Flexifoil

Infobox Company
company_name = Flexifoil
company_
company_type =
foundation =
location =
key_people =
industry =
products =
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees =
parent =
subsid =
homepage = http://www.flexifoil.com/
footnotes =

Flexifoil International is a leading designer and manufacturer of kite products. Started in 1972 by Ray Merry and Andrew Jones in Cambridgeshire, England, Flexifoil has become known for its power kiting products. Flexifoil owes its early success to its original Stacker 6 kite, which became the first commercially-sold recreational power kite. This kite could be attached to other Stackers to make a more powerful kite and, as a design, has proved timeless as it is still available today. Other successful kites have included the Stranger trick kite and the Blade series. An important factor in Flexifoil's success has been the ever growing popularity of kitesurfing and they manufacture boards and kites such as the Storm and the Strike for the sport. Flexifoil sponsor a kite surfing team and have enjoyed notable success recently with 18 year old Aaron Hadlow.

Current product range

Stacker 6,
Proteam 8,
Super 10,
Buzz,
Sting,
Rage,
Blurr,
Blade IV,
Fusion II,
Ion II,
145 x 42 Freeride board,
135 x 40 Freeride board,
130 x 40 Freestyle board,
Flexifoil Buggy,
Flexdeck (Landboard).

The Blade is a ram-air inflated traction kite made by Flexifoil that has large lift making it ideal for land and snow kiting. It could be used for Kitesurfing but due to the fact that it is not an LEI (leading edge inflatable) this is not recommended as it is very hard to re-launch the wet kite. There is an option in the control system for the kite either handles or on a bar, more control can be gained by using handles due to the brake lines. The control system chosen effects the price of the unit.

Products no longer in production

Blade I,
Blade II,
Blade II VPS,
Blade III,
Bullet04,
Bullet 05,
CBX50 Control Bar,
Firestorm,
Kite Landboards,
Kite Landboards (2nd edition),
Level 7,
Matrix,
Psycho,
Sabre I,
Sabre II,
Skytiger,
Sport Kites (Atom, Orbit, Pulsar, Fury),
Sports Kites - Fury,
Strike 2 - 5th Line,
Sting 05,
Storm I,
Storm II,
Storm III,
Strike,
Strike 2,
Stranger,
Viper,
Ion.

Flexifoil Blade

The Flexifoil Blade is currently in its 4th series. The 4th series differs from previous Blades in that it comes with adjustable bridles and (on the larger sizes) a crossover kit as standard. They come in a range of different sizes to match the varying wind conditions and rider ability, the sizes of the wholes range have been similar but not identical, these are shown below. The largest Blade so far has been the mark 3 10.5m although a prototype 11.5 has been made for Chris Calthrop, who kitesurfs with Blades. The most popular and acclaimed size of the series is the 4.9m which is held to have the perfect balance between speed and lift.

Different kites have different characteristics which suit different people. For people wishing to start power kiting, the best way to do this is to contact a responsible retailer, who will be able to advise you on what kite to buy and maybe let you try some demo kit. Local kiting clubs can also provide advice to those new to the sport.

Blade I Sizes

*2.6m
*3.3m
*4.9m
*7.2m

Blade II Sizes

*2.0m
*3.0m
*4.0m
*4.9m
*6.4m
*7.8m
*9.0m

Blade III Sizes

*3.0m
*4.0m
*4.9m
*6.6m
*8.5m
*10.5m

Blade IV Sizes

*4.0m
*4.9m
*6.5m
*8.5m

Water Team Riders

Aaron Hadlow,
Kirsty Jones,
Caroline Freitas,
Josh Mulcoy,
Sander Lenten,
Bjorn Viane,
Richard Boudia,
Peter Trow,

Land Team Riders

Lewis Wilby,
Mark Berry,
Natalie Reeve,
Robbie Shire-Maidment,

Buggy Team Riders

Rob Hills,
Sy Leonard,
[http://www.craigsparkes.com Craig Sparkes] ,
Will Mckean,
Freddie Oldfield,
Richy Stones,

Snow Team Riders

Mattieu Blanchard,
Jerome Josserand,
Ragnar Holtan,

See also

*Domina Jalbert
*Kite buggying
*Kitesurfing
*Kiteboarding
*Power kite
*Kite line
*Kite mooring
*Kite types
*Kite
*Kite applications

External links

* [http://www.flexifoil.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.flexifoilkites.co.za/ Flexifoil South Africa]