Blade Kiteboarding Scalper 136 x 42cm 2010
Reviews / Twin Tips
24,111
At a Glance
The Scalper from Blade is a high-end performance twin tip that combines a medium rocker line with variable flex. The middle of the board is fairly stiff and the flex is put into the tips to allow for better and more aggressive pop. The pads and straps are well made and easy to fix to the board, the G10 fins are also a good touch which hints towards quality.
On the Water
This is a flat water freestyle machine, the stiff core lends itself to butter flat water where you can load up as hard as you like and pop till your arms fall off. The wide mid section and tips give the rider plenty of platform for landing and the flex in the tips and concave bottom help smooth out the harshest of impacts. Taller riders with a wide stance might find the straps a little too close together. On the widest setting we still felt like a wider option would get even more out of the board. In the chop this board lets the side down a little, the harsh mid section makes for a bumpy ride, especially in extremely choppy conditions. Get it back on the flat stuff though and it comes alive again. Underfoot the board is fast and responsive to rider input. Rail to rail carving is good for a board of this genre too.
For
Fast, direct and containing bags of performance and pop the Scalper will be sure to delight the seasoned freestyler.
Against
Harsh ride in the chop and the stance could be a little wider for larger riders.
Overall
A great freestyle board for smaller riders who get to carve up the flat stuff.
This review was in Issue 22 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Blade KiteboardingRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
