We recently starting testing the new Griffin Kite in several sizes and here is our review after 8 days of testing. These are some of the most stable and responsive kites we have seen. I know that sounds strange – especially with all the hype surrounding kitesurfing kites these days – so let me go into more detail.
REVIEW:
-Bar Pressure: Really nice and direct feeling No lag in it. This is a solid wave kite as it turns on a time and bar pressure doesn’t change drastically. Great feedback and depower was there if you need to dump the power. Kite seems super predictable without any backstalling or fluffing.
The kites I used for this test were: The 9 Meter Kite, the 11 and the 14. You can tell they have worked on these Griffin kites a lot this year. The change is noticeable and much appreciated. It feels similar to the Best Waroo but, in my opinion, it’s a bit better with responsiveness and solid bar pressure throughout the turns.
Here is the breakdown:
Turns:
Ridiculously smooth even in gusty conditions (as it turned out be later in the day). As I mentioned, it turns on a dime. Unhooked loops made me feel like a hero. They were textbook easy and predictable throughout. Not twitchy and smooth as glass.
Wakestyle:
I like to try new school wake moves and this kite didn’t let me down like so many of the other bow style kites. It’s very grunty and unhooked was easy with the kite low. It’s not quite as good as a C kite for wake, but then again no SLE kite is – and the problem with C kites is usually the raw (read: hard to control) brute force power of them especially during loops. Also depower and relaunch on those is not good. So this Griffin Kite is a good compromise for those who want a bit of a C-kite feel but with SLE kite advantages.
-Wind Range
The Griffin Kites seem to have a wide wind range. This is due to the profile of the kite and it’s overall efficiency. Easy to ride upwind and I could take the 9 Meter Griffin Kite out anywhere from 15 to around 30 without it feeling to under/over powered. I weigh 175 lbs and have used both a twin tip and surfboard. The smooth turning action makes everything you kite on seem easier. The 11 Meter was my set up from 12 to about 25 and the 14 was a champ at any winds lighter than that – although it turned a bit quicker than the 14 Best Waroo I am used it.
Overall:
Well on the kites merits alone I am impressed. This is easily one of the best kites I’ve tested in 18 months (and the other instructors and guys at the shop agree). It’s just so stable yet quick turning I can’t find fault with it. The single-point inflation also makes it a joy to pump up – no checking 7 or 5 struts like my other kites.
Price
This is where I am just plain confused. This kite flies better than my other kites that are $300-500 more!
-Quality:
Construction is top notch. A lot of attention to detail.
- Multi panel layout, molded rubber bumpers in each bridle connection point
- Thin struts
- Compact and low drag bridle lines
- Kook proof connectors
- Fast-slow settings and bar pressure settings
- One pump inflation with neoprene covers
- All this and still very light weight.
These all add up as a huge win for everyone from beginners to intermediates to experts.
Want to do wakestyle? Set it up for a C kite feel with direct part pressure and slow turning.
Want to ride waves? Light bar pressure, increase the turning speed to “Fast” setting and hit the surf.
Just learning? It has a setting for that too.
This kite is perfect for someone who just wants one or two kites in their quiver as the wind range is good and these are great all around kites. It is my new go to kite for waveriding, boosting, free riding and even some wake tricks.
The price of these kites is amazing – just over $500 for a 7 meter brand new? That is unheard of in this industry. For a full list of features and prices on Griffin Kite deals, visit:
