CrazyFly Sculp 10 2021
Reviews / Kites
41,705
At A Glance
The CrazyFly Sculp is a staple kite within the brands quiver. ‘One World, One Kite’, this is CrazyFly’s do it all kite. Freeride, freestyle and foiling can all be easily achieved when using this kite on a session – a fantastic all-rounder.
Looking at the kite design, it features a 3-strut build with an all-new Hybrid Delta Bow shape. This all-new shape makes this kite versatile across a variety of different disciplines providing a platform for big air, fast kite loops and precise turning. Its 3-strut design encourages weight loss throughout the kite whilst being able to take its fair share of wear and tear. Using a heavy-duty Dacron frame, there are numerous reinforcements placed around the kite which keep its strength and durability. Having this Dacron frame also helps achieve a stable flight when in the air whilst not affecting the weight too heavily.
Previously, CrazyFly have used Teijin Triple Ripstop material in their kites whereas 2021 sees a brand-new material which is exclusive to CrazyFly. Triplex contains a coating that protects the fabric from UV rays, salt and abrasive objects like sand meaning your kite will last for longer!
Made in Europe at their own factory, all CrazyFly products come with a 3-year warranty, which is always reassuring if anything was to ever go wrong!
The airlock valve is a nice feature making inflation quick and easy. You can see from the overall design and technology put into this kite that CrazyFly have really focused on making a solid all-rounder. Paired with the CrazyFly Sick Bar, this kite comes in the following sizes;
7m, 9m, 10m, 12m, 14m
In The Air
A very user-friendly kite, this kite felt fantastic when up on the edge of the wind window. It was really stable when at 12 and handled any gusts with ease. When riding along, the Sculp has a lovely feel and it never once felt like I was fighting the kite.
The handling of this kite was fantastic. With a brand new 8-point short fixed bridle set up, this enables the kite to turn quickly on a small turning radius whilst still holding good tension in the lines throughout. When putting in those sharp quick turns the kite reacts efficiently and is very responsive. This year CrazyFly amended the back line attachments towards the leading edge of the kite. This new attachment point is what encourages a faster turn and more responsive feel. This also explains why kitelooping felt great! With a really quick turning speed this kite catches you almost immediately. A great kite for those who are practising their kiteloops too!
When blasting up and down as I mentioned earlier, the Sculp has a lovely feel to it. The bar pressure is minimal and it’s a real joy to fly. Blasting back upwind is easy, so once you’ve gone big or thrown down some crazy freestyle move, before you know it, you’ll be back to where you started!
Jumping is another characteristic we can’t ignore when it comes to the Sculp. For a kite that can do it all it sure can perform in the air! Because the kite has such precise turning its easy to line up your jumps. Place your kite in the right spot, sheet in with the bar and up you go! For those looking at getting kite a which is dedicated to big air, I would definitely check out CrazyFly’s other kite in the quiver, the Hyper – this is the CrazyFly 5-strut boosting machine.
Throughout the hangtime, the Sculp offers a floaty feel and when timed right the landings are easy on the knees! Luckily, I was able to test the kite during a range of wind speeds and I can truly say that when it comes to looping, it’s a great kite to loop in both strong and light winds. You almost have this safe feel when attached to the Sculp.
As this is an all-rounder it can also perform in the waves and when throwing down that freestyle. Although it is not built for wave riding it does drift well and the trim system on the bar allows an easy access for depower. When accessing the depower system you can really feel the difference when playing around and yet there really is no major difference in the performance of the kite.
Like its previous 2020 model, the Sculp is still just as easy to relaunch. The kite sits on the edge of the wind window without you, the rider, feeling any major tug. A little pull on the steering lines and the kite simply just rises up to where you want it!
Overall
A fantastic kite for those who want something that does it all and brilliant for those riders who are looking at buying their first kite but don’t want something at a basic entry level. This kite will allow you to develop, learn and most importantly SEND IT! With some serious performance qualities and no real downfalls, the all new CrazyFly Sculp is one you’ll want to try!
This review was in Issue 86 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit CrazyFlyRelated
By Liam Dredge
Liam fell in love with all Watersports after completing numerous seasons aboard, he then picked up kiting whilst in the warm tropics of the Carribean and has been obsessed ever since! Anyone that knows him would say it's near the only thing he talks about (which drives some crazy), and he loves to keep up to date with all the latest news, equipment and events that kiting has to offer. Liam also runs his own Watersports Centre along the south coast of the UK, LOOP Watersports, which is where our IKSURFMAG Test Centre is located!
