Naish Pivot 2023 review. The s27 with retro design

We are after our generic Niash Pivot review two seasons later. Thus, the Naish Pivot is also two generations further and it is time for the Naish Pivot s27 review or the Naish Pivot 2023 review. This Pivot is a legendary and prize-winning kite, but also a so-called all-rounder. It is special that Naish is still developing the new Pivot. A number of significant changes have also been made on the s27. Changes that don't change the Pivot but make it better. You can read it in this review.

Suitable for many kite surfers

Despite the achievements at the highest level, you do not have to be a professional kitesurfer to kitesurf with a Pivot. The Pivot is suitable for many kite surfers. You can even learn kite surfing with the Pivot, but in my opinion it is most suitable for kitesurfers who can already kitesurf well or are even good at it. For kite surfers who want a strong and robust kite with which they can learn and have fun from 'high performance freeriding'. So jump high ('big air'), stay in the air for a long time ('hang time'), make kite loops and kitesurf quickly with a kite that is direct.

First impression Naish Pivot s27

The quality of Naish kites has never let me down. I won't go into too much detail in this review. on naish.com you can read with which materials Naish kites are equipped. For example, the kites are equipped with strong material so that they can take a beating and kite surfers can enjoy them for a long time. Think of the Quad Tex ripstop cloth and the reinforcement points in vulnerable places.

Features Naish Pivot s27

The main things and features that stand out to us about the Naish Pivot 2023 are:

• Large wind range. The Pivot has a fairly large wind range. Thus, it remains powerful when the wind is slightly less strong. You don't stop quickly. But on the other hand, it is also easy to disprove in high winds and/or gusts.
• Direct and fast. The big plus of the Pivot's immediacy is that it is fast and manoeuvrable. Also considerably depowered, it still steers wonderfully. Just use a wave as a ramp, no point. Take a step back, no point. Just a quick turn around because a wave just breaks, no point. I could go on like this for a while. You can also kitesurf really hard with it if you want to. I tapped with ease 64 km / h .
• Good with gusts of wind. What strikes me is that the kite holds up very well and continues to feel familiar with strong gusts of wind. With the older generation of kites I was sometimes punished if I just hung backwards in the air and a gust of wind made that kite accelerate. The Naish Pivot 2023 has not surprised me yet. That gives me a lot of confidence to learn and develop tricks.
• Medium bar pressure and strong frame. In addition to the quality of the materials, the new Pivot has a bridle that is attached to the kite with 5 points per side. Last year it was still confirmed with 4 points. The effect is that the kite reacts a little more directly and has less bar pressure. In addition, the Naish Pivot 2023 stays in even better shape.
• Additional setting. Special is again the button on the kite with which you can adjust the kite. You can actually adjust the kite a size smaller during use. I overpowered this twice last season with a 9 meter. It worked very well. I did not find the performance of the kite to suffer.
• Bump bumpers. What is also striking is that two bumpers have returned to the kite in style. Last season all bumpers were made of Kevlar, now this is a combination of thin Kevlar bumpers and the traditional foam rubber bumpers.
• Retro design Naish Pivot 2023. The design is somewhat reminiscent of its predecessors from a distant past. When we saw the kite, we immediately thought of the Naish X4.
• More color. The bag has more text and color. Furthermore, it seems to be the same bag as the 2022 or s26 edition.

Selected sizes: 8 and 11 meters

This year I am abandoning my traditional 7, 9, 12 meter measurements. This is because I am now fervent wing foiler am when the wind is around 14 knots. In addition, the Pivot has a large wind range. So I go for an 8 and 11 meters. This also gives a little extra motivation to keep my body weight around 85 kilos which seems like an eternal struggle. 😉 I may purchase a third Naish Pivot but I want to experience the 8 and 11 meters first.

Conclusion Naish Pivot 2023 review

Tricks like 'mega loops', 'kite loops', 'down loops', 'board offs' and whatever else you can think of, you can do and land with a Pivot. I think the latter is a quality of the Pivot. Of course this requires steering skills, but the Pivot catches you well after a jump. With the Pivot, I have regained the confidence to take on such tricks again and be able to build them up step by step.

Do you not go for such tricks but for wonderful freeride kitesurfing sessions? Even then, the Pivot is a kite that you quickly become familiar with and which you will have a lot of fun with. But you could easily opt for the Naish Triad. This also allows you to freeride, but also jump high ('big air'), stay in the air for a long time ('hang time') and make loops. The Triad is just a little more friendly, a little less direct and fast. He is just a bit friendlier than the Naish Pivot. Also check out the Naish triad review.

Hopefully this review has given you a good idea of ​​the Naish Pivot. Of course it is from my experience and I went less deeply into the technical details of the kite. I also hope to have given you some advice on choosing the right kite. A kite that suits what you want to do with it, which you don't get bored of quickly, but which is also not too radical for you.