Core GTS6 Kite Overview: Performance, Power & Precision for Serious Riders

If you ride for feel, that deep, locked-in connection between bar and kite, the CORE GTS6 is the one that delivers. It’s not a marketing gimmick. This kite has built a reputation over six generations as CORE’s purest performance engine, designed for riders who live for precision loops, powered takeoffs, and total control at high speed.

Every version of the GTS has carried that same DNA: Future-C shape, three-strut frame, and direct response. But the sixth generation sharpens everything, lighter struts, tighter canopy tension, and more predictable pull through the loop. The result is a kite that hits harder, turns faster, and feels calmer when fully powered.

Here in Tampa Bay, riders who love to loop, jump, or unhook in gusty wind conditions have gravitated toward the GTS6 because it feels alive in the hands but stable overhead. You can load, pop, and recover with confidence instead of guessing what the kite will do next.

The GTS6 is about trust. That’s why so many experienced riders at Elite Watersports keep one in their quiver alongside their freeride or wave setups. It’s a workhorse that rewards skill and pushes your riding further every session.

What is the CORE GTS6 and who is it for?

The CORE GTS6 is a high-performance freestyle and big-air kite built for riders who demand explosive power, fast loops, and unshakable control.

At its core, the GTS6 is a three-strut, Future-C shaped kite, a hybrid that keeps the aggressive pull and precision of a C-kite while adding the range and safety of a bridled design. It’s designed for riders who already know how to edge hard, load power, and commit to tricks with intent. If you’re jumping, looping, or unhooking with confidence and want a kite that responds instantly to your input, this is where it lives.

The GTS line has always catered to the intermediate to advanced crowd, but this version broadens the comfort zone. The new ExoTex Light frame and CoreTex canopy make it more stable and forgiving in gusty Florida wind, without dulling that signature punch. You still feel every bit of feedback through the bar, but it’s smoother, less twitchy, and easier to manage when overpowered.

For riders who grew up on the Nexus or XR and want to cross into something more technical, the GTS6 bridges that gap. It’s a kite that rewards progression, not just height or hang time, but precision and control under pressure. That’s what keeps riders in Tampa Bay and St. Pete coming back to it season after season.

How does the GTS6 perform in big air and loops?

The GTS6 is built to fly fast, loop hard, and recover clean. When you send it, the kite accelerates through the turn instead of stalling, giving you a smooth, driving pull that feels predictable all the way through. It builds power early in the loop and climbs back with speed, so you can spot your landing without fighting slack or hesitation.

The fuller wingtip design is what gives the kite its signature punch. Each turn engages the whole canopy, creating a fast, tight rotation that keeps tension in the lines. That control makes it a favorite for riders chasing late loops, heli-loops, or powered transitions in gusty conditions.

The GTS6 is about trust. When it’s lit, it holds its shape. The ExoTex Light struts and stiff leading edge stop tip flutter and canopy distortion, even in 30 knots. That structure is what lets you edge, release, and loop with confidence, knowing the kite will stay consistent every time.

For Tampa Bay riders, that stability matters. Our sea breezes aren’t perfect, and the GTS6 handles gusts better than most C-style kites. It keeps forward drive through turbulence without overflying or jerking, which makes it a reliable choice for anyone learning advanced kite control or working into loop progression.

Is the GTS6 a good kite for unhooked freestyle?

Yes. The GTS6 delivers the kind of pop and slack that make unhooked tricks feel clean and repeatable. Its Future-C shape builds smooth tension as you load your edge, then releases instantly for explosive lift and controlled slack. The kite doesn’t surge or drift off path when you unhook, it holds steady, giving you the consistency you need for passes, raleys, or S-bends.

The direct bar feel is one of its biggest advantages. You always know where the kite sits without having to look. That response makes it easier to commit to full-power unhooked moves, especially in variable wind where feedback is everything.

Compared to all-round kites like the Nexus, the GTS6 feels tighter and more deliberate. It asks for precise input but rewards good technique with power and stability. For riders moving beyond hooked-in freestyle or starting to add handlepasses, this kite creates a reliable foundation to progress.

Riding a GTS6 with professional feedback helps you dial edge control and bar timing faster than figuring it out solo.

How Does the GTS6 Feel Compared to Other Performance Kites?

The GTS6 doesn’t just ride differently, it feels different. Where many high-performance kites demand constant focus, this one feels balanced between energy and control. You can ride it powered without the canopy feeling twitchy or nervous. The steering is sharp but predictable, and the feedback through the bar keeps you connected even when conditions shift.

Riders who have spent time on freeride kites like the Pivot, Reedin SuperModel, or North Orbit often notice the GTS6 has a more “mechanical” feel, tighter frame, faster pivot, and less lag between input and response. It’s not softer or smoother, it’s more precise. That’s what makes it ideal for riders who want to grow into advanced techniques like kite loops, downloops, or handlepasses without changing their entire setup.

↪ In short, it’s the kite that helps you level up when you’ve hit the ceiling of your all-around gear.

How does the GTS6 compare to the Nexus or XR?

These three kites all live in CORE’s performance family, but they ride very differently once you’re on the water.

Nexus vs GTS6
The Nexus is CORE’s all-rounder. It drifts better, feels lighter on the bar, and fits riders who mix freeride, foil, and surf sessions.
The GTS6 is sharper and faster. It likes to stay powered, reacts instantly, and gives more feedback through the lines. Where the Nexus floats, the GTS6 drives.

XR vs GTS6
The XR focuses on height and hang time. It has a more open shape that gives lift early and floats longer.
The GTS6 trades that glide for tighter loops and a sportier, more direct steering feel. If your riding style is about control, rotations, and precision power, the GTS6 connects better. If you want long floaty jumps with less input, the XR will suit you.

Choosing between them depends on how you like to ride. For most intermediate and advanced riders who want one kite that feels tuned for loops, unhooked tricks, or powered transitions, the GTS6 stands out as the most responsive and technical of the three.

↪ You can compare the full lineup and find where each model fits at Which CORE is right for you?

What’s new in the GTS6 vs the GTS5?

The GTS6 keeps the same Future-C DNA that made the GTS line famous, but CORE reworked the structure to make it lighter, stiffer, and more predictable in high wind.
The upgrades are subtle but meaningful, every change adds control and confidence when you’re riding powered.

Main updates include:

• ExoTex Light struts: New lighter material gives the kite a crisper feel without losing rigidity. It holds its frame better through loops and in gusty wind.
• Thicker leading-edge tips: Improved tip stability reduces flutter and keeps the kite locked in when fully powered.
• Sharper bar feedback: Small steering inputs now translate more directly, helping riders make micro adjustments during loops or unhooked tricks.
• Refined CIT modes: Wider range between freestyle, all-round, and wave settings lets you tune the kite to match your exact session.

In use, the biggest change is feel. The GTS6 tracks smoother through gusts and stays more composed during fast movements. For riders who found the GTS5 twitchy in high wind, this generation feels calmer and more balanced without losing that raw energy the kite is known for.

Where Does the GTS6 Fit in the CORE Kite Lineup?

CORE’s lineup has become wide over the years, but each kite has a clear identity. The GTS6 sits directly between the XR’s freeride power and the Section’s wave control. It’s the kite for riders who spend most of their time hooked in but want the option to unhook, loop, or push into powered moves without switching models.

If your riding style is mostly high-wind twin-tip sessions, powered transitions, or kite loops, the GTS6 will feel like the right match. If you lean toward surf, drift, or foil, the Nexus or Section might be a better call.

That flexibility, being able to ride one kite across flat water, small waves, and storm sessions, is what makes the GTS6 such a staple for riders who want a single high-performance quiver.

How stable is the GTS6 in gusty or high winds?

The GTS6 is one of the most stable kites CORE has built for powered riding. Its stiffer ExoTex Light frame and thicker leading-edge diameter give it a noticeably calmer feel when the wind gets unpredictable. Instead of deforming or surging through gusts, the kite absorbs pressure and holds its arc shape, keeping the canopy tension even across all three struts.

That stability shows up most when you’re edging hard into chop or riding overpowered. You can hold more board speed without fighting the kite. The feedback through the bar stays consistent, which helps you maintain control through takeoff and landings.

In conditions like Tampa Bay’s shifting sea breeze or frontal gusts, the GTS6 gives a sense of security. It reacts quickly to depower but never collapses or folds. Even when fully sheeted out, it keeps tension in the lines and maintains position overhead.

For riders pushing into strong-wind loops or storm sessions, this reliability is what sets the GTS6 apart from more flexible, softer kites. You can ride lit without feeling like the kite is working against you.

What settings and adjustments can you make on the GTS6?

The GTS6 gives riders full control over how the kite feels on the water. Its CIT (Core Intelligent Trim) system and adjustable steering line knots let you fine-tune power, turning speed, and bar pressure to match your session.

CIT Modes on the Leading Edge:

• Freestyle: The most aggressive setting. Tightens the C-shape, adds pop, and reduces depower for maximum power through loops or unhooked tricks.
• All-Round: Balanced response for everyday sessions. Smooth power delivery, moderate depower, and predictable handling.
• Wave: Softer and more forgiving. Adds drift, faster turning, and smoother power dump, ideal for surf or downwind riding.

Steering Line Adjustments:
You can also change where the back lines connect on the wingtip. Moving to the outer knot gives faster turning with lighter bar pressure. Moving inward slows the kite slightly and adds more bar feedback. It’s a small detail, but on a kite as responsive as the GTS6, that tweak changes how it flies.

These tuning options make the GTS6 more versatile than most performance kites. You can ride one kite for multiple styles, freestyle, loops, or even small waves, by adjusting a few connection points instead of switching gear mid-session.

What are the key materials and build quality of the GTS6?

CORE has always put durability at the center of the GTS line, and the sixth generation continues that tradition with noticeable refinements. Every material choice adds strength, stiffness, and longevity without adding unnecessary weight.

Main construction details:

• CoreTex 2.0 canopy: A triple-ripstop polyester that resists stretching and distortion. It keeps the kite’s shape consistent after hundreds of sessions, especially in saltwater and strong UV conditions.
• ExoTex Light struts: Lighter and stiffer than previous versions, giving the kite its crisp feel while reducing fatigue during long sessions.
• Precision seam work and reinforced stress zones: High-wear areas such as the wingtips, leading edge, and bridle points are layered and stitched for long-term durability.

You can feel the difference when you sheet in. The frame stays rigid, the canopy doesn’t flutter, and the bar pressure remains clean and even. That stiffness is what gives the GTS6 its sharp handling and long lifespan, two reasons so many experienced riders keep these kites in rotation for seasons.

What size kite should I get for my riding style?

Choosing the right GTS6 size depends on your weight, local wind range, and the kind of riding you want to do. Since this kite has a strong pull and fast turning, most riders size slightly smaller than they would on a freeride model.

If you ride powered or focus on loops, go down a size for more control.
If you’re freeriding or often kiting in gusty, inland-style wind, bump up one size for smoother handling and a wider range.

The GTS6 also pairs well with CORE’s Sensor bar systems, which give more precise trim adjustments. That helps fine-tune your range between sessions without swapping kites.

↪ For a deeper breakdown of sizing logic and wind factors, check out what size kite should I get for kiteboarding, it covers rider weight, conditions, and forecast details in more depth.

Should I Book a Kiteboarding Lesson with Elite Watersports?

The best way to understand the GTS6 is to ride it. On paper, it’s a technical freestyle kite. On the water, it feels alive, fast through the window, steady under load, and smooth through every loop.

Our instructors ride the same gear they teach on, so you’ll learn how to tune and fly the GTS6 exactly the way it was designed to be ridden, with precision, control, and confidence.