might change soon. Riders in other parts of the country, especially Hawaii, may be accustom to the the Airush name but there they are a rare site. Years ago I flew Airush Lifts. I learned to jump on them, throw kite loops and have yet to jump as high on anything since. As Airush users began to diminish in this area names like Cabrinha and Best were seen more and more on our beaches. But, as manufactures have improved their kites it has become harder and harder for any one brand to stand out in performance, quality or in any other category. However, Airush may have hit the mark with at least two of their new performers.
The first kite I had a chance to try was the 12meter Varial. If I had to some it up I would say it does everything well and would be a good choice for a first kite. Its performance is good across the board but it doesnt stand out in any one aspect or another. Build quality, stability, speed and turning are all very nice on the Varial 12.
The next kite I had the chance to try from Airush was the One 12 meter. There is just nothing as easy to set up. I have to say it does look odd to the more seasoned kiter but having only one strut makes the kite light and efficient. The bridals are so simple I had to check to see if something was missing. In the air the One has huge wind range and pushing out on the bar dumps ALL the wind from the sail while the large diameter leading edge keeps the kite back in the wind window and flying. Pull in on the bar hard with the kite at noon and this kite will just elevate you off the ground. We had good winds in the high teens to low twenties and I am about 183 pounds. After I had the chance to try it out in the surf I offered it to one of the local riders that weighs in at around 165. He was reluctant to try it because he thought it would just be too much for his weight. Ten minutes later he was surfing waves, screaming up wind, and throwing forward rolls with kite loops. The One is super stable and turns extremely fast. Wave riding is not my best thing but kite surfers will like the way the One can hang out without pulling while they ride the face. Jumping the One is fun because you have great hang time. But did I mention that pushing the bar dumps all the wind? This kite can set you down as quickly as you want so spot your landings carefully. Later the same day another rider was throwing S-bends and other unhooked tricks so the kite seems to perform well for wake style riding too. As a trainer I will be looking at the One in the 15meter size. Simplicity and ease in rigging should make this a great kite for the student kiter and light winds.
The third kite I had the chance to ride was the Lithium. This kite is clearly the jumper of the family. Its super fast speed through the window means that when you pull the trigger you will find yourself floating consistently higher. At the same time the Lithium was very stable and had surprising pull when it was allowed to run. In winds less that twelve mph I found that I could stay up wind in a following current if I worked the Lithium and was careful not to over sheet it. Once speed was built it locked in and continued to pull. That is surly a comment on the trend of smaller kites delivering greater performance. A few years ago many 180 to 200 pound guys were flying 17meter kites on those light wind days. At 180+ pounds I use a 145X44 Crazyfly twintip. In a few years we may all see 10meter kites as the large kite in the quiver.
All these kites were tested in winds ranging from 3 or 4 mph (on the beach) up to the high twenties by about 15 or 20 riders. Water conditions ranged from butter to head high surf. All of them had comments ranging from good to great. Airush could be the new sheriff in town; again.
Major props to Extreme kites in St. Augustine, Fl. and Ariush kites. Thanks guys!
The first kite I had a chance to try was the 12meter Varial. If I had to some it up I would say it does everything well and would be a good choice for a first kite. Its performance is good across the board but it doesnt stand out in any one aspect or another. Build quality, stability, speed and turning are all very nice on the Varial 12.
The next kite I had the chance to try from Airush was the One 12 meter. There is just nothing as easy to set up. I have to say it does look odd to the more seasoned kiter but having only one strut makes the kite light and efficient. The bridals are so simple I had to check to see if something was missing. In the air the One has huge wind range and pushing out on the bar dumps ALL the wind from the sail while the large diameter leading edge keeps the kite back in the wind window and flying. Pull in on the bar hard with the kite at noon and this kite will just elevate you off the ground. We had good winds in the high teens to low twenties and I am about 183 pounds. After I had the chance to try it out in the surf I offered it to one of the local riders that weighs in at around 165. He was reluctant to try it because he thought it would just be too much for his weight. Ten minutes later he was surfing waves, screaming up wind, and throwing forward rolls with kite loops. The One is super stable and turns extremely fast. Wave riding is not my best thing but kite surfers will like the way the One can hang out without pulling while they ride the face. Jumping the One is fun because you have great hang time. But did I mention that pushing the bar dumps all the wind? This kite can set you down as quickly as you want so spot your landings carefully. Later the same day another rider was throwing S-bends and other unhooked tricks so the kite seems to perform well for wake style riding too. As a trainer I will be looking at the One in the 15meter size. Simplicity and ease in rigging should make this a great kite for the student kiter and light winds.
The third kite I had the chance to ride was the Lithium. This kite is clearly the jumper of the family. Its super fast speed through the window means that when you pull the trigger you will find yourself floating consistently higher. At the same time the Lithium was very stable and had surprising pull when it was allowed to run. In winds less that twelve mph I found that I could stay up wind in a following current if I worked the Lithium and was careful not to over sheet it. Once speed was built it locked in and continued to pull. That is surly a comment on the trend of smaller kites delivering greater performance. A few years ago many 180 to 200 pound guys were flying 17meter kites on those light wind days. At 180+ pounds I use a 145X44 Crazyfly twintip. In a few years we may all see 10meter kites as the large kite in the quiver.
All these kites were tested in winds ranging from 3 or 4 mph (on the beach) up to the high twenties by about 15 or 20 riders. Water conditions ranged from butter to head high surf. All of them had comments ranging from good to great. Airush could be the new sheriff in town; again.
Major props to Extreme kites in St. Augustine, Fl. and Ariush kites. Thanks guys!
