Rider review Aaron Hadlow

AARON HADLOW was an integral part of the development team in the development of the EVO SLS. We caught up with him to get his views on the latest addition to the SLS range.

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Duotone Kiteboarding Rider Review Aaron Hadlow

Hear the Full interview

Hi Aaron, how does the Evo SLS feel to ride and how does it compare to the classic 2020 Evo?
The Evo SLS has a much stiffer structure and is also a lot lighter. It’s much more direct and responsive, in the lower end it really generates some good power. In the high it's very stable. For doing big air and free riding it's been a great addition to the lineup.

You’ve worked in the development process with a couple of kites now with Penta TX and the SLS construction, how much of a game changer is this new material?
We played around with the new materials quite a lot on a few different models, we started off with the Vegas prototypes, the Evo SLS and a few other prototypes with different designs, I think the main thing is the performance that can be gained by using this material, obviously it’s lighter, it’s better in the lower end and the main difference is the structure and stiffness and how much performance you are able to get out of the kite. We really learnt a lot and there's definitely some huge benefits. Designing the kite around this material is where the real gains have come. It’s been quite a challenge learning with the new material and implementing it into the kite, but I’ve been very impressed with the results.

With the high and low end of the kite being improved, do you think people will reconsider their quiver sizes?
I would say your quiver would stay the same sizes. I think you’ll find, when you get a bit more underpowered, you’ll be able to get more performance out of the kite and when you get overpowered its more stable. Throughout the wind ranges it feels like a larger sweet spot and more performance through the wind range of each size.

Talk to us a little bit about the handling, how does the Evo SLS feel at the bar?
The feeling you get on the SLS kites in general and especially the Evo SLS is a much more direct feeling. When you're turning, you're much more connected, for me I feel exactly where the kite is in the wind window at all times. For looping the kite is very reactive, it catches the turn very quickly, so the kite loops quicker and turns exactly when you need it. The weight savings allow the kite to fly very quickly through the wind window. With the stiff frame and changes in the design, we've been able to make this kite reach up into the wind. When you are jumping, you get a more vertical lift, so this combination gives you so many possibilities to jump rally high.

Let's talk a little bit about what Ralf (Grösel) mentioned, it does fly a little further forward in the window, which helps create a better upwind riding angle. How much did you have to adjust your riding and jumping technique when riding the Evo SLS?
The upwind performance has definitely been incredible, there is a lot of gains. Jumping, it's just a slightly different technique. If you're an advanced rider, you'll be able to tap into this quickly and you’ll have some huge benefits from using this kite. For myself, I really try to get my body into the wind quite aggressively, more of a pop style take off and then sending the kite through the window quickly to really generate some tension through the lines. Once you master this technique and if you are able to time this with a kicker or a wave, then you can really boost quite big.

What are the setting options on the new Evo SLS and do you have a preference on your set up?
I just use the stock set up on the Evo SLS, which is the middle setting. There are a couple of options on the steering lines, a bit harder or a bit softer settings. We set the kite up and tested it around the middle settings and that is what we found to be the sweet spot and works perfect for me.

The Evo SLS is a high-performance kite, quite often that gets taken as being very advanced, what level of kiteboarder do you think would benefit and enjoy the Evo SLS?
We still have the standard Evo in the range, which is a great kite for kiters from all levels, novice to advanced. Anyone will be able to fly the Evo SLS and enjoy the benefits of the direct feedback, but I think it’s the intermediate to advanced riders who will really benefit from the performance gains.

There is definitely a crossover in performance and personal technique. I think a kiter who is still looking to improve their jumping skills, someone who can do some rolls and someone who has a few tricks in their repertoire. The feeling of the kite is also something that gives you more confidence to learn tricks, knowing where the kite is you are able to feel things a little bit better. I think mid level to advanced kiters will definitely notice the difference in the kite. In my opinion the kite becomes a little more racy, a bit more edgy, a little bit more punchy sometimes, you can really harness these performance benefits if you know how to and as you improve you'll only feel the benefits more!