Flexifoil
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Flexifoil International is a leading designer and manufacturer of kite products. Started in 1972 by Ray Merry and Andrew Jones in Cambridgeshire, UK, Flexifoil has become known for its power kiting products. Flexifoil owes its early success to its original Stacker 6 kite, which became the first commercially-sold recreational power kite. This kite could be attached to other Stackers to make a more powerful kite and as a design has proved timeless as it is still available today. Other successful kites have included the Stranger trick kite and the Blade series. An important factor in Flexifoil's success has been the ever growing popularity of kitesurfing and manufactures boards and kites such as the Storm and the Strike for the sport. Flexifoil sponsor a kite surfing team and have enjoyed notable success recently with 17 year old Aaron Hadlow
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[edit] Current product range
Stacker 6, Proteam 8, Super 10, Buzz, Sting, Bullet, Rage, Blade IV, Sabre, Firestorm, Storm 3, Strike 2, Fusion, Ion (SLE), AH Pro Board (Kitesurf Board), Flexifoil Buggy, Airdeck (Landboard), and Flexdeck (Landboard).
The Blade is a ram-air inflated traction kite made by Flexifoil that has large lift making it ideal for land and snow kiting. It could be used for Kitesurfing but due to the fact that it is not a LEI (leading edge inflatable) this is not recommended as it is very hard to re-launch the wet kite. There is an option in the control system for the kite either handles or on a bar, more control can be gained by using handles due to the brake lines. The control system chosen effects the price of the unit.
[edit] Flexifoil Blade
The Flexifoil Blade is currently in its 4th series. The 4th series differs from previous Blades in that it comes with adjustable bridles and a crossover kit as standard. They come in a range of different sizes to match the varying wind conditions and rider ability, the sizes of the wholes range have been similar but not identical, these are shown below. The largest Blade so far has been the mark 3 10.5m although a prototype 11.5 has been made for Chris Calthrop, who kitesurfs with Blades. The most popular and acclaimed size of the series is the 4.9m which is held to have the perfect balance between speed and lift.
Different kites have different characteristics which suit different people. For people wishing to start power kiting, the best way to do this is to contact a responsible retailer or contact a local kiting club, who will be able to advise you on what kite to buy and maybe let you try some demo kit.
[edit] Blade I Sizes
- 2.6m
- 3.3m
- 4.9m
- 7.2m
[edit] Blade II Sizes
- 2.0m
- 3.0m
- 4.0m
- 4.9m
- 6.4m
- 7.8m
- 9.0
[edit] Blade III Sizes
- 3.0m
- 4.0m
- 4.9m
- 6.6m
- 8.5m
- 10.5m
[edit] Blade IV Sizes
- 4.0m
- 4.9m
- 6.5m
- 8.5m
