Test: Bull Skywalker 2006
Location: Cabo Verde
RIDER: Ricardo CostaThe Bull kites and sails designer ( Max Ziegler) had worked really hard on
>this particular kite this year, so I was expecting real good stuff! And I
>haven't been disappointed at all!
>
>Top stability, high up-wind ability, incredible lift and very soft jump
>landings are the ingredients which had made of the Bull Skywalker 12 a kite
>really competitive on the market regarding to this size but not only.
>
>The first impression is that the kite is very stable, and you don't have to
>think about it as soon as it is on the top of the wind window. The handling
>of the kite is very good. The wind conditions during the days of the tests
>allowed me to test the upper wind range of the kite and I found it
>incredible high! The kite goes quite far in the window, and you do not feel
>a lot of side traction, which is a great benefit on a moderate aspect ratio
>kite. The depower instantly kills the power, and thanks to the short
>distance needed for the main depower line to be efficient, you do not spend
>your entire session struggling with your adjustment strap as soon as the
>wind strength changes.
>
>Another important feature is the 5th line. Makes the kite so easy to
>relaunch and works perfectly in gusty conditions decreasing the power of
>the
>kite when the wind sudently increases. You can attach the low end of the
>5th
>line to the chicken loop and use a safety leash to unhooked manoeuvres or
>you can simple use it as your safety system attaching it for exemple on to
>the spreader bar of your harness.
>In 18 knots, the release system on the chicken loop has worked perfectly
>well, and the power on the 5th line was almost 100% decreased. With just a
>litlle power I was able to pull it and safetly recover the kite!
>
>Its an amazing kite to get on to the new school tricks! Huge lift, soft
>landings, perfect stability, fast turning and top recovery makes the
>Skywalker an amazing kite to train new tricks. The best I ever tried for
>mix
>kiteloop manoeuvres!
>
>Some of the tests sessions where made in special conditions like 2m high
>waves in Ponta Preta. And I can tell that some spots in Cape Verde can be
>really surprising sometimes!. I’ ve been really convinced by the depower
>performances of the kite into those surfing conditions. When I needed power
>i just had to pull the bar a little bit and in a second I was going faster,
>but in the other way, when I needed to stop to enjoy the wave I just had to
>pull the bar to loose power and the kite stayed there waiting for my surf!
>
>Test date: different wind/sea conditions between April and May 06
>Test spot: Santa Maria, Shark Bay & Ponta Preta (Cape Verde)
>Tester: Ricardo Costa - “Ricas”
>Tester weight: 80 kg
>Tester level: expert
>Wind force: 15/19 knots
>Wind regularity: good and gusty sometimes
>Wind direction: Side-on, Side-Shore & Side-off
>Wind temperature: 22°C
>Used board: Nobile 666 – 2006 - “Tested in Hell!”
>Used control bar: 2 x Bull Skywalker bar with 5th line
>Used line length: 25 mt and 20 mt lines
>Used bar size : 47 cm on each bar
>Water surface: Flat water and 1,5/2 mt waves depending of the spot
>Flat area: 12 m²
>Aspect Ratio: medium
>
>Ricardo Costa 2006>
Thanks to Ricardo costa
www.bullkites.de