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Lowind 230 Freestyle (Paimpol)

DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
Paimpol extends its Lowind range with the 230, a freestyle kite with radical looks. It's Lowind's style with transparent Mylar on the leading edges and wingtips. Connectors are the same as the rest of the range in plastic. Sewing is clean, but seams are not rolled; overall finish is let down by some details. The nose is small but strongly made with discreet re-inforcements around the central T-joint and spine/spreader area. The tail is tensioned with bungee, plus the 230 has a trick line.

FLIGHT QUALITY
It is clear that the Lowind 230 is intended for light wind. In these conditions, it flies slowly. gracefully and soundly, giving the feeling that it is riding the wind and exploits the slightest of variations. It's a freestyler well adapted for "normal" flight: perfectly straight lines, easy carved turns, clean angular lines but not really snappy. The beginner appreciated the trick line.

FREESTYLE
The Lowind 230 seems to be a cross between a stranger slow execution of tricks) and Obsession very easy to use) in performance. Maneuvers were slow and graceful: the kite would do all the tricks in the test with no problem provided that care and slow controls were used. It needs to be flown with finesse. The snap stall is good: it stays glued to the spot if the pilot moves forward as the kite tries to move. The axel requires a little more effort: rolling axels were easier, although the kite tended to nose up slightly through the figure. No difficulties with the coin toss, half-axel, turtle, pancake flic flac), Axel take-off, flat spin; just the speed of execution took some getting used to.

VERDICT
The Lowind 230 is an excellent beginner's freestyler because it will do all the necessary tricks. Each trick is easy but it's difficult to move quickly from one to the other, so they have to be performed in sequence. It's by no means hyper-radical, but at the same time it is well suited to the debutante trick flyer who will not be launching into the most radical of tricks from day one.