In Focus: Slingshot 2019 Product Overview
Features / Thu 13th Dec, 2018 @ 1:30 pm
We are explorers, adventurers, tinkerers and free spirits. We chase the wind, water and waves as a way of life; it’s in our blood. We value quality and innovation, and after a hard day’s work, nothing makes us happier than to enjoy the products we create. Who are we? We are Slingshot.
2019 Kites
The 2019 NEW RPM
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For years, the RPM was fine-tuned to load, pop and go slack in the air before re-engaging. We had the tuning down to a science, and it helped give multiple freestyle world champions their gold medals. Our mission with the 2019 RPM was to change that – not to eliminate anything – but to shift the kite’s tuning to where we see the sport shifting. At the level, the RPM is designed for that means bigger, better, loftier in-air performance. From slack to soar, the 2019 RPM is the world’s go-to kite for versatile freeride performance.
Features
- NEW Modified Open-C: We decreased the open-C arc of the RPM in favour of a fuller and deeper C. This is a significant change to the kite, on the beach, it will look about the same, but in the air, anyone who knows the RPM will see and feel the difference right away. This difference in shape has a big impact on performance – most notably in overall power, structural stability, hangtime, and control in the air.
- NEW FLYLINE Bridle: A combination of the pulleyed bridle featured on previous RPM models and the bungee IRS bridle we engineered a few years ago. We introduced pulleys on the RPM to give the kite more structural stability and dynamic steering. Then we replaced the pulleys with our IRS bungee system to achieve a more direct feel and smoother power delivery as the kite flies through the window. The FLYLINE bridle combines both pulley and bungee in a new configuration that results in a faster, higher-flying, more powerful RPM than ever before.
- NEW LoadShift: The new configuration of the FlyLine bridle and the location of the pulley and bungee segments give the 2019 RPM a dynamic steering behaviour, unlike any other kite we’ve made. In what is best described as ‘Load Shift’ the FlyLine bridle transfers power and load actively from wingtip-to-wingtip as it flies. Where other kites would warp or twist under load, buckle at the wingtips, flutter or stall out in the air, the new RPM shifts and distributes load actively throughout the canopy, resulting in a smoother, cleaner, more powerful performance.
- World-class unhooked performance- the kite of choice for Carlos Mario if that name rings a bell.
- Hybrid Open-C shape delivers big boosts and smooth, predictable loops.
For more information on Slingshot’s NEW RPM, please click here.
2019 Turbine
With more power per square meter than any other kite in our lineup, the 2019 Turbine is a high-aspect, high-efficiency kite designed for hero-level shredding in the wind as light as a mellow onshore breeze.
Features
- High-aspect shape favours power, efficiency and low-end performance “Session saver”, a must-have for light wind locations
- Long, lofty airs. Just sheet in and ride the elevator
- Freestyle friendly, has drift and carry, pulls like a tank
- Fine-tuned bridle helps with relaunching in low wind
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Turbine, please click here.
2019 Rally
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Rally Where You Want To Go
The Rally will take you where you want to go. Upwind, downwind, back rolls, front rolls, mega boosts, waves or flat water, the Rally has done it all. It’s even crossed the Atlantic.* The Rally inspires confidence, knowing that it will make you a better rider no matter what you’re up to, your on the right kite. Great range and depower, easy relaunch, solid upwind ability, predictable performance in gusty wind, lofty hang-time and solid crossover surf performance- if you’re looking for one kite that does everything well, you will find none better than the Rally.
Features
- The ultimate utility player- one kite for all conditions
- Worry-free relaunch, wide range and great depower
- Reinforced surf-tough construction built to take a pounding
- Forgiving, safe and stable- exceptional user-friendly progression
- Lofty airs, fun freeride performance
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Rally, please click here.
2019 SST
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Freedom At LaSST
The SST means surf, foiling, freeride freedom. Carve upwind for miles to find the best swell, slash harder than riders half your age, then dash downwind, swap your surfboard for a foil and do it all over again. The magic of the SST is in its fantastic drift and responsive handling, even when depowered, sheeted out and drifting downwind. Where any other kite would barely steer at all, or fall out of the sky, the SST drifts like a feather remaining quick and reactive at the bar, almost as if it knows what you’re going to do before you do it.
Features
- Superior surf and foil performance
- Drifts like a dream
- Solid crossover flat water + surf performance
- Responsive steering, even when sheeted out or drifting downwind
- Condensed IRS bridle won’t wrap around wingtips
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 SST, please click here.
2019 Twintip Boards
“We were mad scientists of weird boards and weird shapes, human CNC machines. Every once in a while we found something that worked. It has come such a long way, but at the same time… nothing has changed.”- Tony Logosz
2019 Vision
20/20 Performance
The all-terrain vehicle of kiteboards; the 2019 Vision is a medium-rocker crossover designed for intermediate to advanced riders who want one board they can use confidently in any condition.
Features
- A fan-favourite, all-conditions, crossover board
- Great with boots or foot straps
- “Happy-medium” rocker profile great for freestyle without sacrificing open-water performance
- The vertically laminated wood core has a lively, dynamic feel unlike any other core
- Laser-cut NACA channels provide added grip, speed and pop
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Vision, please click here.
2019 Glide
Glide to Ride
Deceptively agile, this light wind board will keep you cruising in fan-wind bliss while others body-drag back to the beach in anguish.
Features
- Gives you the light wind range of a surfboard with the performance of a twin tip
- Freestyle-friendly thanks to a long, slender outline
- Tapered at the tips for a more dynamic performance
- Great for larger riders and beginners who need extra lift and easy takeoff
- More agile and versatile than other “light wind” boards
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Glide, please click here.
2019 Crisis
Session Critical
A reliable, user-friendly board designed for casual cruising, easy progression and a friendly feel in all conditions.
Features
- The mild rocker is great for progression and staying upwind
- Lighter layup, soft flex give it a fun and friendly feel
- A great shape and build for entry-level or mellow riders
- The lively wood core has plenty of pop
- Great all-around shape and rocker for a variety of wind and water conditions
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Crisis, please click here.
2019 Misfit
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We Are All Misfits
The Misfit is a board for riders who don’t fit into any particular category of the sport and want one board that adapts and performs well in all conditions. Named after the determination we’ve always had to stand out, find our way and refuse to conform to those around us. Easy upwind. Smooth transitions. Predictable pop. The Misfit features a shape, flex and rocker profile designed for versatility in all conditions rather than specialised performance. Suited for all riding levels to get the best possible session, no matter what the conditions.
Features
- Slingshot’s premier all-around twin tip
- Hybrid Koroyd and Wood Core is lighter and stronger
- Mild rocker ideal for carving upwind, slashing swell and busting through chop
- Protective urethane rails
- Excellent choice for all levels of progression
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Misfit, please click here.
2019 Asylum
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Go Crazy, Crazy Grip
Only a prescription would help you ride longer, jump higher, pop harder and leave your session more satisfied just what the doctor ordered. Aggressive channelling on this board gives you crazy grip: grip means, huge pop, soft landings and some healthy board speed. We’ve been mad about this board since we admitted it to our lineup more than a decade ago.
Features
- High-rocker freestyle and flatwater shredder
- Huge pop, soft landings
- Aggressive channelling creates board speed and grip
- Lively and durable wood-core construction
- The upgraded Dura-Glide base for kickers, rails and sliders
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Asylum, please click here.
2019 Karolina Pro
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Shred Bestie
Seeking shred bestie: This is a board you can trust. It will be there when you need it the most and never leave you downwind. You will not walk alone on the beach again. With your shred bestie in tow you don’t just cruise, you shred. One board, all conditions designed for chicks who rip. As the signature model for globe-trotting world champion Karolina Winkowska, the Karolina Pro is intended to be the only board she needs, whether she’s riding freestyle, training in the cable parks or riding into the sunset with hometown friends in Poland.
Features
- High-performance board for female riders
- Signature model for World Champion Karolina Winkowska
- Great load and pop, soft landings
- Lively and durable wood core construction
- Tip and tail channels allow pressing on features without catching an edge
- Solid crossover cable park board
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Karolina Pro, please click here.
2019 Refraction
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Be The Light
Stand out at the beach or park with a crossover wake and kiteboard. Sam Light’s pro model board is as versatile as he is: King of the Air, Triple-S, Hailing Island, Hood River Slider Jam, local Sandbar, or cable parks – you too can be the Light. With the Refraction’s bomber Ballistic Base, you can shred to your heart’s content- kite, cable or wake- without the anxiety of destroying your board. Fear no feature, sandbar, rocks or reef.
Features
- Built for a competition-level kicker, slider and wakestyle riding
- The extra thick Dura-Glide base can take a major beating
- Medium rocker, stiff flex dialled hard-charging riders
- Solid crossover cable park board
- Tip and tail channels allow pressing on features without catching an edge
- Lively and durable wood-core construction with urethane rails
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Refraction, please click here.
Slingshot 2019 Kite Foil
It has completely changed the way that we look at kiteboarding in a way that few other products ever have. They said it was a fad and they couldn’t have been more wrong.
2019 Dwarf Craft 3-6 Micro
Short and Sweet
This thinner version of the Dwarf Craft 3’6” is a treat for experienced foilers who want a super light, minimalist setup they can take just about anywhere and do anything with. The Dwarfcraft 3’6” is already a minimalist setup, but after experimenting with a thinner version, our testers and team riders told us it was lighter, more responsive and gives them a more direct, connected feel to the foil and the water. At the advanced level, the decrease in weight and distance between feet and foil makes a noticeable difference in feel and performance and is just another tweak that helps take the sport to new heights.
Features
- Low-profile skate-style shape for advanced foil performance
- The thinner, lighter version of Dwarf Craft 3’6”
- Concaved deck for agile handling with subtle movements
- Compact for easy travel and transport
- Lightweight, low profile, durable construction
- Full-length deck pad for grip and cushion
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Dwarf Craft 3-6 Micro, please click here.
2019 Hover Glide FKite Foil
Get Your Wings
We have taken all the input we have gotten from our foil academy (thousands of users) to build the most dynamic and playful all-around kite foil package on the market, period. This is Slingshot innovation at its finest, and it’s years ahead of the competition. Do your research … you’ll see what we mean. The 2019 Hover Glide FKite package is equipped with the Space Skate 65 (H4) front wing, and the Space Skate is the obvious evolution for the FKite package. This is one of the most versatile foils in our line. Its size and surface area provide the lift and stability needed for learning, progression, tricks and transitions. Its unique dihedral shape provides a crazy level of dynamic carving control and self-centring flight that you have to feel to believe.
Features
- Re-engineered carbon construction- more range and more efficient
- Flight School compatible for easy learning
- Modular system
- Large, low-aspect Space Skate 65 wing has tons of lift and stability
- Dihedral shape provides “self-centring” flight
- Shift Fuse: Different connection for different performance
- Aluminium mast- sturdy, affordable super durable
- Excellent wake and surf crossover
- Safe-T winglets prevent injury
- Stable 71cm (28 inch) mast
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Hover Glide FKite Foil, please click here.
Ghost Whisper 101 FKite Carbon 2.0
Thrill Seeker
Ride harder, fly faster, jump higher, cover new distances, nail new tricks and find new limits: The Ghost Whisper 101 is high-performance freeride foiling at its finest. Fred Hope is a magician on the water, and the Ghost Whisper 101 is his magic wand. Its medium aspect wing has a fast top-end (about 30knotts) but also has enough lift to cruise comfortably at half that speed. The result is the perfect balance of sensitivity and high-speed performance with stability and predictability. You can scream upwind and boost to the moon, disengage your kite and surf swell or slow down and perfect your transitions. If you’re looking for one foil that delivers the thrill, this is it.
Features
- Light and stiff high-modulus carbon construction
- Versatile, high-level freeride performance
- A perfect blend of speed and stability
- The concave wing provides extra lift
- 101cm mast ideal for all-around freeride foiling
- Perfect for experienced foilers looking to upgrade to carbon
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Ghost Whisper 101 FKite Carbon 2.0, please click here.
Ghost Whisper 111 FKite Carbon 2.0
The Need For Speed
You’re ready for this foil when you can foil with confidence. All the time and energy you spent to get this far will have been worth it. It’s fast. Wicked Fast. Blow your buddies off the water fast. The Ghost Whisper 111 is a finely tuned foil explicitly designed for efficiency, high-speed and long-distance performance. When you get this foil, get a GPS device. Trust us; your friends will want proof of how fast and far you rode.
Features
- Light and stiff high-modulus carbon construction
- High-aspect wingset, top out at about 36knots
- Race-caliber foil for experienced riders
- Cover crazy distances and upwind angles
- Combine with foil kite for light-wind performance
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Ghost Whisper 111 FKite Carbon 2.0, please click here.
Ghost Whisper 91 FKite Carbon 2.0
First Class Flight
The Ghost Whisper 91 is a high-performance carbon freeride foil with tons of range and a smooth, playful feel that foilers of all sizes, shapes and skill levels will fly first class. The Ghost Whisper 91 is made from super light, stiff and efficient high-modulus carbon, but with a larger, low-aspect front wing that gives it tons of lift, stability and dynamic performance at lower speeds. Larger surface area, combined with the efficiency of carbon means it has a huge wind and speed range, while the wing’s unique inverted gull shape provides a crazy level of dynamic carving control and a self-centring flight you have to feel to believe.
Features
- Light and stiff high-modulus carbon construction
- User-friendly freeride performance, a carbon foil anyone can ride
- Inverted gull wing is “self-centring.”
- Tons of low-end range for light wind foiling
- 91cm mast ideal for user-friendly cruising
- Carbon cousin to the Space Skate (H4) wing
For more information on Slingshot’s 2019 Ghost Whisper 91 FKite Carbon 2.0, please click here.
For more information on Slingshot products, please click here.
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
