CORE GTS3 11M 2015 REVIEW
Core GTS3 11m 2015 Review
INTRODUCING:
CORE are rapidly developing their reputation in the UK for quality and well-engineered products, we’ve liked what we have seen over the last 2 years, and were excited to get to check out the latest version of the GTS3 series. Claiming to work well in all conditions for all riding styles, we were looking forward to putting it through its paces…
Tested NT
BASICS:
Build and construction
CORE have a unique way that they release their kites, as they have two main kites in their range and each kite is released bi yearly, meaning that each kite gets 2 years of development and testing before it is released into the market. This enables CORE to be able to make big developments in their kites and be sure that they all get a good testing on the water. Headline news with the GTS3 is that it has lost 2 struts from its predecessor, so is now a three strut kite. The construction of all of the CORE kites is well up there with all of the major kite producers and the kite feels incredibly well built, very strong and like it will be able to handle whatever you throw at it.
Set up and tuning
The GTS3 comes with a massive ability to adjust the kite to your own personal riding style, with adjustments on both the back attachments and the bridle you can really tune the kite to how you like it.
Bar and trim
The bar and trim are all very tidy, every aspect of this setup has been thought through with the rider in mind.
Safety
The safety release on the chicken loop is very unique to CORE kites, the quick release must be twisted about 90 degrees in either direction in order for the kite to release onto the two front lines. It’s a very simple and reliable release but does take a bit of time to get used to.
PERFORMANCE:
Turning speed, handling and feel
The first thing you notice when you launch this kite is how solid the kite feels in the sky, even though it has been on a bit of a diet from the GTS2 and lost a couple of struts they have still been able to keep the kites rigidity. Why is rigidity important you may be asking? Well if a kite is solid in the sky then every little movement you make on the bar is going to cause the kite to react straight away resulting in a responsive and fun kite.
The Triangle
The GTS3 sits a little bit deeper in the window than the Riot which helps the kite to be a little bit more stable but does affect its upwind performance ever so slightly, but as this kite is the freestyle kite in the CORE range then stability is a lot more important than upwind ability.
Lift, hangtime and looping
When it comes to coming in full speed and sending a massive kite loop you have to be very confident in the way that your kite will be able to handle it, you need to be able to trust your equipment to the max. With the GTS33 you have that confidence. The kite is responsive, fast and lofty which are exactly the qualities that I’m looking for in a big air kind of kite. With a conventional C kite I wouldn’t think about trying to do a good sized kite loop on an 11m, it’s just not fun, but for some reason this kite seems to lap it up, great drive on the loop with a good yank and the more important feature is the kite quickly getting back above your head to save your knees on landing!
Unhooking
The Sensor bar comes as standard with what I would call a hooked in leash and chicken loop, meaning that the loop is very small and the leash is very short. This is ideal if you are never planning to unhook but for the freestyle rider you can upgrade your bar to the bigger freestyle loop and the longer leash. This ability to customise your gear is a great idea as 90% of riders will never even think about unhooking so why does everybody need a big chicken loop… Clever.
Trim, depower and range
The bar throw on the Sensor bar is relatively short compared to a lot of other brands meaning that even if you let go of the bar you will still be able to recover it easily.
VERDICT:
If I was in the market for an all round freestyle kite then this is what I would buy. A brilliant option for a kiter that wants to be able to do a lot of things without the need for a van full of different kites. If that is what you are in the market for, then look no further and I would expect to see a lot more of these on our beaches over the next few months.
www.corekites.com
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