Flexifoil Omega 133 x 42cm 2008
Reviews / Twin Tips
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At a Glance
Flexifoil have had a board line up for a few years now and recently they have turned out some popular boards. This year the line up includes three models the Alpha, Delta and the Omega. The Omega is their top end board aimed at the experienced rider looking for an uncompromising out and out performance machine. The board comes in two sizes with a 130 x 41 sitting in the line up as well. Using the tried and tested snowboard style construction used by just about every manufacturer these days the Omega is strong and durable and should certainly stand the test of time over the course of the season.
Meat and Veg
Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the Omega when you first look at it is the flat rocker line. The board has a huge flat section in the middle and hardly any rocker in the tips. This has several effects on the way the board rides. First up it is very very fast in a straight line, one of the quickest boards we have ridden for a while the top end pace is definitely exciting. The flat rocker line combined with the wide outline and plan shape also make the board very quick to get up on the plane. It is easy to get going in the lightest of airs and in the lulls the wide outline help it to keep its speed up. There is a downside to this shape though; this really isn’t a board for the feint hearted. Experts only need really apply as the flat rocker line, whilst making it fast, make it very unforgiving. In a small amount of chop it is easy to catch the nose and the super sharp thin rails mean you really have to stomp your tricks perfectly in order to land them every time. If you know what you are doing you will get a lot out of this board, but if you are still coming up through the ranks then the other boards in the range would suit you better. The pop is really impressive, the wide outline letting you hold down heaps of power before releasing your edge. The stiff middle section also helps propel the rider up into the air, the flex tips allowing you to come down from the hardest of landings fairly easily too. The wide shape and outline also lends itself well to easy landings. One thing we ought to mention is the carving, we found the board too wide and too flat to really lend itself to rail to rail carving in anything but the flattest water. It really is suited to freestyle for the expert rider or the intermediate looking for something to get them going in the lightest of airs. The thin rails and large fins help the board to crank upwind with ease, as a light wind board it works really well.
Fixtures and Fittings
The straps and pads on the Omega are really comfy on the feet and large enough to accommodate the biggest feet. This is always something that we like to see on a board. The straps are also really easy to fit and very comfortable with good adjustment. The fins are pretty big 5.5cm; these really help the board get going upwind.
Overall
If your looking for something quick with real high-end performance then the Omega fits that bill, it also ticks boxes for those wanting something for the lighter summer airs. But it isn’t going to let you off lightly if you make any errors!
This review was in Issue 9 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit FlexifoilRelated
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!
