Flysurfer Speed 3 21m Kite Review

This review is partly based on the idea that you are aware of the other Speed 3 kites, have flown them or have seen other reviews on them to understand what they are about.

Based from the popularity and overwhelming demand produced from the Speed 3 kites released in 2009 (12m/15m/19m) Flysurfer have recently re-engineered and released the 21m. As a landboarder and kitesurfer I have always been a fan of the Speed kites for the low wind and hang time characteristics for freestlye. I have always loved the 15m Deluxe edition and the 12m for what I do and intially thought what the £$%^ to a 21m!!! All you can imagine from the size alone is massive low wind performance and the turning speed of a huge bus. Luckily only one of those characteristics is true and that’s the low wind performance. Where Flysurfer have spent more design and rnd on the 21m Speed 3 on top of the other sizes the 21m is not far from the turning speed of the 19m, ok this isn’t going to win any turning speed kite records but its far from ridiculous and is still very usable. One of the Flysurfer riders is able to kitesurf from 5-6 knots on his raceboard with similar performance to other tube kites in more wind!

Unlike the other Speed 3 deluxe kites the 21m comes in the “Silver Arrow” of past Speed 2 kites in terms of fabric colours and design. Of course if you are willing to wait and spend a bit more Flysurfer are more than happy to have custom graphics and colour ways on this as with other kites in the range.

With regards to set up and launching the 21m is no different to any other Flysurfer foil, you just need a tad more space to lie it out down wind! Launching is done by weighing down the upwind tip with sand/board/snow and launching at the side of the wind window. With this style of launching an a self inflating kite you can be on the water in minutes. You wouldn’t want to pump up a 21m tube though would you? Landing can be done solo but is much easier with the aid of another rider as below.

Now, despite the fact this kite is the most superior high-end, low wind kite I have ever flown this is one of the more obvious assumptions to make of the kite and because of this I am going to comment more on the playfulness of the kite.

Sure you can plane super early, go upwind and have a good time with a race board or Flyboards Door and get out on the water when others can only make sandcastles from the shore line but I much prefer riding the kite in a few more knots of wind with a traditional sized twintip (for me this is a 134x40cm FlyRadical 2010)

Even coming from a background of riding the 15m Speed 3 Deluxe as my most used kite I was a tad unsure and frightened when I first hooked in on the 21m, Its hard to imagine quite how powerful it can be even in such light winds. Once above your head the kite feels smooth and incredibly stable. When on the water one dive of the kite is all that’s need to get you up and planning – going upwind in a matter of seconds. It has been said that the Speed 3 kites pull like a bus, this thing pulls like a train, possibly even two or three when the winds up!

In terms of riding the 21m is incredibly easy to fly, you appreciate it is slower than other kites in the range so require a bit more planning in terms of smooth transitions with the kite and jumping off waves like kickers. After only a few runs it is easy to dial into and feels very natural to fly. After only a short 20minute period on the kite the wind picked up 5knts or so and I became wonderfully powered on the kite! Due to its large depower range there is no need to switch down a kite size as soon as the wind switches on or in gusty conditions, I never rode it in more than around 13 knts but witnessed riders boosting on it in conditions just under 20 when others were on 15′s, 19′s and even playing around on 12′s with bigger boards!

Above: Flyboards shaper Eddy Lansink freeriding the Door in light winds
Below: Team rider Sebastian Bubmann testing the higher end on the 21m

As well as good hooked in performance the 21m performs very well sat low in the window unhooked. I am hoping Flysurfer produce some good media of the 19/21 Speed 3 as a pure wakestyle kite as I think it can really excel in this field for riders who love cable parks when the winds light or just not there. I am personally not gifted in the art of unhooked riding hence why hoping someone else can show off the kite in this way instead of doing it myself!

As well as riding on the water the 21m definitely has potential for some crazy landboarding hang time. Like any big kite on land it can sometimes be difficult to hold an edge for jumping when redirecting the kite. I definately think the massive depower range could help with this, and maybe a hill or two

Over the last year quite a few brands have began experimenting with low wind kite options and kites designed for the fast growing discipline of racing. Out of all other kites on the market I know the Speed 3 dominates the light wind aspect but also seems to be getting some great podium positions and popularity in course racing throughout Europe. I can only imagine the scene above is only going be more common across the countries beaches in the next few months and years. For already fans of racing you will want to keep and eye out for the new twintip Flyrace board that is due late 2010 early 2011 which went down a storm at the recent Flysurfer Innovation Days in Sardinia.

If you are undecided on whether to add this kite to your quiver or not I strongly recommend you try to get a demo on one. Likewise if you want to maximise flying time on the water without really needing to check the wind forecast before heading to the beach then this could be for you. They are already proving popular in countries with constant but light winds on some of the lakes and beaches. It is important not to be put off by the sheer size of the kite as it is extremely versatile and inspires confidence when flying. Even if you are new to the sport but want something to go upwind with at crazy angles this does the job perfectly and flawlessly.