Kitesurfing gear review Slingshot RPM 2013

The RPM is known across the industry and by riders worldwide as a kite with some very good credentials. After several years of innovation it has now been refined even further for a sleeker and tougher feel.

With the kite comes a superb bar which is also gaining a huge amount of praise. The simple under-bar cleat depower system is one which works very well. Its not to everyone’s taste but a cleat depower system is definitely the way forward and you’ll probably see it on other brand’s equipment over the next year.

The were no issues with safety and general beach build up. Even testing a kite which had done the demo circuit around the UK, it still was as responsive as the first use. One part of the bar and line set up to note is the thickness of the lines, which are probably the thickest on the market.

Review Slingshot RPM 2013: The tech

The kite itself has the normal Slingshot’s bomb-proof construction, which we’ve become accustomed to over the years. The material certainly feels like it will last the test of time. The main construction areas have really been improved over the last few years with better quality materials used within the stitching.

It also has to be said that the RPM has great freestyle/freeride abilities. After all, it is the kite that won the world tour in the hands of Youri Zoon. That being said, it is a bridled kite and so therefore it’s not your normal brute of a true freestyle kite. However, it has enough depower and stability to be used by most levels of riders and you can’t say that about many kites coming out at the moment.

As with most kites of this style, you do get a sense of the kite driving forward. This is no different in the turns where the kite has no issues with moving quickly and holding the amount of power that it has already built up. One good pull on the efficient bar and you’ll looping the kite with ease. It’s not as forceful as maybe the Slingshot Fuel but the RPM carries its speed well.

With the support of Ruben Lenten and Youri Zoon, the RPM can handle strong winds and is very stable during boosting. The profile doesn’t offer a lot of hang time but you don’t need that when the kite is looping so quickly and still bringing you back down with a soft landing.

Review Slingshot RPM 2013: Overall impression

For those that are new to the sport or for those that are trying new tricks, you won’t be let down by the re-launch. One slight pull on a steering line and the kite rights itself on the edge of the window, ready to be taken back up. This fills any rider with confidence and the RPM has one of the best re-launch abilities of the kites that I have tried.

Put simply, don’t think of this kite as a pure freestyle kite. On overall review Slingshot RPM is great all-rounder and will suit most abilities. The range is good, so you can take the kite out and still be cruising on the same kite in the afternoon as you were in the morning’s lighter winds. That being said, in the right hands this will give any freestyler a run for their money. After all, it was good enough for a world champion.