Don’t people in japan weigh like 50 kilos?

Not all of us. Some of us even come from other countries... like most of Australia.

I've just bought one because we get a lot of 10 knot days, I don't have much time flexibility, and it is relatively inexpensive, especially if you don't need a bar, pump, and bag. I do not like big kites though, as they tend to be slow, draggy, and expensive. The Helium is a lot lighter than those 5+ strut heavy material kite of old. It is relatively high aspect and feels efficient, but it isn't a super high aspect race kite. Relaunch is very good. I was also impressed with how it would float back and hover in lulls, rather than requiring aggressive flying to keep in the air. There are lots of variables but for me it seems to fly in about 5 knots and plane in about 10 knots. Kite loops are pivotal and there is quite a bit of canopy flap. Pretty light bar pressure but you can shift the rear tow-points forward but that might affect the relaunch ability?
That is first impressions and I'm keen to try it out in stronger wind. The high-end is supposed to be pretty good so it will interesting to see how it holds it's shape in real wind. Some big 3 strut kites that I have flown in the past deform really badly and get draggy in strong wind and that will be the real test.

Great to finally read a review on the Helium.
What's your weight Simon & what board are you riding. ?

75 kg on a twin-tip with tide going the wrong way in a small estuary. Wind was too light and onshore for a surf session. Next time I might try a skim-board as I think this kite will suit it. Unfortunately we are stuck under a big blocking high and the ocean is too warm to generate strong sea breezes.

Hey Simon, thanks for your review, most appreciated.

Have you ridden any other light wind kites to compare it to? Really interested in its upwind perfomance

Re the Helium. I've been looking for reviews too and haven't found anything.

I have the Switch Element (actually have 3 of them) and a Nitro and love them all, so I'd be keen to give the Helium a chance. Especially if you really can return it within 30 days.

The Helium flies a lot like the Element. Light bar pressure, pivotal kite loops with not much power. It is really powerful, pulls me along easily in 10 knots on a twin-tip and well upwind in 12 knots. One PM asked what it would be like for surfing; I can ride waves on it with a down-loop to start but aggressive turning with lots of power in the turns is not its forte. It is more of a park and ride kite. The pull is so strong that staying on to a strapless surfboard in 15 knots would be difficult. Jumps are big and floaty. It is a really easy kite to fly. I doubt it would beat a high aspect kite upwind but it would be competitive in light and puffy conditions when kites like that need skill to keep in the air. I like it but it is very different from the C style kites that I prefer to ride. I haven't had it out in more than 15 knots yet so I don't know what its top end is.

how is it with being unhooked? can imagine it sits quite high like a zephyr- interested as something for sub 15 kn might be a good idea.

It's OK unhooked. Definitely more sensitive to trim than a C kite but you don't need to trim it every time you jump. Not much slack after popping. The big Nitros and Combats are definitely better for unhooked tricks but they require a bit more wind to get going.

Thanks for the feedback Simon ! It sounds like the Helium is very similar to the Element 3 kites which are park and ride kites too.

I am very keen on getting that kite for 10-15 knot days. Interesting you say that at 15 knots it would be tricky to go strapless with the amount of power. I was wondering whether this kite would work well with say a Shinnster board Once the wind gets to 17knots I would use my Element 3 13m anyway.

Do you use the Controller bars btw ? If so are the stock line lengths enough ?

Keep the reviews coming in

I am currently using a 2009 Slingshot bar, my Switch bars are currently configured as 5-line for Combats. It has the same line length (23m) as the Switch bars with extenders. 23m is ample, the Helium turns very pivotally and I've never felt like running out of airspace when turning the kite.

Hey Simon - have you been out more on it lately for some more feedback Btw does it turn quickly enough or does it still feel like a big slow bulky kite ?

It does turn quite quick (for a big kite) as the turns are very pivotal and it doesn't stall in light winds like many kite do. I have a 13m Element V1 and the turn rate is only slightly slower than that. The Helium has a much wider range than the V1 Element, the later models are better. I suspect the Element won't get much use from here on as I could jump from the Helium straight to a 11m Combat if the wind picked up.
I have had a few sessions on it now and each time it has been fully powered on a twin-tip in around 10 knots. It feels as if there is too much power for a surfboard and I tend to ride smaller kites than most people in the surf but fly the kite aggressively. 15 knots is fine on a twin-tip but by then I would prefer a smaller more nimble kite.

Any other seabreezers have ridden the Helium yet ?

Select to expand quote

Alysum said..
Any other seabreezers have ridden the Helium yet ?

im waiting for you to buy one so I can demo it :)

Select to expand quote

manlykiter said..

Alysum said..
Any other seabreezers have ridden the Helium yet ?

im waiting for you to buy one so I can demo it :)

You can order one, demo it and send it back for a near-full refund

I just wished there were a few more official reviews out there...

Yeah I have flown many many lightwind kites. The helium is the fastest turning, light bar pressure and most fun big kite I have ever flown. Very stable and I was having so much fun throwing backroll kiteloops the other day on snow. Up until I rode the helium I was a big fan of the ocean rodeo flight or the liquid force solo but the Helium is much more fun and versatile.

Trust me I'm no noobie either i have been kiting since 2001 and have ridden all brands. I have a great appreciation for what switch has done. I get to ride top notch gear without sacrificing any performance and i have more money in my pocket for great kiting trips around the world.

i think that is helium gas and given the volume of helium required to have any noticeable buoyancy effect on the kite, it would be just a selling gimmick.

The general rule of thumb for helium to dead lift 1 kg is 1 m3 so a kite weighing 3 kg would require 3 cubic metres of helium just to make it buoyant.

I would suggest if anyone was going to go down the lifting gas path in kite design they would be better off going with hydrogen as it has a greater lifting capacity but wouldn't the benefit of a lighter kite sitting on the beach be out weighed by the inconvenience one would go through to bring a heavy rental bottle of gas to the beach and not to mention the cost.

As a side thought, our kite bag couldn't handle the approx 10/15 maybe even 20 kg bottle in place of a plastic pump lol and how many helium bottles would we need to fill and pressurise the kite? Helium bottlles are just pressurised them selves not like liquid gas bottles they carry 10 times the capacity

Jungle hahaha

Select to expand quote

jayocz said..
Trust me I'm no noobie either i have been kiting since 2001 and have ridden all brands. I have a great appreciation for what switch has done. I get to ride top notch gear without sacrificing any performance and i have more money in my pocket for great kiting trips around the world.

You lost me at "Trust me"

Also to boot im not bashing other kite companies, all kites these days are good quality but for what i look for in a kite the helium and nitro 4 from switch hit everything on the nose for my preferences in a good quality and top notch performance at a price thats untouchable for a lightwind kite.

I mean lets all be sensible who in their right mind wants to be riding a lightwind kite??? We all want to be powered on 9's and 12's so wouldn't you want to have fun riding those lightwind days when thats all you get?? WELL THATS WHAT THE HELIUM DOES FOR YOU!!!!!

Also on a side note in case anyone thinks I'm pretending to be someone I'm not you can find me on Facebook or my YouTube page by searching Jay Oczkowski

Riding big kites usually means there is very little or no chop on the water, which is another positive

Select to expand quote

kitcho207 said..
Riding big kites usually means there is very little or no chop on the water, which is another positive

A big positive

Chop, 'kn hate it.. Who's gonna be first to invent the kite 'hoverboard'?.. (cue all the Monk n Mako posts..)

Well I went ahead and ordered one as light winds have kicked in here already... I'll report back once I receive it in a week

interested but more for the 15.5 as I only weigh in at 62 kgs so the normal one would be way to big for me

Select to expand quote

suface2air said..
interested but more for the 15.5 as I only weigh in at 62 kgs so the normal one would be way to big for me

The element 3 has a size 15 which should suit you fine for light wind/your weight ? It's also a 3 strut kite so it's quite lightweight already.

What's with all the Switch stuff? What I really want to know did Steve and Kamikaze eventually get a room and have been happy ever since?

Select to expand quote

manlykiter said...
Has anyone tried one of these new light wind beast'sit

bit more of an update on the Switch Helium, I bought 1 a week ago and had a couple sessions on it now,to be honest it feels np bigger than the element 3 13m to handle,relaunch is instant ,has excellent upwind ability and pulls like a tractor from 8 knots im 88kgs .
15 knots will have you triming back but still very controlable depower is very good, delivered in 5 days from purchase , Im extremely happy with it .