Slingshot 8M UFO - First Test on Water

July 4 2023 - It was a very happy 4th of July. Kite works great - I think I can reach down almost as low as the 9M - plus I'm a few pounds lighter this season than last. I've ridden a few more times in really light wind. Stays in air, downloops in tight spaces. Left a great impression on me. Thanks Slingshot!

[@gordonnewberry1138]

Dreadfull

[@akinfar]

ahhh 😥- sorry to disapoint

[@kippywylie]

K..... Just saw a Roam at 3:06....wondering if that was an 8m or 10m. I converted from Clouds to Roams 2 years ago but now shopping for our mainland Mexico Beach where even the Roam 10m is marginal in the daily 10-12 puffy thermaks

[@akinfar]

I have not flow the Alula stuff yet, the guys like it along - perhaps more range but you have stuts to deal with - I have not seen anyone killing it on OR around here so not compare. Peace!

[@kippywylie]

Have you ever flown Clouds? Comparison?

[@akinfar]

Hey Kip, I remember you from the CloudRiders group. Yeah, I have full quiver of Clouds. Waiting on the newest ones but held up because of all the havoc on Maui :( UFO compares favorably. I only use the 8M now - Different characteristics than 8M cloud - I'll fly either on different days/styles - nothing flys as good with no line tension as cloud but i've spent years on them :) UFO easier to get world wide so i hope it opens up folks to riding strutless but around here most have there eye on WingFoil - me to but don't plan on NOT kiting anymore haha - way too fun!

[@Danieldaniel-gz8fe]

This UFO colour looks great! Btw, what do you have, boots or neoprene shoes?

[@akinfar]

Howzit Danieldaniel ! The shoes are water shoes from Adidas Summer RDY - I think they still make them. Feels more like skateboard with them on - plenty protection from rocks and shells too. Thanks for the visit!

[@DavidKlein89]

I currently have a 4M 6M and 9M Airush Ultra Team. (one-strut) 155lbs and a 990cm2 foil the 9M gets overpowered too quickly. I was considering to switch it out for the 8 UFO. What do you think? Whats your weight/frontwing size and lower/upper windrange on the 8m UFO?

[@akinfar]

I have a friend that rides Ultras - he's excellent rider and probably 175lbs - he uses his 9 a lot but he's doing lots of jumping and board grabs. I'm about 100Kg (maybe a little less at times) I'm using the 8M as my biggest kite foiling. I do have a backup 10.4 and 13.4 but they get so BIG in a hurry that I'd rather be waiting for a puff and managing the kite in the sky - 8M flies forever if you have enough room down wind to loop to keep in sky. At your weight I don't think you'd need a kiter larger than the 8M UFO unless your trying to race or beat your buddies in upwind drag racing. I love the kite - "almost"as fun to fly as the 7M UFO but pays off better with that extra umph i need to get my lard butt out of the water. See you on the water David and thanks for the visit!

[@DavidKlein89]

@@akinfar Thanks for your quick reply! Yeah no jumping for me :) just freeriding carving catching some bumps. I was watching your drone footage with the 7M kinda crazy it works in such light wind. If you're able to ride an 8M as your biggest I might be able to get away with 7M but that just doesnt sound right :)

[@akinfar]

@@DavidKlein89 yeah, it sound weird to have a 7 as biggest but, at least around here where the wind is puffy, we can get enough to get a start. in SPI that wind was soooo steady that once I got up I was always wondering if I could do another start. The was a super fun session. I now have foils that glide better so less kite needed and I can use my legs and pump and use wavelets to connect stuff.

[@davidflusin5705]

Very skinny bar, what is it?

[@akinfar]

Hey David, sorry for the delay - getting ready to post another video. The bar is a Cloud Control System from Greg Drexler at boardridingmaui.com - no extra stuff to get in the way when your lines are falling out of the sky all around you :) ~$450 USD but i'm not a builder and this "new" design working well since 2018 - I've got 3 in different states of wear and line lengths. See you on the water and thanks for the visit and comment. Keeps me stoked!

[@robertrecco710]

Have the hole UFOv2 line up with a kiss bar best foiling kite out there beats the one strut kite any day let me just say stay away from tampons with strings kites like flysurfer had the peak and hybrid garbage now using them for drop cloths

[@akinfar]

UFO and Clouds are so fun for foiling. They let me foil into spots where I'd have a hard time getting a heavier kite out of. Just starting to Wing too - that's interesting! Thanks for the visit @robertrecco710

[@robertrecco710]

@@akinfar I wing too love it but not as much has kite foiling only down side of winging is the water starting compared to water starting with a kite

[@akinfar]

@@robertrecco710 yeah, so far there are only a few wingers that can really make light wind work here. they've put a lot of time in. For us here might be more spots to access that are not kite friendly/possible - aloha