AIRUSH KITE TECHNOLOGY
Have you ever wondered what makes your Airush kite such a good product? What exactly does your kite consist of? What is it made of and how are we ensuring that it is as durable & innovative as can be.
Let’s take a look at the details…
KITE MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGY
HO’OKIPA
Developed in partnership with Challenge Sailcloth, this unique Ultra PE leading edge and strut composite material is 25% lighter and 10x stronger than traditional fabrics. This allows for 50% higher pressure, creating increased stiffness combined with a thinner leading edge. The result is supercharged responsiveness coupled with sublime handling, and of course the long-term performance you expect from Airush.
UHMWPE fibers (non-branded Dyneema® or Spectra®) are the lightest and strongest fibers commercially available, with a tensile strength 15x stronger than steel. UHWMPE is created by a gel-spun extrusion process which draws out extremely long chains of polyethylene, aligned along a molecular backbone. This alignment effectively transfers load through the fiber for high modulus and strength.
TECHNOFORCE D2
This premium fabric is designed with a high-density structure that uses high tenacity double-coated polyester yarn in a double ripstop configuration. The double coating protects the yarn as much as possible from UV and abrasion damage, ensuring that the canopy remains crisp and responsive for as long as possible. This exceptional material is used in conjunction with the Airush Load Frame in our new Team Series kites, resulting in the ultimate combination of durability and performance.
THE AIRUSH LOAD FRAME
The Airush Load Frame has been the key to setting the ultimate benchmark in durability without compromising on weight. Here, ultra-high modulus yarns carry the primary load of the canopy, preventing stretch, and increasing long-term performance. The Load Frame is further enhanced by WebTech, which is featured in the areas traditionally occupied by Dacron.
This allows us to minimize or completely remove the heavier fabric, and utilize the Ballistic high-modulus web fibers instead, increasing strength and minimizing weight.
WEBTECH
WebTech minimizes or replaces the traditional Dacron reinforcement by channeling the broader loads into the Load Frame through a web ‘subframe’ of ultra-high molecular polyethylene (ultra-high-modulus). This is featured in key areas such as the primary attachment points on the leading edge of the rear attachment points, while also being used to support structural components such as the center strut.
INTEGRATED HIGH MODULUS POLYETHYLENE YARNS
Central to the concept of the Load Frame are the lightweight ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarns, of which every single yarn can carry over 40kg. Think of them as a lightweight web with engineered energy absorption under load, similar to a spider’s web. These yarns are integrated into the canopy through reinforced taping that allows them to elongate under extreme load, absorbing most of the forces that would occur under shock loading.
XL INFLATE/DEFLATE VALVE
The XL Inflate/Deflate Valve features an insanely easy and fast way to inflate and deflate your kite. The large opening creates a maximum flow of air and reduces fatigue and stress on your pump. This, in conjunction with the Airush High-Velocity Pump, makes inflating your kite extremely fast in order to get you on the water as quickly as possible.
KEVLAR REINFORCEMENT
Kevlar, found in bulletproof vests, is found throughout the Airush kites. These Kevlar Reinforcements are only put in the most critical areas to protect from wear, while still minimizing weight which affects the kite’s performance.
PROGRESSIVE BRIDLE CONFIGURATION
V3 / Fixed / 5th line
Yes, we love progressive things; outlines, rockers, depowers, you name it. The key concept behind progressive bridle configurations is to offer you, the rider, varying levels of depower based on your key requirements.
In its fundamental form, bridles with more pulleys offer more total depower and better steering once the kite is depowered. The flipside to this is that kites with a more direct connection to the kite, will feel more direct and responsive. This is broadly based on what you are used to, as of course, we chase responsiveness in each configuration.