Inflatable One-Strut Kite Designed for Hydrofoiling
Specialized Series, CORE’s line of highly focused, single purpose gear adds a new kite. The XLITE answers the call for a dedicated, high performance foil kite. A no compromise, all in, one strut inflatable with features unique to the niche discipline of foiling.
One of foiling’s defining attributes is the ability to #gokiting when traditional kiters can’t. Hydrofoils are so efficient that they need a kite that flies in virtually no wind. “We set a very high bar when we release a new Specialized Series product and our new foil kite is no exception” comments Philip Schinnagel, CORE’s managing director. XLITE, an offspring from the Nexus and Section kites, went through a comprehensive lightweighting program which shed 20% in weight. Foiling the XLITE in 8-10 knots has never been easier.
Mass reduction isn’t easy. So, CORE experimented with new leading edge materials, bridles, and one strut designs. After exhaustive R&D, our designers zeroed in on CoreTex for the canopy and new ExoTex Light for the leading edge. “CoreTex brings power and support to our single strut canopy” explains Frank Ilfrich, CORE’s chief designer. “And our testing found ExoTex Light is similar in strength as our current ExoTex leading edge dacron yet is 10% lighter.” New, lighter bridles (and redesigned attachment points) prevent line snag when relaunching. No detail was too small to lightweight. In the end, CORE’s 20% mass reduction target was achieved.
The XLITE’s design genus is inspired by CORE’s wave phenom, the Section, and the Nexus, a multi-talented allrounder. The XLITE benefits from the Section’s drifting skills in waves. Yes! The XLITE is wave ready! Send the XLITE, and you’ll feel that Nexus power in super light winds. Enough juice that allows you to size down. CORE’s designers increased the canopy’s aspect ratio (higher than the Section) so the kite can keep up with the foil at speed. With perfect kite balance and super direct bar feel, the XLITE makes learning new moves a blast.
SLE foil kites are sensitive to heavy kite lines that sag and affect steering. To maximize your XLITE’s performance, we recommend our new Sensor 2S Pro Foil bar. It comes with a shorter all carbon bar in 39/45cm width and super adjustable lines that are 20% thinner. Thinner lines also improve water relaunching in marginal conditions. The foil bar comes with 22m Tectanium lines (16m+2m+4m) that are rated for 300+kg. Additional 3m extensions are found in the bar bag for those who prefer longer lines.
