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Old 03-10-2006, 03:04 PM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Default FOUND - Blast from the past!!!

I thought the following articles from Surf Expo 2003 were lost forever in a system crash. Not so apparently as the image links still mysteriously work even though I have no idea where they are currently.

Looking back ...



Surf Expo 2003 came to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA from September 12 - 14, 2003. It was jammed with more than 800 different manufacturers displaying products in 2,100 booths. This is the first show ever to be held in the new massive North/South Complex that has to be close to a quarter mile along each side. Many kiteboarding businesses were at the show, some images follow.


Full size: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._Expo_VR_s.jpg

On Friday afternoon, PASA the kiteboarding training organization, held a meeting with industry representatives in the Annual PASA Kiteboarding Industry Meeting. Among a variety of topics, the meeting covered the new website with a lot of augmented support capabilities for instructors and students. The website is located at: http://pasakiteboarding.org/ and should substantially boost the effectiveness of PASA and affliated instructors. Of particular interest is the listing of schools and the interactive calendar listing pending courses and competitions. PASA put on some pre-show events over on the east coast in Melbourne, including Instructor and Retailer Certification Courses.


Christopher Nygard PASA Kiteboarding Industry Council Chairperson and of KiteGirl, filling us in on the great things in motion. I asked Christopher some of the same questions that I have asked many of the other exhibitors at the Expo, such as what sets PASA apart from other training organizations? He stated that PASA as a non-profit organization with a long standing involvement with a variety of "air" sports conveys certain advantages. Christopher also indicated that PASA's close working relationship with a specialty insurance agency sets it apart in allowing it to provide affordable insurance to affliated instructors and schools. He stated that in the next year he would like to see PASA provide even stronger organized support to kiteboarding businesses and riders. This support takes many forms from providing a linkable listing of certified schools and instructors per area, to information on certification courses, competitions, technical tips and question answers on kiteboarding setup and riding, safety, how to setup a school, prepare a lesson plan, instructional tips, etc. Much of this support comes at no cost and is easy to come by via the Internet. PASA also now has a retailer certification course with the goal of helping people doing the selling of the gear form a personal perspective on gear an functionwith the goal of improved retailing and customer satisfaction.

He would like to see PASA assume an even more active role in kiteboarding access issues nationwide. Christopher feels that more competent riders give the sport credibility in the eyes of authorities that govern kiteboarding access. He indicated that more effective and widespread training may be necessary to aid in the maintenance of access in part by easing the concerns of authorities over our sport. He would also like to see PASA expand its Sport Membership program by riders at large. Membership currently includes a subscription to Kiteboarding Magazine at no additional charge. He would like to develop even more added value considerations for members.

Then quite a few attendees took off to a party Friday night, sponsored by Speedo at Wet 'n Wild Orlando for an evening of flying over water. While standing in line at the cable towing operation, I learned about new designs coming out of Lightwave Designs, X Rated Kiteboard Tours recent trips, doings in Mexico including a recent Red Bull comp. north of Merida, Hamish MacDonald’s 90 cm stubbie experience and a great deal more. It was a fun night out on the water.

Saturday morning the show kicked into gear with a slew of new kiteboarding products on display from many different manufacturers and businesses. The intent of this article is to provide some photos and a bit of information about the products at the show. Readers are encouraged to visit the manufacturer’s websites and to contact local retailers to find out more information. I tried to photograph many of exhibitors and products on display but probably fell short in some areas, so be sure to checkout the websites for additional information. If there are errors in these articles please let me know via email so that corrections can be made < flkitesurfer@hotmail.com>. Please check back as a fair quantity of text interview additions and modifications will be made over the next week or so. I am also attempting to contact some of the manufacturers with additional questions so new information should appear in many of the articles over time.


The Show Floor
Full sized: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...VR_2_s_002.jpg


A closer view of the kiteboarding exhibit floor area
Full sized: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...VR_3_s_002.jpg

Photos and discussion of products from the following businesses at the Surf Expo are planned in this series of articles. A few exhibitors will be presented in each posting in alphabetical order to aid in downloading time for slower Internet connections. So, this may take some time so please bear with me.

Cabrinha Kites
Caution Kites
Dakine
Excess Clothing
Faction Kites
Flexifoil Kites
Gaastra Kites
Globerider Kites
Jimmy Lewis Boards
Lightwave Designs Boards
Liquid Force
NSI
Ocean Rodeo
Ozone Kites
PASA
Proteck Fins
Real Wind Boards
Roberto Ricci Designs
SBC Kiteboard Magazine
SkyHiUSA – Airush/Starboard
SOS Boards
Tycoon Kites
Underground Boards
Wipika/Windwing

And others …

There will be a few “color” shots included from the show such as:


After all there were quite a few clothing manfacturers there as well!


So, proceeding in alphabetical order, there was Cabrinha Kites ( www.cabrinhakites.com ):


The Cabrinha booth featuring the new RECON kite line and a variety of new boards. Co2 is on the left and the Nitro kite is on the right.






Kent Marinkovic of Adventure Sports, the North and South American Cabrinha distributor, showing the control bar. I asked him what set Cabrinha apart from other kite manufacturers. He said that one advantage was that they manufactured their own kites at their own facility, allowing for flexible, rapid but carefully controlled production. Kent also cited the close association with Neil Pryde as a contributing factor to rapid design and qualtity production capability. I asked Kent what he would like to see Cabrinha achieve this year. He said having team riders in the top two positions, Martin Vari and Andrew Phillip on the PKRA tour is one goal. Kent felt that having these riders do so well on Cabrinha gear is a strong validation of the products that they use in competition. He is looking forward to more companies adopting and adapting RECON type systems to improve the safety of the sport. He accented that improved safety is an important step in maintaining kiteboarding access. He felt that there are a lot of companies really pushing for improved safety today. Kent indicated that improved, formal kiteboarding training has an important role in promoting kiteboarding safety and sustained access. I asked him where he sees the growth in kiteboarding. It used to be mainly cross overs from windsurfing. Kent estimated that about 20 % of the riders at a local beach may have ever windsurfed with the rest coming from surfing, wakeboarding, skateboarding, etc. and including younger riders in general.



I asked Kent what some of the key performance features of the RECON system are. He said that the primary feature is improved safety. He indicated the relaunch, emergency release located in front of your face and integrated kite leash at the chicken loop attachment are some of the main features. Some have said that once you are fairly proficient in kiteboarding, the relaunch feature may be less important. Kent countered that for many individuals, a big part of the sport is pushing the limits. That means new tricks and demanding moves that will inevidably slam your kite into the water. As a result, he indicated that he uses the relaunch feature all the time but it does require a short term to properly learn the technique. He also said that like any relaunch system, it isn't foolproof but does present some distinct advantages. Kent indicated that by using the bypass leash it allowed a safe way for riders to learn to perform handle passes while riding unhooked.

He said, let's assume that the Cabrinha kites have similar basic performance and durability to several other kite brands at the same cost. Now consider that with the RECON kites you are also getting a new relaunch system, depowering system fixed at near eye level and a leashed "leashless" system with the capacity for modifications, all these extras and at no additional cost.

Kent also mentioned the Access kite deserves a close look. It is priced at about 30% less than the Co2 and Nitro kites, but delivers the RECON system along with strong materials and construction quite similar to the more expensive models. These factors make it a good choice for a first kite as it will aid in the learning process right through experienced riding. He also stated that it won't disappoint an accomplished rider in terms of performance. He views the Access as a strong option to buying late model high aspect kites that may not be as user friendly to new riders.


Lab Rat Boards

Kent indicated that they are now using a new fabrication facility. He said that the Lab Rat is a bit stiffer and is a good wave board. It is a bit harder to break the fins free from the water and it is well suited for rougher conditions.


Vari Pro Boards


Icon Boards

Kent said that this is a fairly flat, fast board. He said it was ideal for freestyle riding on flater waters. He felt that the Icon would be a very popular board this year given that many riders kiteboard in calmer waters.


Integrated harness impact vest

Cabrinha has introduced two spreader bars this season including a wider spreader bar and one with an attachment point on the top for snap schackle riders. They also have adjustable should straps on the integrated harness impact vest this year. This should improve fit to a wider range of body heights. This harness has mesh for helping to disperse the water force on impact. He felt that this adjustability factor would make it a natural choice for schools.





Caution Kites follows ( www.cautionkites.com ):


The booth. The Spitfire kite is freatured. It includes a segmented leading edge and rescue handles for bailing out. The leading edge and batten diameters have been reduced in size this year. The wing tip utilizes an inflated bladder as opposed to a carbon batten. I am attempting to contact Caution directly for more observations about the 2004 line.









The Red Line board is very thin and light and has a durasurf bottom.


Dakine follows ( http://dakine.com ):


Dakines “Baggy Harness!” or a set of surfing shorts with an integrated kiteboarding harness. Special thanks go out to this Dakine rep who graciously consented to model the harness despite the early morning hour and the lack of wind!







A redesigned Pyro harness


A new impact vest


Harnesses



Paul Menta, lead PASA instructor and head of kste.net, gave a very informative talk and video presentation on snow kiteboarding.


It emphasized practical considerations for businesses considering getting involved in retailing and instruction for this great sport. Paul touched on some less than intuitive considerations for snow kiteboarders that wouldn't be all that obvious to kiteboarders. Ozone kites also had several traction foils on display including one with an interesting depowering system. Paul should be releasing an instructional video in the near future. He has uploaded some information about snow kiteboarding to his website at: http://www.kste.net/snow_kite.htm


So, that is an intro to the show and a few images. Lots more to following along with additional discussion of the products as provided by the representatives at the show.




Stay tuned for more …


Copyright FKA, Inc. 2003
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transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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Old 03-10-2006, 04:17 PM
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Back to the Surf Expo for more images and info on new kiteboarding gear for this year.



But first, a side trip to the runway. The runway is up and uh, running!


Speaking of styling, on to something a bit different, like ...
Kiteboarding Fashion!

Excess Sport Follows (www.excess-sport.com ):




is shown here proudly sporting






[






Now on to Faction Kites ( www.factionkites.com ):



The Faction ENERGY kite is a remarkable innovation coming to kiteboarding out of Vancourver, Canada. I spoke with Lukas Stanek pictured above. Faction Kites is the first company to deliver an effective kiteboarding double surface wing profile kite with an integrated rib structure, which they call MAP. MAP is short for Maximum Aerodynamic Profile. The MAP technology allows for stable top and bottom wing surface configuration despite differential wind loading. The result of a more stable, thin “wing” shape is greater influence and control over kite performance, increased stability and gradual power characteristics. The ENERGY is the first of the Faction Kites to be released and is a medium performance kite. This medium aspect ratio kite is designed to provide intermediate or medium flight characteristics combining performance and comfort. The MAP double surface minimizes water pooling behind the leading edge bladder allowing more easy relaunching particularly in waves and lighter winds. Jack Webb, Maui Pro rider and a frequent subject in riding videos is also a member of Faction Kites.



Luke indicated that he normally rigs a size smaller than other riders on conventional LEI or Leading Edge Inflatable kites. He indicated that it has very good low end grunt. The power of the kite is very smooth, with gradual acceleration. Luke stated that the wind range is similar to other medium range kites with the addition of improved low end power. He indicated that with conventional LEI kites if the area between the leading edge bladder and outer surface of the kite fills up with water, such as can happen in wave impacts, you have little chance of being able to relaunch your kite. Faction kites are designed to not take on much water at all and what little water that might get into this space can be readily released through scupper holes. They are currently working on a high performance, high aspect kite.


A view of the wingtip. The fabric ribs are visible in the leading edge.


The Faction control bar with load tested pin releases.


A view of the underside of the leading edge.


Diagonal zippers are placed to allow access to the inflation valves for the kite battens.


The wing tip showing multiple kite line attachment points to modify flight characteristics.




Faction Kites won Thermolite® Boarder Award at the ISPO Brandnew show, the worlds largest sports trade show in Munich, Germany.
http://www.ispo-brandnew.com/

Kite surfing is the fastest growing water sport, a fact that keeps design studios in this sector very busy. The latest development comes out of Canada and gives rise to great expectations: Faction Kite is the first kite surf glider shaped like the wing of an airplane. Wolfgang Block, publisher of the special interest magazine Surfers and enthusiastic kite surfer himself, is delighted: “The new shape increases performance by 25%, which means that it no longer takes a strong sea wind to get a good glide, but just a light breeze at a lake. Starting out of the water is easier, too.” Dimitri Lehner, of Delius Klasing publishers, adds: “There is less turbulence due to the aerodynamic covering, similar to the wings of an airplane, and the inflatable leading edge. What’s more, less water gets caught in the kite. That means that starting becomes a lot easier, especially for beginners.”



There were quite a few individual clothier runways for showing off water wear


Now to Flexifoil ( http://flexifoil.com/ ):









Now to Gaastra ( http://www.gaastrakites.com/ ):


















Going away to pull out more photos but will be back soon!

More to come, stay tuned ...
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transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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