Boy did they ever miss the boat, and the interest.

All sizes from 7m to 18m
Optimised for foiling and
Price is always right.

Select to expand quote

snalberski said..
Boy did they ever miss the boat, and the interest.

Don't know about totally missing the boat. New element is a sick freeride foil Kite for heavy weights. Sure if you weigh 75kgs there's plenty of other options. However if your inclined to buckle 3 strutters loading or looping, element6 behaves nicely. Hangs in the air in the light stuff, good drift stability and jumps really well on the low end. Still thinking about buying one or two.

I wish they could have kept the element 3 struts. Helium is light weight and all which is great for low winds but I'm not sure it would take a beating like an element would getting hit by a few waves. I was hoping the new helium would be one or zero struts in low sizes.

Select to expand quote

SavIb said..

snalberski said..
Boy did they ever miss the boat, and the interest.

Don't know about totally missing the boat. New element is a sick freeride foil Kite for heavy weights. Sure if you weigh 75kgs there's plenty of other options. However if your inclined to buckle 3 strutters loading or looping, element6 behaves nicely. Hangs in the air in the light stuff, good drift stability and jumps really well on the low end. Still thinking about buying one or two.

When I say totally missed the boat I am referring to the fact that I and others were suggesting to Switch on their forums well over 3 years ago that they produce a foilingboarding specific/LW kite. This was when Zeeko released Notus Air and were pretty much the only ones supplying that design of kite. Switch was unresponsive for 18months and after constant badgering and the final realization that market section was growing (as we the customershad predicted) they finally started leaking that they had a mono strut design being prototyped. After yet another 18months and staff changes that kite project was scrapped. 6 months after that (now) they finally offer a product for that market section .... but now every other major and even minor kite manufacturers has a foilboarfing/LW/wave kite option and are into their second or third version. Now I use a foil kite and wouldn't use a LEI if I had an option.
Maybe if I started suggesting they design a foil kite they might have something to offer in another 4 years.
Switch bang on about responding to customer reactions but it took them more than 3 years after constant complaints from users on theirs an other forums to finally offer a control bar that is even safe. Yeah missed the boat more than once I reckon.

Select to expand quote

CJ2478 said..
I wish they could have kept the element 3 struts. Helium is light weight and all which is great for low winds but I'm not sure it would take a beating like an element would getting hit by a few waves. I was hoping the new helium would be one or zero struts in low sizes.

The H3 looks like a light weight E5 to me. There is a pretty cool clip of Marc Jacobs riding it in 8 knots on Instagram.

Looks good, thinking of getting a 12m for foiling.
Hoping the bar pressure is actually light this time.
Anyone know who actually designs the kites there now that Bill has left?

Being a noob foiler (only 2 sessions so far but been kiting for 10+ years) @ 73kg & already have an 8m Drifter - what size should I be looking at for light wind foiling please ?

10m should see you on the move from around 11knots

Im 88kg and use a 10m as my largest kite. ( drifter ) I'm going from around 11-12knots

i have tried bigger kites kites but they can be too slow to get to each power stroke to get going. And wind range seems limited Ie: using a 15 m may get you going 1-2knots earlier say 9-10knots but if the wind picks up to 13-14 your way overpowered

If if you want to be out in less than 10knots you have to look at a foil kite
ozone, flysurfer etc...

Select to expand quote

toppleover said..

CJ2478 said..
I wish they could have kept the element 3 struts. Helium is light weight and all which is great for low winds but I'm not sure it would take a beating like an element would getting hit by a few waves. I was hoping the new helium would be one or zero struts in low sizes.

The H3 looks like a light weight E5 to me. There is a pretty cool clip of Marc Jacobs riding it in 8 knots on Instagram.

Yeah but I dont think it would being hit by multiple waves very well. I checked out thaty video and it's a bit misleading because he is obviously in a narrow creek with what looks like a fast current against the wind.

Still would have been goot if it was one or no struts, now I will have to look at buying north mono, naish boxer etc which all coast more $$

Select to expand quote

harry potter said..
10m should see you on the move from around 11knots

Im 88kg and use a 10m as my largest kite. ( drifter ) I'm going from around 11-12knots

i have tried bigger kites kites but they can be too slow to get to each power stroke to get going. And wind range seems limited Ie: using a 15 m may get you going 1-2knots earlier say 9-10knots but if the wind picks up to 13-14 your way overpowered

If if you want to be out in less than 10knots you have to look at a foil kite
ozone, flysurfer etc...

Or go for much longer lines, or a much bigger kite . . . or get bigger wings on your foil.

I've not experimented much with longer lines; those who have say 30m plus makes a huge difference. My S3 21 with 27m lines is the bottom end monster, but it comes with it's own problems -- slow, transitions have to be flawless, easy to get overpowered if the wind picks and swimming with it is hell.

By far the most fun for me is bigger wings. Much more return for the very small trade-off...

Select to expand quote

CJ2478 said..

toppleover said..

CJ2478 said..
I wish they could have kept the element 3 struts. Helium is light weight and all which is great for low winds but I'm not sure it would take a beating like an element would getting hit by a few waves. I was hoping the new helium would be one or zero struts in low sizes.

The H3 looks like a light weight E5 to me. There is a pretty cool clip of Marc Jacobs riding it in 8 knots on Instagram.

Yeah but I dont think it would being hit by multiple waves very well. I checked out that video and it's a bit misleading because he is obviously in a narrow creek with what looks like a fast current against the wind.

Still would have been good if it was one or no struts, now I will have to look at buying north mono, naish boxer etc which all coast more $$

Yeah, def looks like some assistance from the tide in that clip.

I'm glad it's a 3 strut as from my limited experience (BRMC2 & Solo), 3 strut kites are much more responsive than zero or 1 strut.
Switch E6 is 1 strut in smaller sizes, maybe check them out.

I concur on a 12m for light wind foiling. I am currently using 13m Element (the original V1) and it works but is a bit slow and heavy. The 12m Helium looks interesting but it is always difficult to justify buying another kite. I like the shape, square wingtips are good for self-launching and non-pivotal steering and not too much curve in the leading edge (I don't like the feel of delta style kites).

Helium 3 weight.

7m - 2.4 kg
10m- 2.8 kg
16m - 4.0 kg

Anyone know of the weight of other good foiling kites to compare?

Here's the promo video for the Helium 3

Select to expand quote

toppleover said..
Helium 3 weight.

7m - 2.4 kg
10m- 2.8 kg
16m - 4.0 kg

Anyone know of the weight of other good foiling kites to compare?

I have 2018 Ocean rodeo flite 10m 2.9kg
and 2018 Ocean rodeo flite 14.5m 3.7kg

and Switch Element 6 9m 3.4kg

Select to expand quote

toppleover said..
Helium 3 weight.

7m - 2.4 kg
10m- 2.8 kg
16m - 4.0 kg

Anyone know of the weight of other good foiling kites to compare?

With or without air
there is a lot more than just weight to consider.
quick turning on longer lines being one.

Select to expand quote

KiteHume said..

toppleover said..
Helium 3 weight.

7m - 2.4 kg
10m- 2.8 kg
16m - 4.0 kg

Anyone know of the weight of other good foiling kites to compare?

I have 2018 Ocean rodeo flite 10m 2.9kg
and 2018 Ocean rodeo flite 14.5m 3.7kg

and Switch Element 6 9m 3.4kg

2016 Ocean Rodeo flite 10m 2.75kg
2017 Ocean Rodeo flite 12m 3.15 kg

2016 North Mono 12m 3.2kg (sold as it wasn't for me)

Airush have the weight of their Ultras on their website. I think the 12m comes in at 2.7kg

Wonder how well it work at speed. Ocean Rodeo mentioned that it might be possible to outsail the Flite (gen4) at very high speeds ( I think due to the upwind angles you can point on a foil) and that looks a higher aspect wing than the helium so I wonder how well the helium will respond?

Select to expand quote

weebitbreezy said..

KiteHume said..

toppleover said..
Helium 3 weight.

7m - 2.4 kg
10m- 2.8 kg
16m - 4.0 kg

Anyone know of the weight of other good foiling kites to compare?

I have 2018 Ocean rodeo flite 10m 2.9kg
and 2018 Ocean rodeo flite 14.5m 3.7kg

and Switch Element 6 9m 3.4kg

2016 Ocean Rodeo flite 10m 2.75kg
2017 Ocean Rodeo flite 12m 3.15 kg

2016 North Mono 12m 3.2kg (sold as it wasn't for me)

Airush have the weight of their Ultras on their website. I think the 12m comes in at 2.7kg

Wonder how well it work at speed. Ocean Rodeo mentioned that it might be possible to outsail the Flite (gen4) at very high speeds ( I think due to the upwind angles you can point on a foil) and that looks a higher aspect wing than the helium so I wonder how well the helium will respond?

Cloud kites weight

I have to admit I haven't. I have had enough stuff I ordered sat in customs for 2 weeks to understand that you would probably end up with loads of customers hassling you and nothing you can do about it so I would guess that's the reason.

In all honesty, its probably not the direction I'd be looking to buy (especially without a trial). Whilst I understand that the Cloud D range is a big step forwards in all around use, I personally find the mono strut kites I have tested (solo, mono and ultra) to be best in the low to mid wind range and I really want more of an all-rounder. Something I can fly on the foil and still feels at home when the wind picks up and you're trying to hold it down. Whilst there aren't hundreds of options available, the Ozone Enduro and Ocean Rodeo Flite already exist as light weight all-rounders and its interesting to see if the Helium 3 also fits into the same category.

Its horses for courses at the end of the day. Someone who foils and surfs would probably find the mono strut kites as an excellent fit. I just see waves as launch pads instead of banked curves at the moment. That's the beauty of choice - you don't have to put up with what works for someone else but can find what works for you.

A pic of the underside of the H3

Don't mind the look of the new H3.
Have 9-11m Naish Boxers.
Good depower and power.
Excellent relaunch.
After a H3 for light wind just trying to work out what size.
100kgs Still struggling with the basics of foiling but getting it.
Mainly used the 11m boxer but next bigger size for light wind ,in a H3 15m?

Surely if you can't get going on a 11m one strut kite you either need to get a foil kite or just not bother?

Select to expand quote

Youngbreezy said..
Surely if you can't get going on a 11m one strut kite you either need to get a foil kite or just not bother?

Hey Mate
Yep not bothering at my age is not an option.
11m any kite in 8-12 knots variable nOrth west wind was a struggle.
once the wind increased that day to 12-14 kts the 11m worked.
Was hoping to increase my foiling hours in lighter 8-12 kt area with say a slightly bigger kite.

Select to expand quote

LeighMajor said..

Youngbreezy said..
Surely if you can't get going on a 11m one strut kite you either need to get a foil kite or just not bother?

Hey Mate
Yep not bothering at my age is not an option.
11m any kite in 8-12 knots variable nOrth west wind was a struggle.
once the wind increased that day to 12-14 kts the 11m worked.
Was hoping to increase my foiling hours in lighter 8-12 kt area with say a slightly bigger kite.

Have you considered the 12m Hyperlink? For that range below 10kts, I think foils are the best option for both staying in the air and relaunching.

There is a kite that is now in it's next generation that started as a dedicated foiling kite. Then was found to work brilliant in waves on a SB. Then proved ok for TT riding.
In it's new generation, it has been improved across all Styles.

Select to expand quote

LeighMajor said..
Don't mind the look of the new H3.
Have 9-11m Naish Boxers.
Good depower and power.
Excellent relaunch.
After a H3 for light wind just trying to work out what size.
100kgs Still struggling with the basics of foiling but getting it.
Mainly used the 11m boxer but next bigger size for light wind ,in a H3 15m?

Hey mate, here's what worked for me.

I started foiling on the cabrinha double agent at 98kgs. I used my helium h2 18m a couple of times in single digit wind but at 10 knots I thought i was going to die.

I bought and still own a Flite 14.5m that woukd get me going from 5-6 knots through to low teens.

Then i bought a carbon moses foil plus started to get more efficient. The Flite became too powerful in anything over 10 knots and a 12m FX was the largest kite I used.

I now weigh 88kgs and I just bought the 9m ozone hyperkink. That thing is amazing. I can get going in 8 knots.

There's a new learning curve with foil kites and i have drowned mine once which was not fun at all but the rewards are worth it.

If you are reasonably confident on the foil board and not crashing the kite all the time, the 12m Hyperlink would be an excellent choice.

I would also recommend the 14.5m flite.

I have tried the solo, mono, flysurfer boost, neo and ultra. All are great kites and will serve you well.

If you want a kite for the twin tip too i wouldnt get a single strut though if you are into jumping and loops.

Hey Mac
Cheers for the info.
Yes would like to get more kgs off,working on it.
Yes I have bigger strut led kites Best Roca 17m
Core XR5 17 great kites for SB or TT wave but bit top heavy for sub 10 kts -12 range.
Probs not good enough foiling yet to go the foil kites but have heard the Hyperlink are excellent foil kites.

It's now out... switchkites.com/products/helium3

Like the new bag that it comes with it.

Waiting for some non-biaised reviews...

I'm disappointed Switch didn't go a more radical route. Lighter, lighter!
Storm, Zeeko, BRM leading the way in lei light weight kites.
Tough market now...risky .