Articles > Flysurfer Extacy Review
The Flysurfer EXTASY has been released to replace Flysurfer's
intermediate model, the TITAN, in the 05 line-up. I was lucky
enough to sample the kite at their recent demo day, courtesy
of their U.K. distributor, Oceanside.
The EXTASY is currently available in 3 sizes, 4.5, 7 & and
10m. Larger sizes will be available as soon as FS have finished
the test schedule. Compared with previous models, this kite
boasts several new ideas and refinements. Comparing it to the
VOODOO for example, one can see that the curve of the wing is
not as extreme at the wingtips, and remains more of a constant
curve. The planform itself is mid aspect, with a gentle curve
ending in squared off tips, compared to the sharp curve of the
VOODOO.
Side on, the profile itself is quite thick, but not as much
as previous pictures on the net had suggested.
Moving in closer to the kite, one can take a moment to examine
the finish and fittings. Here the material is thinner and lighter
than on the VOODOO, with an equally smooth surface finish. This
should help in the bottom end of the windrange where the V10
was somewhat lacking due to its relatively heavy cloth. Stitching
and finish is up to the usual Flysurfer standard, impeccable
all round. Looking at the bridle, one can see that the 'weak
link' points have been retained, but fitted below these are
steel rings resembling climbing karabiners in shape through
which some of the bridle lines pass though. One can assume this
is a method to help control of the profile, in conjunction with
the redesign of the internal structure of the kite to allow
it to do away with the pulley system. Losing the pulleys from
the kite reduces the maintenance factor significantly, as small
debris and sand can lodge between the block and pulley wheel
causing premature wear. Part of the ritual of Flysurfer ownership
was the cleaning of the pulleys after every session. This is
a welcome improvement.
The leading edge only has two vents, along with the customary
zips on the centre of the LE, allowing quicker inflation or
the user to fly the foil as an open celled kite.
The bridle has been reduced in the number of lines yet again,
reaching to only a few key points on the kite. The kite still
features all of the WAC and brake adjustments first seen on
the VOODOO however. Moving down, the kite features a small carbon
bar with the customary rotor leash and pull stop system for
removing all rest pull. To those not familiar with this, should
the kite need to be staked down for example, the user can land
the kite and then using the pull stop system, lay the kite out
with one wingtip pointing directly downwind flat to the ground.
This is also useful in self rescue situations on the water,
should the wind drop and you have to recover the kite.
Flying
With the kite laid out and ready to go, sheeting out or gently
tugging on the centre line is enough to get the kite into
the air, it inflates extremely quickly even with the zippers
left closed. Once at zenith, it is possible to take your hands
off the bar, this kite has the strongest auto zenith yet seen
on a Flysurfer kite. You could mistake it for a Guerrilla
so good is this aspect. However, where this kite differs is
the much lighter bar pressure. Complaints have been levelled
at Flysurfer before about the apparent lack of bar feedback
due to their lightness on the controls, but this kite strikes
an excellent compromise between feel in terms of turning pressure
and loading up on the bar when powering up/sheeting in. when
I owned a VOODOO, it took me a while do dial myself into the
kite because I was often found I was over flying it on my
preferred settings. With that kite a fingertip touch was needed
to help keep the speed of the kite through the air. Not so
with the EXTASY. It's easy to instantly feel at home because
the bar feeling is sufficiently 'meaty' without becoming tiring
or too strong when the bar is held at extreme angles. Couple
this with the constant forward airspeed due to the elimination
of back stalling, (over sheeting the kite causing it to fly
backwards or stall on the spot) instant confidence is inspired
within the first few minutes on the kite.
The kite is quick through the air and very responsive, always
eager to turn and not really suffering from the wingtip folding
in when turning near the edge of the window seen on some of
the current generation foilkites. Sheeting in fully you can
feel a noticeable increase in power but the kite simply refuses
to back stall. On the stock settings the kite pivoted on its
wingtips maintaining a good level of power throughout the
turn. It is possible to turn this kite within its length and
still maintain good forward speed through the air.
Land use
Out on the board, the kite was a lot of fun. One of the
best aspects was simply being able to pull in the trimmer
and fly the kite unhooked. Within moments I was able to throw
a few surface handle passes and with a bit more confidence,
unhooked 360 transitions. Because the kite is so quick and
responsive, you can send it further back in the window and
hold it there for longer, squeezing out the most performance
from the kite and the given conditions. Upwind ability was
respectable, not as good as the psycho 2, but then it is a
mid aspect kite. The overriding feeling is of a quick, snappy
machine which inspires a lot of trust. The wind was a bit
too low for the ten so I couldn't really give the kite its
head but the unhooked performance in particular was very impressive.
Conclusion
Overall I felt the EXTASY to be an excellent kite. It's
a kite that you always feel is working in your favour, rather
than against you or constantly placing you on your guard.
It's possible to take it out of the bag and be pulling your
favourite tricks and more in minutes. The kite makes the transition
from hooked in to unhooked seamlessly, no need to adjust anything,
pull the trimmer in and off you go. The VOODOO was my personal
favourite all-round freestyle kite, but the EXTASY is an improvement
in every respect. More stable, faster turning, constant forward
speed in the kite as well as unhooking any time you please.
There were a few negative points, mainly centering on the
safety leash catching on one of the knots during a handle
pass, causing the kite to flop to the ground, robbed of most
of its steering feel. In fairness this happened once during
the whole two days no matter how hard I tried to provoke the
kite again. In retrospect I think it was due to the line catching
on the square edge of the knot, and this can easily be prevented
by covering the end with tape, or Flysurfer being a little
less precise with the cutting! Also the kite was a bit sluggish
when it got wet, but I did suffer the indignity of getting
caught in a 20 minute shower. All minor grumbles really, and
nothing that detracts from the pleasure of using the kite.
This kite is sure to appeal to use who want to get on the
business of enjoying themselves and learning new tricks rather
than spending time learning a more 'hands on' kite. All the
benefits of using a Flysurfer that you've come to expect,
plus all of the things you've missed out on before. The question
is, what will they come up with next?
Malink Magombo (aka Mal/Bushflyer), December 2004
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