- 17/05/2012
New Naish Ride Kite and Board Package 2012 - 17/03/2012
Kids Watersports Activities Friday 6th April - 07/03/2012
Naish Park 2012 Review - 07/03/2012
Windsurfing Lessons Book Today - Dates Published
Flexifoil Hadlow Pro Kitesurfing Kite 2011
Package comes complete with Hadlow Pro Kite Kite, Pump, Instructions, Registration Pack, Kite Storage Bag
Add the Flexifoil Hadlow Pro 2011 bar and lines for additional £274.95
- 48cm control Bar and Lines
Fresh for 2011 is the new HADLOW by Flexifoil. An evolution of 2009's Flexifoil Hadlow Pro, the 3rd generation of Aaron's world class signature kite see's retention of the C-kite performance that the series is reputed for, with a strong element of accessibility added for this year's iteration.
Having already nailed the hardcore freestyle attitude of the FLEXIFOIL HADLOW, Aaron has focused on opening the kite up to a new market through the development of an innovative and unique depowered kite setting. With the kite now capable of achieving over 50% more depower under the alternative setting, the versatility of the HADLOW across all conditions, be it freestyle, wave or snow, more than matches its precision, speed and power through the air.
2011 also brings a refinement in the freestyle attitude of the kite on both settings, with a much more solid feeling throughout; the FLEXIFOIL HADLOW 2011 now produces even more pop on demand to make your tricks more explosive. On the smaller sizes, the speed and feel combines to get the kite down and more extreme into megaloops, but stays fast enough to stop you from dropping out of the sky. On bigger sizes, overall handling is improved to give you more confidence and ease into and out of tricks, whether hooked or unhooked.
If you're looking to take the next step forward in freestyle kitesurfing, then the 2011 HADLOW is all you need. With its unique innovative depowered setting, the HADLOW gives you the opportunity to step back from the extremities of Aaron's abilities when you want to, but push yourself and challenge your skills when you need to.
Flexifoil Hadlow 2011 Technical Information:
Innovative Depowered Setting
The 2011 HADLOW is the world's first kite to feature two power settings, with a depowered setting offering over 50% more depower. This creates a kite that is versatile across wider wind ranges, and allows even greater personal accommodation to whatever style you need. With a simple transition between each mode, taking only a few minutes either way, you'll be out on the water for longer whatever the conditions.
The 2011 HADLOW is the world's first kite to feature two power settings, with a depowered setting offering over 50% more depower. This creates a kite that is versatile across wider wind ranges, and allows even greater personal accommodation to whatever style you need. With a simple transition between each mode, taking only a few minutes either way, you'll be out on the water for longer whatever the conditions.
If you're a wave rider looking for that perfect C-kite, or a freestyle rider looking for a kite to push beyond your current limits at a pace that you control, then there is no better machine than the 2011 HADLOW.
Leading Edge Redesign
The 2011 model HADLOW has seen significant improvements to the leading edge, with a 2.5% increase in diameter, to prevent folding or bending on the water, ease relaunch and add greater stability and a much more solid feel in the air. Leading edge junctions feature an all new design, changing to a true-round profile to improve relaunch and offer a stiffer airframe under loading.
The 2011 model HADLOW has seen significant improvements to the leading edge, with a 2.5% increase in diameter, to prevent folding or bending on the water, ease relaunch and add greater stability and a much more solid feel in the air. Leading edge junctions feature an all new design, changing to a true-round profile to improve relaunch and offer a stiffer airframe under loading.
Webbing on all leading edge junctions has been used in this year's kite to offer even more strength and durability, meaning that the 2011 HADLOW is a kite that can take some serious punishment.
Canopy Improvements
The canopy of the 2011 iteration of the HADLOW now features a 5-cell centre section perfect suited to improve flying characteristics through a smoother power delivery. The trailing edge has also been improved this year with a triple ply construction offering greater durability.
The canopy of the 2011 iteration of the HADLOW now features a 5-cell centre section perfect suited to improve flying characteristics through a smoother power delivery. The trailing edge has also been improved this year with a triple ply construction offering greater durability.
Construction and Material Improvements
This year's FLEXIFOIL HADLOW carries Kevlar protection patches on the leading edge, to provide greater enhancements to strength and robustness, giving you the protection and confidence in your equipment you need to throw caution to the wind and push yourself and your kite to the limits.
This year's FLEXIFOIL HADLOW carries Kevlar protection patches on the leading edge, to provide greater enhancements to strength and robustness, giving you the protection and confidence in your equipment you need to throw caution to the wind and push yourself and your kite to the limits.
Dump valves have been added to both ends of the kite to account for varied rolling preferences and reduce the possibility of damaging one side of the kite through excessive handling. Additionally, lap seams have been used across the sail for a cleaner and more accurate aerofoil, to provide a smoother and more solid power delivery.
Six Strut System
The Hadlow Pro brought six struts to the forefront of the kite industry and the HADLOW continues with this winning format. By creating a smoother, more rounded canopy, the kite achieves greater drive through kite loops and gives improved feedback from the bar, to let you know at all times where it is in the sky and what it's doing.
The Hadlow Pro brought six struts to the forefront of the kite industry and the HADLOW continues with this winning format. By creating a smoother, more rounded canopy, the kite achieves greater drive through kite loops and gives improved feedback from the bar, to let you know at all times where it is in the sky and what it's doing.
"This 2011 HADLOW is undoubtedly one of the highest performance kites about ... you can now enjoy a solid, fast bit of kit that will enhance your skills, improve your style and take you to the next level."
Aaron Hadlow - Flexifoil Kitesurfing Team Rider
Check out Hunstanton Watersports Flexifoil Hadlow Pro 2011 Review:
Dont: The bridle instructions.
Do: The different settings, once you work them out, are awesome. Essentially there are two main options:
1.) De-power mode with small pulleys
2.) Full-power mode with bridles to keep the kite stable.
With each option you have the ability to add the 5th line for extra safety and control. So this means there are effectively 4 different ways you can have your kite set up. The de-power mode is ideal for wave riding, learning new tricks and dealing with a kite-size too big. Full power mode is awesome for full-on wake-style and big, fast kiteloops.
Do: Pop and Drop!
For the last 3 years I've been riding the fuels which I absolutely love. The 2009 and 2011 models pull like a train which is great for fully-powered riding. One thing I did find is that all my mates on the Hadlows were learning loads more techy handlepasses than I was and always seemed to be sticking them. I took a leap of faith switching to the Hadlows and now realise it's all down to the way the kite flutters in the sky a little bit when you pop hard. With a sharp push on the rail into a slim, back mobe or KGB I found I was catching the bar really easily and even getting my other hand on it 90% of the time. When it came to flat-3s I was bearing down wind and seeing the kite (which pulls you into the trick with a truckload of power) gently fluttering and making the pass way easier. For the first time I was able to get all the way round, put my other hand on the bar and touch the bar on the backide 5 (double handlepass off a kicker). That's something I've never even come close to on the fuels. The Hadlows have all the power of fuels but seem to be able to dissipate that power at the perfect moment if you pop hard. Incredible.
Do: Build quality. Everything from the stitching to the bar and lines is top-notch. A lot of thought has gone into build techniques and when you pump the kite up rock hard and hold it on the beach it just "feels" so solid.
So who is this kite for?: My honest opinion is that if you're into freestyle or free-ride that hybrid and bow-kites hold back intermediates. This kite is not for complete beginners but if you're up and riding and making some jumps and spins, this is a great kite to take your riding forward. If you want to unhook, boost big and try some kiteloops with a kite is powerful but amazing at catching you.
Cheers,
Check out the Flexifoil Hadlow Pro here
Words: Richard Burton
