Manufacturer:

Naish

Model:

10M Element

Sizes:

5m, 7m, 10m

Type Of Kite:

Non – Water Re-launchable Depowerable Foil

Introduction:

Naish are more commonly associated within the water side of kiting, but this has changed with their new foil the Element – aimed towards the KiteATB market. As they are not new to kiting the package is well rounded with good finishing, the kite has only recently been released and over the forthcoming year we can see how it competes in the marketplace.

Packaging, Style + Construction:

I can’t comment on the bag that this kite will come with (the version I flew was in a stuff sack – though I was assured a bag would be coming out with it!). The kite is on a great bar, with end elastic to help line storage. The lines are what we have started to expect as standard high quality stitched and coloured sets (fully stretched of course!) – One thing that I really like is the use of the Naish push quick release, it’s a nice foolproof to system to use and reset. The kite has the usual taped seams, and hard wearing material – all in all a good package.

Jumping:

This kite does perform well, jumps are easy to achieve with the right technique, though it does like to be redirected quickly once airborne – hang time is good when you power up and go for it, when combining jumping with long speed runs and a quick flick on the depower cleat to boost the max bar power and off you go!

KiteATB’ing:

Once on the board its easy to just lean back and cruise with the Element, setting the trim adjuster is easy with a quick tug down (I did notice when increasing the trim power – when powered up there was a tendency for it to revert to full power, and not slowly increase the trim as you want – this is apparently changed on the production setup). The kite seems to be a good all rounder freeride type of kite, whether you want to cruise, or trick it can perform equally well at each. I think it has the right balance between dynamic power and full on raw power, without being scary – and as such be quite a good kite for people new to depowerable foils.

Final Summary:

Overall this kite does do well, if you want to jump it will do it, want to go toeside then it will do that to – It is a comfortable kite to ride on, there was the odd moment when a gust and lull in quick succession hit the beach and the kite did slow down and back off into the window a bit but then so did everyone else’s kite! With Naish’s presence in the market place it will be interesting to see how some of the ‘long standing’ manufactures of depowerable foils react – in price, or in product design. I personally find the safety systems to be a good selling point on the kite, the elastic and clip leash to harness is easy to use without getting in the way of your hands for grabs etc, and the push chicken loop safety is one of the best features I have seen on a kite.

Reviewer:

Rasga @ KiteATB.co.uk

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