Nobile Kiteboarding V-Ride 12m 2021
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The 2021 Nobile V-Ride is Nobile’s Freeride/Wave kite. What they’ve done is take their knowledge and experience from earlier models and given the kite a proper makeover. Not so much the kite for Freestyle or Wakestyle, but the V-Ride certainly delivers for big air, wave and freeride rider styles.
It’s a 4-line kite with pulleys on the bridles; there are also front and back bridle trimming options allowing you as the rider to really fine-tune your kite for whatever session lies ahead. Looking at this kite pumped on the beach, you can see it consists of a 3-strut design with swept-back wingtips to enhance wave riding performance but also make relaunching any kite size super-efficient.
Previously this kite was known as the T5, and with its new design, the V-Ride now performs exceptionally in the waves and for foiling. The build of the kite is solid, so it should be a great choice for schools. With plenty of internal reinforcements, double-stitched bond seams, Teijin double ripstop canopy material and Dacron places across areas on the canopy where most essential, this kite can handle its fair share of crashes! If you kite at a beach like ours where it’s shingle at high tide, it’s nice to know the kite is protected in the areas that need it most.
A surprising fact is that this kite is pretty lightweight, especially for the 12m we had on demo. The 12m weighs in at roughly 3kg, and a lightweight kite like this sure does have its benefits! The weight makes it great for foiling, creates brilliant low-end power, and on those light wind days, you might think twice about going out, this kite would get you on the water!
Sizes: 5, 6, 7.5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16
In The Air
The V-Ride is effortless to relaunch, and when in the air, it sits at 12 really well with a light bar pressure. It’s a great kite for schools not only because of its construction but also because of how easy it is to fly. Beginners will gain the confidence when flying this kite to move forward in the sport and progress quickly, but for those riders who are at that next level, it’s also a great choice. Riding around on the twintip was a lot of fun with this kite. It’s got a gentle feel on the turns and feels smooth when travelling through the wind window.
As freeride kites go, it’s a pretty solid all-rounder - a comfortable ride that does everything well. When charging back and forth, it’s important you maintain that upwind performance, and there were no issues getting back upwind with this kite. Get your speed, edge on your heels and away you go.
Although this kite can boost well, there are definitely kites out there that can go bigger. It provides a nice amount of lift with a gentle feel in the air, a great kite for someone getting into jumping. As for turning, it’s very responsive. With the kite now having more of a wave riding feel to it, the turns are quick, precise and direct. There is no messing around here. Being able to switch the power on and off, especially for wave riding, can be key, and the depower range on the V-Ride is great. Take the power when you want it and shut it off when you don’t!
Overall
All in all, it’s a lovely all-round kite that can do everything well. I’d recommend this kite for someone who enjoys giving all avenues of kiting a go and wants to find out what they like. Likewise, this is also a great school kite not only because of its construction but also because of how easy it is to fly. You sure will develop quickly riding with this setup and paired with the control stick bar, you can’t go wrong!
Videos
This review was in Issue 89 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Nobile KiteboardingRelated
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!
