Hutchy's Surf Blog: Is it a bird, is it a plane?? No, it's the new Naish Torch!!

You can put your life savings on it that when you get some new equipment the wind stops blowing??
Yep, the past week has been highly frustrating. I've had three sessions on the new Torch now and each time the wind has been borderline and there's nothing worse than trying to get to grips with some new gear and there isn't enough wind to get going.
Today was a slight exception though. We managed to get in at Richmond this morn but the wind wasn't quite enough again but late this aft it picked slightly and had a good low water Vaz session.
This is the first time I've tried the 5 line Torch and first thing I noticed that is different from the 4 line Helix/Cult is that the bar pressure is significantly heavier. This is due to the fact that there are no bridals and the lines connect straight to the kite. This makes for a highly responsive turning machine, but when the wind is light you really have to work this baby so she definately needs slightly more wind than the norm but will also probably hold down more wind too.
Once powered up the kite flew really well. It flies a lot closer to the window than Helix/Cult and really likes you to edge the board hard. Jumping is sweet compared to the bridalled kites, as the kite is so responsive. Saying that it also sits well when un-hooking and the 5th line is definately an advantage when retrieving the kite after screwing up when un-hooked as you can just grab the chicken loop and you get instant de-power.
Overall, after my limited time on the water with the Torch, I'm a little bit more optimistic than I was up until lunch time today. It definately requires more wind to get going than say, the 12m Helix but once up to power, she's lively, great for jumping and great for un-hooking.
Hopefully, I'll get a few more sessions this week to try her out fully as the forecast is looking good.
I also received the new Momentum, previously I have been riding the Thorn. The Momentum is a fantastic board. Its wider throughout it's profile with more rocker and flex than the Thorn. The major advantage of this board is that it rides chop well and you get no spray thrown into your face which the Thorn had a tendancy to do. If your riding choppy water a lot then the Momentum is one up on it's brother the Thorn which prefers smooth water.

Here are some photo's of this morning's session at Richmond.

Torch 2011-Nice profile!