Light Wind Kiteboarding Magic? The Reedin WhisperModel Might Be the Answer

Jeff from MACkite had a chance to meet up with Kevin Langeree of Reedin in Cape Town, South Africa. Aside from the beautiful weather and scenery, Jeff was there to get an early look at the WhisperModel, Reedin's new light wind kite. Although the wind isn't usually lacking at the Cape, Kevin recognized that this isn't the case in many places and felt that was a problem he could solve. The WhisperModel was developed with Damien Girardin and Ralf Groesel of Brainchild and is a kite for people with limited session time to get out even when there's only 10 knots of wind.

Manufacturing the WhisperModel at Brainchild's facilities means the kite can take advantage of the same technologies and sustainability that the HyperModel already enjoys. Light but strong Proweld seams and digital printing are two ways Kevin was able to get the kite's weight down to the bare minimum without sacrificing quality.

Flying Characteristics

A lot of riders aren't a fan of big kites and would rather skip the light days because they tend to turn like a truck and really limit what you can do. The WhisperModel is different; it handles more like a 9m, and when you jump, it goes straight up. It depowers when you need to. You're likely to drop your kite in light wind, and the WhisperModel sheds water and relaunches effortlessly. Yes, you are actually allowed to have fun while riding in light wind now! In fact, the design is so successful that it will be replacing the SuperModel Light Wind kite. The SuperModel will still be available up to 12m, and then the WhisperModel will fill in with 13m, 15m, and 17m sizes.

Jeff's especially excited to try the WhisperModel because he's been riding the SuperModel LW all winter and it was a favorite. A lot of MACkite's customers live in areas prone to light wind, so a big kite that is as fast and responsive as a smaller kite would be a great fit for many of them. Most light wind kites sink at the edge of the wind window, but the WhisperModel maintains its height. Although it's not made to kiteloop, it'll downloop for transitions and jumps. It's user-friendly and works for any level rider.

On a 15m, an 80kg (180lb) rider can get up in as little as 5 or 6 knots on a 133 KevPro. A very skilled rider can even get up with a 153 Big E in just 3.9 knots. Now, anything under 9 or 10 knots is going to take a lot of skill, but the WhisperModel gives you the confidence to go for it, and the more you ride, the faster you'll develop the skills to get out in lighter and lighter winds.

Design Characteristics

The WhisperModel has a swept wingtip and battens to reduce flutter. That and the pulleyless bridles give the kite instant response, contributing to the feel of a much smaller kite. The outside lines have three settings for the steering pressure. Most people will be comfortable with the medium setting, but you can go lighter or heavier if you prefer.

The color is reminiscent of the ocean on a calm day, making it a perfect fit for a light wind kite. It's got three struts, which keeps the kite light while still providing enough structure to take advantage of every puff of wind. It also helps the kite turn and be well-suited to a variety of disciplines.

Who's It For?

If you're looking for a kite that will get you out in the lightest wind possible, the WhisperModel may be a great option. The three sizes are more for riders of different weights rather than different wind speeds, so choose the one that fits you. A 15m is good for the average-sized rider of 80kg (180lb), so if you're much more or less than that, choose one of the other sizes.

Summary

While the WhisperModel will go up in just a whisper of breeze, there wasn't even that when Jeff and Kevin headed to the beach to film. Still, Jeff pumped up anyway. It's a high-quality kite that should last many, many sessions in spite of its lightweight construction, and he wanted to be ready to take it for a test drive the minute the wind picked up. Jeff has largely switched to winging, so his excitement about a kite speaks volumes about its potential.

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