Naish Element 10.5M

The new Naish Element 10.5 depowerable foil.

In the bag

- Control bar
- User's manual
- Four 25m color coded flying lines
- Light weight bag
- Kite compression/packing strap
- Backpack

The one I had came in a stuff sack so I cannot comment on the backpack that will bew supplied on sale.

Out of the bag
As you would expect from all Naish equipment the build quality is excellent with and the Setup is a simple process.

- Unfurl the kite Weigh the sail down with some sand on the trailing edge.
- Attach the colour-coded.
- Peg the safety leash down.
- Attach the lines to the bar

Hey presto you're ready to go.

First impressions were its similarity in appearance to an Ozone frenzy only slightly more rounded which makes it appear smaller next to equivalent sized kites.

The test
The kite has been designed for use on snow but I have been testing it on a mountain board and in a buggy.

7 - 10 mph is the highest wind speed I've tested in so far which really is not enough to test the more radical moves this kite will generate.

Launching the kite is a snap, set the depower system to full by pulling the depower strap toward you. Attach the leash to your harness and pull tension on the leash lines which keeps the kite grounded, if the kite tries leave the ground put more tension on the leash lines. Hook the bar onto the spreader, push the bar away, let go of the leash and the kite climbs straight to the top of the window where its sits above you without over fly or too much lift.

The Element turns quickly and develops good power throughout the wind window feeling very stable although the conditions were not gusty. The wing tips did tuck on occasion but this was due to a lack of wind and did not occur when the wind picked up. When it comes jumps redirect the kite and pull in the bar to develop extra power giving nice lift and floaty landings.

In A buggy
The kite works well in a buggy as it only has a small bar and is in easy reach when the bar is out. Its smooth consistent power lent itself to ground base tricks such as wheel stands offside and kite-side which were mainly all I could produce in the available wind. The few small jumps I achieved were floaty and the kite redirected well for a soft landing.

On A Board
The kite is well suited to kiteatb, again the even power developed, gave a feeling of security whilst leaning back against the kite. At no point in both in regular and toe-side stance did I feel It would let me go and id eat sand. Due to conditions most tricks were unattainable but as with the buggy the jumps achieved were floaty and I had no difficulty re-directing the sail to power up on landing.

Conclusion
On the whole a good kite with stability and smooth power. It gave the impression that in good wind it would give a good speed run or free ride without the rider having to concentrate on the kite leaving you free for tricks. This is certainly a good first depowerable foil kite.

By : Phatdan