Below is a recent review as a result of a trip to Tiree with local rider James Smith on the new Shinn kiteboard range 2010 which has had such an outstanding introduction onto the market
Hey Everyone,
Not long back from Tiree, thanks to Mike for getting the Demo's out to Tom and thanks to Tom http://www.kiteitright.com for posting out the demos at short notice so I could take them. If you want a demo speak to Tom or if you want to buy, Tom will get you a 48 hour turn around.
I was amazed at how much attention the boards actually generated, the colour schemes really attract people to them and everyone thought they looked amazing and had a fantastic finish. Both Boards feel really light, will get them on the scales later out of interest.
Due to wind I didn't get any time on the player but Mathers did, this is basically what he said.
The player is a top freestyle board, easy to load up, carves through the waves well, eats chop but does give a bit of face spray (didn't try moving pads - not enough time) He was boosting off the waves hitting the biggest jumps he has ever done :-D Only down side of the board for us was the black finish, yes it looks amazing but when the board came off mid jump you couldn't see it in the waves when right way up. Different colour foot straps could sort this.
That said for the freestyle monkeys who really push the boards in flat water I'm sure they will love it.
Edit. - Just seen the Union Jack Player, they should all look like that :D
The Luigi - I love this board, it rocks. I really don't want to hand it back yet and want to dodge Tom's phone calls :lol:
I'm not a freestyle god, I'm your typical kitesurfer struggling to do rotations :roll: on a powered 9m sesh I was absolutely smashing everyone with my upwind tack no one was getting close to the ground I was making, the board never came off my feet once I was up and going, playing in the waves was a joy. Slashing up and down, dropping in over the top and carving it up on 3-4 ft'ers. Boosting off the waves was just awesome fun, the landing always smooth and controlled even if I fluffed it. Have been trying to pop for a while now on my old board and not managed it yet, first attempt on the Luigi and I got about 3ft :-D Really would like a flat water sesh now to try it out.
Pads are a work of genius, I've really struggled with straps and pads due to funny shaped feet but after a day on these I'd buy the board for the straps alone. Found that I could even alter them on the fly for a bit more pinch.
The finish is amazing, deep colours that look like they belong on a top class sports car. Wasn't sure I liked it when I first saw the Luigi and was hopeing to see the Brother more but after looking down into the clear Tiree water and seeing the bottom flying by I realised I love the colour and would not get the brother instead. Its like ridding a giant sweet out at sea. Dead easy to spot in the waves when body dragging.
Only problem I had with the Luigi was its so light I sometimes struggled to keep it still when trying to get my feet in, found the old chuck one in and set off then sort out back was the best option :)
It was like a holiday romance that will come to an end when I take them back to Tom :( Just means I'm going to have to buy one :)
Thanks again to Mike and Tom for the demo's, top class boards that should take the market by storm once the word gets out about how good they are. I'll be interested to find out what the better riders think about them.
Jim
