Kinetic Gladiator K95

Hailing from Western Australia, Kinetic Sailboards
are new to the UK , despite being
established in the southern hemisphere for some
years now. Designed by Martin Littlewood and
Robbie Radis, the Gladiator range of four boards are
classed as Kinetic’s all-round freeride contenders,
the 95 being the second smallest available. With
quite a classic outline, it is easily one of the
narrowest in this test group, its flat deck, thin profile
and parallel rails giving it a very gunny appearance.
Interestingly though, it also incorporates several
features to suggest a versatile crossover nature,
including a channel in the nose, multiple footstrap
options (including an offset back-strap) and a
bevelled spock tail akin to a freestyle board.
Produced in sandwich construction, it comes
supplied with a 32cm Tuttle Box fin (the bolts sitting
proud on the deck) and simple yet functional
deckpads and footstraps.
Ride and Handling
Feeling smaller than its quoted volume, the Gladiator
prefers to be used with sails of 7.0m or less and is
most comfortable in powered rather than marginal
conditions, where its narrow tail has the chance to
sink and stall. Once its planing threshold is reached,
it releases from the water and gathers pace well,
reaching an impressive speed particularly off the
wind. With a definite leaning towards powered
slalom rather than casual freeride sailing, it
impressed us with the performance available,
especially in overpowered conditions, where its
controllable nature enables the rider to load the
board confidently. The footstraps are easy to adjust
and support the feet well, whilst the deckpads
provide good adhesion to the board … although
they could be shaped a little more ergonomically to
offer a pronounced edge to push against. Cutting a
smooth path through rough seas, the Gladiator feels
compact, even retro underfoot and retains its
manners well in adverse conditions. Although not as
dedicated or technical to sail as others here, the 95’s
small narrow size makes it best suited for light to
medium weight riders looking for a controllable
exciting board to blast around on in any sea state.
Manoeuvres
Responding smoothly to changes in foot pressure
whilst sailing, the 95 surprised us with the ease in
which it could be tacked, providing more stability
and time to get round the front than we envisaged.
In the gybe it does require the rider to get forward
and onto the front foot to initiate the turn, the rails
only slightly tucked from its shoulders up. Once
engaged however, the rails grip to the inside well,
the board’s thin profile enabling it to hold its course,
never bouncing out of the turn, even in the harshest
conditions. With its nose channel and tail bevel, we
were tempted to try some freestyle stunts on the 95,
although such is its speed in a straight-line that the
margin for error is very small.
For: Speed and liveliness of ride. Control in severe
conditions.
Against: Quite specialist – definitely more
race/slalom than freeride. Fin bolts protruding and
standard bolts rather than screw-heads.

Verdict
The Gladiator impressed us with its control at
speed, particularly in overpowered conditions,
where it has the manners to keep up with the
more dedicated slalom boards around today.

Length (cm) 245
Width (cm) 59
Vol (L) 95
Weight (Kg) 8.20
Fin Kinetic G10 32cm (Tuttle)
Sail Range 5.5-7.0m
Price £799.00

Kinetic Gladiator 135

Length (cm) 250
Width (cm) 77
Vol (L) 135
Weight (Kg) 10.05
Fin 42cm (Tuttle)
Sail Range 6.0-9.0m
Price £799.00
At a Glance
The 135 is the largest model in the four-board
Gladiator line-up, possessing the same
straightforward visual graphic as its smaller siblings.
Supplied with easily adjustable straps that can be
placed in a multitude of positions, simple yet
effective deckpads and a 42cm Tuttle box fin, it has
quite a unique design making it standout from the
crowd. Whereas the bottom shape is nothing to write
home about, with only the channel in the nose
(bizarre in a board this size) interrupting the
progression of vee towards the tail, the outline of the
board itself is very wide and rounded, whilst the
profile is particularly thin throughout. Like the 95
tested last month, the 135 has an angular diamondshaped
tail and sees its fin placed quite far back in
the board, counteracting the back straps that are
placed quite far forward. Described as the most
versatile board range Kinetic have ever produced, it
also has a long mast track to cater for its large
suggested sail range.
Ride and Handling
At rest, the Gladiator’s flat deck shape makes it very
secure and stable underfoot, capable of carrying
sails up to 9.0m with ease. Whilst not the fastest or
most spontaneous to get on the plane here, as
power is supplied it glides up onto the surface of the
water, requiring very little input from the rider. The
number of strap options are excellent catering for a
wide range of abilities, the calm measured nature of
the 135 reassuring the intermediate as they progress
into stronger winds. With the straps placed in their
outboard settings the stance remains quite upright
and relaxed, although it has quite a deceptive turn of
speed, especially off the wind. Pointing upwind well
and floating over choppy conditions in a much more
controlled manner than its width measurement
would have you believe, the one area in which we
felt the board could be improved was its deckpads.
Whilst they provide good adhesion to the board,
they do not offer a solid edge to push against, so
experienced riders will find themselves frequently
adjusting their stance in overpowered conditions to
try and get the most from the board. As such, the
Gladiator is an excellent board for the improving
intermediate, right up to the advanced rider looking
for a board to make the most of marginal conditions.
Manoeuvres
In the gybe the 135 has a very versatile nature, and
will respond to any number of carving styles. Such is
its width that it does require the rider to take a
consciously wide step over to the leeward rail,
applying a positive amount of pressure to initiate the
turn. Happily adopting a wide, prolonged and
predictable arc, ideal for the intermediate, it is also
capable of being driven through a tight powerful
carve, holding its edge beautifully as you plough it
into the corner. The front area of the back deckpad
offers excellent security as you step over onto the
leeward rail, whilst the flat wide deck provides the
stability to escape any clumsy footwork upon exit.
Similarly in the tack the width and volume around
the mast track provides ample time to step round
the front of the mast.
For: Versatile all-round freeride performance.
Against: The fin bolts supplied are awkward and
time consuming to use.