Taking the Americas by storm, Core Kiteboarding is combining German precision with an expansive portfolio of products intended for both the generalists and specialist riders within kiteboarding. Introducing a brand new crossover option with the Nexus kite platform and a new and improved rendition of its freestyle and freeride champion the GT5, Core Kiteboarding is moving into 2019 with one of the most complete offerings of performance-based kiteboarding products.
THE UNIVERSAL+ SERIES INCLUDES THE XR5, GTS5, AND NEXUS. HOW DO YOU STEER USERS WITH VARIOUS SKILL LEVELS AND RIDING PREFERENCES BETWEEN THESE KITES?
We group our kites to help our customers better understand each kite’s capabilities and personality. For those not familiar with our Universal+ Series, it’s a three-kite family of allrounders: the XR5, GTS5, and the recently released Nexus. Although each kite shares incredible versatility, they all sport a unique personality and a superpower.
For example, the XR5’s superpower is its incredible hangtime. It likes to go big, especially in overpowered conditions, and yet this kite will also deliver pillow-soft landings. The GTS5’s superpower is its megaloop pedigree. Its aggressive kiteloops and impeccable ”˜slack’ is more suited for unhooked kiters and those who aspire to become freestyle maestros. The all-new Nexus is the one kite that can do it all. Sitting squarely between the XR and the GTS, the Nexus’ superpower is its affinity to waves. It’s a little more reserved than the GTS, and yet it still can loop like one. It’s not as powerful as the XR, yet it feels like your jumps float forever. And, foiling is fun too with the new Nexus!
As we see it, 90% of kiters will find their perfect match with one of our Universal+ Series of kites. For the remaining 10%ers, we have the Specialized Series.
WHEN IT COMES TO BIG AIR AND HANGTIME, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE(S) BETWEEN THE XR5 AND THE GTS5?
We love this question because the two kites perform the same task in very different ways. The XR is so powerful that jumping is as easy as edging a little and sheeting in the bar. Stay sheeted in, and you’ll never come down! When you’re ready to come down, feather your landing by sheeting in again just before touchdown. That’s all there is to those super soft landings the XR5 is known for. The GTS, on the other hand, has a more aggressive elevator ride up and down. If you really send the kite and precisely time your edging and takeoff, just hang on”” the GTS might send you to the moon! To get the same pillow-soft landings as the XR5, you’ll need to loop the kite (again) before touchdown.
IN ADDITION TO THE UNIVERSAL+ SERIES, CORE SELLS THE WAKESTYLE IMPACT 2 AND A SURF KITE CALLED THE SECTION 2. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE SECTION 2 THAT DIFFERENTIATES IT FROM YOUR UNIVERSAL+ SERIES KITES?
When we were tasked to build the ultimate wave kite, we were given the opportunity to build a very specialized kite. A no-compromise wave kite built for experienced riders who know what they want. A kite for the 10%ers. It was clear from the start that the Section 2 wouldn’t fit under the Universal+ Series banner. And so, we created a new line of single-purpose gear called the Specialized Series. When word got out that CORE was building a wave only kite, kiters were curious. Ask anyone who rides a Section, and you’ll likely get that same silly grin! They love how intuitive and responsive it is in dicey situations. They describe how they can virtually turn off the kite to focus on surfing the beautiful waves. We injected super fast reflexes and impeccable drifting so when you’re toeside on a wind-driven 10-footer it doesn’t stall. Its lightweight construction, speed, and reduced lateral forces also made it an unexpectedly awesome foiling kite. So that’s why the Section has its very own spot under our Specialized banner. However, if you love the Section’s drifting but prefer a little extra grunt in your hands, you’re likely a Nexus rider.
CORE IS KNOWN FOR ITS SOLID CONSTRUCTION. WHAT GIVES CORE ITS REPUTATION FOR HIGH QUALITY AND DURABLE KITES?
We’ve worked very hard over the past 10 years to avoid taking shortcuts when building our kites. If we can’t source parts that meet our high standards, then we’ll make them ourselves because ”˜good enough’ doesn’t fly at CORE. ExoTex is a perfect example of where we couldn’t find a better leading edge material. So we partnered with a leading Dacron manufacturer to design a superior material for our leading edges and struts. We call it ExoTex, and our new no-stretch Dacron measurably improves airflow, flight stability, and kite feedback.
When we couldn’t source quality canopy fabric, we designed CoreTex. Our exclusive triple ripstop canopy fabric is protected and strengthened with three different coating processes called emulsions. Our canopy fabric sets benchmarks in breaking strength, tear resistance, longevity, UV protection, and elongation.
Our Tectanium lines is another example of where we partnered with Liros, the market leader in specialized aeronautical and sail cordage to build the best kite lines ever. The tangle-free, no stretch, Tectanium lines are 400% more resistant to elongation and feature an unbelievable 50% greater breaking strength. To cap things off, the lines are 10% thinner and, therefore, more aerodynamic. These are just a few of the design elements that makes every ‘Core-tough’ kite perform the way they do.
THIS YEAR CORE HAS THREE SURFBOARDS. HOW DO YOU STEER RIDERS BETWEEN THE RIPPER3, THE GREEN ROOM, AND THE 720? MOREOVER, HOW DO THE THREE FIN OPTIONS CHANGE THEIR PERFORMANCE?
Nowadays, we all ride surfboards for different reasons. Some of us are storm chasers while others seek the freedom of a secluded point break. And then there are those that prefer some sweet airtime action at their lagoon. We extended our wave board range to serve these unique and rapidly growing wave riding disciplines. Two new specialty boards recently joined our allrounder, the Ripper 3. The compact, strapless 720 is our freestyle board that features a lower mass and swing weight that yield stylish stick-to-your-feet aerials and rotations. As the name already implies, the Green Room is CORE’s big wave performer. The board differs from our allrounder Ripper 3 in that it is noticeably narrower in width and lower in volume (-15%). It also features a rounded pin tail design that features less lift. To answer your fin question, we offer three options to provide more choice. Any FCSII fins will work, though, so use your favorite ones!
WHEN IT COMES TO TWIN TIPS, HOW DO RIDERS DECIDE BETWEEN THE FUSION 3 AND THE CHOICE 3? WHAT ARE THE KEY DESIGN FEATURES THAT DIFFERENTIATE THESE BOARDS?
The full carbon Fusion 3 appeals pretty much to every rider. Newcomers love its smooth, easy riding qualities and gurus love its high-end capabilities in the most extreme situations. It doesn’t matter what season, which continent or what style you ride; the new Fusion 3 is all you need. Our third generation added massive grip to the board’s hull with new variable thickness rails, more channels, and a full-length V-shaped keel. The only thing you can’t do is install boots on your Fusion.
For those who ride in boots and prefer freestyle performance without sacrificing comfort, they will find the Choice 3 unbeatable. Its progressive freestyle rocker, V-shaped keel, and deep multi-channels have added a lot more functionality and comfort for hard landings and freestyling. And with its boot-tough inserts, the Choice 3 is a smart decision if you ever see yourself in boots or unhooking in the future.
