Kite FLYSURFER Era - review

I didn't expect much from the FLYSURFER Era kite. But it surprised me a lot at the first touch. I had the opportunity to ride this 12m kite a few times, so I took advantage of it and will write down my observations and feelings here. I am writing a review without first reading what the manufacturer says about the kit, so that I am as little influenced as possible and the review is honest.

First look at the kite

I usually don't enjoy inflatables larger than 10m, because I'm too light (63kg) for them and the kite under that weight is not loaded enough to have any decent dynamics for jumping and fooling around. But the Flysurfer Era is a kite full of surprises and paradoxes. It is very well tailored kite with 5 struts, built for strong wind, big air and kiteloops. The Dacron from which the inflatable parts are made is hard and seems durable. The ears are also significantly reinforced in the place where the control lines are attached. The trailing edge is reinforced "only" with a few layers of skytex, which also seems quite durable and will not be a small weight. Quality branded pulleys also indicate that no expense was spared on the kit. In terms of shape, I would classify the Era as an "open C" kite with a slim profile, which would suit its focus.

For a weight comparison with other 5-strut kites, I found this data: 

How the FLYSURFER Era flies

Light wind

I first got hold of Era when it was blowing 9 - 10 kts. I was immediately surprised by how easily such a durable kite flies and how quickly and precisely it reacts to steering. The cornering speed and dynamics took my breath away. In the wind, when a bunch of kites are almost falling on your head and on the edge of the window they are falling down uncontrollably, Era without persuasion flyes a regular wave up and down while waving and squeezing maximum power out of it.

At that time, only 2 kiters were riding on the spot with an inflatable twin tip. The other (kite tester and developer) had a 12m lightwind special made of Aluula material, so a kite from the completely opposite spectrum of focus. We changed the kits... the feeling on the bar was completely different, but the overall performance of both kits was not much different (Era pulled a little less). The other rider also told me the same feeling as I had. The Flysurfer Era is not exactly the lightest kite, but the turning speed, performance and dynamics in light wind are paradoxically excellent.

Relaunch

This is about the only weakness I can think of. In the limit of light wind, when the Era 12m with my weight still rides quite nicely after a fall, it is almost impossible to relaunch on deep water. Even if it is lying on the water, it drags quite a bit, pulls along the wind and without a board there is nothing to lean on and the kite refuses to relaunch. Neither pulling the cross front line nor swimming after the kite helps much. The leading edge is sticking to the water and won't come off. So I would not recommend this kite for light wind foilers, schools and complete beginners. When it blows, the restarts go quite well.

Strong wind

When it blows, the FLYSURFER Era is in its element. I drove it in a wind of approx. 18 kts at full power, just pleasantly loaded, so that I wasn't owerpowered at all.. The dynamics of the flight characteristics of the kite and the overall feeling do not change much compared to light wind, which is great, because the Era still flies the same in different conditions and does not surprise you with anything. Practically only the performance will increase, the flight speed a little and the height of the jumps significantly.

On the 12m inflatable, I was never able to jump high enough on the water to enjoy it. I always preferred to go for the smaller size, even if the wind wasn't very strong, because with the smaller, faster kite I was able to jump better as a result. I don't have this feeling with Era. It has plenty of dynamics, very little downwind drag, jumps are a smooth lift straight up to a decent height where it holds quite a bit with active control followed by a soft landing on if the kite is controlled correctly. All this with little drift downwind and easy slowing down after landing.

When flying through the power zone in the downloop during gybes, the Era pulls very predictably and surprisingly little. All you have to do is keep the bar depowered and the kite will fly gracefully there without flattering! Unfortunately, I don't have any photos from riding in stronger winds. :-/

Overall feeling

FLYSURFER Era is a tank on steroids. High weight, well made, 5 struts, slim profile, excellent aerodynamics, no flattering of the trailing edge, stiff and precise steering form a special mix of a rudable kite that provides confidence even in gusty wind and yet very fast and fun to ride.

During the testing I realized that I know the dynamics, slim profile, excellent upwind drive, precise steering and smooth lifts straight up from the FLYSURFER foil kites. Era borrowed a lot from them and combined them with the punch and confidence of a heavy duty inflatable. Even the second test rider to whom I lent Era said that he felt the classic FLYSURFER feeling in it, and that he did not understand how they managed to make relativehy heavy kite fly so well.

Overall, the FLYSURFER Era tempts you to try new things and push your limits. With its predictability and heavy-handedness, it gives a feeling of certainty and security. It always obeys the rider's command and does exactly, what is asked. Even if there is a gust or a hole in the wind in the process. Weight and inertia in this case are rather positive, because they do not translate negatively into dynamics, speed or turning.

Who is the FLYSURFER Era kite for?

I would not recommend Era to beginners, schools and light wind foilers due to more dificult relaunching. For everyone else, it will be a very funful kite to drive progress forward. Lovers of kiteloops, airstyle, strong winds and extreme jumps will love the FLYSURFER Era. :-)

Ciao, Leguán