MACkite Rides: Jake M's Wave Day w/ the 2016 Slingshot Rally

Wave Day w/ the 2016 Slingshot Rally

Conditions

Water temperature: Low 40s

Wind: 20 - 25 knots

Gear Used

Water wear:

• NP Mission 5/4 Wetsuit
• NP Neoprene Hoodie
• NP Thermal Pants
• NP Mission Booties
• Xcel Gloves
• Ion Beanie

Kite: 2016 Slingshot Rally w/ Slingshot Guardian Bar

Kiteboard: 2016 Airush Cypher

Experience

Having made it to May without a session, I figured it was long overdue that I get out on the water. With water temperatures in the low 40s, I grabbed my NP Mission 5.4, neoprene hoodie, thermal pants, booties, gloves, and beanie. At some point over the last two years I found that I had become a fair weather kiter, and I definitely didn’t want to be cold. Winds were 20-25 knots, so I grabbed a 9 meter 2016 Rally and the Slingshot Guardian control bar.

I’ve always liked the Slingshot Compstick system, but wasn’t a fan of the below-the-bar depower, proving occasionally difficult to adjust on the fly. The Guardian bar addresses this, employing an above-the-bar system with magnetic tab to keep the trim line from congesting the bar. It’s an awesome bar - thank you Slingshot. 

After a quick double-check that I had everything I needed, I headed to the beach to score my first session of the year.

The first difference I noticed between the 2016 Rally and years previous was the addition of a larger Boston valve. Not only does this make for quicker inflation, but also does away with the need for that pesky Slingshot attachment (the one that Slingshot used to so conveniently glue on to the pump hose, if you’ve forgotten). 

The kite rigs the same as in year’s past, and in no time I was in the air and flying.

Jumping on my Airush Cypher (seriously, you’ve got to check out Airush’s Active Carbon construction), I was off. 

The Rally felt very similar to the 2015 model - quick, stable, smooth power delivery. Tacking out past the break and driving upwind, I left the Rally at full power. As soon as I was ready to cut in and catch some waves, I’d pull in on the depower to dump the power. The Rally handled being fully depowered well, allowing me to push out and enjoy the wave. It would drift with me, and a quick edge upwind would restore power and allow me to transition to the next break.

Overall, I had a great wave session with the 2016 Slingshot Rally, right up there with the  Wave SST. Where the Drifter and Cabo lose power too easily for me (which leaves me feeling vulnerable as a very novice surfer in larger Lake Michigan swell), the Rally and SST deliver consistent power while still being able to dump it through depower. Impressed with its surf performance, I’m looking forward to taking the 2016 Rally out for a freestyle session to see just how truly all-around this kite is.