The Patagonia Maui Kite and Wing Fest 2022 kicks off today and they are taking it right at the very beginning, around 1997, when a French windsurfing speed sailor called Manu Bertin brought a few samples of an early Wipika inflatable kite to Maui. Manu was sure that there was a sport about to explode, but he had issues with the kite’s lack of basic accessories.
Manu was sponsored for his windsurfing booms by a brand called Hawaiian Pro Line, a Maui based outfit that specialized in the development of custom and production built windsurfing booms, run by Keith and Karen Baxter. Manu approached Keith explaining his basic accessory needs; and it’s with them that this Airush journey really begins.
Keith and Karen as Airush began to assemble a riding team, the early members being Lou Wainman, Elliot Leboe and Rush Randall. Mauricio Abreu joined not long after.
“Put it this way: never mind being close to perfect, at that time the kites really weren’t anywhere near to being acceptable.” Explains Mauricio. “So while 90% of brands were focusing on making a decent kite, Airush began developing decent accessories. They helped the industry maintain the levels of development of everything below the kite – the bars, the bindings, the foot straps, boards and fins. This parallel development of accessories alongside other companies’ work on the kites really helped speed up the evolution of the sport.”
Real innovation is not an easy dream to chase. It takes constant dedication, hours of designing, building, testing and then doing it all over again. It’s generally not about a quick or simple solution, but more about a big idea that could take years to perfect. Our secret is the combination of dedicated designers working through our fundamentals of Digital Composite Design, together with a group of highly committed athletes. This collaboration led to the concept of “By Innovators, for Innovators”; an alignment between designers working relentlessly to create something new, and riders who are seriously pushing the limits of riding.
“Today Airush feels a little like a grown up kid that has moved away from home but stays in good contact with daily positive engagement.” reflects Svein. “Our product line is clean with an excellent track record of bringing very cool kite and board innovations to market every year.”
We are beyond excited to be participating in the Patagonia Maui Kite and Wing fest this year! Maui being the birth place of Kiteboarding and the birthplace of Starboard and Airush, it’s very fitting to bring it all back to the roots! Maui has some of the best conditions in the world for wind and water sports. We are stoked to be sharing these days on and off the water with all the participants of the Patagonia Maui kite and Wing Fest!
Patagonia Maui Kite & Wing Fest 2022 Schedule
Thursday, June 2nd:
Mandatory Registration & Opening Party
5:00-9:00 pm: Paia Bay Coffee
115 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779
Friday, June 3rd – Kanaha Beach Park – in front of Old Canoe Hale downwind of Old Mans
8:30 am: Mandatory skippers meeting for all disciplines
9:00 am: Beach Cleanup
10:00 am: Opening Hawaiian Blessing
10:30 am: Notice of Race
11:00 am: First possible start for all disciplines
5:00 pm: Disciplines complete for the day
Saturday, June 4th: Kanaha Beach Park – in front of Old Canoe Hale downwind of Old Mans
10:00 Mandatory skippers meeting for all disciplines
11:00 am: First possible start for designated disciplines of the day
5:00 pm: Disciplines complete for the day
Sunday, June 5th: Kanaha Beach Park – in front of Old Canoe Hale downwind of Old Mans
10:00 Mandatory skippers meeting for all disciplines
11:00 am: First possible start for for designated disciplines of the day
4:00 pm: Event completes
4:00-6:00 pm: Luau and Awards Ceremony at Canoe Hale located by the Public
Restrooms at Kanaha Beach Park
Patagonia Maui Kite & Wing Fest 2022 Results
TBC
Airush Product Recommendations
The Lithium
For the rider looking for a kite that provides an endless amount of fun on the water, the Lithium is the ultimate all-around freeride performance kite. Versatile in the surf, easy to ride, and light at the bar, the Lithium is predictable and stable in the air, and has incredible park ability. The powerful three-strut delta-hybrid design enjoys a huge wind range and, combined with the wingtip shape and strut layout ensures the quickest response through the window as well as instant relaunch.
The One
The One is a lightweight single strut kite that has incredible relaunch capabilities. Made with lightweight components and durable D2 cloth, keeping the One surprisingly light in the air and forgiving at the bar. With a huge wind range the One is a fantastic kite for safe lightwind, and fast progression kiteboarding.
The Ultra Team
Defining the future of minimalistic, lightweight performance design for foil, freeride, and surf, the Ultra Team is a more responsive, faster, and lighter version of the Ultra reinforced with Ho’okipa Ultra PE material. Featuring a thinner, higher pressure leading edge to reduce drag and allow for a higher angle of attack when riding upwind, as well as a fixed bridle for direct steering. The unique blend of efficiency, stability and responsiveness creates an extremely versatile product.
The Team Foil Foilboard
If you’re looking for a compact carbon solution, the Team Foil Board is an extremely fun and skatey board for advanced freeriders, riding strapped or strapless. Constructed using ultra light and durable Carbon Innegra, the refined bottom shape features beveled rails in the tail, with a release edge merging to the convex nose. The bottom is shaped for soft touch downs at any angle. The concave deck features beveled rails and a convex nose.