Slingshot Rally 9m 2015
Reviews / Kites
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At a Glance
Slingshot are a brand with a huge heritage, and the Rally is quickly establishing itself within their stable as the go to kite for versatility, reliability and stable flying characteristics. It utilises what Slingshot call an Open Delta C Platform, which one can argue is a bit of a mouthful. Essentially it has a very flat arc profile and quite a pronounced Delta shape to it.
There are three main struts, which are integrated into the kite using the Split Strut technology that Slingshot have been using for over ten years. This construction technique locks the struts in place and keeps a uniform profile over the kite regardless of its position in the window.
In addition the Reflex wingtip makes a return for 2015, this enhanced shape features a small mini strut that is designed to flex as the wingtip twists. There are also soft trailing edge stiffeners that combine with new geometry to offer faster turning and more responsiveness.
The bridle has always been really short on the Rally, this remains true for 2015, and there are no pulleys either to keep things simple. Direct attachments to the trailing edge keep things responsive and there are a few different settings so you can tune the turning speed and bar pressure.
As ever the build quality on the Rally is second to none. It’s a kite that has been designed to last and is built to be “surf tough”. Slingshot go to great lengths to put reinforcements not only on all the usual wear points but they also utilise different construction techniques in high load areas to ensure the kite can take a beating.
Sizes: 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m, 9m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 14m
The Bar
The Slingshot Comp Stick Bar has been completely redesigned and packed with loads of new and innovative features. Slingshot have split the bar up into three distinct areas: Flight Control, the area above floats; the Comp Stick Zone, featuring the bar and the floats; and lastly the Rider Control Centre, featuring the chicken loop and its safety features.
In the Flight Control area you have a 47cm long depower throw offering you plenty of control over the kite. There is also a moveable stopper which allows you to tune the bar throw and also perform no-handed old school tricks. There are dual O’Shit handles and a Guardian swivel, which stops the 800lb lines from twisting.
The Comp Stick Bar has an upgraded ergonomic one piece centre hole designed to reduce finger pinching when riding unhooked, new graphics on the floats and also a new competition grade grip on the bar itself to stop your hands from slipping. The Guardian Safety Release System is an upgrade of the previous chicken loop design incorporating the kite trimming system too. A full front line safety release system is located here so you can ditch all the power in the kite if you need to.
In The Air
I hate to talk about colours and graphics in reviews, but before we get into the meat and bones of the review I will give a nod to the design of the kites this year. The Rally’s for me have always been a little dull and dreary in terms of graphics and colour-ways but it looks like the guys pulled out the stops this year and the kites look fantastic.
Stability was the first thing that struck me when I flew the first Rally all those years ago. That feeling has remained in the line up over the years and it is there for 2015 too. Park the kite anywhere in the window and it will stay there with very little input needed from the rider.
This quality really lends itself to making this kite a fantastic machine for beginners and intermediates who are looking to boost confidence. A well behaved kite is paramount for success in this sport and the Rally does a great job of making you look good.
For the more advanced riders out there the Rally offers a lot too. It’s used by their wave team exclusively and it really does excel in this discipline. When it comes to down the line drifting the Rally is fantastic, it hangs in the air forever and doesn’t pull left or right as you ride the wave.
In more onshore conditions the improved handling for 2015 will be welcomed, the updated wingtips offer a more dynamic and responsive turn. This allows you to manoeuvre the kite around the window with ease. It has a very pivotal turn and on the fastest setting is very direct.
Depower on the Rally is fantastic; the kite has a medium throw, which offers great control. There is a long depower line which allows you to really dump all the power in the kite if you need to. Upwind is fantastic, the flat arc profile and aggressive delta shape really enabling the kite to penetrate the window and fly forward generating lots of pull upwind.
Unhooked the kite is well behaved, if you want to learn your first raleys and unhooked tricks you’ll find this kite is very confidence inspiring. Kite loops can be gentle if you really crank the bar and get the kite to pivot on its axis. Equally you can loop it in a more controlled and slower manner and it will generate a lot of power, especially at the end of the loop as it accelerates forwards.
Hangtime is excellent, this kite has lots of float, and whilst it might not be the most aggressive kite off the water it does deliver long floaty airs allowing you plenty of time to do your tricks. The stability comes into play once again too as the kite won’t suddenly deviate in the air unless you want it to.
For
Stable, responsive and fun to fly the Rally is a really versatile kite that will deliver no matter the conditions or your style of riding. It has a huge wind range with lots of low-end power and a huge top end too.
Against
A fast inflation system would be a welcome addition to the Rally, especially as so many other brands are moving towards this. Also in light winds when you are wave riding the kite can have a tendency to stall slightly as you steer it through the bottom turn. Once you know it is happening you can easily compensate for this by keeping power on at the bar, it might catch you out the first few times you experience it. Once powered up this disappears and the kite is impeccably behaved.
Overall
The Rally is a hugely versatile kite that will suit a wide variety of riders. From beginners to expert wave riders and experienced freeriders the kite has an awful lot to offer. All of this is topped off with impeccable handling and real stability that is hugely confidence inspiring. The fantastic build quality should ensure you are riding the Rally for a few seasons and it is the kind of kite that will allow you to improve quickly and easily.
Videos
This review was in Issue 48 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit SlingshotRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
