Before I became a team rider from Lakeunited and Flysurfer, I only had experience with tube kites. Recently I got two Flysurfer - "Stoke" -tube kites in sizes 6 and 8 m and additionally a soft kite - Flysurfer Soul 10m. And yes, I was nervous at the beginning and had a fairly high pulse. I think it's the same for everyone when they fly a foil or soft kite for the first time and have to launch it.Â
FIRST EXPERIENCES WITH A SOFT KITE
For a long time I wanted to know what it is like to fly the Soul, which is praised by many people on the beach. Just in time for my birthday in early July, the forecast looked good for my first experience with the mat.
The evening before I tried to 'prepare' the kite, which was not so easy with the many lines. Fortunately, these are marked with small flags (A, B, C, Z) and so laying out and connecting the bar is not as complicated as initially thought. With the attached bar I packed the kite in the light inner bag and together with the small sandbag (important for starting) in the backpack and was ready for a light wind day in Podersdorf am See.
You read that right, the Soul in 10 is my light wind kite. Practical, isn't it?
Starting the Soul
Initially, launching the soft kite was a bit unfamiliar and different than with the tube kites, but it is just as easy to start at the edge of the wind window, it fills with air immediately, the tips open quickly and get a stable shape. With a little less wind it is also easily possible to start directly from the Powerzone.
Either you let yourself be shown a start with a foil kite the first time, or you search a bit on the web. To be honest, it is very easy, easier than I expected.
Flying a soft kite
Kiting with the Soul is super relaxed - it has a nice basic pull, is very relaxed, does not pluck or tear, and isn't slow either.
The kite is super stable when flying, it doesn't stall even in very low winds. The mat remains relaxed even in gusty winds. The Soul can also be depowered really well and therefore is suitable for a very large wind range. I like the power development. Everything happens a little more comfortably and not explosively. Still, I can get performance when I need it.Â
Relaunching a soft kite
At the beginning I was a bit concerned whether the kite can be started out of the water as easily as a tube kite. But the kite spreads out again quickly, and can be turned and started again just like the tube kites by pulling on a steering line.Â
A relaunch via the steering line has certainly made a step towards tube kiters. Because this was always one of the things I was afraid of. Can I get a soft kite started out of the water again? It will certainly fill up with water. But: relaunching the soul out of the water is really easy.Â
Jumping with the Soul
When jumping I notice the biggest difference to a tube kite - the mat supports you well and you can get up high. You have the feeling of gliding through the air forever and you also land really gently. If everything goes well - but that's no different with tube kites.Â