GAASTRA Toxic
Sizes Available: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14m
Sizes Tested: 9, 12m
Gaastra Says:
The Toxic combines fast handling with the ability to drift making this the ultimate surf kite. Precise bar feedback lets you concentrate on the wave giving your confidence in any situation. Responsive steering remains steady when the kite is at max depower. Unreal low end and high end control from this five strut skeleton frame give you a massive wind range.
New strut positioning makes quick reaction times while the full Dacron frame 3.0 provides ultimate durability. The optimized trailing edge gives clean aerodynamics resulting in solid and fast in turns and the cleverly positioned reinforcements result in a lightweight construction that is hard to beat.
Visit for more info: www.gaastrakitesusa.com/2014-toxic
Our Testers Say:
“This kite put a smile on my face! It’s a super fun kite that had the power of a larger kite but handled like a smaller kite,” Laird Davis.
“Good kite with responsive steering, decent boost in jumps with average hang time,” Eric MaCauliffe.
“Good reliable performer, flies low in window with good drift and simple bar setup with easy cleat adjustability,” Cherie Costello.
TKB Says:
The Toxic is an entirely new kite platform for Gaastra with a 5-strut medium to high aspect canopy designed for wave riding and freeride kiting. The Toxic uses a large diameter inflation valve that requires the bigger nozzle that comes standard with all pumps, making inflation and deflation quick and easy. Testers liked its medium bar pressure, quick turning and above average boost for jumping. Compared to the Spark, the Toxic has slightly less bar pressure, more direct steering response and quicker turning speed with better boost for jumps and average stability. Testers felt this kite would be best for intermediate and advanced riders for both freestyle and kiting in the waves.
The Toxic came with the X2 Bar System which features an above bar Clam Cleat tuning system, a magnetic push away quick release, single center line safety depower, self rotating center lines and adjustable bar ends (46, 52cm). Testers liked the ability to change the length of throw by unlocking a latch and sliding the position of the tuning cleat. Testers had questions about the self-rotating center line system, but we found it worked properly with a strong downward stroke towards the quick release as long as you don’t have too many line twists.
Visit for more info on the bar: www.gaastrakitesusa.com/bar-system-x2
