Had a fair bit of time on the new 2014 Laluz 135 by 41 riding it back to back with the same sized 2013 model Ltd edition. From waves, to choppy ocean to flat estuarine water; this is a compilation of not just mine but a few others riders experience who I trust implicitly... But first:

Marketers Blurb

Laluz has been Xenon's flagship board combining outstanding freestyle performance and exceptional comfort of kiting. The 2014 model has been completely redesigned -all-new shapes, materials and construction upgrades make this board the best Laluz ever!

It rides smoother, pops harder, and it's lighter and stronger than ever!

Laluz 2014 utilizes the highest tech available, state-of-the-art materials and hydrodynamic science.
The new bottom concept of Laluz features blend of single concave thru the center of the board with double V outflow tip/tail channels. All that combined with the new hull shape and proven outline gives spectacular upwind abilities, great grip and top speed resulting in explosive pop.Landing capabilities are also affected by the new bottom now they are softer and easier than ever. Thinner sidewall gives an extra bite and control over the board.

New, totally unique and innovative hull shape features steps free construction - thanks to that there are no weak spots in this board. CNN machined rail channels ensure the right amount and distribution of flex.
The heart of this board is a combination of Paulownia wood 90% and high density Irex foam 10% wrapped in hybrid triax/carbon laminate. The whole new construction allowed us to reduce thickness and weight of the board. It's 15% lighter than already a very light 2013 model!

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First thing to point out (and the aspect of this new board that worried me a little reading the above) is that the same laluz feel overall is present in this newly designed and constructed board. There is no 'dialing' in required and you can feel the original concept in the new one, that is, a very comfortable board in all water conditions. A superb combination of comfort and yet performance that allows you to cross over from waves to flat freestyle type work; which is a necessity where we kite.

Two things stand out inspecting the board; much sharper rails through the middle of the board, thinning out to the tips and the single concave moving to a double V at the tips (with the channel stopping right next the fins.

And it delivers, surprise surprise, just as mentioned in the marketing hype above. Add in a squarer rail to the tips this does give you the ability to ride at much higher speeds and hold a much bigger load, which essentially equates too much greater pop. The difference is noticeable as well as a little more stiffness throughout the whole board. This indeed amounts to 'extra bite and control over the board'. While the center of the board stays relatively stiff you can feel and see the tips doing their job. Helps Keep you squared up when unhooking as well.

Excellent board for what we do, try one.

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eppo said..

Had a fair bit of time on the new 2014 Laluz 135 by 41 riding it back to back with the same sized 2013 model Ltd edition. From waves, to choppy ocean to flat estuarine water; this is a compilation of not just mine but a few others riders experience who I trust implicitly... But first:

Marketers Blurb

Laluz has been Xenon's flagship board combining outstanding freestyle performance and exceptional comfort of kiting. The 2014 model has been completely redesigned -all-new shapes, materials and construction upgrades make this board the best Laluz ever!

It rides smoother, pops harder, and it's lighter and stronger than ever!

Laluz 2014 utilizes the highest tech available, state-of-the-art materials and hydrodynamic science.
The new bottom concept of Laluz features blend of single concave thru the center of the board with double V outflow tip/tail channels. All that combined with the new hull shape and proven outline gives spectacular upwind abilities, great grip and top speed resulting in explosive pop.Landing capabilities are also affected by the new bottom now they are softer and easier than ever. Thinner sidewall gives an extra bite and control over the board.

New, totally unique and innovative hull shape features steps free construction - thanks to that there are no weak spots in this board. CNN machined rail channels ensure the right amount and distribution of flex.
The heart of this board is a combination of Paulownia wood 90% and high density Irex foam 10% wrapped in hybrid triax/carbon laminate. The whole new construction allowed us to reduce thickness and weight of the board. It's 15% lighter than already a very light 2013 model!

............................................................................................................................................................

First thing to point out (and the aspect of this new board that worried me a little reading the above) is that the same laluz feel overall is present in this newly designed and constructed board. There is no 'dialing' in required and you can feel the original concept in the new one, that is, a very comfortable board in all water conditions. A superb combination of comfort and yet performance that allows you to cross over from waves to flat freestyle type work; which is a necessity where we kite.

Two things stand out inspecting the board; much sharper rails through the middle of the board, thinning out to the tips and the single concave moving to a double V at the tips (with the channel stopping right next the fins.

And it delivers, surprise surprise, just as mentioned in the marketing hype above. Add in a squarer rail to the tips this does give you the ability to ride at much higher speeds and hold a much bigger load, which essentially equates too much greater pop. The difference is noticeable as well as a little more stiffness throughout the whole board. This indeed amounts to 'extra bite and control over the board'. While the center of the board stays relatively stiff you can feel and see the tips doing their job.

Excellent board for what we do, try one.

Hmmmmm I will

the laluz has been such a popular board in the last years in Australia.

there was a few issues with delay up to 2012 boards. However, Xenon has sorted this out and the new 2014 Laluz is just epic to ride in any conditions from beginner to big boosting and unhooking.

A bit stiffer in core and nice channels in the tips are new features of the 2014 laluz.

try one :)

Who's the dealer in Perth eppo? Will try one when I'm down next

Andy riding the new 2014 xenon laluz 135cm in this video. He reckons it got loads of pop and a very smooth feel

hmmmm, looks more like he was riding the Infra. Was there a frame where he was actually riding it? Great footage of that board and Zeph.

Yeh 19 to 24 seconds is the only time he is on the Laluz. Damn he's a good rider!!

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dafish said..

hmmmm, looks more like he was riding the Infra. Was there a frame where he was actually riding it? Great footage of that board and Zeph.

Hmmmmm, plagiarism.

sub conscience is a funny thing...like your post!:) Nice....you made me smile first thing this morning!

I bought a laluz,great board but had heaps of trouble keeping it on my feet,one foot in particular,turns out they sold me 2 left foot straps,instead of a left and a right.......argh

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gokid said..

I bought a laluz,great board but had heaps of trouble keeping it on my feet,one foot in particular,turns out they sold me 2 left foot straps,instead of a left and a right.......argh

thats no good mate. who sold that to you?
The 2013 pads/straps are pretty comfy and have good grip and after some use you get a footprint in them. Xenon went back to memory foam pads like they had in their first two years 2009/2010. The pads for 2011/2012 were rubbish so in 2013 the new pads are def an improvement.

we have a few boards going around Australia for demo. Pm me if anybody is keen to demo a 2014 laluz.
yewww

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INTHELOOP said..

gokid said..

I bought a laluz,great board but had heaps of trouble keeping it on my feet,one foot in particular,turns out they sold me 2 left foot straps,instead of a left and a right.......argh

thats no good mate. who sold that to you?
The 2013 pads/straps are pretty comfy and have good grip and after some use you get a footprint in them. Xenon went back to memory foam pads like they had in their first two years 2009/2010. The pads for 2011/2012 were rubbish so in 2013 the new pads are def an improvement.

I bought the board from a store in Vietnam,no biggy, just need to get new straps

I bought a LaLuz from InTheLoop, thanks Marvin. Im using it in Tassie, have the 135 and am 95kgs... I love it!!! Great in waves, nice on flat water, and choppy water... The rumours are true, its great...

I ride a133 dundee in moderate to severs conditions and a 144 hammer in waves love them both
Tried the 140 mako that outperforms the hammer-best fun board ever
And the 150 mako that is the smoothest ride ever -magic carpet ride just give it a demo
Laluz 135. where can i get a demo in wa?

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zzzzz said..

I ride a133 dundee in moderate to severs conditions and a 144 hammer in waves love them both
Tried the 140 mako that outperforms the hammer-best fun board ever
And the 150 mako that is the smoothest ride ever -magic carpet ride just give it a demo
Laluz 135. where can i get a demo in wa?

hey mate,

where are you based in WA?

we can arrange a demo no worries..

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INTHELOOP said..

we have a few boards going around Australia for demo. Pm me if anybody is keen to demo a 2014 laluz.
yewww

the guys in gero are eagerly awaiting - other kite shops should take a leaf out of your book mate, very impressed by your operation

My 2013 LaLuz is a massive improvement on my 2011. Nice and light, pops heaps better, never digs in even on the steepest waves and gentle on my knees when landing. Hard to believe it can get even better. Time will tell when I upgrade.

Hey thorn it's worth trying the new one, very different design and construction but still a Laluz if you know what I mean.

How would you compare the new laluz to a crazy fly raptor pro?
They have a VERY similar concept (some concave, some rocker, standard outline and flex tips).
I demoed the old 2012 laluz back to back and felt the crazy fly was lighter, had better construction and pads.
Riding them it was hard to tell the difference except that the raptor pro has bigger fins and rounder rails which gave it an edge in waves/slashing chop.
Interested particularly in the New channels that let it be ridden finless?
Cheers

Well I ride every day with my bro on a raptor pro and have been on it a lot both the 132 and 136.

Both exceptional boards.

Raptor pro better oceanic Freeride board. Laluz good enough, but overall more stiff.

Laluz kills it stone dead in the flats and also heavy loading at high speed in the ocean. But a firmer ride for sure.

My 2012 132 laluz is real nice could they do better ? It gets me going earlier and faster than the Tona but it should . The Laluz just feels nice and easy to get going ,and pops way more than I need ! My go to light wind free style board.

after coming off a 2013 shinn monk 130

had my first go on the board today (132), wasnt really impressed. the bindings are **** house, monk wins hands down with their memory foam pads, super comfy, the laluz not so much, feet were starting to hurt after 30mins

carving on the face of waves/toeside transitions - monk wins hands down, the rounder nose obviously helps

pop was about the same as the monk.

Design is super slick by xenon however, il be swapping the monk bindings over tomorrow to hopefully change my mind but i think its safe to say if your in flat water the laluz could be a nice freeride board. if your in chop get a monk.

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arloj said..

Design is super slick by xenon however, il be swapping the monk bindings over tomorrow to hopefully change my mind but i think its safe to say if your in flat water the laluz could be a nice freeride board. if your in chop get a monk.











Some truth here, wish it was so simple. What if you ride both regularly, almost half and half?

As per wise cauncys words, always demo TTs using the exact same pads and straps so good idea. Agreed I don't rate the Laluz pads and straps, naf, the shinn ones slightly less naf, but both naf. It buggers me why companies that do boards only don't make the utmost awesome pads and straps, the very best. They should leave all the other companies behind on this as boards are their specialty.

Agreed the monk is built for UK chop conditions, with its rocker, outline and and flex. The Laluz is a much stiffer board, especially the new one. The tips do all the work, the centre is fairly rigid. Between you and me the 135 is the sweet size....gives you more tip flex and movement , especially over the chop, 132 was way too rigid for me.

Load and pop, flat water there is no competition here, they aren't even close. Ocean....well after riding the monk for a year and a half, now the Laluz about the same time, once you dial into the specifics, the land and pop is far superior on the Laluz, even in the ocean. More so on the new one, infact I can hold so much speed on hey his board now I only use 35mm fins, no need for the 50mm. Carving....yeh the monk is good at that, the new laluz is even more squared off. But I've had the Laluz out in your conditions and it works just fine...how aggressive can you get with wave carving on a TT anyway, there is always a limit.

But yeh if all you are doing is hitting oceanic conditions, the monk is still a bloody good option,

Get in flat water, their is no comparison.

So it's finding something that suites your overall riding I suppose.

One thing is for sure, both companies have to lift their game re straps and pads, especially xenon.