Postby indysurfer » Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:50 pm
I am not affiliated with any brand or shop but am a recent Flysurfer "convert," at least with their Speed 5 (12m) and Soul 15m. At 110k and longtime "perpetual" intermediate kiter, I really like the Soul 15, especially over my (largest in quiver) 14m tube kites in light air. Comparing the Soul 15 to an LEI 14 is not really fair but I was determined not to fly anything larger than that. If there is not enough wind to twintip, it is great on my Sector 60. In less wind it is still quite manageable on my Slingshot Hoverglide. I am not good enough yet to get the most out of its low end but I can get going with minimal whitecaps on the foil. Some advise against learning to foilboard while learning to foil-kite (especially in light winds), but the Soul and my Speed are so much easier to keep in the air than the (3 strut) tube 14m, that I get a lot more time on the water. They, especially the Soul, are so much easier to re-launch too, and you often have time to prevent dipping into the drink in the first place. I have had two light sessions with the Soul where I kept the kite completely dry! This has never happened to me before. I find ways to drop it though (pushing the low end), and am amazed how they just unfold or roll-over and take off after many long minutes on the water. They do reward patience and if I don't fiddle with the lines to much, they just end up drifting into an easy launch position, even in deep water.
Oh, the high end is incredible too, with loads of power for jumps and plenty of "depower' if needed. The Soul 15 steers fine for its size even when sheeted out. It and corrects overflying (a big fear of mine with other kites) pretty much automatically! I have spaced out at the zenith a couple times now and it went way past overhead but just drifted back into place like it was on autopilot!I was torn between the 12 and 15 but am very happy with the 15. Started saving up for a 12 already which will really knock my 14 tubes out of the rotation.