Stallion V2 – Test by Benoist Chesnay

Hi Benoist. Can you introduce you ?

Hello Julien,

I’m 33 years old, CAD and PLM consultant.

I really started kitesurfing in 2011, and quickly became addict to strapless.

In 2014-2015 I traveled to live my passion around the globe, and meet other kitesurf addicts: a project that became possible with the help of HB-Surfkite, after a video production: “The Dawn of kitesurfing”

and the help of kitesurf community: http://arnone-project.com/ , http://www.alternatif-surfwear.com/

Now I’m pleased to live in Britanny, near the ocean where I can practice kite, surf and SUP frequently.

I ride for The Corner Shop, who always gives me the best advices on strapless kitesurfing.

Tell us more about the Stallion.

The Stallion v2 is the new shape of DSD-Intel, designed and shaped by Dano See.

He has been involved in kitesurfing since the beginning, designing and innovating for lot of brands, including BWS.

Dan See organized a trip with strapless experts to the Philippines, with Ian Alldredge and Vincent (owner of The Corner Shop) to test the best noseless boards on the market and define the main lines of the future Stallion. So we can say it’s a shape coming from experience, feedbacks and feelings!

What about your first contact?

I wasn’t very enthousiastic to get a new noseless surf (I tried some good noseless shapes before but always had to do with some compromise), but The Corner Shop was pushing me to test the Stallion. They had pretty good feedback on the first model and Vincent told me the Stallion V2 was about to launch. Let’s try it.

First impression: It’s F****** yellow! Seems like a duck beak!

Second impression: It’s F****** light!

Board is well manufactured and rails are fine. Honeycomb on the deck gives the board a nice style and of course a higher density on the pressure zone.

First session with the board was pretty big with a strong wind (I was with a 7 BWS Aeneema), very choppy between the 2m waves and a period of 4-5 seconds. The Stallion V2 is serene, pretty smooth passing the white waters and turns are fast and precise. I was a bit overpowered but I never lost the control of the board.

Stocked about the fast response af the Stallion V2 without loosing control, you feel everything under your feet!

Jumps are easy, the light weight and flat deck make it stick your feet.

Other good point: “The duck beak” is hydrodynamically tested to take huge drops!

According to you, what are the best sailing conditions to use it ?

The Stallion V2 is the 4WD noseless: it feels really good in any conditions.

And it’s not just a versatile board, the Stallion V2 excels in all conditions: smooth in choppy water, reactive and predictable for surfing, and amazingly light, following your feet when going for a backloop (I love this!).

What are the limits of the Stallion v2?

Sure I won’t be the guy to exceed the Stallion limits!

I chose a 5’0 which is only 20L (I’m 84kg), so I think it won’t be my lightwind weapon.

Something to add?

The Stallion V2 may be the best board for a kite trip! A compact multipurpose shape without compromise!

Now having this tool with me I’m thinking about a new trip.

Destination ? Along a very exposed coast

How ?  With a big camper van

Bonus ? Couple of beers with Damien, Ralph Boelen and James Ropner!

Thanks for the job you do at StraplessKitesurfing.com: the strapless encyclopedia!

Muchas gracias