CORE XC 2023
Reviews / Wings
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At a Glance
Core Kiteboarding has been at the forefront of the kite industry for years, and they've taken that knowledge and applied it to their wing program. The XC is their do it all performance wing aimed at anyone looking for solid performance across a range of disciplines. The construction is incredible, and the attention to detail is second to none. The wing is packed with features, and it's clear from the moment you get it out of the bag that a lot of thought has gone into the design.
From the rugged top panel to the lightweight bottom, this wing is ready to take a beating. The handles are well thought out, and the whole package feels very polished. The XC is a mid to high aspect wing with a moderate aspect ratio, which should deliver a decent amount of power and still be easy to handle.
In The Air
The XC is very well balanced; there isn't a lot of front or back hand pressure, and the wing feels very natural in the air. It's stable and predictable and delivers a good amount of power for its size. The top end is good too, and it's easy to trim the XC to ensure you get the most out of it. We found it was very happy to fly at low speeds, making it great for learning with.
It's also very dynamic, and you can pump it to generate extra speed and power. The leading edge and centre strut have been designed to be stiff yet twistable, and this allows you to generate more power when you want it. The tips of the wing have been designed to be flexible, and this helps with stability in gusty conditions.
The XC is very well made, and the attention to detail is obvious. It's packed with features, but the beauty is it is also very intuitive to fly. It will be at home in the hands of a beginner and also a pro. It's easy to pump and generate power with, and it's easy to fly. We enjoyed it in the waves and also on racier foils going for high top end speeds, where it always felt smooth and stable.Overall
Overall
The XC is a fantastic wing from Core Kiteboarding; it's packed with features and has been very well thought out. The construction is top-notch, and the attention to detail is second to none. It's easy to fly, stable and delivers a good amount of power. It's going to be at home in the hands of a beginner, but it's also got the performance to excite the more advanced riders out there.
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This review was in Issue 18 of Tonic Mag.
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By Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years, paddleboarding for the last six years, and was there testing the first wingsurfer from Naish in Tarifa when it arrived on the continent. He is passionate about riding waves and exploring new places. As the publishing editor, he oversees everything at Tonic but also our sister magazines IKSURFMAG and IMB. He's been on the water since he was born and has never looked back, in the winter you'll find him chasing swells in the Caribbean and during the summer he can be found all over Europe at various SUP, Kitesurf and Mountain Bike events getting features for the magazines.
