I'm actually surprised they released a mono skin and wouldn't be surprised if the Eskimo line was dead. They've spent much more money on their tube
kites and water side of the business than anything else and when Gin was closed/sold/bought they originally lost the rights to the Eskimo name but
then re-obtained it. IMO, everything after the 3 series was a step backwards. That series only needed a minor tweak to the rear bridle or leaders
and it was perfect. I do see they've incorporated some of the 4 series Eskimo in the Shaman. It looks super stable which is no surprise as Gin has
always offered a solid canopy but we'll have to see what the Euros say. I have a contact in Germany who snow kites and has spent time demoing the new
Gin gear as it comes out. I will ask if he's had any experience. I wish they had a US presence but they have all but abandoned this market. They
were always an affordable, high performance alternative to Ozone for me but not any more given the import fees.
Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
Ya, its too bad its so hard for some of these smaller companies to have a presence in the US. I think its good to have fresh minds and perspectives
involved pushing the sport forward.
Some of the stuff I've been seeing with the Shaman looks like they made a pretty sweet kite. Take a look at this video:
I saw that too - those turns looked more like a FB. In this video (turn on CC if you don't speak french) https://vimeo.com/243502533 he talks about the wingtips being closed cell so they don't collapse. Novel idea. Add a little of that to the LE and
you have a single surface water kite (ala Monjet). Born also did something to fix the flapping (I forget whether it was battens or bridles), and Peak
markets the flapping as a feature (kidding!).
When I first started flying the peak I did not like the flapping. I think that is because I did not understand it. I Buggy with my peak on a regular
basis. By regular, I mean, I live two miles from the beach and Buggy weekly. Once you learn to control the flapping. It can be a great asset. It
allows the wing to distort their by spilling the air pressure underneath. Essentially dropping off a majority of the load. BUT. You have to learn to
control the flapping. With the Shaman being able to better maintain its shape I am curious if it is able to unload as much. After a little research
they are the same AR and very similar PA. So it should be very similar in performance to a Peak. It will be interesting to see what people have to say
as more of these hit the market.
I could also see the flapping being useful for feedback the same way a sailboat sail luffs.
Seems like the trend is trying to build a single surface that acts like a double surface. Less material and work, so less expensive (so far) - makes a
lot of sense if you can get close to the performance of a double surface.
I'm super happy with the kites I have now, but the whole single surface thing sure is interesting. Back when I was hang gliding, single surface were
pretty much relegated to beginners. I don't know if that's still true now, but that certainly doesn't seem to be the case with these kites. I'm also
looking forward to seeing regular joes riding these. The guys in the videos could fly a dumpster and make it look cool.
I could also see the flapping being useful for feedback the same way a sailboat sail luffs.
Seems like the trend is trying to build a single surface that acts like a double surface. Less material and work, so less expensive (so far) - makes a
lot of sense if you can get close to the performance of a double surface.
I'm super happy with the kites I have now, but the whole single surface thing sure is interesting. Back when I was hang gliding, single surface were
pretty much relegated to beginners. I don't know if that's still true now, but that certainly doesn't seem to be the case with these kites. I'm also
looking forward to seeing regular joes riding these. The guys in the videos could fly a dumpster and make it look cool.
PKF members that know me and my postings know I'm one of the bedsheet chimps in the Monkey House. Where SS versus dual skin kites seem to shine in my
book is primarily for three reasons. First, they are awesome (particularly in their large sizes) as low wind engines. They tend to get off the
ground with minimal ground level wind and can be often be kept aloft during wind lulls with some creative flying more so than their size matched
heavier cousins in the dual skin world. Second, they pack up smaller and lighter than size matched dual skin kites.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, they are just flat out way cooler than the more common dual skin kites. I mean, anybody can own and fly a dual
skin kite, but it really takes someone special to own and fly SS.
lets stop this nonsense...
there is nothing inherently cool about a SS...i could go on but thats not like me
of course...always fly what you like, anything
that said...and me being mostly fb
i kinda never have my bar pulled in as much as that??? it was like the the whole ride ??
I'm not knocking anything here...jusayin, maybe I'm doing this all wrong??
Hey guys, remember when the Peaks came out and we were all speculating on what would come next?
Well here they are. The gauntlet was thrown and technology responds with new and different.
Reactors 2.8 3.5 6.9
Peaks 4m 6m 12m
HQ Neo2 11m Ozone Chrono V2 15m WASP 5m
Flexi wide axle w/mids and runners
Skis Nordic skates and winter stuff
Quatro Wing Foilboard Slingshot Foils
NAPKA US06
I probably should say something here ...... hmmmm... goog kite .... very good kite .....
Now , seriously , I am actually thinking about getting one or two for snowkiting trips , my friend call Gin and may be getting set instead of peaks
. I will ask him what it was that help him with that decission .
2016 Nobile Zen Hydrofoil with Infinity 5.1' splitboard
2019 Nobile 2HD with Ronix One boots
2020 Nobile NHP split foil with Ronix Parks boots
MG Supra ......... pulling KiteTrike
So, some vids starting to trickle in... looks like a nice kite. Still no reviews that I've seen (at least not in english). Looking at the earlier
designer video, he had designed a single surface paraglider and based it on that design. https://vimeo.com/249509451
Water!: (This was around before, I think I missed it earlier) https://vimeo.com/241235458
I wonder if the closed cell wingtips help with water relaunch... more than likely I'd assume you just don't want to drop it...
So no one on either side of the pond has pulled the trigger yet?
2016 Nobile Zen Hydrofoil with Infinity 5.1' splitboard
2019 Nobile 2HD with Ronix One boots
2020 Nobile NHP split foil with Ronix Parks boots
MG Supra ......... pulling KiteTrike
That is about the best float I have seen with a SS kite.
Do you think it is the kite or rider that is special?
I think it is neither but simply the conditions and riding down a slope where the wind is blowing up. The float is impressive but there are other
times in the videos where they hit a lip or drop off a small ridge with zero float or pop.
To me it seems to be the most impressive monoskin but none seem to be able to touch a traditional twinskin foil for jumping.
Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
The snow and terrain look heavenly. It's adding another dimension to snow kiting when you ascend and descend...and the ultimate -for me, not yet
achieved. Good example of using kite to ascend a ridge.
Nothing dreamier than the gentle floats downhill.
One might also put the kite away to have just an untethered downhill.
So you bought directly from Gin? Please do let us know the final cost and post up a review when you can. I know I had some of the very first Yeti's
to make it to America so glad to see someone getting a Shaman!!
Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
I agree that the guy in the video was not floating like the Flysurfers and LEI under the same conditions. I was kind of wondering how much was his
skill and how much was simply the perfect location. Without matching the float from other back country specific kites I wonder how popular SS will
ever get?
I did buy direct from Gin in Switzerland. They generously covered the shipping. And I can expect to pay VAT and Customs upon delivery. I could have
paid with an international money transfer to them but my bank charges $45. I went with PayPal that charged $43 but offers me some protection. So, with
iced bar and 6m it was $1220. I was tempted to get the whole quiver and save 10% but I let the fever pass and just bought the one kite. The Peak3 was
not at all to my liking. That made me a bit more cautious. I think the Peak2s have more of a flapping issue than the original Peaks, but more depower
as well. It seems the cells on the end of the Shaman might provide the perfect solution. The depower bar range on the Shaman is 55cm which is less
than the Peak2 but more than the Peak. That seems acceptable for my short reach. And who doesn't like a new kite!
I purchased the Shaman online Tuesday before they opened. The kite was delivered Friday noon. How did they do that!
Not expecting the kite that soon I had it delivered to Utah while I am in Colorado. However I am going to pick up the kite on my way to Jackson Hole
area for kite skiing next week. There were NO additional charges for the kite ref. customs or taxes.
![[*]](images/perspective/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
No wing flapping is definitely an upgrade along
with the design. 
