Slingshot SST 3 years of road testing 6m,7m,8m,9m

Ok so I am testing everything under the sun to make a decision on my next wave kite. I am testing the SST, Reo, Neo, Core Nexus, Drifter. The SST has been my personal weapon of choice for the last 3 years. I am 96kg with a sexy Dad bod. Been kiting in the waves for 10 years give or take.

The Pump Up
Apon Un wrapping a new SST the colour and graphics are nice with that muscle car feel and less like Tie Die colour spew which seems all the rage in Europe for the last 5 years. Slingshot maybe aren't using the latest Teijin Cloth but they make up for this with Bomb Proof stitching and fabric overlays. The One Pump NO NOZZLE is just awesome what every fricken kite should have.
The Bar Is super engineered and has some weight to it. The quick release is arguably the best on market especially when re engaging its quick and easy to plug in. Soft Ends Check ?. I would like slingshot to upgrade the lines though they are still the same lines from Rev days and while they are fine there is much more advanced lines like on Core or Ozone kites. Specifically the centre lines I replaced 1 per bar per season and did some swimming.

Hows She Fly??
It took a few sessions for me coming off REOs to adjust to the SST..but we worth it.
Yup the SST lets you drive off the kite and keeps providing smooth torque as you drive towards it. You don't need to spin this kite hard or fast just guide it and turn off its energy. Need to do a cutback no worries let it up to 12 and cutback to re bound is yours. Need an extra turn but you are under neath your kite keep going finish your wave it takes allot of time for it to find the water> I have had times where its completely slack lines nearly on the water but the kite just finds wind and flies up again. In fact to prove a point I have stood on the beach in 13 kn and pulled the centre lines and I can't make it tip out of the sky.
Best Gnarloo Kite I have tried in all conditions. Last time we were there I was able to tack back up in the lineup at around 13kn on a 9m with only 2 other guys one on a 12m Drifter and the other guy was about 60kg on a 10m REO. Everyone else on the beach waiting.
Note - Go a size smaller- With smooth grunt kite I ride a size smaller.may suit bigger guys that have the weight and power to maximise this kites potential..I think bigger guys in general like a gruntier kite in favour of lighter bar pressure and conversely in allot of cases lighter guys will like a faster less grunty kite like an RRD or Airush Wave.

Drift 10/10
Construction 8/10
Upwind 8/10
Responsiveness 8/10
Turning on Wave 9/10

Negatives
-CAUTION- due to the canopy shape it doesn't like to sit flat on the beach so it can be more prone to lift off the beach and I would only recommend self landing this kite in light winds. I would like Slingshot to make this warning as I feel an in experienced kiter could come unstuck quite easily if not warned.
-Note to Slingshot - Time to invest in the latest materials and also refine the SST as there have been no changes for 3 years. Having said this I don't like it when companies change for the sake of change and F%^^&k up a perfectly good kite. I would say upgrade some materials and reduce weight and it would be arguably the best kite on market.

Positives
-Drift and On wave performance is top notch
-Wont fall out of the sky very easily/gives you twice as much time while getting rolled under waves.
-Bomb Proof Canopy Ride a size down in all conditions

Conclusion
I would say if you are a old Slingshot Fan you need to get a go on this beast and get a demo. Best wave kite they have ever produced it pisses all over the old Rev which was best on ground in a allot of guys eyes back then.

Thanks DM @ Action Sports for the Demo gear All our local Aussie kite stores need your support cheers

horey69 said..
I've been on these kites for 3 seasons now, they cross over for foiling very well too.
Totally agree get on to a demo and check it out for your self.

Yeh I heard that it makes sense to the way they fly very versatile

Riding some cross on conditions yesterday reminded me how good the SST is when you are flying towards it. It really suits less perfect conditions where the wind is flukey up n down. It allows you to get out in these conditions

Fly on da wall said..

omg said..
Well, I believe pretty much every wave kite is good for foiling, right? It's due to the same qualities which make a great wave kite that also are preferred for foiling.

Yeah naaah .. I haven't seen any guy's racing on wave kites

Comoon, the topic was about that sst would be performing well for foiling, and I added that generally all wave kites will do as well. No one was talking abt racing, and clearly not sst nor any other wave kite would be the first choice for racing.

AndreC said..
Slingshot SST 3 years of road testing 6m,7m,8m,9m

Ok so I am testing everything under the sun to make a decision on my next wave kite. I am testing the SST, Reo, Neo, Core Nexus, Drifter. The SST has been my personal weapon of choice for the last 3 years. I am 96kg with a sexy Dad bod. Been kiting in the waves for 10 years give or take.

The Pump Up
Apon Un wrapping a new SST the colour and graphics are nice with that muscle car feel and less like Tie Die colour spew which seems all the rage in Europe for the last 5 years. Slingshot maybe aren't using the latest Teijin Cloth but they make up for this with Bomb Proof stitching and fabric overlays. The One Pump NO NOZZLE is just awesome what every fricken kite should have.
The Bar Is super engineered and has some weight to it. The quick release is arguably the best on market especially when re engaging its quick and easy to plug in. Soft Ends Check ?. I would like slingshot to upgrade the lines though they are still the same lines from Rev days and while they are fine there is much more advanced lines like on Core or Ozone kites. Specifically the centre lines I replaced 1 per bar per season and did some swimming.

Hows She Fly??
It took a few sessions for me coming off REOs to adjust to the SST..but we worth it.
Yup the SST lets you drive off the kite and keeps providing smooth torque as you drive towards it. You don't need to spin this kite hard or fast just guide it and turn off its energy. Need to do a cutback no worries let it up to 12 and cutback to re bound is yours. Need an extra turn but you are under neath your kite keep going finish your wave it takes allot of time for it to find the water> I have had times where its completely slack lines nearly on the water but the kite just finds wind and flies up again. In fact to prove a point I have stood on the beach in 13 kn and pulled the centre lines and I can't make it tip out of the sky.
Best Gnarloo Kite I have tried in all conditions. Last time we were there I was able to tack back up in the lineup at around 13kn on a 9m with only 2 other guys one on a 12m Drifter and the other guy was about 60kg on a 10m REO. Everyone else on the beach waiting.
Note - Go a size smaller- With smooth grunt kite I ride a size smaller.may suit bigger guys that have the weight and power to maximise this kites potential..I think bigger guys in general like a gruntier kite in favour of lighter bar pressure and conversely in allot of cases lighter guys will like a faster less grunty kite like an RRD or Airush Wave.

Drift 10/10
Construction 8/10
Upwind 8/10
Responsiveness 8/10
Turning on Wave 9/10

Negatives
-CAUTION- due to the canopy shape it doesn't like to sit flat on the beach so it can be more prone to lift off the beach and I would only recommend self landing this kite in light winds. I would like Slingshot to make this warning as I feel an in experienced kiter could come unstuck quite easily if not warned.
-Note to Slingshot - Time to invest in the latest materials and also refine the SST as there have been no changes for 3 years. Having said this I don't like it when companies change for the sake of change and F%^^&k up a perfectly good kite. I would say upgrade some materials and reduce weight and it would be arguably the best kite on market.

Positives
-Drift and On wave performance is top notch
-Wont fall out of the sky very easily/gives you twice as much time while getting rolled under waves.
-Bomb Proof Canopy Ride a size down in all conditions

Conclusion
I would say if you are a old Slingshot Fan you need to get a go on this beast and get a demo. Best wave kite they have ever produced it pisses all over the old Rev which was best on ground in a allot of guys eyes back then.

Thanks DM @ Action Sports for the Demo gear All our local Aussie kite stores need your support cheers

If you get a chance can you also try the cabrinha moto?

AndreC said..

CJ2478 said..

AndreC said..
Slingshot SST 3 years of road testing 6m,7m,8m,9m

Ok so I am testing everything under the sun to make a decision on my next wave kite. I am testing the SST, Reo, Neo, Core Nexus, Drifter. The SST has been my personal weapon of choice for the last 3 years. I am 96kg with a sexy Dad bod. Been kiting in the waves for 10 years give or take.

The Pump Up
Apon Un wrapping a new SST the colour and graphics are nice with that muscle car feel and less like Tie Die colour spew which seems all the rage in Europe for the last 5 years. Slingshot maybe aren't using the latest Teijin Cloth but they make up for this with Bomb Proof stitching and fabric overlays. The One Pump NO NOZZLE is just awesome what every fricken kite should have.
The Bar Is super engineered and has some weight to it. The quick release is arguably the best on market especially when re engaging its quick and easy to plug in. Soft Ends Check ?. I would like slingshot to upgrade the lines though they are still the same lines from Rev days and while they are fine there is much more advanced lines like on Core or Ozone kites. Specifically the centre lines I replaced 1 per bar per season and did some swimming.

Hows She Fly??
It took a few sessions for me coming off REOs to adjust to the SST..but we worth it.
Yup the SST lets you drive off the kite and keeps providing smooth torque as you drive towards it. You don't need to spin this kite hard or fast just guide it and turn off its energy. Need to do a cutback no worries let it up to 12 and cutback to re bound is yours. Need an extra turn but you are under neath your kite keep going finish your wave it takes allot of time for it to find the water> I have had times where its completely slack lines nearly on the water but the kite just finds wind and flies up again. In fact to prove a point I have stood on the beach in 13 kn and pulled the centre lines and I can't make it tip out of the sky.
Best Gnarloo Kite I have tried in all conditions. Last time we were there I was able to tack back up in the lineup at around 13kn on a 9m with only 2 other guys one on a 12m Drifter and the other guy was about 60kg on a 10m REO. Everyone else on the beach waiting.
Note - Go a size smaller- With smooth grunt kite I ride a size smaller.may suit bigger guys that have the weight and power to maximise this kites potential..I think bigger guys in general like a gruntier kite in favour of lighter bar pressure and conversely in allot of cases lighter guys will like a faster less grunty kite like an RRD or Airush Wave.

Drift 10/10
Construction 8/10
Upwind 8/10
Responsiveness 8/10
Turning on Wave 9/10

Negatives
-CAUTION- due to the canopy shape it doesn't like to sit flat on the beach so it can be more prone to lift off the beach and I would only recommend self landing this kite in light winds. I would like Slingshot to make this warning as I feel an in experienced kiter could come unstuck quite easily if not warned.
-Note to Slingshot - Time to invest in the latest materials and also refine the SST as there have been no changes for 3 years. Having said this I don't like it when companies change for the sake of change and F%^^&k up a perfectly good kite. I would say upgrade some materials and reduce weight and it would be arguably the best kite on market.

Positives
-Drift and On wave performance is top notch
-Wont fall out of the sky very easily/gives you twice as much time while getting rolled under waves.
-Bomb Proof Canopy Ride a size down in all conditions

Conclusion
I would say if you are a old Slingshot Fan you need to get a go on this beast and get a demo. Best wave kite they have ever produced it pisses all over the old Rev which was best on ground in a allot of guys eyes back then.

Thanks DM @ Action Sports for the Demo gear All our local Aussie kite stores need your support cheers

If you get a chance can you also try the cabrinha moto?

I have ridden the drifter and FX quite a few times but not the Moto yet. Might do a Drifter review at some point.

To me it would make sense to try the moto. Seems like the cabrinha version of the nexus, ie a do it all kite.

newbie23562 said..
which size have you used more for Perth's summer conditions?

6m and 8m my most used sizes.

Good service from Slingshot hey, they are all over the fast delivery.
I've been on the sst now for three seasons, started foiling with it last season too, it holds it's own with the foil.
Won't be riding anything else in the forseable future
Horey

horey69 said..
Good service from Slingshot hey, they are all over the fast delivery.
I've been on the sst now for three seasons, started foiling with it last season too, it holds it's own with the foil.
Won't be riding anything else in the forseable future
Horey

Hi, was trying 8M Airush wave (love this kite for SB and 18+knots but) need a small kite for foiling. The actual wind ignored the forecast and going out thru the waves with the foil - wind started dropping and 12-13 knots it was too hard to keep it together - Probably my 12 Reo would have hung in there but it is a big kite for the foil. My son had a crack on his 11M Razor and first time on the foil setup went OK including a gybe.. G8 to watch... but this fell out the sky during a lull 10-13 knts by this stage when we tried to swap over.
So question - what size / wind range for SST and foiling?? My current thinking is to get a single strut kite for light wind foiling days...??
Thanks
AP

AquaPlow said..

horey69 said..
Good service from Slingshot hey, they are all over the fast delivery.
I've been on the sst now for three seasons, started foiling with it last season too, it holds it's own with the foil.
Won't be riding anything else in the forseable future
Horey

Hi, was trying 8M Airush wave (love this kite for SB and 18+knots but) need a small kite for foiling. The actual wind ignored the forecast and going out thru the waves with the foil - wind started dropping and 12-13 knots it was too hard to keep it together - Probably my 12 Reo would have hung in there but it is a big kite for the foil. My son had a crack on his 11M Razor and first time on the foil setup went OK including a gybe.. G8 to watch... but this fell out the sky during a lull 10-13 knts by this stage when we tried to swap over.
So question - what size / wind range for SST and foiling?? My current thinking is to get a single strut kite for light wind foiling days...??
Thanks
AP

My 8m was my trusty in light wind DW on surfboard from 12knots. Very hard to pull out of the sky and likes to relaunch. I would demo the 8m for light wind on the foil.

DJMWA said..
How's the rest of the reviews coming along Andre? I'll defintiely be changing out at least my 9m neo next year, if it's not fully powered up it's n absolute slug. Still love the 6m though but hat might just be a size thing

Hey Bud...kinda got stuck on the core Nexus ...frothing on it. atm except gave myself tennis elbow (the boys reckon its a non kiting related injury ???????)... good to hear some feedback on the NEO. Due to review NEO and REO over the next couple of weeks. I have been watching the NEO fly and getting feedback from mates who have flown them. Trying to decipher marketing hype and brand belief to real objective performance is hard until you fly one yourself. I did notice on the larger NEOs there is slight drift/stall effect in part of its turning arc just watching it. I did see the 6m too it looks fast and direct...cant wait to fly one. DM and Action sports has all demo kite fleet. (minus a 7m Nexus I still have that so if you want to try that hit me up)

My youngster has the 6m SST, 8m Lithium and 10M Lithium and when the winds up that leading edge on the SST means that there's no chance of self landing and launching which is super easy on the Lithiums. I have to hang round to launch and hit the beach to land him, becoming quite the beach bitch of late.
Have to say though he hated the SST at first but now he's on the surfboard he's loving it when the winds up.
Turns fast, doesn't pull him off his edge during toeside transitions and definitely drifts well.
For a little fella the real bonus is being able to just turn the power OFF which they do really well.

I sold my 6,8,10 and 12 2016 because to much power when looping the kite. Everything else is a 10/10 cheers

the drifting 20/10 it is the best kite for drifting.

t