Leaders in soft kite innovation, FLYSURFER have just released one of their most exciting products yet! The all-new HYBRID is quite possibly the easiest learning tool ever, opening up new pathways for riders big or small to enter the sport. Christoph Hesina tells us all about it in this Q&A.

It looks like a blend of a SOUL and a PEAK, half single skin and half double skin. So, what exactly is the HYBRID?

It's what I like to call a compact kite. Imagine the smallest kite you can travel with; add the fact that you do not need a pump to inflate it, and it flies in the funkiest wind. On top, it is almost unbreakable and extremely reliable. That is the HYBRID for me, a kite in a class of its own.

What was the concept behind the design?

We started almost two and half years ago with a closed-cell, double skin foil kite intended to perform on a surfboard and a hydrofoil. We had several promising working prototypes, but ultimately the product needed more depower. We had to find a solution and started adding single skin parts to the canopy. While testing, we realised the potential to build the best tool for schools. 

A few months later, we held the best of two worlds in our hands. The perfect freeride product for retail and a school product that will help people to progress intuitively. 

Can you go into some detail about the design? What is a single skin, and what is a double skin? Why do these things work so well together for this concept?

The HYBRID is a low aspect ratio foil kite, with 50% of its area covered by only a single layer of canopy cloth. Like the PEAK, the first two cells of the wing tip remain closed cell. Finding the best ratio between single and double skin took a while. The single skin irritates the airflow, slows the kite down when needed and pushes it further back into the window - one of the reasons the HYBRIDs drift is unreal. 

With the HYBRID concept, we achieve an amazing balance between power and depower for the number of cells and the low aspect ratio we use. It's very light, super stable, turns quick and is almost indestructible. 

What outcomes was the designer hoping to achieve in the final product?

Designer Benni Bölli aimed to build the future of freeride foil kites, a multipurpose tool, a travel companion, and a playful kite with intuitive handling. We exceeded our expectations and quickly realised it is by far the best concept for kids.

What materials are used to achieve the right blend of lightness and durability?

We use our TX-Light and DLX+ fabrics, which are exclusively designed for our needs and used in our bestselling PEAK and SOUL products. We know for a fact that those materials will prevail in the roughest weather conditions and with long-term use.  

At the recent AWSI in Hood River, we saw pro wing foiler Nathan van Vuuren pick up a HYBRID, his first time ever flying a kite. He got out on the water for his first kite foil session in less than 30 minutes! What makes this kite easier than a traditional inflatable kite for learning?

Nate and I had a blast in Hood River. He was so impressive to watch! It is a foil kite, and they have the upper hand in a few areas compared to inflatable kites. What I can tell you is that the HYBRID is so easy to control on the edge of the wind window, giving you the confidence to learn how to fly a kite. On top of that, it lifts you less than other kites and depowers immediately, whenever you need it. Even if you get overconfident and send it through the power zone, it only generates moderate power spikes and does not rip you apart. If you drop the HYBRID, you can easily relaunch it in the lightest breeze. 

Learning with inflatable kites, you normally choose smaller kites to learn the sport. For this purpose, inflatables are simply inferior. They are a lot to handle; you will struggle to relaunch them, they will drop out of the sky when you grab the board (front or back stall), and you can potentially hurt yourself or get scared when you misjudge the amount of power needed while practising water starts. In my opinion, there is no better solution or concept to learn kiteboarding safely and intuitively than the HYBRID.

The first product videos showcase the entry-level and family-friendly qualities that this kite offers. What makes this product so safe and simple for children or first-time kite flyers?

You do not have to spend as much attention and can focus on the steering. It will not scare you because it sits super stable in the air and does not give you the feeling of getting lifted. You can regulate the steering and holding forces (bar feel), so even a child can handle it. If you drop the kite, it will drift a bit back into the soft zone without pulling you much. You do not lose ground or drift leeward because the wing's projected area is reduced by 50% until you get tension on your steering lines. I am sure more people will stick to the sport after experiencing their first lesson with the HYBRID kite. 

As a water-relaunchable foil kite, the HYBRID has applications across all wind sports. So, where does it shine the most? Land, snow, flatwater, waves?

The options are endless, but for me, it excels in combination with a hydrofoil in smaller waves. It's fascinating how effortless and fun kiting can be. I picked the shittiest conditions in the weirdest spots I could find, and I had a blast. It motivates me to explore the unknown.

Foil kite bridles can make LEI kiters nervous. What's the story with the HYBRID bridle?

With the HYBRID, there is no difference compared to any other bridle, besides the two cross main lines. Those are attached above the mixer (pulley system) and lead to the opposite side of the wings leading edge. They are mandatory to ensure the kite flags out after using the quick-release system. 

How can a more experienced user tune it to change the performance?

Our new technical feature is called Performance Tuner, a knot ladder on the C-pulley line. You can affect the profile camber of the HYBRID by moving up or down the ladder. You can increase responsiveness and bar forces by shortening the line, or, if you wish for more depower and lighter bar forces, lengthen the line. I personally prefer the short setting when the wind is light and the standard setting when the wind is getting strong for the size I'm riding. 

Is there anything you WOULDN'T recommend using it for?

Big air, that is for sure! You can try a few basic jumps, but it is not built for sending it in a storm. We have plenty of other products for doing it. I ride the STOKE, SOUL or SONIC, depending on wind speed and water conditions, when I practice my freestyle tricks.

Videos

HYBRID a playful way of kiting. Get them started!
By IKSURFMAG

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