I've been away from the foil scene for about 8 years. I started kitesurfing 16+ years ago. Had Flysurfers and Peter Lynns. Then 8 years ago I went to inflatos. It's time to start replacing those kites (the bladders are all leaking) and I'm taking another look at foils again. So who still makes foils for kitesurfing? I see HQ has the Matrix which might be worth investigating. Anyone using them on the water? How are the bigger sizes?

I own alot of foils and love them as I do many different kite sports ex, landboarding, snowkiting and now kitesurfing . HOWEVER I must now admit that Unfortunately Foils have lost their edge in the kite world . I have recently had a chance to try both types of kites and The new LEI's have caught up to modern day foils in a big way , gone are the days of a foils advantage of 2 and 3 sizes up powerwise compared to a leis . Nowadays its close to 1 size up or 2 if ure lucky as the new SLE type kites have much wider projected area than old c kites and so the power per M is almost the same , also the setup and packdown is just as fast or faster with the new maxflow valves on leis. I find myself fiddling with bridles during setup alot now as i don't want to have any mistakes when putting up a kite for the water. Also packdown is slower with a closed cell foil as u have to spend time trying to squeeze air out of it. And lastly the depower on a modern day lei is alot better than a foil. SO if u plan to do more than just water get a foil if u plan to do water mostly and only occasionally dabble in anything else then get leis and some cheap foils. Me personally I like the flysurfer speed 4 series of kites, they are the best when it comes to performance. HQ makes excellent kites too and I hear the matrxx 2 series is very good

Quote: Originally posted by bigkahuna

I've been away from the foil scene for about 8 years. I started kitesurfing 16+ years ago. Had Flysurfers and Peter Lynns. Then 8 years ago I went to inflatos. It's time to start replacing those kites (the bladders are all leaking) and I'm taking another look at foils again. So who still makes foils for kitesurfing? I see HQ has the Matrix which might be worth investigating. Anyone using them on the water? How are the bigger sizes?

Who STILL makes foils? You mean, who ISN'T making foils?

Peter Lynn seems to have petered out, but Flysurfer is going strong. Ozone has 2 models of foil, F-one and Liquid Force have one each, and North has co-opted one of the independent firms.

If you don't mind the hassles, they're great . . . depends what you're doing with them.

Foil performance in the last 3 years has changed tremendously. Especially in terms of light wind performance and race types.

Better safety systems, better low wind and high winds d performance. Depower on par with SLE.


The definitions for high wind and low wind days have changed a lot with the newer generations of foils. Much more selection and really nobody IMO is making a "bad" kite these days. It just depends on what you want/need.

Oh and the Matrixx 2, is a GREAT kite. The 18 and 15m both turn well for their size and relaunch off water, even in really light winds, is very good. They have a very arc-like flying quality but faster turn and more power. It is one of the most popular kites in our demo quiver. Tons of depower, super friendly and forgiving nature, really good grunt and upwind. Check out our review.

http://www.hardwaterkiter.com/kite-and-gear-reviews/hardwate...