Overall Impression of the Apollo - Solid Airstyle Kite
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:44 pm
This weekend we had a front and finally got some ride time in. I had the chance to demo the Apollo and here's the skinny
- Rider Weight = 155
- Conditions = Summer breeze, blowing about 15 to 17 kts
- Gear = 12m Apollo with standard lines (24m I think)
I was shocked at the power of this kite. It wants to grab onto every little bit of wind it can. It didn't pull me downwind as much as the Contra though. The Apollo is not a nimble kite. It has the turning speed of a foil kite, as you would expect. For this reason, I think it would be great for anyone doing airstyle. On a 12 meter there were times when I had to really crank the bar to redirect the kite back over the window. The boosting on it was exceptional but I've grown to appreciate something that pulls me off the water a bit faster. The kite definitely likes to go fast and I was cruising past everyone. Also, I could very easily hold down the 12 in 25 if needed but still had plenty of power at 15 kts. The bar pressure is softer than a Velocity I used to have a few years ago, but I believe Cabs have done this across their entire range. Overall, it's exactly what you would expect and I think a 14 or 16 would be a money kite for airstylers that still want an inflatable kite.
- Rider Weight = 155
- Conditions = Summer breeze, blowing about 15 to 17 kts
- Gear = 12m Apollo with standard lines (24m I think)
I was shocked at the power of this kite. It wants to grab onto every little bit of wind it can. It didn't pull me downwind as much as the Contra though. The Apollo is not a nimble kite. It has the turning speed of a foil kite, as you would expect. For this reason, I think it would be great for anyone doing airstyle. On a 12 meter there were times when I had to really crank the bar to redirect the kite back over the window. The boosting on it was exceptional but I've grown to appreciate something that pulls me off the water a bit faster. The kite definitely likes to go fast and I was cruising past everyone. Also, I could very easily hold down the 12 in 25 if needed but still had plenty of power at 15 kts. The bar pressure is softer than a Velocity I used to have a few years ago, but I believe Cabs have done this across their entire range. Overall, it's exactly what you would expect and I think a 14 or 16 would be a money kite for airstylers that still want an inflatable kite.