The Slash is the sail dedicated to the pure wave of Naish kiteboarding, and in particular to the wave strapless, therefore a sail that we were really very curious to try considering our passion for the waves ... and for our test we were more than lucky because we found really bad days thanks to a nice southwind perturbation with wind between 18/24, to end with a day on 30 knots and waves from medium to even above the head. But let's get to our impressions.
Kite: Naish Slash 2020
Size: 6sqm and 8sqm
Test conditions: various days with south-west wind between 18 and 30 knots approximately. We tried the Naish Slash in size 6sqm and 8sqm with Naish Torque ATB 55 bar always with surfboards and surf kites including the GO-TO Naish 5'6 '' .
Naish Slash 2020 features
Slash 2020 is a 3-strut kite dedicated to surfers.
The SLASH bag is the same as the Pivot. Beautiful and functional even if, wanting to be picky, a little precise. Let's say that if you are a little rough when you fold your kite, you may have some difficulties, otherwise everything is ok.
The sail fabric is Quad-Tex as for all Naish 2020 models. Reinforcements in the parts most subject to wear and Shark Teeth Trailing Edge to reduce weight and still guarantee resistance on the trailing edge.
The inflation system is an external One pump like that of the Pivot.
The bridle of the front has only one pulley, while on the back there is the possibility to set the feedback on the bar. The power adjustments are instead managed only through the adjustments on the bar.
The Barra Naish Torque
We used the Slash with the Naish TORQUE ATB bar with high depower, which we now know well. The bar is well made, has a good handle and is simple. It is an effective and intuitive bar that we had already talked about in the Naish Triad test , and which in short stands out for a nice comfortable grip, a really nice long depower run, integrated floaters, beautiful lines.
To adjust the power by lengthening or shortening the back lines it is necessary to open the two ends of the bar. Same thing to change the bar width from 50 to 55cm.
Naish Slash 2020 as it goes
As soon as you raise the Slash in the air, you immediately feel that it has a different soul than other Naish models such as the Pivot. The Slash is in fact much softer and its response to commands more prompt and faster. At the same time it is immediately perceived that the Slash has a fair power.
From the very first outings, with wind between 18 and 24 knots, the 8sqm Slash performed very well and we immediately had a good feeling with the kite. The Slash works very well at the edge of the window and has an extraordinary bowline. Very good power management, compared to the other Naish tried, the sail leaving the bar completely discharges giving you the opportunity to surf the wave without feeling pulled away. At all times she finds herself ready and responsive.
Drift, floating in the air is also very good. Even finding ourselves surfing with wind and waves in almost the same direction, we had no problems: the slash floats in the air, it follows you even if the backs become very loose, for example as happens when you get a little too much hand and surfing you end up too leeward.
The Slash is softer than for example the Pivot, but not so light as to lose its position. The Feedback on the bar is always there and so the bursts are a bit felt, but not too much.
Let's talk about the wind range. We found the Slash quite powerful, though certainly not as powerful as the Pivot. Considering that we are quite light with the 8sqm we glided and surfed strapless comfortably between 18 and 25 knots approximately. With a little effort it is possible to make an exit even with a few knots less. Beyond 28 knots with the 8sqm we were unveiled and around 30 knots the kite becomes a little nervous and difficult to control strapless. Let's say that to surf comfortably we mounted the 6 around 25 knots.
Overall it was a very intuitive, simple sail that allows you to devote yourself completely to surfing.
Freestyle strapless
As for strapless jumps, the SLASH was a really nice surprise because it proved to have a good lift but also to be extremely easy to handle and precise. The fact of not being too explosive facilitates in the detachment phase, when an excess of power can make it more difficult to maintain control, especially for those who are at the first jumps.
Conclusions
Naish Slash really convinced us. A nice kite with all the features you need to be appreciated in waveriding, such as speed, readiness to accept commands, stability in the air, but not only. The Slash has shown us to be a multi-purpose sail, oriented to surfing, but not limited to this and also suitable for freeriders.
TESTER
In addition to us at Tabularasateam.it, other intermediate and expert kiters on the spot have tried sailing, giving us their impressions. Here are some opinions of those who have tried it:
"Great beautiful sail. Fluid, reactive, fun. To be a wave sail it is quite powerful, in doubt I would always mount the smaller size because with the 8 in a couple of moments, when the wind had increased beyond its range, I I felt a little pulling away and I was having a hard time surfing and unloading it properly. " Matteo
"This Slash surprised me. I immediately found myself comfortable. The kite has the right pressure on the bar, it is fast enough to be fun but not nervous, and it also floats very well in the air." Francis
Pubblicato il 06 gennaio 2020 | Blog > Reviews: KITESURF