Eleveight WS V9

Writing the review of the new Eleveight WS V9 has been quite a challenge for us! The WS stands for “Wave Series”, and since we had a 7m, we had to patiently wait for the right conditions to give this kite the sessions it deserves. It sat in storage for nearly two months, but just as the review deadline approached, Tarifa rewarded us with perfect side-off Levante winds and amazing waves, ideal conditions to put this kite to the test.

The WS remains a 3-strut kite with an “open C” shape. The first impression when taking it out of the bag matched our expectations from previous Eleveight experiences: not the lightest kite in its category, but a super well-built and robust machine. The frame is made of XT Dacron, a high-tenacity material paired with 4×4 canopy fabric, and reinforced with 6×6 in key areas. It looks and feels incredibly durable, exactly what you want when hitting waves, because sometimes, things can get rough out there! The kite also offers multiple options for the rear lines, allowing riders to adjust speed and bar pressure to their liking. A particularly handy feature is on the front lines, with a quick-switch knot that lets you select between an all-around wave setting, a dedicated offshore wave option and a foil mode.

As mentioned, we tested a 7m model in our usual strong and gusty winds. The first thing we noticed was its direct feel and exceptional precision when turning – something we really appreciated, especially since this is a fast kite. Power delivery is soft and linear; while it doesn’t offer an outstanding low-end, the high-end is massive. On our first couple of tacks, the kite’s position in the window allowed for excellent upwind performance, and it felt very comfortable even in gusty conditions, with a natural, intuitive bar feel. But it’s in the waves where this kite truly shines.

From the very first wave, two elements stood out and became the highlights for us. First was how effortlessly we could position the kite with just one hand. This opened up a much more comfortable surfing experience, allowing us to adjust the kite’s position with a slight movement of the left hand to meet the demands of each section in a split second. The second was its superb drifting ability and steering ease, which allowed for much more vertical rides from the bottom to the top of the wave than we are used to. This significantly improved the fun factor and, most importantly, the style. We also had a session in very strong winds where we had to depower the kite significantly. Surprisingly, it maintained its maneuverability and snappy turns even at nearly half depower!

When linking different wave sections with downloops, the kite consistently delivered manageable and steady pull thanks to its tight, responsive turns in the power zone. Combined with its excellent drift, we are confident it would also perform brilliantly in onshore waves, even though we didn’t get to test it in those conditions.

For our final session, we took the kite out on a foil and, of course, switched the bridles to the foil setting. The kiteloops for waterstarts were slightly wider and generated a bit more power than in the other configurations. Once up and riding, the kite delivered a super-mellow cruise with excellent downwind drift, very low bar pressure and an overall feeling of effortless control.

We could sum up this kite on the waves as one of those few models that truly let you focus on the wave, making the ride feel effortless and natural. We spent our time surfing, not fighting the kite. However, after a few sessions, we realized it’s more than just a pure wave kite. Thanks to its easy upwind performance, reliable water relaunch, massive high-end, and overall user-friendliness, it’s also an excellent choice for kite schools, kids, or twintip riders who are just starting their kite journey, or for anyone looking for a mellow, easy-to-handle kite.