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KITEWORLD SUMMARY:
If you’re definitely wanting to get into wake-style riding then this is a comfortable entry point. The X-Pact falls more into the advanced category in this size as a lighter wind advanced rider’s board than a light wind intermediate board. Easy going, fun and will take some knocks, too.
MANUFACTURER'S HYPE:
The X-Pact range is made up of tough shapes which Airush believe redefine how much punishment a kiteboard can take. Produced with PVC core, ABS rails, high flex and slider-proof flat bottoms, the Xpact slides effortlessly through the water and grips hard under load. Packed with high-tech features, these multi-discipline boards compliment intermediate to advanced riders who enjoy ripping hard in all wind and water states.
TEST TEAM NOTES
MAGGIE: A nice toy. Not for someone who’s just learnt to waterstart and is struggling to stay upwind. Once you’re riding confidently it’s good, you can throw it around. Easy to turn and jumping and landing was nice.
NEAL: I found it really skatey.
MAGGIE: Yeah, but you could control it. If you were just learning to go toe-side you’d find that forgiveness quite handy.
NEAL: The straps take your feet a long way from the heelside edge when you’re fully locked in, making it difficult to get the board to sit in nicely and cut and pop. Having said that, it did mean that it rides flat and you could really take advantage of the big bottom area to get you going quicker and gave you a skatey throw around feel. For a 135 it planes very early. It feels very wakeboard style.
GEORGE: I’ve picked up Airush boards before and thought they were really cool because they’ve had rounded rails, but this is the first one that I’ve picked up that’s got a completely flat rail. It’s stiff too and I’m sure it’s the same thickness throughout. There’s some really nice finishing. It’s strong and has all these grip channels.
NEAL: I do think it’s good with bigger kites and that mucking about with handlepasses and flat water spins in lighter winds it would be brilliant.
SIZES:
135 x 39cm
127 x 38cm
122 x 37cm
120 x 35cm
www.airush.com
This test is in issue #16
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