Elliot Leboe - New Red camera kiteboarding video from ACL productions

Best 2011 Taboo (17m) Analyze This Kite Review

While we tested both the 8m and 12m Taboo last issue, each size of the Taboo is designed differently. The 17m Taboo is a completely different kite than the previous Taboos tested. Compared to the smaller Taboos, the 17 is a very high aspect kite and has a unique center strut.

Litewave 2011 Wing Analyze This Board Review

We tested the big boy of the 2011 Litewave Wings, the 161. This is a light wind specific board and it stands out when compared to other twin tips. The board features wide tips, a reverse sidecut outline, and a very deep tip to tip single concave. There are two fins on the heel edge and two near the tips of the board close to the centerline. This board has more rocker than last year’s model and is fairly flexible.

RRD 2011 Obsession Analyze This Kite Review

The 2011 RRD Obsession looks similar to last year’s model, but there are a few obvious differences. The trailing edge is now all Dacron and the graphics are actually made of fabric sewn onto the kite as opposed to being screened on, a feature that RRD claims adds more rigidity to the canopy.

Nobile 2011 NHP Analyze This Board Review

The first thing our testers noticed was how easily driven the NHP is. It takes little power to get going and shoots upwind almost effortlessly.