Core XR PRO 2 Review: What Changed and How It Rides in Florida Wind

When the XR PRO 2 showed up at the shop, most of us wondered the same thing:
"What could Core possibly improve on a kite that already set height records?"

After putting the XR PRO 2 straight into real Tampa Bay wind, Skyway gust pulses, Treasure Island side-onshore chop, and clean north fronts at Sand Key, the answer is clear. Core didn’t rebuild the kite. They refined it. And those refinements matter the second you leave the water.

The XR PRO 2 sits farther forward in the wind window, climbs cleaner, holds hangtime longer, and gives a level of mid-air stability the original PRO never had. Aaron noticed it on the first session. During rotations, off-axis tricks, and upside-down moments, he knew exactly where the kite was, and landed multiple new tricks the same day.

This is Core’s most predictable, most connected big-air kite to date.
Not softer. Not slower. Just more locked-in.

If you want to understand how the XR PRO 2 compares to the rest of the CORE lineup, Elite’s XR PRO vs XR PRO 2 comparison blog is a great companion read, but this article focuses entirely on the XR PRO 2 itself: what Core changed, how those changes feel in real Florida wind, and who this kite is actually built for. If you want to line up a day to test it yourself, the How to Read a Wind Forecast guide helps you pick the right front, breeze, or afternoon thermal before heading out.

What did Core change in the XR PRO 2?

Core didn’t redesign the XR PRO from scratch, they sharpened it. The XR PRO 2 takes the original Aluula frame and adjusts three key areas that instantly show up in Florida wind, especially the messy stuff around Skyway, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach.

1. Slimmer leading edge for faster window travel

Core trimmed the LE diameter, which lets the kite move faster and sit farther forward in the window.
On the water, that means the XR PRO 2 sends cleaner, climbs earlier, and reacts quicker when you load your edge in gusty conditions.

2. More forward-driving balance for hangtime

This is the big one.
The XR PRO 2 sits more efficiently in the front pocket of the window. It doesn’t drift backward when the wind pulses, and it doesn’t wobble during redirect. That forward position is why the kite glides longer and feels calmer mid-rotation.

Aaron noticed it immediately, upside down, spinning, off-axis, he always knew exactly where the kite was.

3. Updated wingtip behavior for extra control in turbulence

Core kept the Aluula rigidity but tuned the wingtip shape so it holds power more evenly through the arc.

Result:
✔ cleaner pivot initiation
✔ less bar overcorrection
✔ smoother climb back to 12
✔ fewer “surprises” during gust spikes

This shows up most at Skyway where wind bends around the bridge and hits the canopy from weird angles.

Where to test these changes yourself

If you want to feel the difference between versions in the same wind, you can demo the kite or book a coaching-supported session.

How does the XR PRO 2 actually ride in Florida wind?

The XR PRO 2 was built for wind that does not behave. That is exactly why it feels so different once you put it into real Tampa Bay conditions instead of clean test-lab air. Florida wind is chaotic. It bends around buildings at Treasure Island, it surges in broken lines at the Skyway Bridge, and it stacks into short-period chop in the Gulf that can throw even experienced riders off balance. The XR PRO 2 turns all of that into something much calmer.

Forward placement in the window

The first thing you feel is how the XR PRO 2 settles itself. It sits farther forward and stays there, even when the wind shifts angle or pulses hard. On the water, that lets you build speed without fighting the canopy. When you send the kite at Sand Key or Fort De Soto during a winter front, the climb starts earlier and more predictably because the kite is already in the cleanest part of the window.

Riders who struggled with the XR PRO stepping back before the lift will feel this immediately. The PRO 2 gives you a straighter pull and a more connected launch.

Cleaner boost timing in gusts

Skyway turbulence is where the XR PRO 2 shows its biggest advantage. When gusts slice through the bridge, most kites wobble or hesitate. The XR PRO 2 holds its line.

You get a smoother vertical push and a more stable float because the canopy tension stays even.

If you want to understand exactly how different wind angles affect this feeling, the How to Read a Wind Forecast guide is the best place to start.

Short-period chop control

Florida chop is fast, tight, and unpredictable. At Madeira Beach or Indian Shores, you are often landing between knee-high bumps with no rhythm. The XR PRO 2 keeps the kite overhead in a cleaner forward pocket, which gives you more space to correct your landing without the kite dropping behind you.

This is also why rotations feel controlled. The kite stays parked. You stay under it.

Late-session stability

Thermals around Maximo Park, East Beach, and Lassing Park can pulse hard for three minutes, drop, then return with completely different texture. The XR PRO 2 relaxes some of that chaos. You need less bar micro-management, which helps conserve energy when you ride long sessions or push big-send progression at the end of the day.

Is the XR PRO 2 good for big air in real Florida conditions?

Yes. This kite was built for height, glide, and supported landings in places where the wind rarely behaves. The XR PRO 2 does not boost like a typical freeride kite. It climbs earlier, floats longer, and holds its shape deeper into the jump, which matters when you ride in the wind we get around Tampa Bay.

Early, predictable lift

The XR PRO 2 takes off sooner because it sits farther forward in the window. When you send it during a north front at Sand Key or Clearwater Beach North, the climb begins the moment you commit to your edge. You do not get the delay or step-back that forces you to correct at takeoff. Everything feels smoother and more vertical.

For riders learning timing, this forward placement alone makes a massive difference.

Longer glide and calmer rotations

The XR PRO 2 holds tension in the air better than the original PRO. On rotations, tweaks, or late grabs, the kite does not wander backward or sag into turbulence. It stays centered, which gives you time to spot your landing even when wind pulses across the bay.

This is why Aaron landed multiple new tricks the same session he first rode it. The kite stays where you expect it to be.

If you want to understand how glide, pull, and height change with different Florida wind directions, the How to Read a Wind Forecast guide is the perfect reference point.

Stronger support during messy landings

The Gulf does not give smooth runways. Landings happen between short, punchy bump lines at Treasure Island, Indian Rocks, and Pass-a-Grille. If your kite drifts backward or loses structure when you descend, your landing falls apart instantly.

The XR PRO 2 solves this by keeping the canopy tension even through redirect. You get a cleaner catch and a more forgiving touchdown, especially when wind zigzags through beachside buildings or pulses across the Skyway.

Who benefits most from this version

The XR PRO 2 shines if you are the rider who:

• wants height and glide instead of tight loop aggression
• wants the kite to stay centered when wind shifts
• wants softer landings in Tampa Bay chop
• wants a calmer overhead kite during rotations
• wants predictable timing during winter fronts

↪ If you want to see where the XR PRO 2 fits into the full lineup and how it compares to the freeride, wave, and foil models, here is the Core Kite Collection page to explore shapes and sizes.

How does the XR PRO 2 feel on the bar and in your hands?

The biggest surprise with the XR PRO 2 is how connected it feels without becoming heavy or demanding. Core did not soften the kite. They tightened the balance so the bar pressure gives you information without overwhelming you. That combination shows up immediately the first time you load your edge in real Florida wind.

More connection without extra bar load

When you edge hard at Skyway Bridge or Sand Key, the XR PRO 2 tells you exactly where the canopy is. The bar pressure is cleaner, not heavier. You feel the kite sit forward and stay there instead of drifting backward during turbulence. That direct connection is why Aaron knew where the kite was even upside down or mid rotation.

This is also why mid-air corrections feel easier. You get enough feedback to trust your timing, but not so much that the kite punishes every small input.

Smoother movement through the window

The slimmer leading edge helps the kite sweep through the window faster and with less resistance. When you redirect during transitions or prepare for a late grab, the kite moves in a straighter, more predictable line. There is no wobble at the top of the window, even when the gust pulses hard at Maximo Park or East Beach.

Less micro-management in gusts

Tampa Bay gusts do not arrive clean. They roll across the bridge in broken lines and hit the kite at uneven angles. With the original XR PRO, you needed to stay ahead of every shift. The new PRO 2 smooths those gaps. It holds its forward pocket so the bar does not surge or dump power suddenly.

That is why takeoffs, rotations, and late redirects all feel calmer.

Confidence during off-axis and blind moments

This is the part Aaron kept repeating in the shop. The XR PRO 2 feels glued to its line in the air. When you are blind, inverted, or turned away from the kite, the bar pressure stays steady. You do not get the drifting or searching feel that forces you to peek at the canopy mid trick. For riders working on rolls, spins, or tweaks, this is one of the biggest upgrades in the entire PRO series.

How does the XR PRO 2 handle Florida wind and Gulf water conditions?

Florida exposes every weakness in a kite. The wind bends, pulses, and switches direction without warning. The water stacks tight chop on top of broken bump lines. The XR PRO 2 is the first XR that feels like it was tuned specifically for this region. It stays forward, stays stable, and stays connected even when the surface and wind are working against you.

Skyway Bridge: gust pulses and pressure bands

Skyway is where most kites fall apart. Gusts roll through in uneven sheets. The direction shifts a few degrees at a time. On the XR PRO 2, the canopy never slides backward when those pulses hit. The kite holds shape and keeps driving forward, which makes takeoffs more predictable and landings more controlled.

Treasure Island: short period Gulf chop

TI chop is tight, fast, and uneven. Most riders enter a jump here and immediately lose board control on landing. The XR PRO 2 helps you stay stable through those transitions because it carries tension longer and reconnects cleaner at the bottom of the glide. The kite does not drop back or soften when the wind bends across the beachfront buildings. It stays centered and lets you set your board down with more margin for error.

Riders who launch farther south around Anna Maria Island will notice the same effect. The chop stacks tighter and at sharper angles down there, and the XR PRO 2 keeps its forward pull without getting knocked backward when those bump lines fold over each other.

Sand Key and Clearwater Beach: winter-front power

When a north front hits, Sand Key becomes one of the most vertical jump spots in the region. The XR PRO 2 sends earlier and climbs straighter, so you do not have to fight to keep the kite overhead during turbulence. The cleaner redirect at the top means you get more hangtime and more space to complete rotations before spotting your landing.

This is also where the updated frame stiffness shows up. Even in heavy surge wind, the kite holds its arc without folding or jolting.

St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille: rolling bump lines

Side-onshore days at SPB and PAG are notorious for the bump lines that run at angles across the beach. Those lines break stability for most big air kites. The XR PRO 2 cuts through them better because it keeps a balanced pull even when the pressure changes mid-run. Instead of the canopy wandering backward, the kite stays forward and consistent.

Maximo Park and East Beach: flatwater freestyle

On lighter days or afternoon thermals, the flat pockets around Maximo Park and East Beach give you room to work on powered tricks. The XR PRO 2 feels fast, reactive, and centered in this water. When you load your edge, the tension stays even across the canopy so your pop and line timing feel cleaner. When you land, the kite catches gently and settles rather than surging or dumping power. You feel it just as clearly across Boca Ciega Bay, where the water is shallow, fast, and textured. The XR PRO 2 stays centered even when the thermal pulses roll across the bay in uneven sheets.

Shell Key and long downwinders

During long downwinders, especially through mixed wind near Shell Key, the XR PRO 2 maintains forward drive without needing constant steering corrections. This is one of the biggest changes from the original PRO. You can ride longer sections without the kite searching or drifting backward during lulls.

How does the XR PRO 2 jump, glide, and land in real Florida conditions?

The XR PRO 2 is built for height and glide, but the real upgrade is how confidently it supports you through the entire jump cycle. Takeoff, mid-air, redirect, and landing each feel more controlled than the original PRO, especially in mixed Tampa Bay wind.

▶ Vertical lift without delay

The XR PRO 2 accelerates upward the moment you send it. Because it sits farther forward, it starts climbing sooner and cleaner, which makes timing feel more natural for both intermediate and advanced riders. When you load your edge hard at Sand Key or Clearwater North, you feel the kite rise instead of stepping back or hesitating.

If you want to understand how edging and board pressure change takeoff timing, the Beginner Information Hub breaks down fundamentals in a way that transfers directly to big air setups. 

▶ Longer glide with less bar work
 
Glide is where the XR PRO 2 separates itself. In mid-air, the kite holds tension farther into the arc. That means you float longer, stay centered longer, and get more time for rotations and tweaks even when the wind pulses.

Riders who struggled with drift on the original PRO will notice instantly that the PRO 2 stays parked in its forward pocket. When you are upside down or blind, the kite feels glued in place instead of wandering.

↪ For riders who want to refine their air awareness and mid-air control, the Tips and Tricks Blog has deep progression articles you can pair with this kite.

▶ Cleaner redirect and easier catches

Redirect is where Tampa Bay exposes most kites. On the XR PRO 2, the canopy holds shape as it climbs back to 12. When you are dropping into turbulence at Treasure Island or crossing bump lines at St. Pete Beach, the catch stays smooth and predictable.

This gives you more confidence to commit to height without worrying about losing the kite on the way down.

▶ Softer, more forgiving landings

Florida landings are never smooth. The Gulf stacks jagged bump lines that punish stiff or unstable kites. Because the XR PRO 2 holds shape deeper into the descent, your board reconnects cleaner even when conditions are messy.

If you want to keep your kite performing like this throughout the season, the Kite Maintenance Guide is the perfect resource for giving your Aluula frame long-term life.

Who is the XR PRO 2 actually built for?

The XR PRO 2 is not a beginner kite and it is not a freeride cruiser. It is built for riders who want real height, real glide, and real consistency in the ugliest wind Florida throws at you. If your sessions revolve around progression instead of just cruising, this kite fits your lane immediately.

Riders who want height first, loops second

If your riding is centered around clean sends, late grabs, rotations, and strong vertical lift, the XR PRO 2 fits you better than the original PRO. The kite carries you longer and keeps you centered even when Tampa Bay gusts do not cooperate.

Riders in variable or unstable wind

Skyway wind bands, Treasure Island side-onshore pulses, and St. Pete thermals expose every weakness in a canopy. The XR PRO 2 is tuned specifically to stay forward in those conditions. You spend less time fighting drift and more time actually riding.

Riders improving their air control and landings

If you are progressing through spins, tweaks, off-axis moves, or trying to clean up your landing timing, the XR PRO 2 gives you more margin for error. It has a calmer overhead feel that lets you focus on your body instead of chasing the kite mid-air.

If you want more support in this part of your riding, the Kiteboarding Lessons Page is where riders start pairing coaching with gear testing

Riders who want confidence in gust spikes

The XR PRO 2 is built for riders who do not want to guess what the kite is doing during turbulence. It gives you the steadiness to edge harder, boost higher, and push progression without getting punished for every wind fluctuation.

How does the XR PRO 2 handle gusts, turbulence, and messy Gulf wind?

Florida does not produce stable, smooth wind. The PRO 2 was tuned around that reality.

Cross-bay pressure shifts at Skyway

When the wind bends across the bridge and hits from uneven angles, the XR PRO 2 holds shape and stays balanced. It drives forward instead of sagging back, which means you stay in control instead of getting yanked downwind.

If you want to understand how wind direction and angle change the way a kite behaves here, the Wind Forecasting and Wind Direction Guide is a perfect match for this section.

Short period Gulf chop

Tight chop exposes weak canopy tension. The XR PRO 2 keeps tension through the entire arc, which helps you land in uneven surfaces at Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, or Indian Shores without getting launched forward on touchdown.

Thermal pulses in St. Pete

During thermals at Maximo Park or East Beach, pressure jumps fast. The XR PRO 2 absorbs these shifts better because the frame resists distortion. You feel consistent pull instead of the uneven surges that force you into constant bar corrections.

Winter-front surges

During strong fronts at Sand Key or Clearwater, the kite stays stiff and centered instead of buckling. This gives you the confidence to push height and commit fully to every send

What size XR PRO 2 should you ride in Tampa Bay wind?

Choosing the right size depends on your weight, your board, and whether you ride fronts or seabreezes more often. The PRO 2 responds strongly to sizing because of its forward-driving balance and efficient frame.

For seabreezes (12 to 20 knots)

Most riders in the 160 to 190 pound range choose a 9 or 10 meter. These sizes deliver early lift, smooth low-end pull, and predictable climb behind the Skyway or Maximo Park.

For winter fronts (20 to 30 plus knots)

A 7 or 8 meter becomes the go-to. These sizes handle speed, hold tension at takeoff, and stay stable through heavy gust lines at Sand Key and Clearwater.

For lighter riders

Smaller riders can size down because the kite sits forward and generates efficient lift. A 7 or 8 meter often becomes the everyday size for lighter riders who split time between flatwater and chop.

For a deeper weight and wind breakdown, the Kite Size Guide is the exact tool riders use before building a quiver.

Should you demo the XR PRO 2 before buying?

Yes.
This is the kind of kite that reveals everything the moment you put a real load into it. You cannot understand the timing, the forward drive, or the glide just by reading specs.

During a demo you will feel:

• how early the kite climbs
• how stable it stays mid-air
• how smooth the redirect is
• how forgiving the landings feel
• how it reacts when the wind misbehaves

Elite keeps multiple XR PRO 2 sizes in the demo fleet so you can test them back-to-back in the exact wind you normally ride.

The XR PRO 2 in Tampa Bay and the Gulf

The XR PRO 2 is the most stable, most predictable, and most confidence building big-air kite Core has released. It climbs earlier, glides longer, reconnects cleaner, and holds its shape when the wind does Florida things. If your sessions move between Skyway turbulence, Treasure Island chop, Maximo Park flatwater, and Sand Key fronts, the XR PRO 2 matches that entire range without forcing you into one riding style.

↪ If your goal is height, float, and control, this is the kite.
↪ If your goal is loops and aggression, the original PRO still has a place.

To feel the difference in your own hands, book a demo or come into the shop. The kite tells its own story the second you leave the water.