Airush Flow FT '09

4 line hybrid

Product Overview

The 3rd incarnation of the Flow series hybrids the FT brings the same trusted, easy, practical and safe handling to the the sport but with many improvments. A solid and stable kite for beginners through to surf riders it's a popular kite for those who value pradictability and need to trust their kite in the most demanding conditions.

Airush explain;
"// Innovation by Subtraction
The key ideology of the Flow FT is to pursue the absolute highest all round performance levels, whilst reducing complexity for the rider.

The 2009 Flow introduces variable canopy curve.
This unique innovation optimizes the center area of the canopy, which is flatter and more efficient than traditional kites. This translates into a lower center of effort, which increases depower while reducing bar pressure and bar throw. The shape maintains the vertical component in the wingtip to prevent side slip and enhance directional steering."

"Through research into improving the stiffness to diameter ratio of the leading edge, we developed an Aramid composite sandwich construction, which we utilize in the wingtip area. This feature creates a more direct steering due to a wingtip/LE structure that is 50% stiffer than a standard wingtip. This has enabled us to remove the cross bridle which further enhances the steering."

//Compared to 2008 Improved steering and speed through the window
Dramatically reduced bar throw length
Increased stability, whilst riding and standing on the beach
Reduced Bar pressure
NEW FBI – Fast bladder inflation single pump system with oversized air intakes allowing faster and easier inflation.

//Compared to the DNA The flow has a faster turning speed.
The flow is less pivitol in its turning.
The flow has more a flatter profile for improved upwind ability and speed through the window.

//Key Selling points New generation design
New FBI (fast bladder inflation) single pump system
Large wind range
Easy handling
Extremely predictable
Simple to re launch
Aluminium shaft pump on all sizes
Heavy-duty bag with extendable section
Excellent for all standards of rider
No pully on the Flow FT for 2009
Flow FT 5 - standard bar length 45 - wind range 18-40 knots
Flow FT 7 - standard bar length 45 - wind range 17-35 knots
Flow FT 8.5 - standard bar length 45 - wind range 14-32 knots
Flow FT 10 - standard bar length 45, - also compatible with 55cm - wind range 12-30 knots
Flow FT 12 - standard bar length 55, also compatible with 45cm - wind range 11-27 knots
Flow FT 14 - standard bar length 55 - wind range 9-25 knots
Flow FT 16 - standard bar length 55 - wind range 8-23 knots
Flow FT '09 bar control system
//New for 2009:

Control Bar overview
Two options on control bar featuring:
- Cleat Bar system with depower adjustment on the trigger release housing
- Strap Bar with adjustable depower strap above the depower line.
Modular control bar design to allow for multi functional leash, depower and line configuration.

Both feature the Airush unique “On the fly” stopper ball, for easy bar adjustments.
The bar uses a mechanical quickrelease that is sturdy, sand and mud proof, and will release easily under very high loadings. All sraes, including tuning spares (chickenloop lengths, strap/ropedepowers etc) are available to customise.

The bar also uses a milled aluminium insert in the central section to minimise chickenloop wear and stop friction during heavy turn power adjustments.

Lines are solid and very strong, heavy duty 250kg breaking strain plus.
Surfstore's Opinion
So Far surfstore has tried this kite and we'd agree with a great deal of airush's promotional material. In essence, if you want a really trusting kite with exceptional windrange then this is a very good, safe bet. It can be criticised for not being so athletic for fast oldschool riders, but that's not what it's designed to do or appeal to. This is a bonus for those who want dependability and trust, for not everyone's riding styles are the same. Very much a new school hybrid, the Flow looks destined to tap into both the begginer and performance market for those riders who value dependability in their kites; the ability to concentrate on their riding as opposed to concentrating on what the kite is doing. Really good build and a lot of technical thought in the kite.
Also Consider;
Naish Cult and Cult sport; a similar ethos of kite with easy of use at the top of the menu.
Slingshot Rev; another easy 4 line hybrid that has slightlyu more athletecisim at the expense of stability, it's getting closer to the performance tuned fast hybrids.
North Evo; Norths super easy to use 4 line kite that is looking like their mainstream freeride hynbrid for 2009... more performance from the evo, but, again not quite as easy to use.

Kiteworld test, Flow FT;

Due out Jan/Feb 2009.