Naish Kiteboarding Slash 9m 2017
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
Naish have been pioneering quality kiteboarding design for many years now. Starting as a windsurfing brand, Naish moved onto kiteboarding, surf and SUP products. Founded and massively influenced by Robby Naish the brand has gone from strength to strength over the years. Driven by a massive passion for watersports the brand's team uses its athletes and engineers to innovate and construct the gear we see today.
The Slash is a new model for the 2017 lineup and comes preloaded with features its bound to catch your eye. The Slash is aimed at the wave and strapless market; it is a three strut swept arc design kite. With design features such as its lightweight solid frame construction, radial segmented arc, low drag wing tips, ABS bridle and the octopus inflation system.
The construction of the Slash is incredible, and we can see Naish’s Quad Tex quadruple ripstop, easy access zippers (octopus system), trailing edge and bumper reinforcements, Aramid patches, canopy stabilisers, a high flow inflate/deflate valve and much more.
The Slash is available in two colours, Grey / Yellow and Green / Blue, both of which look mean yet stylish.
Sizes: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10m
The Bar
We took the Slash out using the new 2017 BTB Torque control system. The new Torque bars have undergone some serious work for this year, featuring a new release, new adjustable length bar ends, replaceable bar centre and many configuration options to suit you the riders.
The bar is incredibly robust yet comfortable when you get your hands on it; quality has been a focus here. We see a memory core under the grip, Hytrel chicken loop, aircraft grade aluminium and lots more.
The Torque release system is insanely simple and quick to use, releasing works immediately and clipping back in takes no time at all. We can use this in either standard mode or suicide mode. Ideal for those riders who unhook but want reliable safety while on the shore.
The bar has a large centre line giving us the ability to depower huge amounts on the fly. The BTB depower cleat is simple to use and very precise for trimming while on the water.
In The Air
Taking to the water on the Slash couldn't have been easier; it's effortless to self-launch. While we are on the subject the relaunch of the Slash was reliable in a variety of conditions, something I know I want when sat in the whitewater wanting to get going in a hurry.
A bombproof, light, rapid turning, stable kite.
The Slash is perfectly responsive on the bar, quick turning and effortless to fly. For the smaller size kites, you can move in the turning lines on the bar to get a less responsive feel if you desire.
In the air the Slash is solid as a rock, chuck it in front of you, drive it to the edge and bear off down the face of the waves, this thing will be sat waiting for your next move. The drift this kite creates in the sky is outstanding! Having this reliable stability gives us the confidence to go crazy smashing the lip or popping some strapless freestyle, not having to worry about dropping the kite while we focus on the board.
Depower is paramount while out riding strapless and in the waves, there's always a time you wish you had more. However, on the Slash the throw and range of the depower is so large that you can really lose power and fire the kite to the edge of the window when needed.
For those looking to chuck a few boosts or strapless airs, its still got you covered; the Slash is smooth and floaty throughout its jumps.
For
Stability and huge depower range combined with the direct/responsive feel, insane speed and drift of the Slash makes this one ideal kite for those avid wave/strapless riders. Constructed to withstand a beating out back on the water the Slash is the ideal kite of choice.
Against
In lighter conditions, we did find it slightly trickier to power, the Slash back up (due to less tension) with the BTB depower system, however, when the kite was powered this worked perfectly.
Overall
The Naish 2017 Slash is a bombproof, light, rapid turning yet stable kite. No matter how you wish to ride, whether that be relaxed and steady or smashing the kite from left to ride down the line, the Slash performs. It's light on the bar and depowers massively. From the first glance, it was apparent how well this kite is constructed and how tough this kite will be, it's likely to last more washing machine rinse cycles through the waves than you! If you're looking for your next wave and strapless kite, the Slash should most definitely be in your quiver!
Videos
This review was in Issue 59 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Naish KiteboardingRelated
By Robin and Sukie
With years of kite sport experience combined, you can be sure you’ll be receiving the highest quality of knowledge on the best equipment the industry has to offer.
