THE BIG AIR BLUEPRINT
ALL RISE
Powered by the ultimate Big Air machine, the A-Series Rise, Giel Vlugt literally changed the rulebook in the Big Air game, pioneering moves that were simply not attainable before. So exactly how has the pairing of the Rise and Giel Vlugt worked out so spectacularly? We dug a little deeper to find out…
What’s your favorite size in the Rise line-up, Giel?
Well it really depends for what... In light wind, the 11 or 12 is just magical, as you can start kiteloops in very low wind. The 9 meter is just an insane boosting/megalooping machine and the 7 is just the absolute perfect option for doubles and S-Loops!
So which size Rise would you say you use the most?
Lately I've been riding the 9 meter a lot to progress in kiteloop boardoff rotations. That kite is simply something else.
What’s your favorite size in the Rise line-up, Giel?
Well it really depends for what... In light wind, the 11 or 12 is just magical, as you can start kiteloops in very low wind. The 9 meter is just an insane boosting/megalooping machine and the 7 is just the absolute perfect option for doubles and S-Loops!
So which size Rise would you say you use the most?
Lately I've been riding the 9 meter a lot to progress in kiteloop boardoff rotations. That kite is simply something else.
How hard do you pump the Rise? Do you pump softer for lighter winds or a different psi for different tricks or conditions?
I personally pump the kites to 9 psi in light wind and 10 in strong wind. I haven't had any issues with that. The structure is so stable that I don't feel it even matters that much.
How does the ALUULA airframe feel on the Rise for the doubles, S-loops and massive airs vs when you were riding dacron framed kites? Do you think you would have considered doubles and S-loops pre ALUULA / Rise?
I don't know really. But put it this way… I never thought about doing doubles until I tried the Rise for the very first time. And that was a 10 meter!
You don’t swap down a kite size for doubles or S-loops, while the other riders go from 9m to 6m during heats so they can double. What’s the theory here? How can you double a 9m while others can't?
I've doubled a 9 only 5 times, since there's no space for errors. But the 9 doubles because it flies quickly on the second loop. I believe the reason that the ALUULA kites loop quick on the second loop is because of their lightness. Of course there are some more tricks to it than just that… but for now I'll keep those to myself, haha!
At the last few Big Air events, you and the Rise have been recording the highest jumps. Have you learned some new techniques with the Rise to get up to that next level?
The sweet spot for the right take off is pretty small on a Rise, making it hard to get the perfect take off. But when you get it I truly believe it launches you better and higher than any other kite in the world. I'm still trying to perfect it and together with Ocean Rodeo we are working on increasing the sweet spot. So you spend a bit more time on timing your jumps but you will be rewarded once you get it!
How hard do you pump the Rise? Do you pump softer for lighter winds or a different psi for different tricks or conditions?
I personally pump the kites to 9 psi in light wind and 10 in strong wind. I haven't had any issues with that. The structure is so stable that I don't feel it even matters that much.
How does the ALUULA airframe feel on the Rise for the doubles, S-loops and massive airs vs when you were riding dacron framed kites?
Do you think you would have considered doubles and S-loops pre ALUULA / Rise?
I don't know really. But put it this way… I never thought about doing doubles until I tried the Rise for the very first time. And that was a 10 meter!
You don’t swap down a kite size for doubles or S-loops, while the other riders go from 9m to 6m during heats so they can double.
What’s the theory here? How can you double a 9m while others can't?
I've doubled a 9 only 5 times, since there's no space for errors. But the 9 doubles because it flies quickly on the second loop. I believe the reason that the ALUULA kites loop quick on the second loop is because of their lightness. Of course there are some more tricks to it than just that… but for now I'll keep those to myself, haha!
At the last few Big Air events, you and the Rise have been recording the highest jumps. Have you learned some new techniques with the Rise to get up to that next level?
The sweet spot for the right take off is pretty small on a Rise, making it hard to get the perfect take off. But when you get it I truly believe it launches you better and higher than any other kite in the world. I'm still trying to perfect it and together with Ocean Rodeo we are working on increasing the sweet spot. So you spend a bit more time on timing your jumps but you will be rewarded once you get it!
How hard do you pump the Rise? Do you pump softer for lighter winds or a different psi for different tricks or conditions?
I personally pump the kites to 9 psi in light wind and 10 in strong wind. I haven't had any issues with that. The structure is so stable that I don't feel it even matters that much.
How does the ALUULA airframe feel on the Rise for the doubles, S-loops and massive airs vs when you were riding dacron framed kites? Do you think you would have considered doubles and S-loops pre ALUULA / Rise?
I don't know really. But put it this way… I never thought about doing doubles until I tried the Rise for the very first time. And that was a 10 meter!
You don’t swap down a kite size for doubles or S-loops, while the other riders go from 9m to 6m during heats so they can double.
What’s the theory here? How can you double a 9m while others can't?
I've doubled a 9 only 5 times, since there's no space for errors. But the 9 doubles because it flies quickly on the second loop. I believe the reason that the ALUULA kites loop quick on the second loop is because of their lightness. Of course there are some more tricks to it than just that… but for now I'll keep those to myself, haha!
At the last few Big Air events, you and the Rise have been recording the highest jumps. Have you learned some new techniques with the Rise to get up to that next level?
The sweet spot for the right take off is pretty small on a Rise, making it hard to get the perfect take off. But when you get it I truly believe it launches you better and higher than any other kite in the world. I'm still trying to perfect it and together with Ocean Rodeo we are working on increasing the sweet spot. So you spend a bit more time on timing your jumps but you will be rewarded once you get it!
THE RISE - A BIG AIR LEGEND
Built with a cutting-edge full ALUULA airframe, the 5-strut, high aspect Rise delivers new standards in acceleration, precision control, Big Air torque and launch performance.
The combination of the Rise’s highly tuned airfoil design, with the proven revolutionary benefits of the ultra lightweight ALUULA composite material, delivers an ultra stable airframe, allowing for utmost rider confidence, and creating a true synergy between the Big Air rider and their kite.
Built using 82gsm ALUULA Gold composite material and ALUULA Seam technology, the Rise’s power to weight ratio is next level, coming in at over twice the strength of traditional Dacron airframes, yet at half the weight. The airframe can also withstand a higher pressure than the industry standard, providing exceptionally tuned-in and optimized performance, even in the most extreme conditions.
The Rise is available in sizes 7m, 8m, 9m, 10m, 12m.