Freestyle Kites at Surfoon
In this page, you will find everything you need to know when buying a freestyle kite. Freestyle kites are the most sporty and responsive kites in our range. Freestyle kites are essential for kite surfers who want to ride unhooked to perform tricks like handle passes and S-bends. Choosing a freestyle kite is also an excellent option if you enjoy fast kiteloops. Not all freestyle kites are super hardcore and difficult to control. Kites like the F-one Bandit and the Duotone Dice are examples of accessible freestyle kites. Kites like the Duotone Vegas, Naish Torch, and Slingshot Fuel are hardcore C kites designed for more advanced kite surfers. If you are unsure which kite is right for you, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp, email, phone, or come visit our megastore in Noordwijk.
Frequently asked questions when buying a Freestyle kite:
- What makes a freestyle kite so suitable for freestyle and wakestyle?
- What is the difference between freestyle kitesurfing and wakestyle?
- What is a 5-line setup for freestyle kites?
- What is the best size for freestyle kitesurfing?
- Are freestyle kites good for kiteloops?
- What brands does Surfoon sell for freestyle kites?
What makes a freestyle kite so suitable for freestyle and wakestyle?
Freestyle kites are designed to generate a lot of pop and slack for unhooked tricks. The slack in your lines is crucial, especially when attempting handle passes. Due to the unique C-shape of freestyle kites, they often have less depower than other kites, making them more direct and slightly more aggressive. Compared to all-terrain kites, freestyle kites sit deeper in the wind window, making them somewhat more challenging to gain height.
All freestyle kites are based on a C-shaped design. There are hardcore C kites like the Duotone Vegas and the Slingshot Fuel. These 'true' C kites lack bridles but have a front and back line at the tips. They are often flown with a fifth line and are not suitable for beginners.
Also, there are hybrid C kites. These hybrid C kites combine characteristics of C kites and Bow kites. With a bridle, these kites are much more accessible than 'true' C kites. They offer significantly more depower but allow for easy practice of freestyle tricks.
What is the difference between freestyle kitesurfing and wakestyle?
Kitesurfing is a blend of several board sports such as wakeboarding, snowboarding, and surfing. Wakestyle is a form of freestyle that resembles wakeboarding, both behind a boat and on a cable. Many wakestyle tricks with the kite are inspired by wakeboarding. In wakestyle, it is crucial to keep the kite low and achieve a high and aggressive pop. Wakestyle also includes the use of obstacles, like in a wake park.
Freestyle stands out prominently in events like the Freestyle World Cup, the GKA. Freestyle riders go higher and focus more on the number of rotations and handle passes, while wakestyle riders pay more attention to style and body position. This distinction means that wakestyle falls under freestyle, but freestyle does not fall under wakestyle.
What is a 5-line setup for freestyle kites?
Some freestyle kites come with a fifth line or can be converted into a five-line kite. This fifth line is attached directly to the center of the leading edge. The fifth line improves the wind range and depower of the kite, making it easier to relaunch the kite. Thanks to the fifth line, the kite feels more direct and you can easily load the kite for more slack during your unhooked tricks. A significant disadvantage of the fifth line is that it can wrap around your kite, making relaunching difficult or even tearing the fabric of the kite.
What is the best size for freestyle kitesurfing?
If you want to practice freestyle and wakestyle, the preference is for larger kites. You don't want too much wind during freestyle because it can result in choppier water conditions and unfavorable circumstances. When performing an unhooked trick, you want the kite to move as little as possible and remain stable in the air. A larger kite is perfect for low wind days. A larger kite stays more stable in the air and feels less twitchy during unhooked maneuvers compared to smaller sizes.
Are freestyle kites good for doing kiteloops?
Freestyle kites are usually C-shaped kites, which makes them fast. Thanks to their speed, it is easy to execute a kiteloop with a freestyle kite, but due to their aggressive nature, they will provide more traction compared to a bow-shaped kite. Additionally, a C-shaped kite will offer less lift, which will require more effort to land smoothly. A hybrid C-shaped kite, on the other hand, provides a little less traction and more lift, making it easier to handle for powerful kiteloops.
What brands does Surfoon sell freestyle kites from?
In Surfoon we have freestyle kites from all the major brands of the highest quality.
