Wave Riding • Fast Turning • Three Struts • Down-the-Line Drift
2024 Slingshot SST V7 Kiteboarding Kite
A lightweight, responsive wave kite built for tight turns, dependable drift, fast relaunch and confident surfboard control.
The 2024 Slingshot SST V7 is a three-strut wave kite for riders who want the kite to turn quickly, drift down the line and remain composed while they concentrate on the wave. Its reduced-weight Dacron airframe, thin micro-struts, Compact C canopy and pulley-free IRS bridle deliver direct steering with less drag and swing weight.
Wave riding is its primary discipline, but the SST V7 is also a capable kite for strapless freestyle, kite foiling and playful freeride. It offers more structure and powered control than Slingshot’s zero-strut UFO while feeling faster and more surf focused than the all-around Code.
- Dedicated Wave Kite
- Reduced-Weight Dacron
- Three Micro-Struts
- Compact C Shape
- Pulley-Free IRS Bridle
- Sizes 4–12m
Why Choose This Kite?
Choose the SST V7 if wave riding is your priority and you want a kite that responds immediately when redirected, follows you through down-the-line sections and relaunches quickly after a mistake. Its three-strut structure provides dependable canopy support without making the kite feel heavy or slow.
Compared with the Code V2, the SST turns more tightly and places greater emphasis on drift, wave positioning and surfboard control. Compared with the Ghost V3, it provides a more supported and precise feel in powered surf. Compared with the zero-strut UFO V3, it has more structure for stronger wind, aggressive turns and twin-tip use.
Windance recommendation: Select the SST V7 if you primarily ride a directional surfboard but still want enough versatility for foiling and occasional freeride. Choose the Code V2 for easier all-around progression and stronger jumping performance, or the UFO V3 for dedicated light-wind kite foiling.
Standard Dacron Construction
The SST V7 uses a lighter and more rigid Dacron material in its leading edge and struts. This is a refined standard-material construction—not an ALUULA, NXT or other exotic-laminate version.
Reduced-Weight Dacron
Slingshot reduced airframe weight while maintaining the familiar durability, repairability and structural support of a conventional Dacron kite.
No Premium-Material Version
SST V7 performance comes from reduced diameter, less canopy paneling, refined wingtip geometry and a lightweight bridle rather than an ALUULA or NXT airframe.
Riders wanting maximum material stiffness for Big Air should look at Slingshot’s NXT range. For wave riding, the SST’s Dacron construction provides a practical balance of low weight, durability and responsive handling.
How the SST V7 Rides
Tight, Fast Turning
The curved wingtip geometry and lightweight three-strut frame help the SST initiate turns quickly and follow a compact path. This makes it easy to redirect through bottom turns and cutbacks.
Down-the-Line Drift
Low airframe weight and reduced drag help the kite remain balanced when the rider moves toward it. It follows through slack-line sections without demanding constant bar corrections.
Direct Steering Response
The pulley-free IRS bridle uses thin, static lines for immediate response. Steering feels connected and precise rather than delayed or heavily damped.
Smooth Power Delivery
The Compact C canopy provides progressive sheet-and-go power. Riders can generate drive when needed and reduce pull while carving on the wave.
Improved Upwind Reach
The wingtip and bridle refinements help the SST fly efficiently toward the edge of the window, making it easier to regain ground between waves.
Quick Water Relaunch
Additional wingtip sweep helps the kite roll toward a relaunch position. This is especially valuable in waves, where a fast and predictable relaunch can prevent a longer swim.
Turning, Bar Pressure, Depower, Relaunch and Drift
- Turning speed: Very fast, with tight and precise turns that suit active wave positioning.
- Turning style: Compact and responsive rather than slow and sweeping, allowing quick redirection during bottom turns and cutbacks.
- Bar pressure: Direct and easy to track without being designed as a heavy-pressure kite. Multiple attachment points allow the steering feel and response to be adjusted.
- Depower: Smooth, progressive sheet-and-go control with useful range for managing changing wave speed and gusts.
- Relaunch: Fast and confidence inspiring for a performance wave kite, supported by the more curved wingtip geometry and IRS bridle.
- Drift: Excellent. Drift is one of the SST V7’s defining strengths and a primary reason to choose it over a freeride or Big Air kite.
- Boosting: Capable of fun jumps and strapless airs, but it does not generate the same vertical lift as a dedicated Big Air kite.
- Hangtime: Adequate for freeride and strapless tricks, but long float is secondary to turning speed, drift and wave control.
Construction and Technology
Reduced-Weight Dacron Frame
Lighter, more rigid Dacron in the leading edge and struts improves responsiveness while retaining dependable everyday durability.
Three Micro-Struts
Slingshot’s thinnest and lightest SST struts provide canopy support with less weight and drag, improving drift and turning response.
Rapid Responsive Wingtip
Additional wingtip curve works with the IRS bridle to increase steering speed, improve upwind performance and support easier water relaunch.
Pulley-Free IRS Bridle
Thin, static bridle lines eliminate pulley movement for more immediate steering feedback and reduced aerodynamic drag.
Compact C Canopy
The Compact C shape combines responsive handling with stability and smooth power delivery, giving the SST its versatile surf, foil and freeride character.
Teijin 4x4 Canopy Tech
Reinforced Teijin 4x4 ripstop supports canopy stiffness, durability and profile stability when riding through gusty coastal wind.
Reduced Canopy Paneling
Canopy paneling was reduced by more than 50 percent compared with the previous design approach, helping lower overall weight and seam complexity.
One Pump Speed System
Larger-diameter inflation tubes improve airflow, while streamlined tube positioning supports easier inflation and everyday durability.
Slingshot Kite Comparison
| Model | Construction | Shape / Struts | Riding Character | Choose It If... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SST V7 | Reduced-weight Dacron airframe | Three-strut Compact C wave shape | Fast, direct and precise with excellent drift and wave relaunch | Wave riding is your priority, but you also want foil and freeride versatility. |
| Code V2 | Reinforced standard airframe | Three-strut Open-C / hybrid freeride shape | Smoother, more forgiving and better suited to jumping and all-around progression | You want one kite for freeride, jumping, loops, surf, foil and beginner-to-intermediate progression. |
| Ghost V3 | Lightweight standard airframe | One-strut swept-wing platform | Simple, forgiving and efficient with light bar pressure and broad all-around usability | You want an easy surf, foil and freeride kite with less structure and a calmer feel than the SST. |
| UFO V3 | FlexLITE airframe and lightweight canopy | Zero-strut Compact Swept C shape | Nearly weightless with maximum foil-specific drift, low drag and light-wind efficiency | You primarily kite foil and want the lightest, least intrusive kite possible. |
Who Is It Best For?
- Beginner progression: Manageable with professional instruction, but its fast turning is more responsive than many first-kite designs. The Code V2 or Ghost V3 is the easier progression choice.
- Freeride: Fun and responsive, especially for riders who prefer carving and active kite movement over maximum hangtime.
- Big Air: Capable of jumping, but not designed for extreme height, megaloops or competition hangtime.
- Freestyle: Well suited to strapless airs and surfboard freestyle. It is not primarily an unhooked wakestyle kite.
- Wave riding: Its primary discipline, with fast turns, strong depower, quick relaunch and excellent down-the-line drift.
- Kite foiling: Very capable, particularly when riders want more structure and stronger-wind control than a zero-strut kite.
- Racing: Not a dedicated hydrofoil racing kite.
- Light wind: The 12m is manufacturer-listed from 9 knots, although the UFO or Ghost is more specialized for low-wind foiling.
Official Size, Wind Range and Weight
| Size | Manufacturer Wind Range | Recommended Bar Width | Listed Kite Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4m | 29–40 knots | 17" or 20" | 1.58kg |
| 5m | 27–39 knots | 17" or 20" | 1.76kg |
| 6m | 24–36 knots | 17" or 20" | 2.00kg |
| 7m | 21–33 knots | 17" or 20" | 2.20kg |
| 8m | 19–31 knots | 17" or 20" | 2.38kg |
| 9m | 17–29 knots | 17" or 20" | 2.58kg |
| 10m | 14–25 knots | 20" or 23" | 2.78kg |
| 12m | 9–20 knots | 20" or 23" | 3.20kg |
Manufacturer sizes are 4m, 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m, 9m, 10m and 12m. Wind ranges are starting guidelines and will vary with rider weight, board type, current, wave conditions and ability.
Control Bar Compatibility
The SST V7 is designed for a compatible four-line Slingshot control bar. Slingshot lists 17-inch or 20-inch bars for sizes 4–9m and 20-inch or 23-inch bars for sizes 10–12m.
- Smaller bar: Provides less leverage and can calm steering response in smaller, faster kite sizes.
- Larger bar: Provides more leverage and quicker steering response, especially useful with the 10m and 12m.
- Attachment points: Multiple rear-line positions allow the kite’s steering response and handling to be fine-tuned.
Kite only: A compatible Slingshot control bar and kite pump are required and are not included.
What’s Included
- 2024 Slingshot SST V7 kite
- Slingshot kite bag
- Quick Start Guide
- Bladder patch kit
SST V7 FAQ
Is the SST V7 a dedicated wave kite?
Yes. Fast turning, down-the-line drift, responsive depower and quick relaunch make wave riding its primary discipline. It remains versatile enough for kite foiling and playful freeride.
Is the SST V7 made from ALUULA?
No. It uses a reduced-weight Dacron leading edge and struts with a Teijin 4x4 reinforced canopy. There is no ALUULA or NXT version of the SST V7.
How many struts does the SST V7 have?
It uses three reduced-diameter micro-struts. They provide more canopy support than a one-strut or zero-strut foil kite while keeping weight and drag low.
Should I choose the SST V7 or Code V2?
Choose the SST V7 for faster turns, stronger drift and wave-focused control. Choose the Code V2 for easier progression, smoother all-around freeride performance and more supportive jumping and hangtime.
Should I choose the SST V7 or UFO V3 for foiling?
Choose the UFO V3 for dedicated light-wind foiling and minimum kite weight. Choose the SST V7 if you foil but also ride waves, use a surfboard or want more three-strut support in stronger wind.
Is the SST V7 suitable for Big Air?
It can provide enjoyable jumps and strapless airs, but boosting and long hangtime are not its main design goals. Slingshot’s Code or Machine platforms are better suited to riders prioritizing Big Air.
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