2015 Core GTS3 review

Rider: Weight 94 pies,Level (advanced)
Style: Yes, definitely
Weather: 15-23 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Owner of ActionSportsWA in Balcatta


Hi peeps,

Hope you don't mind the flurry of reviews, been meaning to get to these all week. We tested 18 kites over a full week, so have loads to review and talk about and that doesn't even include the boards or SUPS!

The brand Core is one of the most recognisable brands on the water with their distinct yellow and white kites with edgy black screen prints. As they only come in the one colourway they tend to stand out whenever there is more than two or three on the water. Das Germans ist clever little buggers! Core are a fairly boutique kite company, passionate and savvy, shooting for mass market appeal with kites which can be adjusted to suit individual rider preference with quick bridle attachment changes.

If you know anything about Core kites, you'll know they come in two flavours, fairly fun but docile and predictable Riot XR series, and fairly radical and more progressive freeride focused GTS series. They release one kite per year which has a duty cycle of two years and each year the models leap frog each other. This year was the year of the GTS3 (obviously the third incarnation of the original GT of 2008).

To start off, as most know, the build quality of Core kites is absolutely legendary. They have made, in my humble opinion, the strongest and toughest kites on the market for years. Last year the Riot XR3 came out with the all new "Coretex" fabric which is a triple ripstop fabric akin to the D2 of Teijin, but tougher again. This allows for a canopy that doesn't really stretch, is hard to tear and wont lose it's shape for a very long time meaning the original performance of the kite remains crisp and dependable for years.

The new GTS3 utilizes a much shorter and more compact bridle system which delivers consistent dependable feel through the bar and snappy, precise turning, whilst still having the ability to completely depower when the bar is let go.

I personally was pretty jazzed about trying the new GTS3 as this was the first Core kite with three struts, and I have been a bit of a fan of the GT and GTS series of kites with my more aggressive flying/riding style.

I love how fast the three strut kites inflate and Core have their own inflation system which has an internal seal which is unseated for deflation by a plastic device resembling a Pringle chip on a tiny lanyard. It works but the little plastic chip came out of it's little neoprene sleeve for me which annoyed me a little when it was flying. (I like everything to be painfully perfect). Apart from that, no complaints about the one pump or inflation system.

I found the GTS3, really likes to be pumped up hard. I ride hard with heaps of pressure and load on the kite and board so at like 5psi, the load on the bridle distorted the leading edge a little. A quick stop at the beach and a couple of extra pounds in the LE and away we went, Perfect! Rock solid.

The characteristics of the GTS series is fast, super responsive and sporty. The big squarish wingtips do their job in keeping the kite flying straight and fast and producing really nice fast and powerful radius type kiteloops. Unlike the 2013 GTS2, the GTS3 is really user friendly and has a bit more power in the sheet and go area which means you really don't need to be aggressive to get the most out of this kite. Yes, it has teeth to it if you do throw it around and it has the capacity to put a wide smile on even a seasoned riders face when powered up.

The GTS3 boosts big, has basic "C" kite qualities but has hybrid kite user friendliness with the agility and nimbleness of the new three strut designs. I didn't notice any flutter in the canopy in the turns and it was drum tight when flying straight and level. As a wave kite it worked reasonably well, although I wouldn't put it in the same class as the Neo or Cabo. It does drift reasonably well and has the ability to throw down a fast change of direction but I did find it was possible to stall it if flying it deep in the wind window in the lighter of the winds when running down the line on a surfboard in side on conditions. To be fair, once I depowered the kite it did sort this minor issue out, so it can be easily worked around. It's just when you have thoroughbred kites like Neo and Cabo, designed specifically for waves, it is not something you have to make adjustment for if all you want is a wave kite. Otherwise it was quite up to the task

The GTS3 sat very nicely along side of the Dice in terms of performance and quality. Maybe not quite as much low end grunt as the Dice, but in every other aspect, the GTS3 was well matched. Bar pressure is very light when in the light settings and moderate in heaviler setting on the wingtip. Definitely the lightest bar in the pack of kites we flew, almost as light as the early 2008 Ozone Sport II's.

This was one of the kites that really made every one of the testers sit up and take notice. High performance with easy to use "plug and play" flying and unbeatable build strength and good looks. The GTS3, will be sure to gather a following this year for riders looking for a more versatile freeride kite that has a bit of Grrrrr to it. The adjustments on the leading edge and wingtips allow the kite to be mellowed in terms of steering responsiveness and bar pressure so that an advanced beginner will have no problem with it, more agressive freerider/freestylers will enjoy the kite straight out of the bag.

Super impressed with the GTS3 and was what I was waiting for as a rider and also as a store owner. A kite with fangs which handles easily. Happy Days! As with every kite purchase, it will be a clear choice if you match the kite to your desired style and then demo the Dice and GTS3 back to back, then you'll know.

DM

looks like a nice shape thats for sure, interested to see how others find it.

Hi Guys,

No the GTS3 is not a hard core freestyle kite, and never really has been, although you can pull the big moves on it as the video's of team riders cuttin' loose show. The kite is in the middle of freestyle and freeride. It's a fast responsive kite with good light to moderate bar pressure. It is made for people who like a fast responsive freeride kite that can loop with a bit of grunt and boost. The freestyle side of it is possible, but not it's forte.

Advanced freeriders like myself and one of the testers at Exmouth really enjoyed it. It's a kite that will please most freeriders and part time freestylers. If you are used to Torch, Vegas or Fuel, and you are looking for that style of full on freestyle kite, keep looking. As Core market it, it's "Future C" in shape, which is high performance semi-C in shape.

I suggest if this sounds like something that may interest you, you get a demo and decide for yourself.

Hope this helps clarify.

DM

Thanks guys. So another allrounder C-ish bridled advanced freeride kite with limited unhooked capabilities such as e.g. RPM, Park, Dice, Varial X.

Hi Russkraut,

To try and stick a label on a kite without having tried it unnecessarily limits your choices. There is much more to kite design than "C" shaping. Profile, plan shape, wing tip design and bridling all play major roles independently of each other to give a kite it's flying characteristics. Keep an open mind to possibilities. Core have been making excellent kites for years. This is not a Fuel, Vegas nor Torch and doesn't pretend to be. Tim Kummerfeld and mates in the video below don't appear to be held back. Tim spends quite a bit of time in WA and is a hard core rider.

I'm suggesting that people demo the kite if they think it may suit their style.

The GTS3 is edgier than the Park and RPM. More like the Dice, but a bit more aggressive again.

Hi Emanjay,

Holy crap! I sure hope not. Although we haven't seen RRP yet, (should find out today). I would imagine it should around the $2200 mark. Just guessing and sure hope I'm not wrong.

I'll let you know as soon as I have pricing.

DM

Hi Cauncy,

I couldn't agree more, the prices are getting crazy. Unfortunately asian inflation runs at about 4%, so every year you can bank on a minimum 4% increase from the factories that manufacture the kites. Add to this increases in transport costs, our transport costs went up 25%.

As retailers we tend to bear the brunt of customer anger at increasing prices and I don't blame them one little bit, it just hurts when we are branded as thieves and scoundrels charging what we are told to charge. Try being the one explaining to a customer why the product he was saving for last year (in some cases) has increased 30%. We hate it too! Especially when the latest model is unchanged from the previous years model.

It's getting to the point where SUP and kitesurfing are becoming sports of the wealthy if you want to go with the big name brands.

This played a big part in the decision to bring in a new brand with good quality and semi realistic prices. I'd like to say it can't keep escalating, but I fear it will regardless.

DM

Probably over here would be closer to $1950 then $650 for a bar and lines , surely it has to stop increasing or people will just stop buying new gear..... I think these kite companies must look at Australia as a big fat cash cow (not referring to local shops here, of course they have to mark the gear up otherwise they wouldn't put food on the table, like any retailer). Good call by action sports by sourcing a product that is more affordable for his clients, perhaps it will get to a point we're people will stop buying the big name brands pricing themselves out of the market and force the bigger brand manufacturers to be more competitive.....

Hi Guys,

Good news, I received an email this morning from Core and we have the new 2015 pricelist. A 10m Core GTS3 with Sensor 2 bar will work out at RRP, to be $2188. Add $90 for Sensor 2 Plus bar (Multiple length lines) and $230 for the Sensor Pro bar (titanium and carbon bar and pro lines)

These prices are about inline with similar equivalent quality kites like North.

Thanks to Core for rectifying this issue, sorry for any inconveniences. Kites can safely go up on the wall now

DM

Hi Zimboflyman,

Yes, I think the GTS3 is a good kite to demo for you. Those ratio's are similar to my own needs. It will be quite the step up from a 2010 Catalyst which will be well and truly worn out by now if it has had regular use. We've had nothing but very positive reports and purchases from customers whom have demo'd the GTS3. It's worth a ride to see if it suits what your style.

DM