Tom Hebert reviews the 2020 EVO, New Cal style!

Duotone Kiteboarding Crew Reno Shayne Tom Shooting Canada

Tom Hebert’s still flying sky high, New Cal style with the EVO, the benchmark all-round model within the industry.

Successfully improving the performance of a 13-years-in-the-making design is all down to our designers and riders, who together combine their visions to develop kites that end up in your hands, shape our sport for the future and are inclusive of beginners to top performers.

Tom has enjoyed every moment of his longstanding kiteboarding career with the EVO, travelled the world and graced the stage of Cape Town for the prestigious Red Bull King of the Air numerous times in a crowd-raving, show stopping way; on the EVO of course. Here he talks us through the 2020 model.

Duotone Kiteboarding Evo 2020 dhc2beaver

The 2020 EVO is reliable, versatile and playful in 3 ways;

1.Learning to kiteboard is amazing and developing your skills is even better. Due to the EVO’s simplicity and user-friendliness, even schools can rely on it. Past the learning curve, it’s full of potential.

2.Flying high is better and the EVO has insane hang time.

3.The updated shape, removal of pulleys and constant feedback allows you to have a lot of fun with it. Send it!

Duotone Kiteboarding Evo 2020 Blue British Columbia

I’ve been doing this for a long time and with the EVO I never stop learning new, old-school moves. It’s the only kite for me as the hang time, huge wind range, power delivery and stability — no matter where I’m riding is unbeaten. There’s no need to mess around with the settings, just connect the bar and make sure you pump it hard, this is what makes the structure stiff and kite reactive.

On one hand the EVO is basic, which is a good thing, it has a purpose. For 2020 the smaller sizes have an updated aspect ratio with upgrades the depower performance, perfect for when I’m riding in the Cape Town. I never want to change the feel of the EVO in my hands, so this update is really cool.

Whether at home - New Caledonia - in lighter winds riding 27m lines, or South Africa in 40knts on 24m lines, the EVO feels and handles the same. It’s so user-friendly, just look for the gust, pull down on the bar and get ready to fly.

I can say a lot about the EVO but I suppose the message I would like people to know is that it covers all levels and styles of riding. Its 3-strut design delivers insane relaunch but packs so much potential; it’s a kite for life.