How has the introduction of Penta TX changed the performance of the Dice SLS compared to the Dice?

We always try to keep the model familiar in terms of handling and feedback from the bar. The Dice SLS is sharper, the feedback you get from it is more precise. Similar to comparing a standard car to the sport version. I would say the Dice is already a sportive kite like a Porsche 911 and the Dice SLS is like a 911 GT3 which is like a dedicated track tool. It allows you to take more performance in any situation, for example in Cape Town, if you want to boost high above 20 meters you have to have the wind and wave timed perfectly to get maximum vertical acceleration to then get horizontal as possible with your loops. It’s all about precision and timing, to see the kicker and know when to swing the kite up, the speed you need, you need to really nail all the variables together. With the Dice SLS, it’s just a bit easier and the characteristics are that little more extreme allowing you to jump higher. The weight advantage and added stiffness is especially noticeable in performance gains on the larger sizes too.

When we chatted last season about the first Evo SLS, you mentioned improvements to the usable wind range, more vertical lift when jumping and the upwind angle, do we see these same improvements in the Dice SLS when compared to the Dice?

Yes absolutely, the Penta TX material shows a similarity across the line of SLS models. You always gain upwind performance as the material causes the kite to position itself differently in the wind window. You can feel similarities between the Evo SLS and Dice SLS. This time we have ensured you can feel the improved low-end performance by increased sheeting force, a feature that is not available on the Evo SLS. The Evo SLS is a very slippery kite, it's very high performance, you have to speed up to really gain that performance from it. On the Dice SLS, due to these changes to the radius which make it a bit flatter, we really ensured we gained performance in the low end and especially the feeling of how you can access the last bit of juice in the kite to keep you going. I think this is a pretty huge aspect of the entire SLS development, the power feels extremely accessible and you feel super connected to the kite.

Riders of a higher level can extract another level out of the SLS kites, but with things like increased wind range, improved upwind performance and more connected feedback, these aspects are appealing to all kiteboarders, do you see the SLS is appealing to all levels of riders?

It depends on what you are looking for. I think the target group of the Dice is the sportive rider, the kiters who are looking for progression, jumping high, making rotations and pushing their level. It’s similar to choosing a car, what do you want? If you want to be at the limit of what is possible and you are pushing yourself then the Dice SLS offers sharp precise feedback, which means the kite is always talking to you. I could imagine in certain wind conditions where people might find it too aggressive, as you might find with a car with stiffer suspension. The original Dice is a little more dampened by comparison which is great for many people too. I’m a racing car driver and if you want to go fast you need a race car to do that. If you are looking to get the maximum performance and responsiveness you need to go for a Dice SLS.