What is the technology that makes our boards so revolutionary?
This technology enables us to produce extremely resistant and flexible boards at the same time. It’s the flexibility, which properly designed, turned out to be very beneficial in kiteboarding. It allows higher flights and cushions the landing, thus saving the kiter’s knees. Breaking such board produced in this technology during its normal usage is almost impossible. Our first board designs were made in cooperation with North Kiteboarding. We delivered technology, while North tested and designed new board shapes.
What was the challenge to implement snowboard technology into kiteboards?
The main challenge was to design the flex optimally. The board should be properly stiff, in order to ensure outstanding edge grip during the wind tack, resilient – to ensure good pop while taking off for the jump, and flexible – to absorb as much energy as possible while landing. It should also cushion the wind blows in gusty conditions. Those challenges, hard to reconcile, we solved using a 3D composite construction.
Were there any failures or errors when implementing this technology? Did anything surprised you at the R&D stage?
The beginning was quite easy. My first impression from sliding on traditional kiteboard was very similar to experience with freeride on snowboard in fresh snow. First board was just a special snowboard without metal edges. To make this board we used manufacturing form for the biggest snowboard we had in production program. The test proved us that this shape is not optimal, but flex promises to be very useful. Refining the shape and flex took us about a year. It turned out that snowboard technology ensured great advantage over traditional one. In a short time it displaced the standard technologies.
What influence had a snowboard technology for the business? What is its meaning for riders?
Even first boards were significantly better. Continuously refining technology we give the riders new possibilities. We attach great significance to “Human concept”, which means that while improving performance we take under consideration human capabilities. Of course, we want our boards to give better results – higher, further and faster, but on the other hand we also want it to be safer, easier and without many injuries.
Did the technology evaluated since then? If so, how?
We haven’t rested on our laurels and even today we still develop the kiteboards, implementing new solutions and technologies. We patented many of these solutions. Technology remains continuously developing. I often thought there’s nothing to improve anymore, but after some time there are always new ideas and I’m sure that taking a full advantage of composite construction in kiteboards (named snowboard one due to its origins) is still ahead us.
