Interesting that Ocean Rodeo are going 5 strut whilst Duotone are now pushing the fact that 3 struts are enough (I know that the majority of their team riders are 75kg not 95kg). Wonder if the canopy material makes much of the difference or whether its just the battens that Duotone use that make up the difference?

Ralf: "We have team riders like Andrea Principi, who is currently riding the Evo D/LAB eight meter, and he claims that he's able to jump more than 10% higher with this than any other kite, just imagine 10% more height if you are already jumping 30 meters."

If Andrea is correct....and Liam also seems to agree, this may obsolete the Rebel and all other 5 strut big air boosters!?

Thats a good point for the heavier riders... so we will no doubt see a rider weight versus kite 3 or 5 strut preference at comps or use of both according to trick specialty. Duotone obviously 'Forced' to compete with Aluula game changing material, although you can still see where the potential is when comparing kite weights.
10m Dlab evo = 2.4 kg 3 strut
10m O/R Rise = 2.5kg 5 strut
So we can have the same weight with 2 extra struts to maximise profile stability. Inflation pressure - according to whose gauge that stays accurate, pump pause pump again and check strut stiffness is the only way a kite gets the right inflation pressure - the strut air bleed rate doesnt show on a gauge.. thats the reason for the pause.
Giel Vlugt who rides the rise is about the same weight as Marc J, doesnt have any problems with his kite - so thats why I think the Rebel will be next in line. The potential perforfomance you can design for with Aluula compared to standard material is huge, so maybe called the same same but different..
The yet to be relased O/R 5 strut Flite big air focused kite will ensure that Duotone has to keep on its toes with the Rebel 5 strut design.
In 2024 O/R will introduce the new Aeris X 'canopy' material - 10x stronger/stable 40% lighter so once again it will get lighter with better performance. Duotone will have to follow, so we should see some amazing kites and obviously new comp tricks by 2026.
For the heavier riders its all good news if you have enough bananas saved up.
I'm happy that o/r has been at pushing innovation because we all know that kite brands will do nothing except take your money, if not forced to change. I suspect we may see a Formula 1 GP style separation eventually in comps where you can have the best Talent - but at the back of the grid because you not using the 'A" spec gear.. (a lot of peolple in hospitals because they try to match the double loop with standard gear..)
Heres a link for he Aeris X material that 'all the brands' were very interested in at the show.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Wing-Foiling/Wind-Wings/Aluula-Graphlite-and-Ares-X-canopy?page=1
Lastly most brands are stating kite size / wind comparisons for a 75kg rider - like womens fashion if you want to look like the size 8 but your a 14, you just have accept that they are not designing for you and mod the hell out of everthything to make it better, like we used to do in high performance racing :)

Well O/R better get their act together for a 'real' big air kite like the Xr & Edge or it will be a pink elephant pushed into the expensive corner away from the others..

If Liam spanked out 32m on their all-rounder first time out.. I can't wait to see what their big jump kite the Rebel does when it's released into the atmosphere

dachopper said..

SaveTheWhales said..
Well O/R better get their act together for a 'real' big air kite like the Xr & Edge or it will be a pink elephant pushed into the expensive corner away from the others..

If Liam spanked out 32m on their all-rounder first time out.. I can't wait to see what their big jump kite the Rebel does when it's released into the atmosphere

OR need to get their act togther?
1st BAKL full power event,
3rd Tarifa Big Air event
Qatar Airways Men's move of the year
Male rider of the year.

Meanwhile.... Duotone still haven't managed to make a light weight LEI with Allula.

Big air is highest jump not trick, as in Surfr or Woo height.
Giel knows and has said he can't compete against a pure big air kite height on a rise..

That's why they need to get their act together and make their new 'Big air' kite that can better the Xr or Edge !

New materials as you've seen with the rise - don't automatically give you the biggest jumping kite.
When someone says 'high aspect ratio, that also doesn't automatically give you a big jumping kite..
There's another world of profile that makes it efficient in the air - as you've just seen on the 'Blank kite tests'

I remember the good old days when i was only 0.1 tonne +GST. Then i discovered homebrew.

weebitbreezy said..

xy500 said..

weebitbreezy said..
Interesting that Ocean Rodeo are going 5 strut whilst Duotone are now pushing the fact that 3 struts are enough (I know that the majority of their team riders are 75kg not 95kg). Wonder if the canopy material makes much of the difference or whether its just the battens that Duotone use that make up the difference?

Man size? 110kg is just obese. These team riders are men, and there is nothing manly about neglecting your health.

Are you Jake the muss or something? 'Too much weights..not enough cardio'?

Weight training is a legit no wind hobby. Sure we don't all look like MMA star Francis Ngannou (shredded at 120kg ) but let's not push the fat slurs just because you're under six foot tall hey?

Tell me at what height 120kg is a healthy weight, and then ill tell you how much taller than you i am ??

Itsmealex said..
How is the dlab evo going? I liked my sls and might be drunk enough one night to order a dlab. Worth getting a 9 or is this more a thing for the 11-12m? Think I heard somewhere they based the design on the juice? I don't like my 15m juice much.

The design starting from the juice DLAB is mentioned half way down here: www.duotonesports.com/kiteboarding/more/about-us/news/detailed/behind-the-design-with-ralf-ralf-groesel-evo-d-lab/

The Kitemana reviews comparing the standard, SLS and DLAB seem to be the most useful so far.

What didn't you like about the juice? Was thinking of getting a 13m. Had heard they had a pretty good wind range and hangtime - which sounded like what I was looking for.

weebitbreezy said..


The design starting from the juice DLAB is mentioned half way down here: www.duotonesports.com/kiteboarding/more/about-us/news/detailed/behind-the-design-with-ralf-ralf-groesel-evo-d-lab/

The Kitemana reviews comparing the standard, SLS and DLAB seem to be the most useful so far.

What didn't you like about the juice? Was thinking of getting a 13m. Had heard they had a pretty good wind range and hangtime - which sounded like what I was looking for.

That's a very good in depth review of the Evo aluula and excellent move not copy the standard evo.
It all benefits the average Joe who just wants to go big .. and loop easily when they build up enough courage.

A bit of fluff in there about no other kite like it, as he's forgot Ocean rodeo alula kites have been taking records in big air and surf for a few years now lol.
I hope we can get a 9m Demo here.

Andrea Principi with the new evo aluula kite should turn the comps upside down now that he can compete on equal gear.
Check out this rather huge jump.
Scroll down one to see it ?

www.instagram.com/reel/CqQ1c0qOyNb/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The French Big Air comp 'Lords of Tram' flatwater is over with Liam Whaley taking 1st, Andrea Principi 2nd and Jamie Overbeek 3rd.
Both Liam an Andrea were on the New DuoTone Aluula Evo kites, Liam with some very smooth style and showcasing how well the kites can Double loop at low height, as the final had less wind than they hoped.
Flatwater and waves can produce different results in lauch techniques, the wind ranged from Nuclear to bugger all and provided an excellent display of skill of all competitors..

Cores get the big air whores

Dang you could start a brothel lol - best change that to Ozone though, 'Jamie Overbeek' is now your Pimp Daddy

I have the new 10m evo dlab and love it so far, yet to use it in 30+ knots i had two foiling sessions and one gusty 20-25 knots sesh. Its very responsive, agile and feels light on the bar.

sonny2727 said..
wonder if you can run Evo DLAD on low V bar like Ozone or Reedin.. Hate high Y stupid bars and designs ..worst design in Kitesurfing

At low to medium wind it would fly ok - but at the top end it would buckle and jelly fish.
The reason brands use the high Y is to lock in the leading edge to prevent the above - otherwise they really have to develop a solid kite design without it.. The market trend moved away from 5 line kites to make them more user friendly avoiding wingtip wraps.
The high Y is like a happy medium for easy stability, all kites have the 'give & take' effect in design.