Description

The Flexifoil Ion3 is the next logical step in the progression of the Ion range, delivering the highest performance hybrid kite on the market.

 

The Flexifoil Ion 3 retains the versatility the Ion series is recognized for, but ups the stakes with a kite that will help you push your riding to places you hadn’t even considered.

The Flexifoil Ion3 will maximise any wind conditions, whatever the discipline, leaving you feeling in control and free to unleash your true potential. Its massive wind range delivers more de-power, an aggressively responsive performance and faster turns to take you exactly where you want to go.

 

The Flexifoil Ion3 (III) is a kite which will give you the added confidence to ride higher and harder, simply through its level of controllable performance.

Light steering with a solid driving turn and lightning quick through the window, the Flexifoil Ion3 takes the hybrid design and gives it more bite. Whether you like smacking waves on a strapless board or boosting through the ceiling on the latest twin-tip, the Ion3’s performance will free your riding and allow you to maximise your session.

Tested and approved in a huge range of global conditions from the light winds of the US east coast to the sand-blasting winds of the Brazilian hotspots, the Ion3 is the world-traveling kitesurfer’s dream.

 

Performance Features:

 

Reduced Leading Edge Tube: Increasing the number of bridles has led to a reduction in the diameter of the leading edge tube at the centre of the kite, keeping the weight down and reducing drag so you get a kite that’s faster and lighter with a more solid, direct feel.

 

Altered Strut Pattern: The struts have graduated towards the tip of the kite to produce a more driving turn by keeping the first two sail panels near the wingtip stiff. This ensures the load from steering the bar is transferred into twisting the kite, rather than causing any localised deformation.

 

Trailing Edge Battens: Toughened and flexible battens are sewn into the trailing edge near the wingtips. Reinforced with Dacron, they create a stiffer trailing edge and a clean release for turbulent air passing over the wingtip to reduce drag and provide an increased turn speed.

 

New Aerofoil Shape: The new centre section of the kite, developed in parallel with the design work on the Hadlow Pro Kite, gives better upwind performance and ensures the kite drives all the way through the turn producing the constant pull required for predictable kite loops.

 

Construction Features:

 

Reinforced Leading Edge Tube: Reinforced stitching increases the stiffness and strength of the tube to help soak up a few slams and maintain the shape of the aerofoil to maximise power.

 

Dacron Reinforcement: Dacron® front and rear attachment points spread the load evenly through the kite but we’ve removed it from the middle of the wingtip to keep the weight to a minimum. The Dacron® cage has also been slimmed down to keep the kite light whilst still retaining strength.

 

Wingtip Construction: We have increased the diameter of the leading edge tube at the kite wingtip to give a more rigid structure so the kites less likely to deform whilst turning. As the kite holds its shape better you get a more direct and extremely responsive feel. We have also fitted the wingtip with a small webbing strap that prevents the flying lines from getting caught around it.

 

Standard Flexifoil Features:

 

EZ Single-Point Inflation: As with all Flexifoil kitesurfing products, the EZ single-point inflation system increases the speed of kite setup getting you out on the water faster.

 

Wingtip Dump Valve: Extremely quick and simple pack down as the valve dumps all the air out of the bladders as the kite is rolled up.

 

Variable Power Setup: Attaching the front toggles to different points on the wingtips changes the performance of the kite to suit different riding styles. Use tow point ‘2.Lo’ to give the kite more grunt in low winds or for wake style riding and heaver riders. Use the front tow ‘1.Hi’ for more depower making it suitable for wave riding, general cruising and high winds.

 

Variable Turning Speed: There are two turning speed options on the Flexifoil Ion3. Moving the rear flying line pigtail in from the trailing edge slows the rate of turn and moving the pigtail out towards the trailing edge increases the rate of turn so you can set the kite to your preferred riding style.

4-Line Mode: The kite is supplied in the 4-line bridled mode ideally suited for waveriding and freeride. This hybrid mode allows the kite maximum depower and flyable wind range, making it perfect for big fun, waveriding and jumping.

In the 4-line mode the Ion2 allows massive depower and easy airtime. It turns quickly, has a huge wind range and soaks up the gusts smoothly. You will be able to try new tricks with confidence.

The safety is really simple; just let go of the bar and the kite depowers by 90% and sits at the edge of the window for effortless relaunch.

5th-Line Mode: The Ion2 can be quickly changed from this setup to a 5-line configuration (supplied in the bag). The 5-line set-up is ideal for the hardcore freestyle rider who is looking for the feel of a competition ‘C’ shaped kite.

 

The 5-line mode helps to provide more low end grunt and the ability to load up more forces, enabling huge airs and full-on powered kiteloops. These attributes make the Ion2 in 5-line mode an amazing wake / freestyle kite, with the added benefit of an ‘on the fly’ adjustable 5th line.

If you are riding on flat water or in smooth winds, try the 5-line freestyle mode. If you find yourself riding in gusty conditions
or want to ride big waves, go for the 4-line bridled configuration.

The switch between the two setups takes a matter of minutes can be done with ease.

 

Jumping: In freeride mode you get smooth jumps and loads of float with gentle, controlled lift plus its nice and easy to feel where the kite is when coming in to land. The bar position on the centre line makes a massive difference in the height of the jump. In strong winds all you need to do is send the kite and pull the bar towards you and you take off – big airs are effortless.

If you’re into unhooked jumps and powered wake-style tricks then the freestyle 5th line mode is the one for you. It is more aggressive and will rip you off the water. Keeping power in the turn, so you get a more constant and predictable pull during kite loops.

Unhooked Riding: Both setups are good for unhooked riding, with the freeride setup giving a more pivoted turn, so it’s easy to get the kite in the right place when smacking the lip and riding down the line. The freestyle mode delivers loads of grunt and a good, precise driving turn. Both setups can be flown unhooked with tight rear lines so that it’s easy to feel where the kite is and steer it one handed without any back-stall in the kite.

 

Stability: The kite is really stable even in gusty winds and when the kite is depowered it remains rock-solid in the sky. There is always a smooth feedback to the bar from the kite, making it great for progressing and learning new tricks. The Flexifoil Ion3 excels in gusty conditions as the kite remains stable making it great for flying sites that can have turbulent conditions.

 

The kite is really stable even in gusty winds and when the kite is depowered it remains rock-solid in the sky. There is always a smooth feedback to the bar from the kite, making it great for progressing and learning new tricks. The Flexifoil Ion3 excels in gusty conditions as the kite remains stable making it great for flying sites that can have turbulent conditions.

 

Simplicity: The Flexifoil Ion3 has been designed to make your life easy and your kite flying fun!

The package includes: easy and quick single point inflation (rig-up in no time), freestyle and freeride bridle diagrams printed on the bag for easy beach reference, and a freeride to freestyle conversion process that you can do in literally a few minutes.

All attachments to the kite are simple larkshead knot - colour-coded and labeled - so it’s hard to get it wrong.

Safety-Freeride Setup: Works in the same way as the Atom 08: 4-lines with a mini-leash running through the centre hole in the bar which pulls on the two front lines when the safety is activated. This kills 90% of the power from the kite and the kite comes down at the edge of the window, ready for easy relaunch.

Safety-Freestyle Setup: Works in the same way as the Flexifoil Fusion 2 (II) 5th line safety: after depowering the safety system the rider remains attached to the kite via the 5th line which attaches to the Y bridle on the centre of the kite. The 5th line kills 95% power from the kite in a controlled and predictable manner and has all the usual benefits like easy relaunch, self landing and an adjustable tension for controlling the power of the kite during normal flying.

 

TWO KITE "ROUGH GUIDE" Please note this is based on average rider experience, in average conditions, in average waves on an average day.

If in doubt please consult your local Flexifoil kitesurf retailer or distributor for advice.

Light weight rider (approx 65 kg or less) - 7m2 & 8.5m2
Medium weight rider (approx 75 kg) - 8.5m2 & 12.5m2
Heavy weight rider (approx 90 kg) - 10.5m2 & 14.5m2
XL riders (approx 100 + kg) - 10.5m2 & 16.5m2

 

The Flexifoil Ion3 is available ‘kite only’ or complete. The kite is delivered in the freeride setup, with the full freestyle bridle enclosed in the bag pocket.

 

A Flexifoil ION 3 Complete package with 4-Line control bar for example comes complete with:

• Flexifoil ION 3 Kite
• Flexifoil 4-line set (fully colour-coded pre-stretched lines -25m x 250kg / 250kg)
• Flexifoil ION 3‘v-core’ bar
• Full 5th line freestyle kit
• Flexifoil Pump
• Flexifoil Repair Kit
• All the usual stuff including full comprehensive instructions in English, French, German and Spanish.

	* A Harness is required to fly this kite - click for harnesses >>
	* You can learn how-to setup and fly water relaunchable kites using the Kiteboarding Progression DVD - click for info >>

Specs

Model	Wingspan (sq m)	Flat Surface Area (sq m)	Aspect Ratio	Sail Material	Skill Level
7.0	5.8	7.0	4.95	Ripstop Polyester	Int / Exp
8.5	6.5	8.5	4.95		Int / Exp
10.5	7.0	10.5	4.70		Int / Exp
12.5	7.7	12.5	4.65		Int / Exp
14.5	8.2	14.5	4.60		Int / Exp
16.5	8.8	16.5	4.60		Int / Exp

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

Control Bar

Flexifoil Ion 3 (III) Control Bar:

The Flexifoil Ion3 bar has evolved to fully exploit the Ion3’s potential. With super light steering and responsive feedback the Ion3 feels more connected than ever before.

The Flexifoil Ion3 bar makes massive strides in the durability of almost all wearable parts. This includes the 5th line, the centre line and the leader lines.

The on-the-fly adjustable 5th line increases your kites wind range and give more vertical lift and of course aids safety and relaunch.

 

Design Features:

We use an integrated approach to the design of the kite and bar and strive to keep the number of moving parts to a minimum whilst still retaining complete functionality.

 

Bar Ergonomics:

The grip on the new bar is much softer and easier on the hands; it also features ergonomic bar ends to provide a solid connection point improving the overall feedback from the kite whilst turning. The soft over-moulding protects your hands when kite looping and enables easy line storage on the bar.

 

Proven Single Release System:

The simplest yet most effective safety release system on the market. The primary release cover is always where you would expect to find it – just above your chicken loop so it’s quick and easy to find and activate. The simple reconnection process is intuitive, possible to do under the water and - with experience - one handed!

 

Centre Line Wear Indicator:

When the outer Dyneema® line fails due to wear the inner red line becomes visible. This internal line has enough strength to enable you to comfortably make it back to the beach even if you are a long way out.

 

Leader Line Floats:

Protect your hands and make the bar easy to find after stacking it!

 

V-Core:

The Flexifoil Ion3 bar is fitted with the Flexifoil V-Core - the angled hole in the bar through which the centre line runs to vastly reduce centre line wear and help lighten the turn. The V-Core also allows you to turn and sheet-in at the same time.

Features:

• Fully spinning adjustable 5th line
• Pull-pull” depower strap
• Single action release
• Intelligent and tough centre line
• Amsteel leader lines
• Super grip
• V-CORE bar

Bar Pressure > The Flexifoil Ion3’s light but progressive bar pressure means that you can easily feel where the power of the kite is, giving an intuitive connection to the kite.

In the freestyle setup the tension of the 5th line makes a massive difference to the bar pressure. Heavier with no 5th line tension or much lighter with the 5th line pulled in by a couple of inches. You can tune this to your preferred setup.

Wind Range

Kite Size	Low (knots) in 5-Line Mode	High (knots) in 5-Line Mode	Low (knots) in 4-Line Mode	High (knots) in 4-Line Mode
7.0m	18	35	20	40
8.5m	17	29	18	30
10.5m	15	25	16	26
12.5m	14	24	14	24
14.5m	12	19	12	19
16.5m	12	16	12	16

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