HL Report - Dutch Downwinder with Martin Vari

A Dutch Downwinder with Martin Vari
Photos by Karim Chioua, Text by Stefan van der Kamp


Martin Vari ready to drive upwind.


Last week we got a mail from Martin Vari. He was coming by in the Netherlands to let Hanglos try his new Vari kites. So we combined the pleasure of a Dutch Downwinder with the experience of testing his new kites. Together with Scheveningen locals, Ydwer and the Hanglos crew ( Slis & Me) we went downwind.



Scheveningen locals in the car


When I sit in the car with Martin Vari he talks about the places where he lives: Argentina and Hawaii. He lives part of the year in Hawaii and part of the year in Buenos Aires.



He is still stoked about his victory in the Waves in Matanzas (Chili). This kind of wave riding is what Vari likes the most. The winning of the PKRA wave contest in Matanzas boosted his kitesurfing career.

After winning the wave-discipline in the PKRA he putted the energy in designing a kite. Together with a designer he produced a first series of the Vari Kites with one keyword in mind: comfort.



Getting the gear ready.


And that's how the kite felt. Hanglos tried a 9 and a 7. They both felt comfortable to kite with on the downwinder. Slis was strapless with a 7 so he didn't test the airtime. I was with the 9 on a twintip and felt comfortable right away to get good airtime. Vari was riding on a prototype 11 for next year and won the airtime contest. ;)

The kites were stable, had great depower range and steered well. The kite had a little backstall in the turning, due to a little to long power lines, but this is fixed in the new series.

For those looking for a comfortable kite: keep your eyes on Martin Vari.

For more information about Martin Vari and his visit to the Netherlands. This guy Ydwer did an interview with him for Access.