Airush Livewire 2015 Complete Kite Board

TEST TEAM NOTES

The Livewire is for the rider that is looking to take their freestyle and wakestyle seriously, but who are looking for a good, strong all-round tool that won’t be too uncomfortable in bad conditions. Slower than some in the test, but it’s very comfortable and like the boards on the previous spread it’s about what you’ve got going on behind your back foot. The step-up construction looks a little less ‘now’ than some of the super sleek boards, but the Livewire gives you that lovely carving quality when you edge off the water and is what makes your riding so smooth.

The Livewire has been doing its thing for a while, there’s no need to change it, it’s smart and once a again a great tool for people who are into freestyle. It’s not the lightest, but is super strong with the grind base, well-sized with wide tips and a parallel outline. It’s a performance made for proper kitesurfing conditions and as such produces real quality as a freestyle cross-over board. What we’re seeing now are board makers that have really worked out how to give good riders all the pop and responsiveness that they need while not making a board that is just so solid that it becomes too much like hard work for regular riding in and around chop. Although stiff, the Livewire has a soft feel underfoot and gives you loads of feeling of control. The way it edges into pop is very progressive – it’s like you’re going from 0 to maximum in very small incremental increases; from 0 – 50 instead of 0 – 10. It allows you to hold on until the last moment and winds up rather than suddenly gives you everything.

Working well with boots or straps, the foot straps this year are like trainers and a one-piece unit. On the cold days we were wearing wetsuit boots and actually had to loosen the straps like trainers, put the boot in and then tighten them up, but it they gave a very nice feeling.

SIZES

140 x 42, 138 x 41, 135 x 40 and 132 x 39cm 

LIVEWIRE BALANCE POINTS 

Build quality: 8
Fixtures and fittings: 8
Speed: 7.5
Pop: 8.5
Drive: 7.5
Flex: 7.5
Comfort: 7.5
Looseness: 7.5
Grip: 8
Upwind: 8
Slider proof: No
Boots applicable: Yes
Freeriding: 7.5
Freestyle: 8.5
Ease-of-use: 8

More info at: www.airush.com

Here’s the official Livewire and Livewire Team product video from Airush