Based out of the kiteboarding mecca of Fehmarn, Germany, Core Kiteboarding has once again refined and expanded its broad portfolio of products intended for both the generalists and specialist riders within kiteboarding. With their emphasis on design precision, this year Core has updated a number of its key kite platforms and introduced a dedicated foilboarding kite to offer one of the deepest lines of kites on the market.
THIS YEAR THE PERFORMANCE FREERIDE XR SERIES HAS BEEN UPDATED TO THE XR6 VERSION. WHAT CAN LONGSTANDING XR5 USERS EXPECT FROM THIS UPGRADED FREERIDE MACHINE?
XR5 riders should expect the same characteristics from the XR6 which everyone’s come to love over the years. Our head designer knows how important it is not to lose the DNA that makes the XR what it is today and the Core design team has succeeded once again. The XR’s linear responsiveness continues to deliver effortless cruising, record-breaking hangtime, and super smooth landings.
After six generations, we’ve dialed in the characteristics that XR fans seek like prodigious power, unbelievable depower and precise control both on the water and in the air. The latest XR6 version sports a lower profile, improved bridle attachments and an updated strut-geometry which improves canopy rigidity and power. Going upwind on the XR6 has never been easier. As far as benchmarks for the XR line, we like to highlight team rider Marten Haeger, who still holds the world jump height record””an unbelievable 105 feet (32 meters)””on an XR5! We can’t wait to see what he does with his XR6.
Watch Core’s 2020 Kite Product Preview From AWSI
THE UNIVERSAL SERIES INCLUDES THE XR6, GTS AND NEXUS LINE OF KITES. HOW DO YOU STEER USERS WITH VARIOUS DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS AND TYPES OF RIDING BETWEEN THESE MAIN KITES IN YOUR LINE?
All our Universal Series kites are universally easy to ride and enjoy. These high-performance allrounders handle just about anything. What sets them apart is their individual superpower””a specialty or expertise in one discipline.
Simply select the Universal Series kite with the superpower you prefer. For example, the GTS5’s superpower is megaloops. Its Future-C-shaped canopy and Radical Reaction Tips make it the top choice for freestylers. Thanks to its high flight-speed, the GTS5 is also a good choice for hitting waves. Select the wave setting on its CIT-modes and you’re ready to smash some lips.
The XR6’s superpower is it’s high-performance freeriding. Our five-strut freerider has ridiculous stability on the water and in the air. The bow-style concave trailing edge, delta-like sweptback wings, and unique bridle system deliver huge depower and linear control for easy upwinders and fantastic boosts.
Our newest member to the Universal Series, the Nexus, has its superpower in waves. A hybrid between our Section wave kite and the GTS5, the Nexus is a fast turning, powerful fun machine. The Nexus inherits the Section’s surf profile which shifts the maximum camber further back and lowers its aspect ratio. This significantly improves drifting and makes it even more fun in waves. The Nexus’ CIT-Modes is a cool bridle adjustment feature that adjusts its character. Do you want faster turning and more depower? Then select the Wave setting. Or, do you prefer an increased turn radius for your tricks? Then select the Freestyle setting for more stability and a little extra grunt.
Ultimately the best way to navigate the line is to try all the kites in our Universal Series to find out which superpower best suits you.
FOILBOARDING HAS BEEN INCREASING IN POPULARITY AND THIS YEAR CORE HAS RELEASED A DEDICATED LIGHT WIND/FOIL KITE CALLED THE XLITE. WHAT ARE THE KEY DESIGN ASPECTS OF THIS NEW MODEL AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN ITS PERFORMANCE TO POTENTIAL RIDERS?
One of foiling’s defining attributes is the ability to go kiting when traditional kiters can’t. Hydrofoils are so efficient that they need an equally efficient kite that flies in virtually no wind. As the name implies, weight reduction was one of the key elements when developing this model. Its design started by morphing key design elements from the Nexus and Section kites before going through a comprehensive weight shaving program.
We experimented with new leading-edge materials, bridles, and one strut designs. After exhaustive R&D, our designers zeroed in on CoreTex for the canopy and new ExoTex Light for the leading edge. The proven CoreTex brings power and stability to the single strut canopy. In extensive testing, we found that our new ExoTex Light material is similar in strength as our current ExoTex leading-edge dacron, yet it is 10% lighter. New, lighter bridles (and redesigned attachment points) prevent line snag when relaunching. No detail was too small to lighter weight””leading to a total mass reduction of 20%.
The XLite benefits from the Section’s drifting skills in waves, so it is wave ready and when it comes to sending the XLite in light wind you’ll feel that Nexus power that offers enough juice that allows you to size down. Our designers increased the canopy’s aspect ratio (higher than the Section) so the kite can keep up with the foil at speed. With perfect kite balance and a super direct bar feel, the XLite makes learning new moves a blast.
For the XLite we introduced a foil version of our Sensor 2S Pro bar since SLE foil kites are sensitive to heavy kite lines. To maximize your XLite ”˜s performance, we recommend our new 39/45cm Sensor 2S Pro Foil bar. The shorter carbon bar features super adjustable lines that are 20% thinner. Thinner lines significantly improve water relaunching and reduce drag in marginal conditions. The foil bar comes with 22m Tectanium lines (16m+2m+4m) that are rated for 300+kg. Additional 3m extensions are in the bar bag for those who prefer longer lines.
THIS YEAR CORE’S DEDICATED SURF KITE HAS GOTTEN A REDESIGN. WHAT WILL LONGTIME SECTION FANS DISCOVER WITH THE LATEST ROUND OF IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN THE SECTION 3?
Similar to the XLite, the Section 3 falls under our Specialized Series banner””a line of uncompromising kites built for only one purpose. While the XLite is built for foiling, the Section is meant for wave and fans can expect a thoroughbred wave machine.
Section riders know what they’re looking for when upgrading their wave kite and big change isn’t one of them. So we’ve stayed true to the original Section feel and focused on making the kite easier to set up (as in CIT Modes) and lighter where possible (shorter inflation tubes) while maintaining its bombproof construction. The third-gen Section is built for both traditional and freestyle wave (surfstyle) enthusiasts with serious depower for down-theline drifting and incredible control off the lip.
The Section 3 carries over its small diameter ExoTex airframe, lightweight surf construction, and super quick reflexes from its predecessor. The new CIT Modes let you calibrate the Section 3 according to the wind direction. Three, anti-snag bridle attachment points allow for kite adjustments that target onshore wind, allround conditions, and offshore wind. The onshore setting sits the kite deeper in the wind window, giving it more grunt and better drift. The offshore setting sits the kite more forward in the wind window, giving it higher depower and faster forward speed. We also added one more back line trim point and an additional wingtip connection point to give hardcore wave riders more control over their kite setup. CoreTex canopies and ExoTex airframes have powered the Sections from day one and have proven themselves in the most extreme big wave conditions. Ask any Section rider how their kite has stood up over time and beatings.
The Section 3 is also available in two light wind sizes, built with our CoreTex Light ripstop material. These kites depart from traditional wisdom in that a bigger kite is counterproductive on waves. The new Section LW’s immense range lets riders easily spill the wind so they can focus on surfing. The LW’s agility and surface area to weight efficiency give the feeling of a smaller kite and yet it still has the pull to get you out of trouble in the lulls and gusts are held in check with its incredible depower. Yes, a lot of people question the necessity of a 12 or 13.5m wave kite but they should take a closer look at the latest Section 3 video. Our teamriders Willow and Taylor scored some outstanding surf on Mauritius that they couldn’t have accessed without their 12m kites.
HOW DO YOU STEER RIDERS BETWEEN THE FUSION, CHOICE AND BOLT LINE OF BOARDS AND WHAT ARE THE KEY DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE CHANGES THAT RIDERS WILL FIND IN THE RECENT RELEASE OF THE FUSION 4?
Our selection of Cartan carbon powered boards cover all disciplines. Are you into boots? Then select the Choice 3 or Bolt 3. Not into boots? Then select the Choice 3 or Fusion 4. If you never see yourself in boots, we’d highly recommend the Fusion 4, our Swiss Army knife of twin tips.
Our straps-only Fusion 4 satisfies all but the most hardcore freestyle ambitions. As long as you don’t see any boots in your future, it’s your pick. Our newest twin tip carries over all the good stuff from the Fusion 3 and then squeezes even more Cartan carbon into an improved outline. Is it really better? Yes! Popping off the water has never been easier, and you’ll never outgrow it.
Although the Choice 3 comes with bombproof inserts, many ride it with straps. The Choice 3 features Cartan carbon construction and a CNC’d Paulownia wood core just like its siblings. Its channeled hull improves grip and board speed. And if you change your style and start riding wakestyle, your boot-ready Choice 3 has your back. So, give it a try and ride the Choice 3 with or without fins””you’ll always be in control!
The most radical board within our range is definitely the Bolt 3. Our boot-only wakestyle monster features the most Cartan carbon of all our boards for it to thrive at your local terrain park. The waxy surface you feel on the bottom of the Bolt 3 is high-modulus polyethylene, a material with superior sliding properties that’s perfect for rails, ramps, and other water features. And just like snowboards, scratches and dings are quickly repaired with any PTEX candle as long as the gouge has not penetrated the Pro Fix Grindbase and damaged the core.
What’s so special about Cartan carbon? Well, our proprietary 30° high filament count carbon fiber provides more flex along the length of the board and less flex between the heel and toe. Cartan carbon’s unique high filament count also requires less resin which saves weight. Cartan carbon improves pop, softens landings, and gives our boards that signature Core feel.
Regardless of the board you select, our Cartan carbon powered twin tips will deliver a lifetime of woohoos.
Watch Core’s 2020 Twin Tip and Surfboard Product Preview from AWSI
