Kitesoul Magazine #25 International Edition

COMPETITIONS
Big Air Tarifa Pro | TT:R World Championship |European Formula Kite
EVENTS
RRD's Meeting | Patagonia Hood Jam
TRIPS
Cumbuco, Brazil | Greece with a motorbike
PRODUCT FOCUS
RRD: Squid & Passion MKX | F-ONE: IC6V2 Foil & Breeze V2 | CORE: Bolt 3 & Choise 3

2019 Kites
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SIZES 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
DASH FREESTYLE/FREERIDE
SIZES 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
BOXER FREERIDE/FOILING
SIZES 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16
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RIDE FREE
2019

Editor
David Ingiosi
david.ingiosi@kitesoul.com
Wave Thecnique Editor
Mitu Monteiro
Freestyle Thecnique Editor
Alberto Rondina
Thecnical Expert
Renato Casati
Photo & Video
Maurizio Cinti
Design
Giuseppe Esposito
Translations italian-english
Daniela Meloni
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2018
TWO-MONTHLY
Texts
David Ingiosi, Christian "Chris" Bösch,
Gero Tragatschnig, Noè Font, Reemedia,
Roberto Ricci, Renato Casati, Ernesto
Fabbricatore, Giuliano Piccolo, Naish,
Cabrinha, Core, RRD, F-One.
Photos
David Ingiosi, Thomas Burblies, Thorsten
Indra, Christian Bösch, Toby Bromwich,
Robervania Bösch Axel Reese, Svetlana
Romantsova, Renato Casati, Reemedia,
RRD, F-One, Cabrinha, Naish, Core
Cover:
Photo: F-ONE Courtesy
Publisher and advertising
VISU Media
Via Cavour, 20
24030 Ambivere (BG)
Amministratore Unico
Federico Sugoni
fs@kitesoul.com
Registration Tribunale
di Bergamo n°10/2014
del 15/04/2014.
Periodicità bimestrale
Copyright Kitesoul Magazine
All content is copyright of Kitesoul
Magazine / Visu Media Srl.
FEDERICO SUGONI
Publisher
He’s a manager and a businessman.
He fell in love with kiteboarding
almost 10 years ago in
the wild and amazing North
Shore of Oahu (Hawaii). Aside
from kiteboarding there is
only one other important
thing in his life: his baby
daughter.
He’s responsible for the 2014
launching of KiteSoul Magazine.
DAVID INGIOSI
Editor in Chief
Professional journalist and
video maker with a solid
experience in sailing, sea
adventures, travels and water
sports, he has been reported
the “blue world” from the
inside for more than 15 years.
He fell in love with kitesurf
several years ago in Sardinia,
then travelled all over the
world as Iko instructor.
MAURIZIO CINTI
Film-maker
Movie buff and keen photographer.
He’s a skater, snowboarder
and wakeboarder,
but he actually burns with
passion for kiteboarding. He
started off with freestyle a
few years ago, but nowadays
he’s more into chasing big
and powerful waves. This is
what he loves the most.
GIUSEPPE ESPOSITO
Art director
Kiter since he was in the baby
pram, he is a rider for RRD
Italia and he have a Bachelor
in Comunciation Design at
Politecnico di Milano.
With this assignment, he
finally has been able to put
together his two passions:
kite and design.

KITESOUL MAGAZINE
Feel The Flow
MITU MONTEIRO
Technical Editor-Wave Riding
He comes from Sal. Official
F-one and Manera rider.
2008 KPWT World Champion
and three-time Vice World
Champion. He started to surf
and windsurf as a kid and but
he definitively fell in love with
kitesurf as soon as he discovered
it.
ALBERTO RONDINA
Technical Editor-Freestyle
He’s the best Italian rider of
the competitive kiting world.
Cabrinha, Neil Pryde and
GoPro official team rider
and four-time Italian Champion.
Alberto has won the
2001 edition of the European
Championship and third
place in the 2012 PKRA World
Championship.
RENATO “DR. KITE” CASATI
Technical Expert
RRD Wave team rider. Kiteboarder
since 2000, he has
been PKRA athlete and judge.
He’s a professional sportswriter
for several technical
magazines. He lives between
Como Lake and Sardinia, but
he spends every winter in the
waves of Cabo-Verde.
DANIELA MELONI
Professional translator
Daniela mainly lived abroad
where she graduated
in Law and worked. She
discovered her passion for
water actvities back in 2007
when she moved back to the
Sardinian west coast and met
her husband, the kitesurfer
Enrico Giordano. Professional
translator since 2009. She is
a SUP lover and an amateur
photographer and never
misses to photo or video
shoot a Kite or Sup wave
session!

David Ingiosi
The first planing is never forgotten
Whether it happened a dozen years ago or the day before yesterday, the excitement,
the joy and disbelief of the first planing is something that remains in and accompanies
us throughout life. Usually the first time is on holiday, in the hot summer
sun, perhaps in that exotic destination with palm trees that stand out on the beach
and the sea like a palette of magnetic colours. For others, the challenge came in a
cold winter afternoon with an empty beach and such freezing water that not even
the wetsuit was enough to stop the chills. Only the enthusiasm to start a new adventure
pumped endorphins and warmed up your heart.
Either way, the first day of kitesurfing is in the top list of life best moments for the
vast majority of riders. It just stays there, among the strongest and deepest emotions
and it continues beating like a call, especially when we've been out of the
water for too long and that lack turns into withdrawal. You cannot wait to get back
in the water and repeat that magic.
For most people start practicing this sport means discovering the sea, enjoying the
nature, learning and playing with its elements. But for many kitesurfing also means
escaping from ordinary life, the office, the couch, the boredom of some days. It
triggers your desire for trips, makes you eager to explore countries and beaches
perhaps up until then unknown on the maps. Kitesurfing translates into a lesson of
life, self-confidence, bravery to face the unknown, the adventure, one's own limits.
It brings the gift of enriching one's life with new friends in which you can identify
yourself, with whom you can share the same passion and love for the sea.
If it is true that the sea purifies our soul and is good for the body, kitesurfing opens
our mind, pushes us to express our primitive instinct, our youngest self, it's like a
special container which we fill just with positive thoughts, self-esteem, lightness
and wish for being playful. Often, kitesurfing simply kind of anaesthetizes our heart
keeping us away from the thoughts of those bitter pills we've got to swallow.
There are about 1.5 million kiters over the world, each with a motivation, formula
and unique, intimate connection to this sport. Actually, for many, kitesurfing is not
even a sport, but a vital need, like breathing. For others it's like a disease, a good
one, from which you never want to heal. Whatever the approach of each of us to

this discipline, what is certain it's that there is no going back. Those who feel such
emotions cannot do without. That's why riders feel part of the same tribe, with their
rituals and their faith. In other words, a world of its own, and who has never lifted a
kite in the sky and started to plane will never understand.

SOMMARIO
PORTFOLIO
RACING
COMPETITIONS
18 30 40
TwinTip Racing: Florian
Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni
on top of the world
AIRTON CLAIMS HIS
FOURTH WIN IN THE GKA
KITESURF WORLD TOUR
RACING
PARK
EXPLOIT
74
Guy Bridge and Daniela
Moroz crowned 2018
Formula Kite European
champions
KITESURF AND WELLBEING
80
Patagonia Hood Jam
NAVIGATION
88
14-year-old kiteboarder
crosses the English
Channel
EXPERIENCES
130
Mindfulness and Kitesurf:
a possible connection?
134
Blue Moon: kitesurfing in
the moonlight
140
On holiday in Greece by
motorbike and I take the
kite with me

BIG AIR EVENTS ITW
46 50 62
Jesse Richman flies
higher at the inaugural
Air Games event
RRD INTERNATIONAL
MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing
was originally about
kitesurfing on waves
EXPERIENCES
ITW
BRAND
92
A place that shaped my
life
104
Portfolio CORE Surfboards: designed
in Germany,
handcrafted in Portugal!
116
Portfolio Here is the new F-ONE'S
collection 2019
TEST TEST PRODUCT FOCUS
146 156 162
WOO 3.0 Vs. PIQ NORTH RRD RELIGION MK 8 – 12
Mt.
RRD: Squid & Passion
MKX| F-ONE: IC6V2 Foil &
Breeze V2 | CORE: Bolt 3
& Choise 3

18
PORTFOLIO
MOONA WHITE
RIDER: MOONA WHITE
PHOTO: CABRINHA COURTESY

20 PORTFOLIO
PAUL SERIN
RIDER: Paul Serin
PHOTO: Romantsova Photo

22
PORTFOLIO
RALPH BOELEN
RIDER: RALPH BOELEN
PHOTO: ROMANTSOVA PHOTO

24 PORTFOLIO
DAMIEN GIRARDIN
RIDER:DamienGirardin
PHOTO: Frankie Bees

26
PORTFOLIO
STEVEN AKKERSDIJK
RIDER: STEVEN AKKERSDIJK
PHOTO: THOMAS BURBLIES

30
RACING
TwinTip Racing: Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni on top of the world
TWINTIP
RACING
Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni
on top of the world
David Ingiosi

Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni
have claimed the 2018 TwinTip:
Racing (TT:R) World Championships,
in Gizzeria, Italy.
The TwinTip: Racing (TT:R) World Championships went down
to the wire with local girl Italy’s Sofia Tomasoni seizing the
title in a nerve-jangling final race at the end of five days of
thrilling kiteboard slalom-boardercross action.
Tomasoni had been playing catch-up after a faltering start,
only managing to capture and hold the leaderboard’s top
spot on the last day at Gizzeria’s Hang Loose Beach track,
picking up her first senior championship crown to add to
her previous TT:R Youth World’s title.
I’m really stoked because I so much wanted this second title,”
said a visibly relieved and elated Tomasoni. “This is
where I learned to kite. This is where my family is. It’s fantastic
to get it here. I had problems on the first two days.
That was heavy for me. But I managed to change my mindset,
so it’s great.”

32
RACING
TwinTip Racing: Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni on top of the world
Germany’s Florian Gruber was similarly thrilled to claim the
crown in the men’s TT:R Worlds division, his third successive
title. But his task had proved easier and his assured
performances in the high-octane TT:R discipline ensured
he dominated and could have sat out the final day and still
won.
“It might have seemed easy, but it’s always hard,” said
Gruber. “I had pretty clean racing most of the time and I
didn’t make too many mistakes, so I was pretty relaxed. But
for sure all the younger kids have got a lot better in the last
year because they’ve been training for the Youth Olympic
Games [YOG]. So, I really enjoyed it."
One of kiteboarding’s most exciting prospects, who Gruber
did not have to face, is the Dominican Republic’s Adeury
Corniel. He chose to compete in the TT:R Pump Kite Trophy
being run in tandem on the equipment that will be used at
October’s YOG in Argentina, where kiteboarding makes its
Olympic debut.
Corniel, the reigning TT:R Youth Worlds title holder, led the
men’s Pump Kite division from start to finish and rarely put
a foot wrong, winning almost every one of his races and all
the vital elimination round deciders.

34
RACING
TwinTip Racing: Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni on top of the world
It feels amazing,” said Corniel. “This game is about concentration
and focus, that’s the most important thing. I’m
super-happy. It’s not easy to keep winning every race. I’ve
been training really hard, but so has everyone else and they
could all win. The level’s so high now.”
The women’s Pump Kite Trophy was won by Poland’s Oliwia
Hlobuczek, who got the better of Russia’s Anna Fedorova
and Brazil’s Maria Beatriz Dos Santos Silva in hard-fought
racing in moderate breezes that ranged from 10kts to 16kts,
occasionally hampered by unseasonal thundershowers.
But the spectacularly-quick TT:R downwind slalom format,
specially-developed for the YOG in Buenos Aires, has proved
particularly popular. Fifty-nine young athletes from 19
countries and five continents—women making up 40 percent
of the field—made the trip to Gizzeria to fight for glory.
It was in the women’s “open” TT:R Worlds—contested on
any kite and any twintip-board—that the competition was
fiercest, with any of the top 10 competitors capable of lifting
the crown and a share of the €10,000 prize money.
Perhaps the biggest loser was overnight leader, Germany’s
Alina Kornelli. She showed just how difficult it can be to
win despite two good days in the middle of the regatta. Her
points’ lead ebbed away on the last day thanks to two disqualifications
for tangles that kept her out of the elimination
round deciders and put her down to fifth overall.
By contrast, early leader, France’s Poema Newland, had lost
ground as the competition progressed after a series of uneven
outings. But she regrouped and did enough on the final,
tense day of racing to take the second podium spot, leapfrogging
the US’s double Formula Kite hydrofoil champion
Daniela Moroz, who took third.

36
RACING
TwinTip Racing: Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni on top of the world

It was so hard because it was so up and down in the women’s
division,” said Newland. “I was fourth overall earlier
on the last day and I really didn’t want to finish there again.
I always seem to finish fourth. So, I was really pleased.”

38
RACING
TwinTip Racing: Florian Gruber and Sofia Tomasoni on top of the world
Top three men TT:R Worlds after eight elimination rounds (three discards)
1 Florian Gruber (GER) 5pts
2 Martin Dolenc (CRO) 8.5pts
3 Victor Bachichet (FRA) 14.5pts
Top three women TT:R Worlds after eight elimination rounds (three discards)
1 Sofia Tomasoni (ITA) 10.9pts
2 Poema Newland (FRA) 13.5pts
3 Daniela Moroz (USA) 19pts
Top three men Pump Kite Trophy after eight elimination rounds (three discards)
1 Adeury Corniel (DOM) 6pts
2 Lorenzo Calcaño (DOM) 16pts
3 Cameron Maramenides (USA) 19pts
Top three women Pump Kite Trophy after 16 races (four discards)
1 Oliwia Hlobuczek (POL) 16pts
2 Anna Fedorova (RUS) 20pts
3 Maria Beatriz Dos Santos Silva (BRA) 28pts
Full results: http://twintipracing.com/
TWINTIP
RACING

40
COMPETITIONS
AIRTON CLAIMS HIS FOURTH WIN IN THE GKA KITESURF WORLD TOUR
AIRTON CLAIMS
HIS FOURTH WIN
IN THE GKA KITE-
SURF WORLD
TOUR
Photo: Tom Brendt / Tillmanns Team

The 2018 GKA KiteSurf World Tour 2018
round 5 at Sotavento in Fuerteventura has
been truly memorable. Big winds every
day have thrown up some mind-blowing
action, including a new hang-time world
record for Airton Cozzolino on Tuesday,
on top of having made it a hat-trick of
wins here in Sotavento with his fourth
event victory of the season. New moves
have also been stomped and 19-year-old
James Carew from Australia fulfilled his
growing potential by claiming his first
victory in the second discipline, the Big
Air contest.
So, we congratulate all the riders for a
fantastic week of performance and brave
action and look forward to seeing them
again at round six of the Kite-Surf World
Tour at Prea in Brazil in November, before
the World Championship climax in December
in Australia.
After the quarter-finals played out in
Sotavento, some of the highest scoring
heats of the event followed in the semis.
Keahi de Aboitiz was eventually defeated
by Matchu Lopes, and Mitu Monteiro was
taken out by Airton ‘Alien’ Cozzolino. So,
once again teammates Matchu and Airton
found themselves in the final as they
went head to head matching each other
evenly on scores for the first minute or

42
COMPETITIONS
AIRTON CLAIMS HIS FOURTH WIN IN THE GKA KITESURF WORLD TOUR
so. However, Matchu then seemed to lose
connection stumbling on tricks he usually
pulls off well, while Airton went into
overdrive with a huge back roll double
tick tack landing toeside! Airton pushed
harder delivering for the crowd before
pulling out his trump card by landing a
front shuvit back roll rodeo boogie loop
(Paulino Pereira had landed the first ever
strapless boogie loop the day before). It
was all he needed to do for three of the
judges to each score him a perfect 10
for technicality, variety and overall impression
– the first time any athlete has
scored so highly!

44
COMPETITIONS
AIRTON CLAIMS HIS FOURTH WIN IN THE GKA KITESURF WORLD TOUR
RESULTS RE-CAP: KSWT ROUND 5: FUERTEVENTURA
MAIN EVENT RESULTS
1 AIRton Cozzolino (CV/ITA)
2 Matchu Lopes (SPN)
3 Keahi de Aboitiz (AUS)
BIG AIR RESULTS (Doesn't count towards World Championship)
1 James Carew (AUS)
2 Mitu Monteiro (CV)
3 Airton Cozzolino (CV/ITA)
AIRTON CLAIMS
HIS FOURTH WIN
IN THE GKA KITE-
SURF WORLD
TOUR

WITHOUT
A DIAMOND
—THERE’S NO
HAPPILY EVER
AFTER
Alan Van Gysen Rider: Nick Jacobsen Contact: Pryde Group GmbH Bergstraße 7, 82024 Taufkirchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 6650490
WITHOUT YAMAMOTO LIMESTONE
NEOPRENE THERE’S NO HAPPILY
EVER AFTER EITHER
Yamamoto Limestone Neoprene is the diamond of wetsuit innovation and performance.
Made from limestone extracted from Mount Fuji in Japan, it is a non-petroleum based
material that is the industry standard for premium neoprene and superior watersport
performance.
No sad faces here though... because ALL our wetsuits use Yamamoto so you can
always experience the Happily Ever After with any of our wetsuits.
[1]
[2]
Premium Japanese limestone-based neoprene is 95%
water impermeable compared to 70% for standard
petroleum neoprene. It absorbs less water, dries faster
and provides more wind chill protection.
Yamamoto neoprene has a unique cell structure and has
a 23% higher closed cell ratio for added buoyancy and
flexibility [1]. The cells are evenly spaced and filled with
nitrogen gas that increases heat retention [2].

46
BIG AIR
Jesse Richman flies higher at the inaugural Air Games event

JESSE RICHMAN
FLIES HIGHER AT
THE INAUGURAL
AIR GAMES
EVENT
Jesse Richman won the first-ever GKA Kiteboarding World Tour
Air Games event, in Tarifa, Spain.
After the wind failed to appear in Leucate,
the world's best big air kiteboarders
were able to fly high in the skies of
Europe's wind sports mecca.
The Air Games format requires athletes
to complete tricks in three categories:
big air (including board-offs),
handle-passes and kite loops.
At a certain point, riders decide to get
bigger kites and get kiteboards with
foot straps rather than boots, to add
extra excitement to the crowd on the
beach.
Throughout the competition, Richman
managed to combine technicality with
a better gear set up in light wind conditions.
He was flying higher than anyone
else.
"There's some bit of spontaneity that
happens in an event like this, especially
in heats where I'm not used to riding
a 14-meter kite," explains Richman.
"And it has a lot of lift, so when I get a
big gust I stay up in the air for a little
while, and I had a few handle-passes
where I could go for the double, but
it's really hard without having a lot of
whips on it. So, I was like: 'why not see
how many times I could spin.'"
On the women's side, it was 13-year-old
Mikaili Sol who stood out. The Brazilian
beat experienced riders and proved
she has a bright future in kiteboarding.

48
BIG AIR
Jesse Richman flies higher at the inaugural Air Games event
2018 JEEP TARIFA
"It's amazing. I wasn't really expecting
to win. I came here for fun, and see how
I can place but, in the end, I thought I
could win this. I'm so stoked!" added
Sol.
"When I realized early on that the tricks
I'd chosen for each category were scoring
high, I stuck with those in each
heat and just tried to go bigger and
bigger with them. I did an S-mobe handle-pass,
a double front board off and
a boogie loop."
In the kitesurfing division, Airton Cozzolino
and Carla Herrera Oria took the
top honors.

Men
1. Jesse Richman (USA)
2. Maxime Chabloz (CHI)
3. Carlos Mario (BRA)
4. Posito Martinez (DOM)
Women
1. Mikaili Sol (BRA)
2. Hannah Whiteley (GBR)
3. Pippa Van Iersel (NED)
4. Gina Bihn (GER)
PRO | AIR GAMES

50
EVENTS
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING
IN PORTO POLLO

52
EVENTS
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
The week spent in Sardinia was a real melting pot of cultures, passion and
energy. We left Porto Pollo with a very positive balance. You can’t go wrong in
Sardinia, especially if you are welcomed by the MB Pro Center staff, masters of
professionalism and helpfulness.
WHAT'S NEW
This year there are many new things, the new windsurf hydrofoil masts are
creating great interest and will greatly uplift the windsurf sector, we are totally
sure about that. But let’s talk about kitesurf, the most exciting news of the Y24
are the new Addiction, the first kite of our line entirely dedicated to the Big Air/
Megaloop program and the new “The Varial", a Freestyle surfboard super performing,
available in two new constructions, UC and Black Ribbon, two new revolutionary
laminations for our industry. Last but not least, the new SH-Flight,
convertible foil sup that promises an ease of use never seen before. Tacking
and jibing on a foil has never been easier.
TWO EXTRA WORDS ON THE SURFBOARDS' NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Given the research and the peculiarities of the new technologies it's only fair to
spend two extra words on the topic to do it justice.
UC United Cores of RRD
Maximizing lightweight does not only mean making a light board but making
a light board that LASTS. This is what we accomplished with the new UC
construction; the updated and improved version of the LTD technology. The EPS
core is re-known for lighter weight/strength ratio and memory compared to
PU foam, but it has one big limit, it absorbs water in case of a hole or a crack
through the laminate.
Fortunately, we have put together the best of the both worlds. In order to
accomplish this feat, we have cut a 4 cm wide slice that runs throughout the
entire outline of the board and have replaced the EPS external outline with 2 x
PU outline slices that are glued to the EPS core. By adhering the PU to the EPS,
we have created a 4 cm wide “waterproof” band that covers the entire rail,
nose, and tail areas, keeping them totally waterproof in case of a crack through

the laminate. The EPS core covers 80% of the board and creates a lively and
buoyant center while the PU foam slices on the rails cover about 20% of the total
foam volume. The PU rail slices combined with the deck and bottom carbon
stringers laminated over the EPS core create a fantastic and unique pop and
flex feel.
The Carbon net of the previous LTD construction has been modified with the
use of a stronger but more flexible net. This new net is made with Innegra
fibers, crossed at 45°, and combined with unidirectional, red colored, polyester

54
EVENTS
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
fibers that keep the maximum flex from nose to tail. To finish the board off, and
to keep it looking amazing for a long time, it is laminated with premium UV resistant
Epoxy Resin formulated with a 30% Biodegradable mix. The new United
Cores of RRD (UC) construction will provide that lightweight, sharp, precise EPS
feel with the added bonus of longevity and durability.
BLKRBN (Black Ribbon)
Talking lightweight kitesurfboards towards a ridiculously light and strong level!
The Black Ribbon technology is the first line of kitesurfboards in the world

made with Aerospace technology!
The internal EPS core, with only 15 kg density, is extra compact by the use of a
special mold. This unique mold creates a perfectly sealed surface where the
epoxy resin penetrates the layup at just the right amount, creating the perfect
bond between each layer, but not too excessively that would simply add weight
and no specific structural strength.
For added reinforcements without significantly increasing weight, a 3 mm PVC
foam layer is added on the deck to maximize impact resistance in addition to
keeping the structure as light as possible while a full bamboo bottom sandwich
layer creates the perfect blend between ding and dent strength on the
bottom of the board. The entire structure is then fully covered with a complete

56
EVENTS
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
layer of 160 grams Biaxial fibers combining a 45° mix between Carbon and
Innegra fibers.
The new Black Ribbon construction provides a lightweight and strong kiteboard
while maintaining a significant amount of flex compared to a full carbon layer.
CLASSIC (The Real Surf Feeling)
The Classic PU construction has been developed to create pure surfboards for
pure wave riding and to allow control over choppy waters. We have improved
the weight and strength of the boards this year. We are now using a hi-volume
lightweight pigment in the resin. This type of resin fills up the holes in the foam
and reduces the amount of resin content in the glass fibers, making the boards
lighter.
The Classic boards have low fiber memory and low foam memory at the same
time. This low memory gives our boards a proper surfboard feel. We recommend
the Classic PU technology to the riders who love a comfortable ride which this
construction provides through its flexibility.
LTE (Built Tough, Lasts Long)
The new LTE technology comes straight from the ultimate molded surfboards
technology which consists of a high definition EPS core, made with a high definition
“Super EPS“ mold, which is then injected with 36 kg/m3 density bits.
This phenomenal core is so strong that you could ride it on the water without
any lamination on it!! The core has heel recesses incorporated into the deck of
the boards, thus creating the perfect placement for EVA heel shock absorbers
to prevent heel dents. The Full Glass layup makes the board super flexible to
ride and really strong to impact resistance, creating unmatched durability.
THE WINNER OF THE MEETING
Among the most appreciated pieces of equipment, the first place is no doubt
for the new Passion MKX. If the previous one already had us, this year all our
distributors fell in love with the Passion: improved power, more lift and more
hangtime. To date, the Passion is the ultimate freeride kite of our line. Born and
developed with the aim of achieving a flawless kite, under every aspect. Small
sizes for Megaloop and Wave, central sizes for Freeride, bigger sizes excellent
for light wind. The key to its success? Its versatility. The Passion can meet the
different needs of anyone.

58
EVENTS
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
TWINTIP COLLECTION
We were already very proud of our bi-directional boards. Our starting point was
a twintip collection very good already where Bliss and Poison in few years literally
became the essential label of our brand and will continue to be our medium
range leading boards. But in my opinion the most peculiar and interesting
products are the 10Knots, a full carbon board with Airex core, the lightest in the
market and the Juice V5, a true wakestyle weapon, super stiff, no reverse flex
and increased progressive rocker. A true triggered bomb ready to explode on
command.

THE BALANCE
Our creed is to carry on with our work always with great passion.
We will continue to constantly offer the best materials and we will try to listen
to our customers’ needs as much as possible, accomplishing an excellent
product in terms of quality and efficiency but also accessible to as many
people as possible. After Sardinia and the incredible quality and technical
developments that the company has achieved in recent years, we can see
and hope for a bright future. Where the small yet big Italian brand, born from
the dream of a boy like all of us, will manage to stand up to the big, faceless,
global giants.

60
EVENTS
RRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN PORTO POLLO
“We love creating our products equally
as much as we love riding them”.

154
ITW
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on waves
Roberto Ricci:
kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on wav

es

64
ITW
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on waves
Wave kiting - it’s just kiting, in waves. It’s pretty
simple. It’s actually one of the first ways to ride
- it happened down on Maui, with a kite, and in
Europe as well, by Emmanuel (Manu) Bertin, Flash
Austin, all these guys were kind of the forerunners
of the sport, and they were riding on waves. In fact,
the other day I actually saw some pictures on his
Instagram page, and he still has beautiful shots
of him with the really old Wipika proto kite, wave
riding off Ho’okipa, Lanes and because that’s what
the guys were doing. So, I think wave kiting was
somehow actually at the beginning of kiteboarding,
that’s what it was all about; most of the guys
entering the sport were fascinated by kiteboarding
because you could actually ride a wave with a
surfboard and a kite in your hand.
Kiteboarding was only a name that actually came
a few years after because a lot of the Maui riders
were riding twintip boards, wakestyle boards. Lou
Wainman was kind of the forerunner for that, and it
was only then that the word kiteboarding was used
for the first time, because before then it really was
kitesurfing.

66
ITW
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on waves
Was it when the mutant boards started to come or after
that?
No, kiteboarding started with the twintips because we really
thought that, you know, it was so much easier to edge
on the twintip, it was so thin, that a whole new world was
appearing in front of us. Finally, you could actually fight the
beast you had in your hands (without a depower line) just
to edge with your heels on the water, so then it was like a
new sport, you can jump, you can land toeside, that was
really kiteboarding - a new board sport for people coming
from surfing, wake boarding, skateboarding.
Kiteboarding was more of a cool name to identify the
general possibilities around kiting and it’s good, but
kitesurfing, kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing
on waves.
Yeah, I think you got like the saying history repeats really
comes into play there because with the twintips available,
maybe Jimmy Lewis was making a couple of surfboards,
but we saw for a couple of years only really twintips on
the water, then the mutants came, and then the surfboard
thing came back.
The very first kite surfboards, apart from the very first protos
that Manu and Flash were riding on Maui, they were
all extended versions of surfboards. 7’0, 7’2, 6’8, 6’10, quite

narrow, 18/19 inches wide maximum, with a twin fin in the
back, or a thruster, and the straps positioned way in the
middle, just for control because there were only 2-line kites
at the time. Those were the very first kite surfboards available.
So, these were the first kind of directional boards,
which we called the original flying boards. We were actually
one of the first brands putting these boards in the market
with a 7’2”. There were no twintips at the time, just boards
with 2, or 3 straps, like windsurf boards.
So, you can actually say that one of the first real kitesurfing
boards was shaped by you right?
Yes, the very first “kiteboard” in the world was actually not
a board, this guy [Cory Roeseler] in the Gorge, he was busy
riding water skis, not even a board, he was riding a delta
wing on a reel system, and he was really the predecessor
of everything, one of the very first kite surfers. The first guy
that was ever able to use a board with an inflatable kite was
Manu. He was really the very first one to introduce this fly
surfing, that’s what I called the sport, and we were really the
first brand, at that time, introducing a board in the market.
He came to visit you...
He came to visit us in 1995, and then like 2 years later, 1997,
we had the first collection of Kitesurf boards in the market,
so by far the first kite brand ever to have a kitesurf board in
the market. Then we were sponsoring Flash Austin who at
the same time was sponsored by Naish, who were not doing
boards - just kites.
So, if you look at a quiver, for people who go wave kiting,
what do they need to have?
If you want to do waves, there are many different choices. It
depends on your level, and the place you live, and actually
what your desire is. Generally, you can start with just one
board depending on your weight, anywhere from a 5’8” to a
6’0”. And I always suggest having a board between 18.5 - 20
wide, a widish type of board. The bigger you are, the more
flotation you need to get you going. And that’s pretty much
the board you need. You don’t need to have anything else to
start with.
And then a couple of kites, 7 and 9, or 8 and 10 are the 2
kites generally. 2 kites, one board, and off you go. Harness,
pump, leash, straps. That’s my suggestion to start off with,
unless you’re a youngster and you have experience with
skateboarding or surfing, then you can jump on the board
without straps and you will be totally comfortable. If you
come from snowboarding, or windsurfing, or you’re a little
bit older, over your 40s maybe, and you want to try and
get into the waves for the first time, unless you’re really a
skilled board rider, you’ve been practicing skateboarding or
surfing, I really suggest you start riding waves with straps
and then eventually take the straps out. Learn how to bottom
turn, learn how to maneuver your kite, definitely a lot
easier with straps.
How are the surfboards built now?
We basically use 3 different types of technologies for our
kitesurf board range. The first entry level board is a really
solid board, built with bamboo veneer on top and bottom
with an EPS core and fully epoxy laminate. This board is
pretty lightweight and really strong, which is really what
matters for beginners and those that want to ride for the
first time. You can really give it some beating. It’s going
to be solid, and if you fall on the board with your harness
you’re not going to break it. We suggest to our schools, and
for rentals, to get this type of board, the wood technology.
The other technology that we use is the classic surfboard
technology, the classic PU polyester. A PU core is basically
the old platform, a lot of people from the past remember
this. It’s open cell foam which means if you punch a hole
through the bottom or the deck you’re going to let water in
to the core, which is a disadvantage. But what this brings
is the real surf feeling; it’s the softest type of board to ride
waves, so it’s really kind of forgiving, it doesn’t hurt your
knees at all when you actually ride over choppy water. Most
of the time when you’re kiteboarding, you always have chop
in front of waves because unless you’re really good and always
in the pocket, you ride waves 2 or 3 or 4 metres away
from the wave itself, just because you use the power of the
kite most of the time before really learning how to ride the
wave properly. The polyester resin, classic surfboard technology
is by far the best technology we’ve found so far for
wave riding, it’s the favourite one of all our team riders, our
professional riders, if you want a really forgiving ride and
the classic surf feel, this is still the one.
Finally, we have the LTD, a unique technology, which uses
a lightweight EPS foam (closed cell, doesn’t let water in)
without any stringer to try and replicate the flex of a classic
surfboard. We just have a unidirectional carbon stringer, a
carbon net over the top, bamboo under the heels and epoxy
lamination. It’s a very light technology, all the boards are
2.8kg - 3.2kg, so it’s really light, and the boards are more
buoyant than the classic boards because they have more

68
ITW
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on waves
air inside. These are recommended for people who really
want to ride strapless and maximise airtime and combine
some freestyle with their wave riding. It’s the favourite
board for people who want something high performance
on conditions where wind is marginal, and you need to
maximise flotation and maneuverability. These three technologies
cover the whole range of our collection at the moment.
Why so many shapes and versions?
I believe in custom made boards, and I’ve always been a
custom board shaper from 1986, and I believe that once you
design a collection of boards you want to be able to provide
a wide range to provide that custom feel. I love kitesurfing
in waves, that’s what I love to do every day, so I also believe
that my potential customers will be people that are really
finding the right - not only the right outline - but the right
size, thickness, tail width, nose width, which normally you
can only find in a custom shop. We are the only ones in the
market providing that kind of option in our collection, rather
than stock boards which are meant to work for everybody.
We have by far the biggest stock boards collection
in the world and that is the reason. It’s also because the
behaviour of the board changes depending on the technology
you are using, so when you buy a board in wood you
get a certain response, a certain feel on the water, but if
you buy the same board in the classic tech it has a different
feeling, and the LTD another different one. I believe that
with such an offering in the range we are able to target for
a large variety of potential customers and we are happy to
be the only brand in the world to offer such a large variety
of choices.

What’s the reason for the different rockers?
Well it goes together with the outline of the board. Of
course, a flatter rocker will plane faster, be more appropriate
for sloppier waves, for lighter wind, or for strapless
freestyle. More rocker means more ability to turn, more
possibility to ride with more ease at high speed. When the
wave is pushing with some speed and power, you generally
want to ride with more rocker on the board. It’s all combined.
There’s no board that excels in all conditions, there
are more boards that are designed for different conditions.
Our Salerosa 5’10” or our Maquina 5’9” and 5’11” are kind of
close your eyes and go, if you want to wave ride, but then of
course we have the Pop 5’2” which is phenomenal for light
wind or a cruise board for free riding for example. We have
a standard board for every condition, but then if you dig
deep into the line you can find your exact desired rocker
and technology, which is quite important.
Straps vs strapless? Leash or no leash?
Well, I always ride straps because I’m a windsurfer by heart
and I’ve been windsurfing all my life - I’m not a good skater
or a good surfer, so when I go out there I really have a hard
time taking my straps out because I’m so used to bottom
turning and coming off the top with straps. I sometimes
ride strapless when the conditions are really mellow, light
offshore and clean waves, nothing to jump, no white water,
not tough conditions. I normally ride straps without leash
when the waves are up to 3/4m high, let’s say double overhead
high. If it’s bigger than that and the conditions are
really tricky, offshore and very gusty, and when the waves
are over double overhead I normally wear a leash as well
because there are rock points and you don’t want to lose
your board out there. Unless it’s really big, or offshore, or
there are rocks around, or it’s really crowded, I’d say forget
about the leash if you ride straps. If you ride strapless a
leash is important of course.

70
ITW
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on waves
Does it matter if you ride regular or switch?
No
So how do you decided where to put the leash?
Depends on which way you ride the waves. For example, if
it’s right handers, the leash goes on the left foot, and vice
versa, so it’s pretty easy. The leash is on the back foot.
What about fin selection?
All the fins that we produce nowadays are made of polyester
resin with RTM processing. There is glass fibre compressed
into a mould and then there is polyester moulded
with resin transfer which makes the fin very durable,
not brittle, so it’s basically an epoxy fin feeling. Most of
the surfboard fins on the market are built like that. Pretty
much a standard fin that is designed for light weight and
flexibility. They have carbon on the base, to be super stiff
and super strong, and the rest is pretty much polyester
and glass fibres.
We have four main sizes for the thrusters. We have small,
medium, medium large and large. It depends on your
weight, and the wave size and the board size. Lighter riders
should use smaller fins, but also the same type of riders
should use smaller fins if they want to do some freestyle
or ride small waves or go to the larger if they want to ride
much bigger surf.
Why future fins?
The future box is solid, it’s proven to be a very strong box,
and it’s probably just a personal thing but we never break
future boxes. The worst thing that happens with fins is you
snap/crack a box around it, in case you hit sand or a rock,
but for kitesurfing specifically you need a long box which
is all contained within the board. It’s different to surfing
because you’re going at 15/20 knots at all times, for several
hours, with a lot of force into the fins as you try to edge
upwind. It’s a lot of pressure on your fin boxes. A surfer
only rides maybe 20 waves a session, and most of the time
is floating or swimming at low speeds, so what works for
surfing is not necessarily working for kiteboarding.

72
ITW
Roberto Ricci: kitesurfing was originally about kitesurfing on waves

Thruster vs quad
I personally like to ride both. I don’t prefer one set up, except
for when it’s really nice and clean and you’re lit then I like
to ride a thruster. With a quad you can stay upwind easier,
you can ride sloppier waves with a bit more speed, I tend to
ride quads mostly when conditions are not quite as good,
and when it’s proper I prefer to use thrusters. Unless it’s a
really wide board, you ride quad on the Pop for example, or
on the Salerosa which has a wider tail than the Maquina,
but besides that there’s not such a huge difference.
It really makes most difference using quads on a wider
board, because you always have 2 fins in the water for stability,
so if you want to bottom turn at high speed one half
of the board will be out of the water. But it’s very personal.
For me, big waves, clean waves, fast waves, thruster. Perfection.
Bottom turns, off the top, loose, predictable.
Just use the board as designed by the shaper! At the end
of the day remember, anything works. You are the one that
makes it work. You go in the water, you make it work! Just
spend a lot of time in the water.
How do you find out your favourite set up?
Just get out there. If you’re lucky and you have time, ride
those waves and find those conditions and see how the
whole thing works for you.

74
RACING
Guy Bridge and Daniela Moroz crowned 2018 Formula Kite European champions
Guy Bridge and Daniela Moroz
crowned 2018 Formula Kite European champions

GUY BRIDGE AND DANIELA MOROZ HAVE TAKEN OUT THE 2018 FORMULA KITE
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN WARNEMÜNDE, IN THE NORTH OF GERMANY.
Warnemünde, a well-known seaside resort close to Rostock, is well known for its finesandy
beaches and reliable winds. However, once the competition started, the race committee
was challenged with either no wind or too much - but in the end 8 races in the
qualifying series and 8 races in the final series were held for the 45 men and 14 women
from 18 countries and 4 continents.
The event started off with strong north-westerly winds of well over 20 knots and some
massive, steep swell which caused some headache not only for the race committee but
also parts of the competitors. While racing was put on hold for all other sailing classes,
at least one round of 4 short-sharp races in the Formula Kite typical Short Track format
was finished before the conditions became unmanageable. At the end of the qualifying
series, the two Bridge brothers - Guy and Olly - had traded first places with Axel Mazella

76
RACING
Guy Bridge and Daniela Moroz crowned 2018 Formula Kite European champions
from France, while defending European and World Champion Nico Parlier making some
unusual errors including one UFD score for crossing the starting line too early.
For the final series, the men's fleet was split into small groups of 10 each for the gold,
silver and bronze fleet to take full advantage of the close racing on the 6-minute track,
with competitors finishing just separated by less than a board-length. The wind conditions
for the final series again were very varying - from 6 to 18 knots - causing the most
complete athlete coming out on top. For this week it was clearly Guy Bridge (GBR) who
stole the show closely ahead of his older brother Olly, with Axel Mazella (FRA) completing
the podium after a disqualification for former World Champion Maxime Nocher (MON).
In the women's single series, the 17-year old Daniela Moroz (USA) stole the show again -
the defending Formula Kite double world champion is on the best way to claim her third
world title in two weeks time in Aarhus at the World Sailing World Championships. With
bullets in all but one race there simply seems to be no competition for her at the moment
and she is looking forward to the battle with her male colleagues during the KiteFoil Gold
Cup events later in the season, when men and women compete together for the open
KiteFoil titles.
"I’m so excited to see so many other girls on the course and hope the numbers continue
to increase! You ladies all killed it, and I can’t wait to see you all at more events in the
future," expressed Moroz.
The battle for the remaining podium places was fierce though between the former world
champions Elena Kalinina (RUS) and Steph Bridge (GBR), as well as Alexia Fancelli (FRA).
After 14 races, Kalinina claimed the European Champion title with a second place overall
and Fancelli in third. But it is clear to see that a new generation of female racers is
challenging the established sailors, with 5 out of the top 10 girls being under 19 years old.
The Youth (U19) in the women's fleet went to Anais Mai Desjardin (FRA), Breiana Whitehead
(AUS) and Magdalena Woyciechowska (POL).

Over in the men’s fleet, the youth titles went to Toni Vodisek (SLO) ahead of Martin Dolenc
(CRO) and Oliver Hansen (DEN). A very positive development to see is that approximately
one quarter of the competitors in the men's fleet is under 19.
At the other end of the spectrum, the winners in the men’s Masters, and Grandmasters
categories were identical - Benjamin Petit (FRA) took the honors again ahead of James
Johnson and Jan Blaesild (both DEN).

78
RACING
Guy Bridge and Daniela Moroz crowned 2018 Formula Kite European champions
Overall Results Men
1. Guy Bridge (GBR) - 28 pts
2. Oliver Bridge (GBR) - 29 pts
3. Axel Mazella (FRA) - 40.3 pts
4. Theo de Ramecourt (FRA) - 40.3 pts
5. Maxime Nocher (MON) - 43 pts
Overall Results Women
1. Daniela Moroz (USA) - 12 pts
2. Elena Kalinina (RUS) - 28 pts
3. Alexia Fancelli (FRA) - 35 pts
4. Steph Bridge (GBR) - 41 pts
5. Anais Mai Desjardin (FRA) - 50 pts

Guy Bridge and Daniela Moroz
crowned 2018 Formula Kite European champions

80
PARK
Patagonia Hood Jam

Noè Font
Patagonia Hood Jam
The 2018 Patagonia Hood Jam hosted by the Slider Project from July 22nd-28th. Also taking part as the
2nd stop of the Kite Park League tour. At its fourth edition the event has grown from a home-made grass
roots event without budget or price money to a full-blown event. This being said, the Hood Jam today is
still an event run by the riders with the sole purpose of fun.

82
PARK
Patagonia Hood Jam
Park riders from all over the world visit Hood River every
summer. The guys at the Slider Project have created something
unique here with the first and only public kite park in
the world. As you can imagine it’s a no brainer for us when
we’re deciding where to spend our summers.
Park riding wouldn’t be where it is today without all the efforts
many of us do to keep it alive. It’s a small and obscure
discipline of our sport many will never understand. However,
it is growing quickly, and you see more and more parks
popping up every year. The generation prior to us started
pushing this movement and it’s only fair that we continue
to do the same.
Leading up to the event this year we had a Junior Jam where
kids under 21 competed for a spot in the main event. More
kids than we expected showed interest in the event and
rode at a very impressive level. If some of us were wondering
where the next generation of park rats was, they are
here to stay. Mark Cafero, Jack Rieder, Xander Raith and
Aaron Rosslee made it through to the Patagonia Hood Jam.
The KPL format is very simple three eight-man heats going
into a twelve-man final. As for the women it’s one super final
heat. The Slider Project has two kickers and three different
sliders floating on the Hood River sand bar all summer.
To add some extra difficulty and fun to the event we added
a corrugated pipe to the end of the Cabrinha box. After this
rail setup was called the most fun rail we’d ever had in a
comp before.
Patagonia Hood Jam

84
PARK
Patagonia Hood Jam
Patagonia Hood Jam

The level of riding has been increasing faster than ever
since we started the KPL. New tricks and more technical
features at every event. Some might think we claim every
event to be the best ever, but the fact is, every event we go
to is better than the previous one.
This year’s Patagonia Hood Jam will be remembered as one
of the best. Even though the conditions in Hood River are
known to be rough and unpredictable we had the most perfect
breeze during the event. More NBD’s (Never Been Done
tricks) than ever before were landed in this contest. During
the first round we saw Colleen Carroll stomp a Tootsie Roll
and Sensi Graves with a G-spot. Both tricks had never been
seen before in the women’s KPL. As for the men’s Brandon
Scheid finally put it together and stomped his Mobe 720 for
the first time ever in a contest. I also managed to make the
list with a melon grab backside 360 rewind frontside 360
which had also never been done in a KPL event before.
In the KPL we believe it’s just as important to focus on the
media coming out of the event as it is to have a good contest.
We always try to dedicate at least a couple of days exclusively
to photos and video to feed the web with the content
it deserves. This year Toby and Vincent decided to team
up and work on a TV Show style video of the event with live
scores and commentary. It should be out soon so give it a
watch if you care.

86
PARK
Patagonia Hood Jam
The finals in both men’s and women's were as close as they
had ever been. In the women’s final it was once again Poland’s
Karolina Winkowska who kept it together and put
good scores through the whole park to take the win. Julia
Castro from Spain was also a stand out as she scored a 9.5
on the Cabrinha to corrugated rail that put her in second. In
third place Katie Potter from Australia coming in hot after
countless laps at the cable park in the off season and the
most sessions in the Slider Project this summer. All the riding
payed off for Katie and I hope she comes back for more
in the next events. Colleen took a well deserved fourth and
the best trick award with her NBD Tootsie roll. She is also
the organizer of the event so props for riding and running
the contest all at once.
The men’s final was crazy. We joked about the amount of
720’s that were landed off the kickers. We saw technical
rail hits and different lines. Christophe Tack got the best
kicker trick with a nose grab Pete Rose 540 and a nose grab
frontside 900. Sam Light was on point as always, greased
the sliders and had solid hits on the kickers. Ewan was up
there too, grabbed seatbelt on both of his kicker tricks. I felt
pretty good about my hits as well. You could tell how much
cable Aaron has spent in the cable park this past year he
was impressive as well. It was one of the first times where
no one could even tell who’d won. It wasn’t in between two
guys it was three for all through the top five. In the end, the
top three were 0.3 points apart with a 0.03 difference within
1st and 2nd. Brandon was rewarded for his unique tricks
off the kicker and the most technical slider hits to win the
event. Ewan right behind him in second place. Followed by
Sam Light third and myself (Noe Font) in fourth.
Thank you sponsors and organizers for such a good week
of kiteboarding. We are all stoked and really excited for the
next event in Brazil this fall.

Patagonia Hood Jam

88
EXPLOIT
14-year-old kiteboarder crosses the English Channel
14-year-old kiteboarder cr
ADAM FARRINGTON, A 14-YEAR-OLD TEENAGER, BECAME THE YOUNGEST
PERSON TO KITESURF ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.
Adam Farrington rode his kite from Swanage Beach,
in England, to Cherbourg-Octeville, in France, in five
hours and 19 minutes.
The schoolboy from Ferndown battled rough seas, 25
mph winds, and had to dodge a few large container
ships as he navigated the busy shipping lane.
Farrington travelled 69 miles and suffered a few
wipeouts on his way to France. With ten miles to go,
the youngster suffered cramps but managed to complete
the challenge.

osses the English Channel
"The biggest challenge was the sea state. Waves
were overhead for me, but they were also very close
together and confused, making it easy to catch an
edge," explained Adam Farrington.

90
EXPLOIT
14-year-old kiteboarder crosses the English Channel
"I found the best plan was to ride the wake coming
from the back of the support boat. Having been on
port tack for nearly five hours and with ten miles to
go I started to get a cramp in my back leg."
When Farrington touched terra firma, his right leg
went into spasm, and he couldn't walk anymore. But
he had just beat the unofficial record set by 16-yearold
Polly Crathorne, in 2010.
The Poole Grammar School pupil says he was inspired
by his dad, who has kitesurfed around the Isle
of Wight last year. Adam dreams of one day competing
at the Olympic Games.
Richard Branson is the oldest person to kite cross the
English Channel. He did it aged 61.

92
EXPERIENCES
A place that shaped my life
Text: Christian "Chris" Bösch, team rider Core/Carved,
Dakine, Moses
Photos: Thomas Burblies, Reemedia, Thorsten Indra,
Christian Bösch, Robervania Bösch

C U M B U C U
A place that shaped my life
Lying in the hammock, my eyes wander over the tropical flowers and green plants of the garden, the turquoise blue
swimming pool, the palm-fringed beach and the endless sea. The air temperature is 30 degrees, the sun is shining
and a strong wind is blowing. It is already the 12th year in a row that I am spending the winter in Cumbuco, in northeast
Brazil. I still remember the first time I travelled to a world that was new and foreign for me in October 2006.
What I could not have known at that time, of course, was that this place would have shaped my life considerably.

94
EXPERIENCES
A place that shaped my life
In 2006 the first road in Cumbuco , which is the main road
through the village, was asphalted . Previously, the then
small fishing village only had cobbled streets and sand
paths. There were no street lamps or road signs; everything
was still very adventurous.
Initially only a few Europeans could be found in the village,
the overnight accommodations were rare and Cumbuco
only counted two or three kitesurfing schools. The now
world-famous, unique kitesurfing hot spot was still in its
infancy.
My first three seasons in Brazil (2006 to 2008) were spent
teaching at the Kite Center "Kiteline", which was opened in
2005 by the German owner Christof Lemberg. Other German-speaking
Cumbuco kite pioneers are Manni from the
Pousada Tropical Wind, the Austrians Hacky and Rossi, who
opened the first kite school in Cumbuco in 2000, and Mario
of the "Cumbuco Guesthouse". And of course, the Italian
Marco from the "Bluewind" Kitecenter who held the legendary
kitesurfing parties with the Miss-Cumbuco Contests.
Every minute that I was not teaching I spent on the freshwater
lagoon called Lagoa Cauípe to practice new moves.
Sometimes I spent several months in Cumbuco without

kiting once in the sea. The four kilometres in the lee of
Cumbuco lagoon with perfect smooth water, steady wind
and standing area is one of the main reasons why Cumbuco
became famous and popular worldwide. In the early
years the space on the lagoon was abundant, nowadays the
lagoon is mostly very full and therefore only recommended
for experienced kiters.
In 2006 my first professional photo shoot took place on
this lagoon, where I did trick sequences for the Kiteboarding.eu
magazine. Bernie Hiss, the owner of Carved and Corekiteboarding
and his team rider Thomas "Beany" Burblies,
whom I had met before in Cumbuco, invited me to this
photo shoot. I was highly motivated and tied to perform in
the best possible way in front of the camera. The chemistry
between Beany, the photographer Axel Reese, Bernie Hiss
and I was excellent. After several brilliant shooting days, I
was, to my great joy, accepted into the international team,
whereby my long-standing collaboration with Corekiteboarding
was established.
After about a month in paradise I met my future wife, the
Brazilian Robervania, at a beach party. Now I had to learn
Portuguese so that we could communicate with words as

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A place that shaped my life

well as with gestures. A few of my first words were: Bom
dia! (Good day!), Beleza! (All right!) Tudo bem? (How are
you?) and tranquilo (peaceful). Through Robervania I was
able to get to know the real, authentic Brazilian life and culture
better. I took Forro dance lessons, learned steps of the
Brazilian martial art Capoeira and made good friends with
Cumbuco locals.
In 2007, the "kite tourism and construction boom" began in
Cumbuco. Kite schools, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops
and surf shops opened gradually and further pousadas
(hostels), hotels and condominhos (residential complexes)
were opened. The appearance of the village also changed
and slowly developed as a tourist attraction: the village
square was upgraded with a football field, benches, lights,
plants and a large fountain. Unfortunately, the fountain
was never put into operation and served instead as a waste
pit. The plants also withered up for the most part due to
a lack of being watered. In the following years waste bins
were installed in the centre of the village and the streets
were cleaned more frequently. Unfortunately, there were
also times when waste collection did not come due to
non-payment by the city administration. The garbage then
remained at the roadside or was burned by the inhabitants.
By now there are waste separation bins in the centre of
the village, but regrettably most of the waste from private
houses is still dumped on the roadside and waste containers
are scarce.
The population of Cumbuco once made its living largely
from fishing, today also from kite and Brazil tourism. The
growth of tourism has both negative and positive effects
on the Cumbuco population. In addition to higher costs for
food and shop and restaurant rent costs, which are partially
due to tourism, the locals benefit from more jobs and
thus higher incomes. This, among other things, helps to ensure
that all children can attend school.
The first destination for kiters to end the day was the reggae
bar near the beach. You sat comfortably with like-minded
people at plastic tables on a sandy path to enjoy an icecold
beer, a caipirinha or a guarana (non-alcoholic Brazilian
national drink). Reggae and folk music from north-eastern
Brazil called Forro boomed from the speakers, the staff was
attractive and friendly. Later the bars Laranja Mecanica, Piranha,
Jungle, Bacana and others were added. In the early
years we also went to Fortaleza from time to time to party,
nowadays this is no longer necessary, as there is a lot going
on in the newly built beach promenade and party mile, especially
on weekends. Live bands often play there and since
a few years it even has an air-conditioned discotheque.
There have also been a lot of culinary changes in the village.
Many restaurants and Lanchonets (food stalls) have
opened their doors. One of the first restaurants with a high
popularity was the Caucho Churrascaria. The specialities
of the grill restaurant were the legendary Filet Mignon and
Spareribs. In 2006 there were about five restaurants, but
today there are more than 30. The national and international
culinary range is wide, and the price range is even wider.
Currently you pay 8 Real = about 2 Euro for a simple meal
at a snack bar at the village square, in the exclusive Carmel
Resort you quickly pay 200 Real= about 45 Euro for a dinner.
Many Europeans have tried to realize their restaurant ideas
with varying levels of success. Restaurants close and new
ones are built. Three very good restaurants from the early
years, which still exist today are called Muda, Exil and ACL.
When my wife or I do not cook, I still like to eat a Prato Feito
"PF" brazil style in a restaurant at noon, or a meat skewer
with white rice, on the village square in the evening. Prato
Feito translates as "plate ready meal". You can choose
between freshly caught fish or meat, the side dishes are
always rice, noodles and beans, so it is the perfect power
food after an extensive kitesurfing session.

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A place that shaped my life
If you want to get proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and
minerals with a light meal, I recommend açai ice cream
with bananas and cashew nuts or one can enjoy one of the
exotic fruits like mangos, guavas, passion fruit, papayas,
pineapple or avocados. To quench your thirst, you should
naturally drink coconut water "agua de coco". Açai, which is
extracted from berries from the Amazon region, is the perfect
power snack for kitesurfers. So is the isotonic coconut
water, the vitamin-rich fruits as well as the cashew nuts,
which in addition to containing protein, carbohydrates and
magnesium also contain the "happy hormone" tryptophan.
In 2006, a plate of ready meal "PF" cost three, in the meantime
the cost has risen to 10 Real. In general, prices in Cumbuco
for things like buggy transfers, overnight stays, fuel
price, restaurant prices etc. have doubled to tripled in the
past 12 years. However, the minimum income in the northeast
of Brazil has also more than doubled; from about 450
BRL in 2006, to about 1100 BRL in 2018.
[I quote the prices in the local currency BRL (Brazilian Real),
as the exchange rate fluctuates greatly. At the moment, you

can get about 4.30 Real for one Euro! But there were also
times when you could get less than 2 reals for one euro].
Besides our time together in Cumbuco and other travels
worldwide, Robervania and I maintained a long-distance
relationship that put our love to the test. But it was worth
it, because five years after our first meeting in 2011, our beloved
daughter Luna was born in Brazil, who is a very big
enrichment in our lives. Five years later, on the beach at
Cumbuco, we said “I do”. The emotional wedding party
along with family and many good friends will be remembered
forever.
The quiet fishing village and Brazil's original kitespot Cumbuco,
where Robervania grew up, has developed over the
years into a tourist town and kitesurfing Mecca for Europeans.
Cumbuco is the epitome of kite hotspots. The sandy
beach, which is up to 100 meters wide with constant sideon-shore
wind, runs along the whole village and is unique
for kitesurfers. Directly on the beach there are a variety of
accommodation, restaurants and kite schools. Here the advertising
slogan "from bed to board" is a reality. The most

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famous kite points of Cumbuco are currently located directly
on the beach: Durobeach, Kite Cabana, Vila Coqueiros
and Windtown. All four points have a kite school, kiteshop,
accommodation, restaurant/lounge and especially
on weekends a bar with live bands and DJ's. In addition to
the very good kite conditions in the village, the two smooth
water lagoons "Lagoa Cauípe" and "Lagoa Tabuba", there is
also a three-kilometre long downwinder to the wave spot
"Pico das Almas". The time between September and New
Year, which is the main wind period, is particularly popular
with European kitesurfers. This is due to air and water
temperatures, where boardshorts and lycra are completely
sufficient, and an almost 100% guarantee of wind.
In these perfect conditions I have developed and trained
myself in kitesurfing techniques. In the early years I worked
on the big air old-school tricks, after that I practiced the
discipline wakestyle new school for many years until I discovered
the fascination of Kitewave. Since 2015 I am now
mostly on the water with the hydrofoil board.
At the spots in and around Cumbuco we had countless interesting
Core/Carved photo and film shootings. Together
with Beany, BB, Marilou, Philipp and other Core team riders,
I also worked out trick sequences for the Kiteboarding.eu
magazine for many years and wrote travel and spot guides.
I have also made numerous core support videos. For hours
I crawled around on my parents-in-laws lawn with my camera,
tripod and core equipment in the blazing sun, in order
to record on video how to make knots, tie lines, exchange
various spare parts etc. Since I was the most consistent
team rider and even more so because I was spending the
most time in Cumbuco, I also helped to regulate Core distribution
in Cumbuco. We were very imaginative. For two
years, for example, we decorated the Cumbuco gas station
with large advertising banners and sold kites and boards
in the gas station shop.
When the main wind period in Cumbuco came to an end, I
made several kitesurfing trips to other kitesurfing destinations
like Venezuela, South Africa, Hawaii, Cape Verde and
Mauritius. I particularly remember travelling from Cumbuco
to the Caribbean archipelago Los Roques in Venezuela

on February 15, 2013, where I met Marilou and two photographers
for a Core shooting. After a week in this paradise we
travelled via Caracas, Trinidad, New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu
to the Hawaiian island Maui, where we met the rest of
the Core team for another kitesurf shooting.
But even in the low wind season in January and February,
there can still be days with good wind in north-eastern
Brazil. Just this year I was there in February and had many
good kiting days. This time is especially suitable for foil kiting
due to the weaker wind.
Cumbuco, situated between the sea and the mighty sand
dunes, does not only live from kite tourism, this is only a
small part. Advertising propaganda for the state of Ceará,
where Cumbuco is located, is broadcast all over Brazil. This
attracts Brazilian tourists from the southern states who
come to this paradisiacal region all year round. They appreciate
the relaxed, warm lifestyle of Ceará, the tropical
climate and the endless beaches. Despite visible poverty,
the north-east of Brazil is a rich region. Rich in life, feelings
and emotions.
Since 2016, the construction boom has been restrained
again, as economic growth in Brazil has collapsed. The
2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil, the 2017 Kite World
Cup in Cumbuco and the new, better city council helped
to complete the infrastructure. In 2015/16/17 the village
streets were enriched with pavements and a few advanced
street lamps with solar energy. At the end of 2017 the main
road through the village was asphalted and the promenade
beautifully embellished with wooden frames and plants.
Unfortunately, the village square was forgotten, but at least
the well was filled up with sand. In the future, the village
square should be equipped with fitness equipment and the
village centre should be car-free. Part of the bypass road
and a large car park with bus stop on the outskirts of the
village have already been completed.
One reason why Cumbuco can expect strong growth in the
future is the neighbouring town of Pecem. This small industrial
town owns Brazil's largest container cargo port, oil
wells and a steel mill with corresponding charcoal power
plant. As a result of the construction of the steel and power
plant from 2014, many Koreans were on site in Cumbuco.
Hundreds of Koreans were employed in Pecem for two years
of construction. Many of them lived in Cumbuco, spent
their free time or the weekend here. Most of them have left
in the meantime, a few Korean restaurants still exist. In the
near future, workers from China should come to build an
oil power plant.
Further formative, significant developments of Cumbuco
are: in 2015, together with the city council, nature conservation
placed a ban on driving on the village beach and in
the dunes. An international school has opened, the beach
has been equipped with lifeguard towers and police vehicles
are increasingly patrolling. Furthermore, the International
Residence Act has also been in effect in Brazil since
November 2017. Tourists must leave the country after a stay
of 90 days at the latest. It is no longer possible to make an
extension for another 90 days, which I and other kiters had
taken up several times! The extension that I and other kiters
had made use of several times, no longer exists!
A few words about crime: despite the tourism boom and

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A place that shaped my life
immigration, not much has changed in Cumbuco. Petty
crimes such as cell phone theft occasionally occur as a result
of gullibility and carelessness. The drug problem also
plays a role here. One hears many stories, there were and
always will be occurrences, which have very rarely to do
with tourists or kiters. I myself have never found myself in
a criminal situation in Cumbuco, not even in Fortaleza. My
tip: hands off drugs, show respect and be friendly towards
the locals.
Outro
Much has happened in Cumbuco over the years, but one
thing has remained the same, then as now: you always
have the feeling of being welcomed by the very warm, lively,
hospitable people. I hardly found so much friendliness,
openness and kind-heartedness in any other spot in the
world.
As you can see, a lot has happened for me in Cumbuco. The
place I discovered for myself because of the steady wind
shaped my life. I really appreciate having witnessed the development
of the village and the kitesurfing there and to
some extent having helped to shape it. I look back on an
amazing, instructive, very interesting time in Cumbuco. I
have very wonderful, unforgettable memories of indescribable
value. I will surely travel to Cumbuco many more times
to escape the Swiss winter and devote time to my passion
for kitesurfing.

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CORE Surfboards: designed in Germany, handcrafted in Portugal!
Text: Reemedia
CORE SURFBOARDS
designed in Germany, handcrafted in Portugal!
All waveboards come from the “Far East”? Or not?! CORE surfboards are being shaped and laminated
in the wave spot Peniche on the Portuguese Atlantic coast. What sets them apart and sets them apart
from their competitors? A look behind the scenes.
Gero Tragatschnig grows up in Münster/Germany and goes to the island of Sylt at 17 to do his civilian
service. But secretly it is windsurfing and surfing that draws him to the North Sea island in 1984. And
so, he soon works as a "man for everything" at Paradise Customs Sylt (former German windsurfing
brand) and learns the craft in a custom-made forge from scratch. Lamination, grinding and so on and
more and more shaping he learns in the successful years on Sylt. Work in the summer months, and by
November at the latest, we went surfing to Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia.
GERO, HOW DOES A YOUNG GUY FROM THE ISLAND OF
SYLT COME TO SETTLE IN PORTUGAL?
Sebastian Wenzel (shaper for the windsurf board brand Fanatic,
the editor) had settled in Guincho/Portugal in 1995
and asked me to train his staff for lamination and grinding.
So, it happened that I spent my winter in Portugal and regularly
surfed at the Portuguese hotspots Peniche and Ericeira.
And then it came the founding of my own business for
the production of surfboards in Peniche and also the own
brand "Fatum". Thomas Lange, former world-class German
surfer, cooperated with me in the beginning and in the following
years we grew fast.
WITH YOUR PRODUCTION OF CORE KITESURF WAVE-
BOARDS AND SURFBOARDS UNDER YOUR LABEL FATUM,
YOU ARE ONE OF THE BIG PRODUCTIONS IN PORTUGAL.
WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?
We are big, yes, but not too big. In our company size I achieve
a consistently high quality. There are so many variables in
surfboard production that can go awry, and there is a need
to consistently apply rigorous quality management.
AND IF YOU WOULD PRODUCE MORE BOARDS, THEN?
Then you cannot keep the quality - at least permanently -
so high. Such negative examples are always to be followed
by other board manufacturers. Because at some point a detail
on the material or in the production stage is not right

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and then the kitesurfer or surfer does not have the optimal
product under his feet. This does not fit with our corporate
philosophy. By the way, this is also the basis for CORE to
have the waveboards built by us.
WHAT MAKES PENICHE SPECIAL FOR YOU?
With our production we are at one of the hotspots of the
European surfing scene. This pays off in the long run, so that
every employee is also an inspired surfer and every detail
and every component, starting with CAD milling, backshaping,
laminating, grinding and so on can evaluate and
strive for maximum quality without end. Furthermore, you
get in the scene currents in the market, in short, we work
here in the wave hotspot and thus on the pulse of the time.
It cannot be better and more consistent. In contrast, 80% of
the world's surfboard production comes from Asia, and so
many variables on the board are intangible. Incomprehensible.
ASKED AGAIN, IS EVERY EMPLOYEE ALSO A SURFER?
Absolutely. For example, one of my employees, Quim, manages
to be on the water every day. For me, I'm also out regularly,
but I also like to go to special spots, like individual
locations in Indonesia or in Panama.
YOU'VE ALREADY SURFED MOST OF THE WAVES ON THIS
PLANET. AND YOU BUILD SURFBOARDS FOR ALMOST ALL
CONDITIONS.
Yes, whether for beginners or advanced surfers up to advanced
level and thus also all board types as well as for all
spots. That goes up to special Nazaré boards or for the standing
wave at the Eisbach in Munich (legendary surf spot at
the river of “Eisbach” in Munich/Germany).
HOW BIG ARE THE CHANGES IN SURFBOARD SHAPES IN
THESE YEARS?
Yes, there are currents, back and forth. For example: surfboards
become more "surfable" for "normal" surfers who are
on the water for maybe three weeks a year. The boards are
sometimes slightly wider and keep the speed on each part
of the wave.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SURF-
BOARDS AND KITESURFING DIRECTIONALS?
That's the joke. The differences of a 6'0'' surfboard to 6'0''
kiteboard are vanishingly small. The kite is just the tool to
get on the wave. I would like to mention three points: 1. The
fin placement is different in terms of the angle and the degrees
to the board's longitudinal axis. 2. The rails are a bit
sharper in the back area (up to the tail). 3. The rocker course
is a bit flatter.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PU/POLYESTER SURF-
BOARDS OF OUR PRODUCTION COMPARED TO THE SAND-
WICH BOARDS FROM CHINA?
The flex behaviour of PU/polyester boards is worlds better.
Why it is like that? To be completely honest, we do not
know. Maybe it's the PU foam that gets softer and softer on
the inside, giving the board the unmistakable flex. Or the
combination of the PU foam/stringer to the polyester resin?
No surfer would get the idea to go on a sandwich board
in the wave. And if it were otherwise, maybe we would build
sandwich boards too.
AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KITESURF-
ING DIRECTIONALS COMING FROM YOUR PRODUCTION
AND THE BOARDS BEING MADE IN ASIA?
Apart from the design, the PU foam is the ultimate. I have
been shipping the blanks from South Africa for 25 years
because they are a lot better than blanks from other areas.
There are only "the". That does not mean that blanks produced
in China are basically bad, but there are often signif-

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CORE Surfboards: designed in Germany, handcrafted in Portugal!
icant flaws and the quality is just not that high. The foam
core in a board contributes significantly to the surfing characteristics.
Important here are the weight, the flex and the
resistance.
TODAY YOU ARE USING A CAD MACHINE FOR THE "PRE-
SHAPE".
Yes, and already for 15 years, this will not be replaced. The
CAD machine achieves very exact shapes within 20 minutes.
Only then it is possible to exactly reproduce shapes.
This is not possible by hand.
AND THE "BACK-SHAPE" IS ANOTHER 20 MINUTES.
Yes, and that is only cosmetic! I put all the measurements in
the computer and so the blank comes with a “100%” shape
out of the machine. Otherwise it would not possible to reproduce
exactly the same shape on a longer term. Other
manufacturers work in another way, but it´s the wrong way.
NOW THERE ARE KITESURFERS, AS WELL AS SURFERS,
WHO WANT TO HAVE A COMPLETELY HANDCRAFTED
BOARD.

But only a few. If so, then that's the romantic. Do you know
what is more important than "the shape"? The processes
"laminate" and "sanding”, means the sanding after lamination.
Here you have to work very precisely, and much bigger
mistakes can happen.
BUT LET'S STAY WITH THE "SHAPES" FOR NOW. ARE THE
SHAPES OF THE CORE WAVEBOARDS ALSO SHAPES FOR
RIDING WAVES WITHOUT THE KITE?
Yes, yes, if you have the "skills" to be able to surf a 5'9'' or 6'1''.
We have already talked about the minor shape differences.
Plus, they're a bit heavier and more robust than the boards
we build for surfing.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE CONSTRUC-
TION METHODS.
The CORE waveboards have more glass layers than conventional
surfboards. In addition, there is a carbon layer in the
area of the tail, in the area of ​the foot straps and of course
the plugs for the foot straps are particularly reinforced. On
the other hand, the CORE "720" strapless board is already
closer to the surfboards because the pressure exerted by the

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kitesurfer is much better distributed here. Added to this it
is the blank. We use five different “densities”. The "density"
describes the density of the blanks. For an “EPS” blank for
the epoxy sandwich construction this is 25kg/m3 and ours
it’s in the range of 48-60. A blank with a higher "density"
thus also has a greater resistance.
THUS, A BLANK TAKES ON THE QUASI-TASKS OF AN
EPOXY SANDWICH CONSTRUCTION.
But that does not give you a coherent overall package. The
surf typical feeling of riding a wave cannot be achieved
with these constructions.
LET'S STAY WITH THE PU BLANK. THE MORE FOAM YOU
SHAPE AWAY FROM THE BLANK, THE SOFTER THE CORE!
And that is why it is so important to take only as little as
possible. Therefore, we strictly align the sizes on the boards
that we finally build. Also: every six months we get new
blanks from Durban/South Africa. What if a delivery of
blanks is different? That's the disaster! Then you can knock
a big batch of boards into the trash. I travel to South Africa
on a regular basis to keep in contact and to ensure that we
get consistently high quality.
ALSO, A REASON NOT TO GROW WITH THE BOARD PRO-
DUCTION?
Yes. Otherwise, many steps can no longer be controlled to
that extent. We gain for the highest possible perfection and
could no longer ensure this with a larger company.
CHANGE OF TOPIC: FINS!
Fins are very important, because the speed with which they
are flown is very large. But fins are also a big challenge and
there are crucial questions to ask: where do I position the
fins, which angle do they have, and which material are they
made of? Three factors that are super important, but also
little or no scientific evidence.
YOUR BOARDS ALL HAVE A STRINGER.
Yes, also an important topic. We've been using only a specific
wood for a long time, so we do not have any variances, so
we can keep the properties high and keep everything under
control. I also order 10 blanks with another wood stringer,
but in the end our actions proved to be successful.
HOW DID YOU COME TO COOPERATE WITH CORE?
About 10 years ago, Bernie Hiss (CEO CORE) came here for
a stopover on the way to Brazil. He was looking for a production
facility for directionals in classic construction of
surfers. And now we manufacture these CORE waveboards.
HOW ARE NEW KITESURF BOARD SHAPES DEVELOPED?
We receive a briefing and build prototypes, but also from
CORE certain ideas about shape details come up. These are
tested by the team until it comes to the final board.

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CORE Surfboards: designed in Germany, handcrafted in Portugal!
FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING
HERE IN THE WAVE RIDING MECCA PENICHE. WHAT HAS
CHANGED SINCE?
20 years ago, here there was almost nothing. There were
only a few surfers on the water - surfing has only gradually
developed. Nowadays, the spots are very crowded, and the
surf schools are partly talking about who is out at what time
of day with the students. Just think, there are 160 registered
surf schools here in Peniche. There are also a number of
unofficial schools.

GLOBAL BAR V8
SIMPLE / FUNCTIONAL / SAFE / DURABLE
Simplicity is our mission.
We remove any unnecessary items, instead of adding them,
to make every component more functional.
Simply said : ”you cannot break what does not exist”.
-THE RRD EXCLUSIVE RIGID THREAD LINES-
We obviously still deliver you the bar with the exclusive RRD Rigid thread lines. These lines are made with using the most recent
fibers and an innovative production process. Not only are the lines easier to untwist, but most importantly, they don’t stretch!
EXTREMELY COMPACTED
DYNEEMA BRAIDED SOCK
DYNEEMA UNI-DIRECTIONAL
FIBERS

ONE BAR FOR ALL KITES
No need to ‘change any game’ with the release of our 8th version of the RRD Global Bar.
Because of the great history of performance, we have kept our new version simple, reliable,
and packed with the same great features of the previous versions. But with the V8,
we now take another step forward with new components and redesigned parts.
RIDERS: ABEL LAGO -KITE: RELIGION MK8 - PHOTO: SVETLANA ROMANTSOVA
“OUR LINES DON’T STRETCH”
-NEVER LOSE YOUR TRIM-
INDUSTRY STANDARD BRAIDED LINES
CAN STRETCH UP TO 25.0 cm
RRD RIGID THREAD LINES
CAN STRETCH UP TO 2.5 cm
MAXIMUM STRETCH ON A 25 m LINE
www.robertoriccidesigns.com

116
BRAND
Here is the new F-ONE'S collection 2019
HERE IS THE NEW
F-ONE'S
COLLECTION
2019
BANDIT 12
HOW DO YOU IMPROVE THE BANDIT?
Every year we ask ourselves this question, and each year there follows another
question, what are we looking for? Our primary focus is to develop the wind
range, the lateral pull of the kite, the feedback and feeling at the bar and the
maneuverability. After eleven years of constant enrichment, we focused on specific
areas to channel our efforts and achieve our goals with the twelfth edition
of the BANDIT.
H RIDING RANGE
This has always been a key for the BANDIT, a wider wind range means you can enjoy
longer sessions in more varied conditions. Just because a kite works across
a wide range though doesn’t mean it is good. Enhancing the effective “Riding
Range” was the goal for the designers and testers; this is the range of wind in
which you can perform all your tricks. You’ll find the BANDIT allows you to ride at
your best regardless of the conditions.
H ULTIMATE LINK
There is a special link between the rider, wind and the water. Your connection to
the kite is crucial, it is how you feel the power from the wind, and it provides the

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BRAND
Here is the new F-ONE'S collection 2019
control as well. The feelings we get when we are kiting are always different, the
wind is constantly changing and so too is the water we ride on.
With predictable and consistent power delivery and incredible bar feedback, the
new BANDIT ensures every session is a good session. There will be no more complaints
about gusty winds or struggling for control when overpowered.
H MANEUVERABILITY
At F-ONE we believe that we’re happier when we are riding smaller kites. 7-9 m2
kites are always the most fun to fly, as they are so reactive. This year the handling
on the new BANDIT has been further improved so that every kite feels smaller in
the sky. You’ll find the 12 m2 flies like a 9 m2 and that feeling is priceless.
COLOURS
SLATE / LIME
CORAL / SLATE
DEEP BLUE / BLUE LAGOON
RASPBERRY / CORAL
CORAL / BLUE LAGOON
H SMOOTH POWER DELIVERY
Many kiters don’t fully appreciate the importance of lateral pull in their kites.
When we ride, we are always fighting the forces from the kite by edging the board
to create forward motion. For many years we have been working to reduce the
lateral pull felt by the rider, this means you can enjoy longer, more comfortable
sessions with less effort. The new BANDIT offers the perfect balance between
power and lateral pull, with fantastic low end and incredible comfort in the middle
and at the top of the wind range. Edging has never been so easy, your jumps
will be even bigger and your board is released.
KEY POINTS
- The fantastic riding range of the new BANDIT means that you’ll enjoy every session,
no matter the wind variations
- The kite is an extension of your body that performs in harmony with you; this
ultimate link means that as soon as you’ve thought about the turn, the kite is
already making it with a perfect feeling and control.
- This year the BANDIT delivers extraordinary maneuverability and reactivity, it’s
like driving an “F-ONE car” instead of a bus.
- Power delivery is smooth and consistent regardless of the conditions offering
you maximum comfort.
- The perfect fusion of all our knowledge, the latest materials and technology
means you can enjoy a kite that excels in all disciplines and makes every session
one to remember.

BANDIT 12 SUMMER EDITION
This year we decided to give you the opportunity to discover and sell our brandnew
BANDIT earlier. We will deliver 1.500 exclusive pieces during July and August
in order to brighten your SUMMER!
- A limited edition of 1.500 numbered pieces
- For the passionate people who will discover the new BANDIT 12 before everybody
else
- Truly unique and exclusive colours
- Only available while supplies last
COLOURS
LATE / LIME
CORAL / SLATE
DEEP BLUE / BLUE LAGOON
RASPBERRY / CORAL
CORAL / BLUE LAGOON
Be part of the very select few to discover before everybody else the stunning new
fee of the BANDIT 12 this summer!
SIZES 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 17
WIND RANGE 35 + 30 + 28 + 25 + 20 > 35 15 > 30 12 > 26 11 > 24 10 > 22 8 > 18 8 > 16

120
BRAND
Here is the new F-ONE'S collection 2019
BREEZE V.2
PROG: FOIL / LIGHTWIND
THE MOST USER-FRIENDLY ONE STRUT KITE ON THE MARKET TODAY, INCREDIBLE
LIGHT WIND ABILITY MATCHED WITH ABSOLUTE EASE OF USE.
The BREEZE V2 is for anyone who wants a light weight set-up that offers incredible
handling with great low-end performance.
Now with a range of sizes going from 3 to 17 sq.m, it is the perfect kite for light
wind freeriding and foiling in any conditions. Thanks to its stability and light
weight, the BREEZE can show off interesting performance in light wind wave riding
too.
Our design and test team have worked tirelessly to bring significant improvements
to the BREEZE V2. You’ll discover the new kite has a more stable canopy
when depowered and the overall range of the kite has been widened.
Across the range of sizes, the handling has been finely tuned; the larger sizes are
even more responsive, making them perfect for manoeuvres.
The smaller sizes are optimised to handle stronger winds with total speed control
and great stability while foiling.
In the air, the BREEZE V2 is so intuitive to fly you can forget about the kite and
concentrate on the riding. This unique characteristic makes it perfect for beginners
and advanced riders alike.
The kite has also been designed to work with a low front V on the bar to untangle
lines after those inevitable kite crashes.
The BREEZE V2 is available right now; if you want a lightweight, one-strut kite
that can put a smile on your face in 8 knots, the decision is easy, let’s get breezy!
COLOURS
BLUE / DEEP BLUE
ORANGE / RASPBERRY
LIME / YELLOW
KEY POINTS
- Ultra lightweight
- Unbeatable low wind
performance
- Exceedingly stable, even
when overpowered
- Total control with excellent
bar feedback
- Great speed control on a foil
- Easy relaunch with reverse
launch capabilities too
SIZES 03 04 05 07 09 11 13 15 17
WIND RANGE 30+ 30+ 25+ 25+ 14 > 22 08 > 22 08 > 18 08 > 16 08 > 14

TRAX HRD CARBON SERIES
- FREERIDE / FREESTYLE -
WHAT’S NEW?
- New graphics
- One color per size
KEY FEATURES
- Amazing Glide & Performance
- Early planing with great upwind angle
- Maximum Control and Minimum weight
with the carbon construction
- Equipped with revolutionary Helical Rail Design
ACCESSORIES Included
4x UNIBOX fins 50 mm
ACCESSORIES Optional
PLATINIUM3 BINDINGS
Central handle
UNIBOX fins 35 mm
SIZES
cm
kg*
135 x 39 2.5
136 x 40.5 2.6
137 x 42 2.7
140 x 45 (LW) 2.9

122
BRAND
Here is the new F-ONE'S collection 2019
TRAX HRD LITE TECH
FREERIDE / FREESTYLE
WHAT’S NEW?
- New graphics
KEY FEATURES
- Amazing Glide & Performance
- Early planing with great upwind angle
- Maximum Comfort and pop with Bi-axial Construction
- Equipped with revolutionary Helical Rail Design
ACCESSORIES Included
4x UNIBOX fins 50 mm
ACCESSORIES Optional
PLATINIUM3 BINDINGS
Central handle
UNIBOX fins 35 mm
TRAX HRD LITE TECH
FREERIDE / FREESTYLE -
WHAT’S NEW?
- All New Model!
SIZES
cm
kg*
135 x 39 2.9
136 x 40.5 3
137 x 42 3.1
140 x 45 (LW) 3.2
KEY FEATURES
- Amazing Glide
- Easy Performance
- Super smooth riding
- Maximum Comfort and pop
with Bi-axial Construction
- Super smooth riding
ACCESSORIES Included
4x UNIBOX fins 50 mm
ACCESSORIES Optional
PLATINIUM3 BINDINGS
Central handle
UNIBOX fins 35 mm
SIZES
cm
kg*
135 x 39 2.9
136 x 40.5 3
137 x 42 3.1
140 x 45 (LW) 3.2

MITU PRO CARBON
STRAPLESS FREESTYLE & WAVES
HD FOAM CARBON COMPOSITE
DECK STRINGER TECHNOLOGY
RTM FINS
FIN BOXES LAYOUT
3x FUTURES® BOX
INCLUDED FIN SET 3x F-ONE Flow XS
EQUIPPED WITH FULL PAD
WHAT’S NEW?
- New size 5’2’’
- New shape
- New graphics
KEY FEATURES
- Iconic MITU shape
- Excellent in waves & freestyle
- Insane maneuverability for surfing
- Amazing versatility
- Super lightweight for strapless jumps
3x F-ONE Flow XS
— INCLUDED —
SIZES
5’2’’ x 17.7’’
5’4’’ x 18.1’
’5’6’’ x 18.3’’
5’8’’ x 18.5’’
5’10’’ x 19.1’’
157 x 45 cm
162 x 46 cm
167 x 46.5 cm
172 x 47 cm
177 x 48.5 cm
20.2 L
21.8 L
22.8 L
23.9 L
25.4 L
2.65 kg*
2.73 kg*
2.81 kg*
2.95 kg*
3.05 kg*

124
BRAND
Here is the new F-ONE'S collection 2019
MITU ESL
STRAPLESS FREESTYLE & WAVES
FULL BAMBOO
DOUBLE BAMBOO DECK
FIN BOXES LAYOUT
3x FUTURES® BOX
INCLUDED FIN SET
3x FUTURES® F4 437
THRUSTER SET
EQUIPPED WITH TAIL PAD
WHAT’S NEW?
- New size 5’2’’
KEY FEATURES
- Iconic MITU shape
- Excellent in waves & freestyle
- Insane maneuverability for surfing
- Amazing versatility
- Direct feel with the board
3x FUTURES® F4 437
— INCLUDED —
FOOT STRAPS
— OPTIONAL —
FRONT PAD
— OPTIONAL —
SIZES
5’2’’ x 17.7’
’5’4’’ x 18.1’’
5’6’’ x 18.3’’
5’8’’ x 18.5’’
5’10’’ x 19.1’’
157 x 45 cm
162 x 46 cm
167 x 46.5 cm
172 x 47 cm
177 x 48.5 cm
20.2 L
21.8 L
22.8 L
23.9 L
25.4 L
3.18 kg*
3.25 kg*
3.33 kg*
3.49 kg*
3.47 kg*

MITU PRO FLEX
STRAPLESS FREESTYLE & WAVES
HD FOAM FLEX COMPOSITE
HEEL SHOCK ABSORBER
DECK STRINGER TECHNOLOGY
RTM FINS
FIN BOXES LAYOUT
3x FUTURES® BOX
INCLUDED FIN SET
3x F-ONE Flow XS
THRUSTER SET
EQUIPPED WITH FULL PAD
WHAT’S NEW?
- New shape
- New graphics
KEY FEATURES
- Early planing
- Great upwind angle & edging capabilities
- Makes all strapless tricks way easier:
excellent pop + reduced swing weight
- Versatile with great waveriding potential
- Ultra comfortable
3x F-ONE Flow XS
— INCLUDED —
SIZES
5’2’’ x 17.7’
’5’4’’ x 18.1’’
5’6’’ x 18.3’’
5’8’’ x 18.5’’
5’10’’ x 19.1’’
157 x 45 cm
162 x 46 cm
167 x 46.5 cm
172 x 47 cm
177 x 48.5 cm
20.2 L
21.8 L
22.8 L
23.9 L
25.4 L
3.28 kg*
3.36 kg*
3.44 kg*
3.59 kg*
3.78 kg*

126
BRAND
Here is the new F-ONE'S collection 2019
SLICE FLEX
STRAPLESS FREESTYLE
HD FOAM FLEX COMPOSITE
HEEL SHOCK ABSORBER
DECK STRINGER TECHNOLOGY
RTM FINS
FIN BOXES LAYOUT
3x FUTURES® BOX
INCLUDED FIN SET
3x F-ONE Flow XS
THRUSTER SET
EQUIPPED WITH FULL PAD
INSERTS FOR 2x FOOT STRAPS
WHAT’S NEW?
- New shape
- New graphics
KEY FEATURES
- Early planing
- Great upwind angle & edging capabilities
- Makes all strapless tricks way easier:
excellent pop + reduced swing weight
- Versatile with great waveriding potential
- Ultra comfortable
3x F-ONE Flow XS
— INCLUDED —
FOOT STRAPS
— OPTIONAL —
SIZES
5’1’’ x 17.9’’
156 x 46 cm
21.5 L
3.18 kg*
5’3’’ x 18.3’’
161 x 46.5 cm
22.5 L
3.32 kg*

SLICE CARBON
STRAPLESS FREESTYLE
HD FOAM CARBON COMPOSITE
DECK STRINGER TECHNOLOGY
RTM FINS
FIN BOXES LAYOUT
3x FUTURES® BOX
INCLUDED FIN SET
3x F-ONE Flow XS
THRUSTER SET
EQUIPPED WITH FULL PAD
WHAT’S NEW?
- New shape
- New graphics
KEY FEATURES
- Early planing
- Great upwind angle & edging capabilities
- Makes all strapless tricks way easier:
excellent pop + reduced swing weight
- Versatile with great waveriding potential
- Ultra comfortable
3x F-ONE Flow XS
— INCLUDED —
SIZES
5’1’’ x 17.9’’
156 x 46 cm
21.5 L
2.77 kg*
5’3’’ x 18.3’’
161 x 46.5 cm
22.5 L
2.9 kg*

130
KITESURF AND WELLBEING
Mindfulness and Kitesurf: a possible connection?
Mindfulness and Kitesurf:
a possible connection?
Mindfulness, this term refers to a
mental experience that is difficult
to describe with words. Some kind
of awareness that comes if you pay
attention to the present moment. A
workout to mental awareness with an
aptitude to openly accept every event
of life, pleasant and unpleasant.
Would it be pushing it to trace connections
between the practice of Mindfulness
and kitesurfing, apparently two
distant worlds? Actually, the common
ground for Mindfulness and kitesurfing
is represented by what "consciously"
and "inwardly" those who practice
them can experience and work on:
emotions.
Approaching kitesurfing means, first
of all, putting yourself in the hands of
the instructor, giving room and voice
to feelings, fears, tensions, thoughts.
It also means learning how to handle
small frustrations, such as those generated
for example by the difficulty of
finally going upwind and turn them
into positive energy to be then used to
achieve the set objective. It’s therefore
a real "way of being" that involves both
mind and body as one thing with the
experience.
Mindfulness and kitesurfing also
share another key component: the

Ernesto Fabbricatore
persistence or, better, the training.
Mindfulness helps embrace tensions
with the awareness that every feeling
has a beginning, a duration and
an end: this leads to let off the tensions,
the thoughts and prejudices
that spoil the performance, it unravels
those inner blocks that prevent us
from reaching the goal; it trains the
ability to live the present, frees from
distracting thoughts of the past and
the future, considerably raises the
time of attention and improves sport
performances.
The "here and now" of kitesurfing
One recurring question we often hear
about kitesurfing is: what do kiters
think about when, without realizing
the time passing by, ride on the water
for several hours? The number of
hours spent riding on the water conceal
a mental aptitude. In kitesurfing
there’s a suspension of whatever judgment.
"I don't think" is what the kiter
often answers to that question, that’s
nothing but the "here and now", a response
to the environment and not an
automatic reaction to circumstances.
A world where you simply need to understand
how to "listen" to the vibrations
conveyed by the kite through the
bar to comprehend the uniqueness of
an experience where wind and water

132
KITESURF AND WELLBEING
Mindfulness and Kitesurf: a possible connection?
are the only sensorial inputs worth
considering.
Just like for other sports, it would be
interesting to test the Mindfulness in
kitesurfing courses or before facing
a competition. Among the benefits of
this practice, there’s the awareness of
one's own emotions and ability to handle
them. Often an athlete loses sight
of the goal because "carried away" by
external or secondary inputs to the
sport activity. The mental awareness
trained through the Mindfulness
practice, for example, would help focus
the attention on the performance
and avoid such problems.

134
NAVIGATION
Blue Moon: kitesurfing in the moonlight
Blue Moon:
KITESURFING IN THE MOONLIGHT
Forget the sunset, sure beautiful but more or less at anyone’s reach. Go
out at night in the sea with your kitesurf thanks to the moonlight it's
like diving into the unknown, a highly emotional riding experience,
almost mystical. Beginners are banned, but even experienced riders
must take some precautions, let's see which ones.
It happens to almost every rider to stay late in the water up
until dusk using an afternoon of wind that won't stop blowing.
And going out at sundown it's a classic, in fact, sometimes,
just when the sun is setting down, it’s when you get
the best hours of the day in the water, thanks to the special
effect of the sea breeze along the coast. During a sunset
session the atmosphere is nearly always pretty magic: the
number of riders at the spot decreases and you keep on riding
absorbed in your thoughts, meanwhile the reflections of
the equipment stretch on the water surface and the coastline
becomes less clear. The fiery colours of the sun at the
horizon finally seal the Zen moment.
and undeniably full of awesomeness. Kiting at night is a
challenge, you jump into the unknown, but also breathe
a new sense of peace, feel the sea rather than see it and
savour its vibrations. Kitesurfing in the moonlight can certainly
be a unique experience with a high level of emotions,
as long as you adopt strict safety measures and special
precautions. Let's see which ones.
But a kite session at night, after the sun is definitely down
and the night drape is upon the beach, it's just something
else altogether. The only light you can count on is the one
of the Moon, a cold light, opaline but just as intense, bright
David Ingiosi | Illustrations: Ardoq

07
ardoq

ardoq
136
NAVIGATION
Blue Moon: kitesurfing in the moonlight
wAITING iN cYCLADES
wAITING iN cYCLADES
A Kitesurf SHORT story
A Kitesurf SHORT story
KiterSoze’s original design
KiterSoze’s original design
07

Full Moon or no kiting
Of course, if you want to kitesurf in the moonlight, you
must pick a full Moon night, that's when the lunar hemisphere
illuminated by Sun is entirely visible from the
Earth. Usually there's a full Moon about every 30 days, so
it's good to know the lunar phases in advance to fully exploit
this show of mother nature in your local spot. In fact,
it is only during the full Moon that while riding at night you
can enjoy a light that although much fainter than the sun
light, it gives an acceptable light along the coast, provided
there are no clouds to screen out the lunar rays. On clear
days you can do it even when the Moon is almost full, a day
or two before or after the full Moon.
Rocks, surf and strong currents,
enemies to avoid
However, going out at sea at night with the kitesurf is
a risk, that's why you need to choose a spot that you
know very well. All the better if a quiet stretch of coast,
with scarce marine traffic, easy and safe: without strong
shore breaks, no rocks, or limited and previously carefully
evaluated, with light currents, especially the dangerous
rip currents, with limited tide variations and no riding
obstructions, such as buoys, mooring buoys, fishing nets,
moored boats, platforms and piers. Delta of rivers and
sea outlets must also be avoided, as they usually have
sudden currents and water temperature excursions. The
riding area, entry and exit points into and from the water,
the limits and risk zones should be established before the
session and clearly communicated to all riders. As well as
the approximate duration of the session.
Same goes for the beach where there should not be any
major obstacles, such as rocks, trees, fabrications and
electrical wires especially in the launching area of the
kite, as well as in the surrounding areas where one can
unfortunately arrive during the session, in case of leeway,
difficulties in relaunching the kite from the water or
for any problem with the equipment during navigation.
07

138
NAVIGATION
Blue Moon: kitesurfing in the moonlight
Group sessions, all the better if with
expert riders
A night kite session, even with a beautiful and inviting full
Moon, it's not for everyone. Poor visibility conditions make
everything more difficult, especially if something goes
wrong. A beginner or a kiter who is not quite such an expert
rider or used to the safety systems or self-rescue should remain
ashore. Even expert riders should never kite alone but
keep an eye on and assist one another during the session to
cope with any problem. Groups of two or three riders would
be ideal, riding upwind together keeping a safe distance
from one another.
Any rider during a night kite session, even if only minutes
short, should wear standard safety equipment, that is a life
jacket, or impact, helmet and line cutter secured to the harness.
Also, wearing a headlamp it’s a good idea, very useful
not only to get the gear ready and handle it but also during
the session and in case of any problem. Once in the water
it can be turned off now and then, just to enjoy the natural
light of the Moon, but with a simple click you can count on
an additional light source.
Navigation lights, night companions
Handling the equipment, especially the kite and the lines of
the control bar and the safety system, represent the most
critical factor during a session with poor visibility. But for
some years now, on the market you can find LED lights that
can be fixed to the kite but also to the lines and even to the
board. They are water proof devices available in different
colours which help seeing the strategic parts of the kite, for
example the leading edge or the tips, the lower or upper surface,
the pre-lines of the back lines or the bridle systems.
Some ad hoc models can be easily purchased online on
specialized websites, such as www.cobrakites.com or www.
passionkites.com.
Thanks to these navigation lights, less than a year ago the
Portuguese kiter Francisco Lufinha managed to cross the
Atlantic Ocean from Lisbon to the Madeira Archipelago, riding
through the night on high seas.
In short, riding at night, gliding on a board pulled by a kite
that stands against the sky and a seductive full Moon carries
an undeniable charm. You might not try any manoeuvres
and radical jumps, but even so you will enjoy the peace
and that special charm of the sea which at night is even
more mysterious.
NG iN cYCLADES
SHORT story
ze’s original design
YOU CAN SPORT THE FEATURED ADVENTURES OF KITER SOZE ALWAYS
WITH YOU, PRINTED ON THEMED T-SHIRTS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED
ON HTTPS://KITERSOZE.THREADLESS.COM.
07
ardoq
Kitesurfbasically is
the Art of
Waiting

07
ardoq

140
EXPERIENCES
On holiday in Greece by motorbike and I take the kite with me
ON HOLIDAY
IN GREECE BY
MOTORBIKE
AND I TAKE THE
KITE WITH ME
Giuliano Piccolo

Road to Cape Drepano
Hours, days, weeks, months fly by with the same passions
always in mind! So, as soon as the opportunity arises, you
dash off with a friend trying to combine the perfect trip,
kitesurf and motorbike, the perfect combination if you
are going to Greece.

142
EXPERIENCES
On holiday in Greece by motorbike and I take the kite with me
Getting to Drepano, in Greece, by motorbike
from Italy is easy, you just
need a ferry that gets you to Igoumenitsa
or Patrasso. Igoumenitsa is recommended
not only because is closer
but especially for the panoramic
route. We made a first stop in Lefkas
where we had breakfast and a tour
of the island at dawn (highly recommended).
We then left, passing Vonitsa
a village overlooking the Gulf of
Arta, also known as Gulf of Actio, passing
through curvy, fun and extremely
scenic roads.
The jounery continues southbound
towards Antirrio (not many chances
to gas up here) where there is
the Rion-Antirion Bridge, the longest
cable-stayed bridge in the world
(2,883m), 60 meters above sea level
with an impressive and attractive
structure.
Motorbike
and Kite
Travel Tips

- Limit your luggage to a minimum by
choosing the right kite for the spots.
We took a 9m.
- Secure the equipment to the bike in
a stable and fast way to load. I used
straps and brackets from a department
store (minimum expence, best
result).
- Remember to bring some spare
straps.
- Take some American duct tape (always
useful during a journey).
- Tool Kit and spare parts for both
bike and kite.
- Your luggage must be the last to be
loaded so you can easily take it for
overnights on the ferry and during the
journey.
- Take a spare pair of shoes.
- Remember to take the bike spare
key.
- In Greece, it may be difficult to find
gas stations. If you are traveling at
night, better not travel with a trickle
of petrol.
- Stay safe, always!

144
EXPERIENCES
On holiday in Greece by motorbike and I take the kite with me
The Spot Drepano
One of the best spots in Europe for
freestyle or better for wakestyle. Locals
have a saying: "every day kite".
The beach is small and easily crowded,
but the quality of the wind is excellent,
and the water is super flat. For
beginners there is also the "Rescue
you" service.

In The Evening
One of the best spots in Europe for
freestyle or better for wakestyle. Locals
have a saying: "every day kite".
The beach is small and easily crowded,
but the quality of the wind is excellent,
and the water is super flat. For
beginners there is also the "Rescue
you" service.

146
TEST
WOO 3.0 Vs. PIQ NORTH
WOO 3.0 VS. P
Text: Renato Casati
Photo: Woo & Piq Courtesy
They are the two main sensors on
the market for measuring the height
of jumps and are a "must" for many
enthusiasts that everyday challenge
each other on the same spot or at
thousands of kilometres away! That’s
right, because the great thing about
these devices is that you can jump the
same day as Aaron Hadlow in another
spot and "confront" yourself with him;
for a day, you can dream of being better
than him, obviously just because
he jumped with 10 knots whereas you
did with 30, but these are just minor
"details"...
But more likely, you can confront with
friends from your home spot or create
a list of friends through hashtag and
have a private challenge... In short,
there are multiple options and only by
using and discovering them, session
after session, you will appreciate the
fantastic possibilities offered by these
wonderful measurement sensors.
To be thorough, it must be pointed out
that there is also another device on
the market for measuring heights and
not just that, that's the TRACE, with
many interesting options, but which
for the time being is not yet very popular
nor well-known.
Every day is a competition day with
the WOO and the PIQ and only those
who’ve tried them know what it's like
to be WOO-addicted or a PIQ-maniac.
Just one recommendation: use carefully....
they cause strong adrenaline!
Therefore, we used the latest release
on the market of the WOO 3.0, which
introduced the real time display of the
individual jumps on Android or Apple
Watch, to which PIQ has promptly
replied, to compare them and see
strengths and weaknesses.
1 - COST & UNBOXING
2- ASSEMBLY AND PLACEMENT
3 - IN THE WATER, JUMP!
4 - DOWNLOAD & SESSION ANALYSIS
5 – COMMUNITY
6 - RESULTS COMPARISON
7- CONCLUSIONS AND WHICH ONE TO
BUY?

IQ NORTH
1 COST & UNBOXING
The two products have two totally
different boxes. The WOO 3.0 has a
minimalist approach, with a basic
cardboard box, and inside there is the
sensor, the waterproof case with two
double-sided tapes, USB charger and
a small sealed cloth drenched with
ethanol to clean the board before applying
the base.
On the other hand, the PIQ comes in a
much glitzier box, a plastic one, like
the Go Pro that is, and inside there are
user manuals, sensor activation card
for kiteboarding (each sport has a different
pay card), a very handy "on the
fly" charger, that allows as many as 3
full charges. Then there is the connection
base for the board, an extra 3M
adhesive for another board and a waterproof
case.
The cost of the WOO 3.0 is € 249,99.
The cost of the PIQ is € 208 and comes
with an "on the fly" USB charger. Having
a USB charger included to carry
around is very useful because if
you forget to recharge the device the
night before, you can do it during the
journey or on the beach while you get
ready, without having to buy an additional
power bank.
Both sensors are water resistant to low
water immersion levels. However, to
prevent the oxidation of the contacts
in sea water, and save them from any
shock, the waterproof case is a recommended
accessory. For the PIQ it becomes
mandatory otherwise the sensor
would move too much inside the
mount and exit the base. For the WOO
3.0 it's optional as it can be mounted
on the old bases of the 2.0, not waterproof,
and WOO clearly states that it
has once for all solved the issues of
oxidation of the contacts suffered by
some previous models. By the way, if
you've experienced that, be aware that
WOO replaces for free old units that
suffered such problems.
2 ASSEMBLY AND PLACEMENT
Both sensors recommend placement
as central as possible on the board,
horizontally. The PIQ slightly above the
handle, the WOO right in the centre.
However, before placing them, make
sure they don't obstruct your fingers
when grabbing the handle and that
Real Time measurement data of the
PIQ remains visible and not overshadowed
by the handle.
This horizontal central position is recommended
by the manufacturers be-

148
TEST
WOO 3.0 Vs. PIQ NORTH
cause the integrated measuring axis
better perform in a balance position
rather than in other ones, such as the
side ones, which for example might
give wrong information during the rotations.
The WOO recommends placing the
power button on the right, whereas the
PIQ on the left.
The adhesives provided with the support
perfectly work for the PIQ, you just
need to clean the board very well before
gluing the base. It is recommended
to let the support adhere properly
for 24 hours after being glued before
entering the water.
Regrettably the one that supports
the WOO’s waterproof case does not
give the same firmness feeling and
during our test, the waterproof case
nearly detached because the adhesive
doesn't seem to work well in the water.
So, be careful and at least during the
first few days, until you are positive
that the adhesive holds strong, try to
secure the support with cello tape or
other gimmicks, so to avoid losing it.
The base mount of the PIQ extends
horizontally and the elastic is slightly
loose, so much so that the PIQ has
introduced for the new packaging on
sale an extra "leash" to prevent the
sensor from coming out during particularly
destructive landings. If you
already have the PIQ and don't want to
buy the leash it could be a good idea
to tie an extra elastic or a piece of line
between the case and the elastic so
that in the unfortunate scenario of it
coming out from the base you will not
lose the sensor.
The WOO mount, on the other hand,
has an integrated closing clip, therefore
you might lose it only if the double-sided
tape detaches. Pay close attention
to the clip closing because can
be deceptive. It seems properly closed,
but we found it open in the water and
lost the sensor, therefore once again
we advise to use some cello tape so
that you can be certain that it holds
strong even with violent crashes.
3 - IN THE WATER, JUMP!
The activation is simple and immediate
for both devices and in a few seconds
the sensors are ready to record.
The PIQ turns on by a Led Display with
a (customizable) welcome message,
while the WOO has only one flashing
green dot that turns red while recording.
The advantage of the PIQ Led Display
is truly remarkable, as it gives the possibility
to know immediately after the
jump the height scored, and also very
useful it’s the possibility on the App

menu to select the metric thresholds
to be displayed. For example, show
only the jumps above a certain height
set by the user. However, when the sun
is very strong, visibility is not always
certain, but you just need to stop for
a moment, push the button and check
the height scored or the highest jump
performed up to that point. Of course,
if you have an Apple Watch to interface
everything with, it’s simple and
immediate.
In my opinion, knowing the height
scored straight after each jump is
essential as it can help understanding
yourself and in a short time one
can get an excellent prevision of the
scored height that combined with the
given data gives the user the awareness
of limits and goals to work on to
improve.
SMART WATCH REAL TIME
The WOO 3.0 finally brought the
much-awaited revolution of instant
interfacing of the jump with the
watches via Bluetooth, as long as they
are Android (Wear OS 2.0 or higher) or
Apple Watch (Watch OS 4.0 or higher).
The watches must be strongly waterproof,
IP68 minimum or higher. Currently,
no other models work unless
they have an Android or Apple operating
system, such as for example every
Garmin, Tizen, Fitbit, Pebble.
Of course, if you don't have a compatible
watch, you have to consider
an extra spending budget. We thoroughly
tested the functionalities of
Watch Real Time, for both the PIQ
and the WOO. The PIQ has definitely
a better outcome. The jump immediately
shows, whereas with the WOO it
takes several seconds and sometimes
it doesn't show. Also, the WOO often
misses some jumps because it reads
the chop and misses the jump afterwards,
whereas the PIQ ignores almost
always the chops and it's always ready
to measure the jump that really matters.
Also, the PIQ interface on Apple
watch has many other functionalities
that go well beyond the simple measurement
of the height, such as the real
time advancement speed, the session
analysis and other doozies that you
will discover by using it.
Both sensors have enough duration
to abundantly cover a session (from
6 to 8 hours of battery life if properly
previously charged, or more than 1200
jumps) and can be recharged within
1 or 2 hours depending on the residual
battery level. The WOO 3.0 brought
a significant increase to 24 hours to
its theoretical duration according to
WOO.

150
TEST
WOO 3.0 Vs. PIQ NORTH
4 - DOWNLOAD & SESSION ANALYSIS
Both sensors have a great App for sessions
download and analysis. The App
is available for Android 4.4.4 or higher
and for iOS 8 or higher. With the WOO
can be done also on the Web.
The firmware update is automatic on
both devices, that means that you
won't need to do anything, but just
accept the update through the App.
Essential condition for best recording
is to have always the latest firmware,
therefore accept whenever asked, paying
attention though to first download
any sessions left in the sensor's memory,
because could get erased after
the update. The Bluetooth connection
to the smartphone is immediate and
easy for both sensors.
The outcoming data are multiple and
quite similar, but the PIQ shows additional
data than the WOO such as
rotation quantity, heights averages,
classification of the jumps into preset
categories and more that you can
discover by using them.
The PIQ data display interface is more
convincing due to a tidier display, and
to the latest feature of data arrangement
via smartphone App.
Basically, once you enter the single
session card, you can arrange the
data by height (ascending or descending),
hangtime, G landing, with just a
simple tap.
With the WOO, this feature is only partial
for heights and only for iOS, not for
Android therefore, the data statically
shows on the smartphone and must
be manually extracted, being impossible
to create any interactive report
unless with Mac and the WOOvie editor
Software with which we can add
the results of our jumps to our videos.
This feature is currently not available
for the PIQ.
Furthermore, the PIQ has the "Piqscore"
charts that show the values for Hangtime,
Height, Landing, on a scale 0
(minimum value) to 3333 (maximum
value) that compare the individual
sessions, and the last 6, but if you like
also the previous ones, with professional
riders.
Essentially it adds up the single values
obtained for Hangtime, Height,
Landing and compares them with the
pros' ones, giving a result of comparison
to understand how far or close you
are from the best ones.
Non-essential feature but useful to
quickly check your progress over time.
The same thing with the WOO must
be done manually by evaluating the
results of the pros in the Community
with more toilsome calculations.
The possible values ​for each session
are numerous, the height of course,
but also air time, Hang Time on single
jumps and whole session, landing
Strength expressed in G, number of
jumps, session time, etc.
What's really nice for both sensors, it's
the possibility to have the result for
the single spot and then expanding to
the nation, continent, world...
An example...today I jump in Tenerife

at "Pigsbay" spot and I have the leaderboard
of that spot for today, yesterday,
last month, current year, since the beginning...
I can immediately extend the
leaderboard to the other spots on the
island of Tenerife, to Spain, Europe, the
world... with the same parameters of
time (today, yesterday, current month,
year, since the beginning).
Whoever uploads the WOO App, even
without having the device can see
these data on the App, whereas you
need to have the PIQ to create an account
and enter the PIQ world.
One other nice thing to highlight is the
automatic delivery to your email address
of the "badges". In other words,
whenever you improve a Record you'll
receive an email congratulating you
for the improvement with some nice
instances of what you just did. So, for
example, when you'll jump 2 meters
high you will have a customised report
with your profile photo where you
are taller than an English bus, if you go
over 4 meters then you’ll be taller than
an elephant and other funny things
that I don't want to spoil but that you'll
like when you get them.
Furthermore, on a daily basis, if you
are in the first 15, you automatically
get the leaderboards of the spot, nation,
continent, world... This way every
day it's a competition, and you'll be extremely
satisfied to have taken part to
a "global" competition.
Lastly, it must be highlighted the option
by the WOO to filter data and
above all add them to videos through
the WOOvie Editor https://woosports.
com/kite/woovie/Editor, currently
only for Mac.
5 – COMMUNITY
The WOO was released a year earlier
than the PIQ, therefore the first and
most known, also sponsor of several
editions of the Red Bull King of the Air.
So, it's not a surprise that it's the most
used device with a community of over
16.000 users with a daily strong expansion,
against the just 3.000 of the
PIQ.
The WOO has the option of liking and
comment others' sessions and this is
a great plus because this way anyone
can interact with the Pro he/she is trying
to match or simply with the beach
mates, exchanging thoughts straight
away. The PIQ also has this option but
is less straightforward because it’s
necessary to install an extra App by
North, therefore exiting the main App.
With the WOO it's easy to discover new
spots for jumping and check the leaderboard
of the single spots also on the
web http://explore.woosports.com/.
Also, a mention to the option to create
"customized" rankings with just
a hashtag # in the description of the
session.
Therefore, say you are a group of 5
friends and you want to compete
against each other, you just need to
put #beerpals for example when entering
the session, and you'll have
rankings just for your own group, hav-

152
TEST
WOO 3.0 Vs. PIQ NORTH
ing competitions within competitions.
Lastly, it's necessary to make a distinction
between the two sensor's rankings
different in terms of geographic
belonging or for where you jumped.
Let's make an example. You are Italian,
and you jump in Italy scoring your PBR
and you enter the session in an Italian
spot. Both devices will register your record
in the Italian ranking.
But just like the previous instance,
you jump in South Africa and check
your standing in Italy, the PIQ immediately
shows it because it's based on
geographic belonging, with the WOO
you won't find in Italy because a jump
in South Africa it's not recordable in
the Italian ranking, but your PBR will
nevertheless be recorded and updated
as best, regardless from where you
jumped.
6 - RESULTS COMPARISON
The everlasting question for everybody
is the same: which of the 2 records
better?
Which of the 2 records the greatest
height? Which of the 2 is more reliable
data results wise?
To answer this question, it's necessary
to understand how the 2 sensors are
manufactured.
To evaluate the height of the jumps
and the other parameters such as
Hang Time, G-Force, etc., they both
have a 13-measurement-axis motion
sensor, and both use a proprietary algorithm,
about which it's not easy to
find out how it works.
What is certain it’s that the axis are
set up beforehand after numerous
real GPS tests. Therefore, we are not
talking of 100% guaranteed precision
tools, but of an "approximation", don't
forget it. It is not an exact science, it's
a game and you need to remember
that whenever the measurements will
seem unreal!
However, the sensors have been calibrated
by the manufacturers by comparing
the values of thousands of
real GPS tests, while developing the
product, therefore not too far from the
actual reality, but we can believe that
a plus 5-10% variation up/down compared
to a real GPS would be part of
the game.
Often users write on forums about being
sceptical and disagree with the values.
Most of the times they complain
about "that jump being very high, not
just 8 meters as recorded but at least
15". Now, of course a mistake is possible,
just as with any other technical
device, but we are talking about pretty
rare occasions. It is instead more
common that our perception of reality
often differs from the actual one. How
many times did you jump and think
you were 10 meters high and then by
watching the video you realised it was
more or less 5 meters?
Obviously, some gross mistake may
occur, for example more than one
user found he had jumped as high as
19 meters whereas in every other session
and jumps he never got any higher
than 8 meters. This is called "fake",
that is a misinterpretation by the sensor,
often due to some odd movement
of the board. Anyway, they are easy to
single out for those used to check the
sessions and the WOO even has an integrated
procedure that allows other
users to report the Fake straight in the
single session so that with more and

154
TEST
WOO 3.0 Vs. PIQ NORTH
more reports it can be removed, and
no one gets undeserved credits. Fakes
can be reported also with the PIQ, but
the procedure is not integrated in the
session, but it's necessary to write
to PIQ, which immediately replied to
some reports we have made and after
few minutes removed the sessions at
question. The PIQ also introduced the
option to remove single jumps before
publication, relying this way on users’
good faith.
It's very important to have such control
mechanism working to keep the
credibility of the record device and the
accuracy of the game.
Both devices record jumps over 1 metre,
although and luckily the PIQ much
less, therefore passing waves and
chops, the majority of which would be
pointless to record, or it would be even
better to be able to decide via App to
make the sensor record only those
jumps over a given height.
Not all the jumps get recorded, meaning
that sometimes both one or the
other device fails its task, especially
for low jumps, although there have
been exceptions, very rare ones, where
even 10 or 15 meters high jumps have
simply been ignored. However, our
tests appraised the failing rate at
about 3-5% for the PIQ and 10-15% for
the WOO.
It must be clear that none of the 2
sensors has scientific precision value.
Which means that some jumps may
differ by 1 or 2 or even more meters according
to the sensor, but even among
sensors of the same brand. Overall,
from all the tests it seems to appear
that the WOO records a higher average
height, whereas the PIQ a higher
average Airtime.
7- CONCLUSIONS AND WHICH ONE TO
BUY?
The PIQ seemed better under several
aspects: price, Real Time Display and
Real Time Watch, reports classifiable
on different values, the case, higher
measuring reliability.
The WOO has a huge community so
that users can interact more, and it
has an amazing mode for Kite Big Air
and Kite Freestyle-Wake useful for improvement,
a Snow Ski one (currently
on Beta) included. If these modes are
essential for you, you can have them
with the PIQ by purchasing additional
activation cards, which however will
raise the price even over the WOO one.
If you are only interested to the community
and all your friend have the
WOO, if you want to extend its use to
Wake or Freestyle, to Snowboard and
Ski, if you are Trickers and want to
have Freestyle competitions and not
Big Air ones.... then you must definitely

choose the WOO!
On the other hand if you are at square
one, don't have too many "WOOer"
friends and don't mind relating with a
far smaller community, then by buying
the PIQ you will get a very reliable
product with the important option to
use the same sensor for many different
sports (tennis, box, and many
more that are about to be implemented
and on which you can find more information
on PIQ website...), of course
on condition you by the activation
cards for each sport. But above all, you
will know since the very first jump,
Real Time, the height of your efforts,
without having to spend more money
for a smart watch unless you already
have one.
BUY THEM BOTH!
It might sound trivial, but if you can
afford it, purchasing both sensors it’s
100% the best choice! It is not about
marketing, but a real need.
Once you'll enter the daily leaderboards,
you'll feel you'll want to be
among the best in both Communities,
so you'll have to have both devices.
Also, for many kiters competing in a
smaller Community such as the PIQ
one, helps gain self-confidence because
having less opponents means
getting better results. Therefore, you
may be 30th in the WOO and 10th in
the PIQ. That doesn't make you stronger
but gives you gratification and
incentive to improve, immediately
achieving important results in the
ranking.
And could we possibly miss a challenge
against our friend only because
he has the PIQ and we have the WOO?
Of course, nobody will accept the defeat
claiming that the sensor doesn't
record in the same way.
Moreover, having a second device on
the board it's a kind of "insurance", 2
working devices for a comparison on
the jumps, if one breaks or runs out
of battery there would be a spare one
still working and measuring, perhaps
just the day you score your PBR, Personal
Best Record.
I personally found that these devices
brought back in the water many
riders that would not believe in any
major improvement margins on their
achieved levels for many years, but
instead found that initial enthusiasm
again.
In the end, as usual, what counts it's
having fun, but a pinch of competitive
spirit is always good and having the
illusion of being better, at least for a
day, than our session mate or even
than our idols, it's a great motivation
to have more sessions and improve.
Good Jumps and Have Fun!

156
KITE TEST
RRD RELIGION MK 8 – 12 Mt.
K I T E
Renato Casati
RRD RELIGION MK 8 – 12 MT
More than ten years ago RRD was the first brand to believe
in a kite dedicated only to wave riding. Since then, there
have been generations of kites, all Wave oriented, that over
the years have improved all those critical aspects, kind of
"sins of youth", that every new product intrinsically carries.
What has always been difficult to obtain, with shapes conceptually
similar to the wave kites, it's to get even big sizes
to work at best, that is from the 9 up.
That's why we approached this test with great curiosity to
see to what extent this goal has been achieved.
For the RRD RELIGION MK8, the RRD Development Team has
completely redesigned the product, working on a speed increase
and drift improvement. To achieve these objectives
the tips have been widened, the leading edge lengthened,
the bridles shortened and consequently there has been a
change of some proportions among the different sections
which have overall improved also the upwind capacity
thanks to a higher aspect ratio.
This also gave a wind range increase and a top end improvement
without affecting the low end of the past years,
already amazing.
Upon inflating the kite, you immediately have the feeling

AVAILABLE SIZES: 4-5-6-7-8-9-10,5-12

158
KITE TEST
RRD RELIGION MK 8 – 12 Mt.
of rigidity and resistance that the kite conveys, further improved
with Double Ripstop D2 and Dacron construction so
that even the gnarliest waves won't even scratch it.
Finally, we got in the water and began to test the kite in
light wind conditions 9-10 knots up to more challenging
wind conditions, 18-20 knots.
Its stability is impressive even in gusty wind conditions
and this is remarkable when you consider the speed of the
kite.
The kite is surprisingly efficient in any wind conditions,
easy, predictable and you really forget to have it in your
hands. All your attention is on your surfing and not on any
unexpected reactions of the tool which always gives you
the impression of being at the right place at the right time.
You can feel the work made to improve the drift as often
when the speed is increased the drift is lost but not with
this kite.
The low end is truly amazing and would allow you to use
one or two sizes less than many other wave kites, which
obviously means greater overall surfing speed and more
vertical and radical lines.
The top end is not at the same level of the low end, nor could
it be designing wise, but with a longer depower, which the
Global Bar could improve on future versions, it would allow
good feelings even when slightly overpowered.
However, it must be stressed that in wave riding it is always
better to choose one or two sizes less and therefore with
this mindset you'll find the Religion really optimized and in
line with this thought.
To this end, it must be said that even with very few knots
10-12, a lightweight or strapless rider could easily use a 9m
instead of a 12m this way benefiting from a smaller kite.
But who is heavier or out for the "strapped in" wicked surfing,
will find the 12m is the essential ally to truly and fully
perform even in marginal wind conditions.
The feeling on the bar is excellent, it does not pull too much,
and the power delivery is well balanced with a fairly short
stroke in order to have tons of control. Basically, you get the

power very fast when you need it and immediately release
it when you need to depower without sacrificing the verticality
of the riding. In wind lulls, often just slightly pull the
bar in without having to reposition the kite in the window
and that makes you gain time and always keep the best
line.
The kite's response to the bar impulse is impressive, especially
if you use the RRD Global Bar 8.1, which thanks to the
"Rigid Thread" lines, an RRD exclusive patent, convey the
bar/kite impulses very quickly.
On water relaunches it is very fast, even with a light breeze.
And all these considerations are even more impressive
when you consider that we used a 12-meter...
In short, when you use the Religion MK8 for the first time
you will feel as if you had used it for ages, and it’s as if
the kite adapts to you and not the other way round, which
happened to experience too many times in the past with
other kites.
WELL DONE RRD!

NEW BOARDSHORTS COLLECTION SPRING/SUMMER 2018
''
Find all our boardshorts on www.manera.com

''
WWW.MANERA.COM
S T A Y
S A L T Y

162
PRODUCT FOCUS
F-ONE
Product focus
BREEZE V.2
FREERIDE / FOIL / LIGHTWIND
www.f-onekites.com
Text & Photos: F-ONE Courtesy
The most user-friendly one strut
kite on the market today, incredible
light wind ability matched
with absolute ease of use.
The Breeze V2 is for anyone who
wants a light weight set-up that
offers incredible handling with
great low-end performance.
Now with a range of sizes going
from 3m2 to 17m2, it is the perfect
kite for light wind freeriding
and foiling in any conditions.
Thanks to its stability and light
weight, the Breeze can show off
interesting performance in light
wind wave riding too.
Our design and test team have
worked tirelessly to bring significant
improvements to the Breeze
V2. You’ll discover the new
kite has a more stable canopy
when depowered and the overall
range of the kite has been
widened.
Across the range of sizes, the
handling has been finely tuned;
the larger sizes are even more
responsive, making them perfect
for maneuvers. The smaller
sizes are optimized to handle
stronger winds with total speed
control and great stability while
foiling.
In the air, the Breeze V2 is so
intuitive to fly you can forget
about the kite and concentrate
on the riding. This unique characteristic
makes it perfect for
beginners and advanced riders
alike.
The kite has also been designed
to work with a low front V on
the bar to enable to untangle
lines after those inevitable kite
crashes. The Breeze V2 is available
right now; if you want a
lightweight, one-strut kite that
can put a smile on your face in 8
knots, the decision is easy, let’s
get breezy!

DELTA C-SHAPE technology
design offers unmatched stability
and steering response when
fully de-powered, with the possibility
of connecting the front
lines higher on the leading edge
of the kite.
DELTA C-SHAPE is a patented
design used by F-ONE on all kites
for the past 11 years.
This shape was the result of a
design research towards maximum
optimization of the aerodynamic
performances of the
kite and of its depower. It gives
the possibility to fit more canopy
area in the middle sections
to create more projected area
while the C Shape makes sure
the kite remains responsive and
fluid.
The EVO De-power concept is a
simple 4-line system with a 4m
long Life Line featuring a V shaped
bridle with a pulley system
on each of the front lines.
This simple system offers complete
safety and allows for increased
de-power by finely tuning
the angle of attack of the
kite.
When the quick release is activated
the EVO system becomes
the Life Line and the kite lands
safely on its back with immediate
and total power kill.
EVO De-power offers complete
control with direct and responsive
steering in all riding conditions.
Sheeting the bar in and out is
very progressive even with the
kite fully de-powered.
Unhooked the kite remains light
and very predictable, inspiring
confidence so you can progress
faster.
Once the kite is sitting with the
leading edge flat on the water,
its C-Shape associated with the
Delta Pivot allows the kite to
automatically roll over onto one
wing tip. The kite will then glide
towards the edge of the window,
ready for quick and easy
water re-launch.
TECHNOFORCE of TEIJIN is a
high density Polyester fabric
with a tear stopping structure
using thin and high-tension
yarn.
FEATURES
Ultra lightweight
Unbeatable low wind performance
Exceedingly stable, even when
overpowered
Total control with excellent bar
feedback
Great speed control on a foil
Easy re-launch with reverse
launch capabilities too

164
PRODUCT FOCUS
F-ONE
Product focus
IC6 850 V.2
KITEFOIL
www.f-onekites.com
Text & Photos: F-ONE Courtesy
Made in our specific technology
called Injected Carbon, our
wings and stabilizers are very
tough and very durable. This technology
makes our IC6 wings
a lot more ding resistant than
conventional carbon wings. The
front wing has a metal insert
where the connector extending
out of the wing is fully machined
via CNC for a very solid and
perfect assembly.
The fuselage and mast are
made of aluminium. The fuselage
plugs directly into the aluminium
mast and at the top a
4-bolt plate that can be plugged
in to get the foil compatible
with any boards fitted with
tracks. Alternatively, a selection
of optional standards like KF,
DeepKF or Tuttle heads is also
available.
This foil is not only versatile but
it’s also very intuitive and predictable.
The take-off is really
progressive, the ride in the air
super smooth. You have complete
control on the speed and
on your path.
850 cm2 is the size of the front
wing and it was especially designed
to have the largest possible
range of use. It can fly at
very low speed, its handling is
impressive when carving and
it’s got a very nice speed potential
up or downwind.
The IC6 850 V2 is designed for
anyone looking for a first foil
purchase or simply for a versatile
setup able to deliver tons of
fun on the water. The IC6 technology
enables to mix carbon
fibers with an injected base material
to reach a unique blend of
characteristics, combining the
strength of carbon fibers with a
bomb-proof base material. The
IC6 technology offers great resistance
and stiffness with extreme
durability.

FUSELAGE
Material: Aluminium 6061
Length: 42 cm
Weight: 0.45 kg
WING
Material: IC6 injected carbon
with aluminium core
Size: 850 cm2
Weight: 1.09 kg
The front wing is built around
an aluminium core. The robust
FCD connector is 100% metal
and precision milled for a perfect
fit.
The Mast Top Parts are the connecting
parts between the aluminium
mast and the foil board.
They fit directly onto the aluminium
mast and are available for
various standards.

166
PRODUCT FOCUS
F-ONE
ALUMINIUM MAST
The F-ONE aluminium mast can
be used for all disciplines, kite,
surf, sup and windsurf. The profile
is extruded with precision
from 6063 aluminium block.
The shape of its section benefits
from our years of experience
in kitefoiling to provide the
best gliding feel while keeping
the strength up and the weight
down. It comes with two stainless
steel helicoil inserts at the
bottom and at the top to fasten
the connecting parts and
it is therefore fully modular. The
aluminium mast can be used
on every foil of the range and
it is very easy to jump from one
length to another. A number of
parts are available for board
connection (Plate, KF, Deep KF,
Tuttle).
STABILIZER
Versatile and progressive, the
IC6 300 stabilizer is the perfect
match for the IC6 850 front
wing. Equipped with generous
winglets, the stabilizer blade offers
fantastic control with enough
surface area to provide full
confidence in all situations.
Built with the IC6 technology, it
is very durable and designed to
be securely mounted on F-ONE
fuselages, its profile and angle
of incidence were tuned to
achieve a very intuitive balance
which will help you get your foiling
maneuvers in more easily.
ALUMINIUM PARTS
Aluminium parts are integral to
our foils. Except for the mast
which is extruded, all parts are
CNC machined with a precision
down to 0,2mm.
Machining blocks of aluminium
6061 guarantees the maximum
accuracy and preserves
the mechanical properties of
this higher grade of aluminium.
All parts are fully anodized and
stainless-steel inserts are fitted
with isolating gel when fastening
is required.
FCD
We have patented the FCD assembly
concept because this is
a critical aspect of the kitefoil. It
drives the reliability and ease of
use for assembling and taking
the foil apart for transportation,
as much as the repeatability of
the trim between the front and
rear wings.
The main benefit of the system
lies in the main screw that
maintains the front wing with
the rest of the foil. This screw is
placed longitudinally and is therefore
only stressed in tension
instead of shear or bending.
The whole foil can be tightened
up with everything working in a
sound mechanical way.
To gain some precision, robustness
and packed-up volume,
the screw is combined with a
squared, conical assembling system,
which has been proven
as the best mechanical setup
to lock any motion or degree
of freedom between the parts,
while also contributing greatly
to tensional resistance.
All Around & Versatile
The IC6 850 is very accessible
and offers a surprising potential
for progression so it is really the
ideal “first” foil purchase.
- Very accessible
- Versatile, very intuitive, and
predictable
- Large range of use
- Compatible with all boards
Area: 850 cm²
Weight: 1.09 kg
THE MOST ACCESSIBLE AND
VERSATILE PACKAGE EVER

168
PRODUCT FOCUS
Core
Product focus
CORE Bolt 3
Wakestyle Rockstar
www.corekites.com
Text & Photo: CORE KITE Courtesy
Wakestyle Rockstar
You’re the top dog in the park.
You throw the sickest transitions
and grind the gnarliest
logs, docks and water features.
Your board needs to edge
hard, go big and take a beating.
We built that and more into the
Bolt 3. An easy-fix, super durable,
boot only stylin’ machine
for your high-flying adventures.
Experience next-level park performance
with its custom wakestyle
flex and improved hull.
Our heavy duty Cartan carbon
fiber build process delivers outstanding
wakestyle flex properties;
encouraging good flex
when gybing, for example; and
eliminating bad flex (aka negative
rocker) on hard impacts.
We inserted two extra full-length
channels to increase grip
and speed. And we beveled all

of them, so you won’t catch an
edge on your favorite box or rail.
The Bolt 3 is rail ready. Ready
to grind just about any rail, box
or obstacle you find in your travels.
Its adamantine wakestyle
construction, bombproof boot
inserts, and unique snowboard-like
base may even launch
you into Youtube stardom.
Bolt 3 with Pro Fix Grindbase.
Dingable. And repairable with a
PTEX candle. Raising wakestyle
to a whole new level.
Two Layer CARTAN® carbon
Cable park strong. The top and
bottom receive two extra sheets
(laminations) of our exclusive
high-performance carbon
fiber. Our proprietary 30° biaxial
carbon fiber weave optimizes
board torsion and dynamic
longitudinal flex in a way traditional
90° carbon fiber cannot.
Our 12,000 filament, low resin
carbon fiber is responsible for
CORE’s signature board feel.
Cartan carbon. Powering every
CORE twintip.
Multi-Channels (new)
Extreme grip even without fins.
We added more channels and
beefed up the remaining ones.
More channels increase lateral
resistance especially when finless.
And deeper channels improve
board speed by reducing
the wetted surface area and
thereby reducing hydrodynamic
drag. We beveled the channels
to add a little low-speed lateral
slippage, so botched landings
are more forgiving.
3D WOOD CORE
Naturally dynamic. The CNC
milled, long grained, Paulownia
wood core gives the Bolt 3 unmatched
dimensional stability,
excellent decay resistance and
its powerful character.
The production process extends
the wood core very close to the
board edge, thereby reducing
board weight.
V-Shaped Keel
Inspired by the legendary handling
of deep Vee powerboats
in rough waters, we added progressive
V-shaped keels to each
tip leaving the area between the
boots nice and flat. The design
eats chop and delivers a surprisingly
comfortable ride.
Diamond 3D-Shape
Diamond shaped perfection.
Look closely at the Bolt 3’s
surface contours. On the tips,
you’ll notice diamond-shaped
recesses. The refined contours
reduce weight and direct torsional
forces to the fins and edges
where you want them for a perfect
balance between flex and
rigidity.
Pro Rocker
The Bolt 3 features a progressive
freestyle rocker that is most
pronounced in the middle. Board
curvature is then reduced
towards the tips. Individual flex
patterns are built into each board
size to lock in the best performance
possible. Without giving
away our secrets, good flex
and bad (aka negative rocker)
flex is managed by varying the
lamination thicknesses during
production. A super hard landing,
for example, can create
a negative rocker between
your feet. We worked very hard
to eliminate bad flex, so those

170
PRODUCT FOCUS
Core
rock-hard landings are easier
to stick. Not to worry, the Bolt 3
is still deliciously fun when you
are not “in training” mode. Go
hard. Or easy. Either way, you’ll
love it.
PRO FIX GRINDBASE
The snowboard inspired base.
The waxy surface you feel on
the new Bolt 3 is high-modulus
polyethylene, a material
with superior sliding properties
especially over rails, ramps, and
other water features. And just
like snowboards, scratches and
dings can be quickly repaired
with any PTEX candle as long as

stance options.
28mm + 42mm G10 FINS
Prepared for anything. The Bolt
comes with two, full, G10 fin
sets: the super grippy 42mm
fins and the 28mm ones for a
looser wakestyle feel. Still too
much fin? No problem. Go finless
and enjoy the ride.
the gouge has not penetrated
the Pro Fix Grindbase and damaged
the core.
Rail Ready Base
Built for the slickest sliders.
The channels are beveled and
countersunk between the boots
to create a perfect sliding platform.
So, grind away!
Boot Tough Inserts
Boots only for this baby. Heavy-duty,
stainless steel, V4A
thread inserts are laminated
into a massively reinforced base
plate deep within the board.
And laminated again in targeted
areas to be sure. The boot
inserts provide three different

172
PRODUCT FOCUS
Core
Product focus
CORE CHOICE 3
www.corekites.com
Testo e Foto: CORE KITE Courtesy
One Board. Maximum freedom.
Freestyle expression takes a
special stick-to-itiveness that
you have in spades. The infinite
variations of mobes, spins, and
loops you’ve perfected since
your first backroll has earned
you our respect. For you, we
built the Choice 3 with Cartan
powered pop, mega channeled
grip, and custom flex.
Or maybe, you’re new to freestyle.
And you’re not sure
whether being locked into boots
is your thing right now. So,
you’d rather hedge your bets
and ride a board that’s just as
much fun in straps as in boots.
We made the Choice 3 for you
too. Its new full-length deep Vee
hull smoothes out nasty chops.
And together with its optimized
outline and mega channels,

this comfortable allrounder rips
upwind with reduced spray.
The Gen3 springs into action
with the same proven CNC
milled Paulownia and Cartan
carbon sandwich construction
used in the prior model and its
adamantine cousin, the Bolt 3.
Only now, the board is around
200g lighter without reducing
its carbon or wood content! Our
build method delivers outstanding
flex properties; encouraging
good freeride flex when
gybing, controlling chop; and
reducing bad flex (aka negative
rocker) when landing hard or
freestyling. More on this down
below. But wait, there’s more!
The Choice 3 also gets deeper
channels that reduce the wetted
surface area (and by extension,
water resistance) thereby
increasing board speed. We finished
the board with a shiny, UV
blocking topcoat. Whew! That’s
a lot of new stuff! Choice 3.
More innovation. Less filler.
CARTAN® carbon
Powered by Cartan carbon. The Choice 3 takes full advantage of
our proprietary, high performance, 30° biaxial carbon fiber weave
that optimizes board torsion and dynamic longitudinal flex. Our
12,000-filament carbon fiber requires less resin, has unmatched
flex characteristics, and increases board durability. Cartan carbon.
The secret ingredient behind every CORE twintip.
3D WOOD CORE
Naturally dynamic. The CNC milled, long grained, Paulownia wood
core gives the Choice 3 unmatched dimensional stability, excellent
decay resistance and its powerful character. The production process
extends the wood core very close to the board edge, thereby
reducing board weight. Feel the added reflexivity Paulownia delivers.
Multi-Channels (new)
Extreme grip even without fins. We added more progressive tip
channels and accentuated the remaining channels. The deeper
channels further reduce the wetted surface area and increase lateral
resistance when planing (at all attack angles). Reducing wetted
surface area reduces drag and improves board speed. Go ahead
and ride finless, your Choice 3 is always in control!

174
PRODUCT FOCUS
Core
V-Shaped Keel
Inspired by the legendary handling of deep Vee powerboats in
rough waters, we extended the prior model’s V-shaped keel to
a full-length, deep Vee hull. The new design eats chop and even
smoothes out hard landings. Test the new Choice 3 in the roughest
water you can find. And feel the deep Vee difference.
Choice 3 - Vario Rails
Variable rail thickness. For better control and more pop. The Choice
3 features 9.5mm thick rails near the center of the board that reduces
to 3mm at the tips.
Diamond 3D-Shape
Diamond shaped perfection. Look closely at the Choice 3’s surface
contours. On the tips, you’ll notice diamond-shaped recesses. The
refined contours reduce weight and direct torsional forces to the
fins and edges where you want them for a perfect balance between
flex and rigidity.
Pro Rocker
The Choice 3 features a progressive freestyle rocker that is most
pronounced under the handle. Board curvature is then reduced
towards the tips. Individual flex patterns are built into each board
size to lock in the best performance possible. Without giving
away our secrets, good flex and bad (aka negative rocker) flex is
managed by varying the lamination thicknesses during production.
A super hard landing, for example, can create a negative rocker
between your feet. We worked very hard to eliminate bad flex, so
those rock-hard landings are easier to stick. Not to worry, the Choice
3 is still deliciously fun when you are not “in training” mode. Go
hard. Or easy. Either way, you’ll love it.
Boot Tough Inserts
Bombproof hold for fixed boot bindings or straps. The stainless
steel V4A thread inserts are laminated in a massively reinforced
base plate deep within the board. The inserts feature three different
stance options.

42MM G10 Pro FINS
A beautiful balance between resistance when you need it and the
looseness you look for in a freestyle board. Too much fin for you?
No problem. We also make 48mm cutback fins and 28mm wake
fins. Still too much? No problem. Go finless and enjoy the ride.

176
PRODUCT FOCUS
RRD
Product focus
THE SQUID
www.robertoriccidesigns.com
Text & Photos: RRD Courtesy
Propel through the water with
this new multifunctional directional
kiteboarding hydrofoil
/ skim board. The RRD Squid
was designed with freeriding
in mind. It is extremely maneuverable
and provides the rider
with constant feedback and
control due to the light and stiff
construction. The quad concave
not only gives the board grip as
a skim board, but it also provides
more rigidity, thus improving
the overall stiffness. These
four channels, coupled with
a moderate nose rocker, allow
the board to drive forward and
upward on touchdowns with
the foil.
The Squid’s deck is covered
with full ‘EVA brushed top striped
groove’ and can be used in
the foil configuration, with foot
straps, or as a strapless board.

STYLE: freeride 135x46, 146x47
Features:
• Multi-purpose hydrofoil / skim-wave board
• Lightweight, Durable Construction
• Quad Channels
• Including 2 G10 6.5 Toxic Wave Fins
Construction:
• Paulownia Wood Core
• Unidirectional Carbon Reinforcement
• ABS Sidewalls
• Full EVA brushed top striped groove deck pad.
Four channel box inserts on the
bottom of the board allow multiple
positions of the foil plate
to achieve a perfect micrometric
trim for your sessions. The
foil base plate is reinforced with
a unidirectional carbon stringer
that runs from tip to tail, adding
to the boards stiffness and quality
construction while the small
tail fins with moderate tail kick
allow the Squid to cruise effortlessly
through the waves.
Take foiling to the next level,
travel with ease, and be prepared
because light wind will be
no concern with the new RRD
Squid multi-purpose hydrofoil
skimboard.

178
PRODUCT FOCUS
RRD
Product focus
Passion MKX
www.robertoriccidesigns.com
Text & Photos: RRD Courtesy
Excellence
through Passion
Reaching a major milestone,
the Passion MKX marks the tenth
version of this notorious high
performance, 3 strut, Freeride,
Wave, and Big Air kite that will
continuously impress everyone
from entry level riders to experts.
The pure, predictable power,
paired with improved stability
shapes the new MKX into a fantastic
kite for all-round freeride,
wave, big air, and freestyle progression
that not only provides
a perfect blend of turning speed
and handling, but an impressive
jumping ability as well.
For our tenth version of the
Passion, we increased the maneuverability
and stability of the
kite through the window thus
causing an increase to its overall
performance by opening up

the wingtips and adding a pulley
near the leading edge. This improved
performance increases
the wind range, both low and
high, while adding to the boosting
potential by adding more
lift, the turning radius for faster
kite loops, and the Passion
MKX’s wave riding potential.
At RRD, we pride ourselves in
providing the highest quality
product without cutting corners.
Every individual kite size
has a customised leading edge
diameter. For the smaller sizes,
we accomplished maximum rigidity
to handle extreme conditions
whereas the larger sizes
are focused on a LE diameter
that has the perfect balance
between weight, stiffness, and
air penetration.
If there is one kite that will transcend
the boundaries from beginner
to expert, this is our “one
kite that does it all” solution, the
Passion MKX!
Special features
- Internal and external extra reinforcements on every leading
edge panel
- 45 degree leading edge reinforcements panels
- Leading edge seam protection
- Bridle anti-tangle device
- Radial reinforcements
- 3-strut construction with additional rounded Kevlar reinforcements
- Double Dacron reinforcements on the middle strut
- Techno Force Double Ripstop
- Quick Air flow Valve for easier pumping and deflating with special
moulded protection cap

NEXT ISSUE OCTOBER - NOVEMBER OUT ON THE 2 TH OF OCTOBER 2018