2011 Caution Kiteboarding Kite Line
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Caution 2011 Kiteboarding Gear Preview
For 2011 Caution has streamlined its kite offerings to a single line of kites, combining all the best features from their 2010 line into a single free ride kite that excels in the waves and performs for the freestyle riders in flat water. The line features a new sizing scheme, slightly less bar pressure, faster relaunch, and Caution’s precision steering dynamics.
Caution has designed and built kitesurfing products since day one with more than eleven years of experience in kite product development and manufacturing. Their focus is to build high performance gear built to withstand the demanding conditions of Santa Cruz.
Caution’s Peter Schiebel, Poul Shiebel, Jeff Burton, and Brendan Richards gave us an overview on what we can expect from the company’s entire 2011 line, including boards.
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2010 was a great year for Caution with the introduction of the Zombie kite and refinement of the Mayhem which evolved into the Mayhem X. Are these two designs coming back in 2011?
For 2011 we have consolidated the Mayhem X and Zombie kites into a single model. For now we’re calling it the Spitfire, but that name might change before we release it. It offers our riders a mix between the two.
Over the last year, we found our team and core riders were moving toward the Zombie which offers stability, fast yet predictable performance, and all around good handling. Our aim was to take the Zombie platform and tweak it to get some more performance while keeping the qualities that have made it such a popular kite.
What are the major differences between last year’s line and the new kite?
The advances for 2011 are subtle fine tuning changes made to steering characteristics, bar pressure, and overall range. We took feedback from our riders and reps and changed our sizing around a little. We made sure we kept the Zombie’s impressive range while designing for performance.
We experimented with our wingtip design, ultimately reducing bar pressure without losing any precision response and control. We also made changes that allow the kites to relaunch from deep in the window faster, which will help advanced kiters get their kites in the air before the next set and will allow beginners to spend more time with their kites in the air.
The kites are tested and optimized for wave riding conditions, but at the same time offer big boosts and friendly unhooked sheeting characteristics.
Have you made any changes to the control bar? What are the safety features on the bar?
Last year the bar went through a major upgrade, so for 2011 we added some additional features while keeping our performance oriented design. New for this year we have rerouted the safety depower line through the center of the chicken loop assembly, making it a cleaner design overall. Our spring tensioned quick release is accessible from all angles offering a simple and easily accessed push away release.
We added additional travel to the throw and upgraded our insert to reduce friction and increase durability. Our bar ends were slimmed down for weight savings while still offering adjustable bar length settings.
2011 Caution Spitfire
Caution’s Redline and Hustler twin tips are still popular boards although neither has been updated in a few years. Can we expect a new twin tip from Caution in 2011?
This summer we brought some new talent to our team with wake and skateboarding backgrounds. This has brought more energy to our twin tip product development, so it’s a safe bet that you’ll see some new models in our twin tip pipeline for this next year.
This year, Caution added the 5’10” to the directional line late in the season. Is the line changing for 2011 in any way in terms of sizes, construction, or graphics? Can you give some recommendations regarding what level or type of rider would be best suited for each size?
For 2011 the Trespass line continues with the 5’5”, 5’10”, and 6’0.” Each board comes with a redesigned stomp pad with heel kick and new foot straps designed to offer the optimal balance between comfort and control. Each board is shaped out of our high density polyester blanks and comes with reinforced Future boxes.
The 5’5” is great for smaller riders and windier conditions. The 5’10” is optimal for bigger riders that are looking for a high performance board with solid control and glide. The 6’0” works great for lighter wind locations and bigger riders who are looking for more stability and surface area.
Your directional boards all feature Speedwing fins. What are the advantages of these types of fins versus traditional fins? Any disadvantages?
Speedwing fins are designed to reduce drag through the use of winglets on the two side thruster fins. These fins tend to create a little more drive and more hold when slashing the lip. They seem to help the board fly upwind, making it faster and easier to get back to the top of the lineup.
We have gotten tons of positive feedback on these fins, but at the same time fin choice can be highly subjective, so really each person should come to their own conclusion regarding advantages and disadvantages.
Caution also ventured into the standup paddleboard (SUP) market this year. This issue, our instructional is on kiting with a SUP written by Caution’s Brendan Richards. Be honest. Can you really have fun kiting on a SUP?
It’s debatable, but without question it’s more fun than sitting on the beach and can add variety to your kiting.