Flysurfer INDIE

Flysurfer… INDIE? Yeah! Flysurfer just introduced a new inflatable kite model into their lineup, and it comes with some surprises. The new INDIE is a one-strut kite designed with foilers and riders looking for progression in mind. The new INDIE promises a lightweight design without compromising on performance and that’s precisely what you get. Flysurfer is a renowned name in the kiteboarding industry for its strong background in designing top foil and light wind conditions kites, especially for foilers, so they clearly know what to look for in a kite when it comes to these aspects.

For the INDIE, they have chosen to stick to standard materials such as Dacron and Teijin D2, which is the classic 2×2 yarn canopy, so you know how reliable your kite is and how it will age over time, plus sticking to standard materials also helps with the cost of the gear, keeping it in an accessible price range.

The INDIE’s design focuses on maximizing low-end performance and ensuring effortless relaunch, even in the lightest wind conditions. Its deep profile and swept-back outline contribute to its stability and responsiveness. The front lines connect to a pulley, with two distinct back line setups offering varying bar pressure and speed. But enough with technicalities, let’s get to what matters – how does this kite perform once it’s flying? When taking the kite out of the bag, which by the way is comfortable and spacious, the first feeling I got is the weight of the kite. It definitely feels lighter than other kites of the same size, but let’s not forget we’re dealing with a one-strut kite! Once the kite is in the air, it is reactive, powerful and fast for its size.

Let’s delve deeper into each condition where this kite should excel: foiling, light wind and progression riding. My first session was a sub-10-knots foil session on a 13m INDIE. As expected, the kite has great low-end power and delivers it smoothly. You can feel the power increase from the top to the bottom, making it very intuitive. The kite handles with ease, and one key aspect is that even when fully depowered while foiling, the kite remains reactive and ready to turn at all times. The kite’s drift is impressive, making going downwind easy, and this quality also saved me from some lulls, as the kite does not fall from the sky. For foilers, another very important aspect is water relaunch. I crashed the kite a few times, and even in these marginal conditions, I could relaunch it every time. It works perfectly just by pulling one steering line or using both for a reverse relaunch.

Transitioning to a twintip in slightly stronger winds of 12-13 knots, the INDIE continues to impress with its low-end prowess and user-friendly handling. For freeriders and beginners, this kite is easy and comfortable to manage. As a beginner, all you want is an easy, intuitive, and powerful kite with progressive power, good depower and a very nice water relaunch, and the new INDIE ticks all the boxes. All these characteristics will likely make this kite a common sight in many kite schools as well, as it is a great tool for teaching new students, especially in lighter wind conditions.

We can’t finish this review without addressing the main one-strut enemy, which is flutter in the canopy on the sides and trailing edge. The new INDIE has not escaped from this; as with any other one-strut kite, flutter is present but with the INDIE, it is not uncomfortable, and you barely notice it on the bar, especially while foiling.

So, this kite is a great option not only for those riders who are looking for their first kite after lessons, but also for foilers who like to switch to a twintip when the conditions get a bit stronger. Overall, a great option for all riders seeking a versatile, super user-friendly kite for progression blended with lightweight design, responsive performance and affordability…