Review Airush Wave 2013

Kite

100% wave kite

Designer's goals

Specifically designed for one thing only, the Airush Wave is the ultimate choice for serious surf riders. Making the Airush Wave unique from others in its class is the Bullet Proof Construction, ensuring stability and strength throughout the entire canopy, the Wave manages all the abuse that Mother Nature and you, the rider, can throw at it. The Wave features excellent drifting capabilities absolutely necessary for riding in and out of critical sections. The large surface area in the wingtips creates a kite that steers quickly, while the SL-C shape and reduced LE diameter ensure smooth power delivery during bottom turns and allows the kite to fly forward in the window, enhancing the unhooked performance. The Airush Wave is perfection for all types of surf riding.

Kitedesigner tips

The Wave is really versatile for any type of surf riders style.  Simple changes in your back lines will customize the Airush Wave to suit yourself.  Play around with it but here are some of my personal favorites when I designed the Airush Wave.

If you like to unhook often and let your kite drift, tie a knot lower on your back pigtails (ie making your back lines slightly longer).  This will reduce the back line tension causing the kite to be balanced when unhooked.

If you like to ride hooked in and turn your kite constantly when you ride waves, make a knot even above the standard one on the pigtail, to increase your steering speed.  I personally recommend to avoid the bar all the way in when riding otherwise the kite will “choke”.

Bar

The 2013 Smartbar 4 becomes the first and only bar on the market with four size options, fitting the smallest to the largest Airush kites. In addition to the 45-55cm push pin adjustment, the Smartbar 4 features an additional two sizes (52 and 62) of adjustment with the all-new PU rubber coated Airush bar ends. Maintaining its position as the definitive bar choice for all riders by integrating the industry-leading Brain Quick Release, the Smart Bar 4 remains simplistic yet highly intuitive. The 2013 Smartbar 4 is extremely tunable, safe and easy to use. Line combinations of 3/6/14m segments gives the rider more customization, allowing the Smartbar 4 to be flown on 24, 21, 18, 15, or 10m lines! Improvements include the new Low Y System, which integrates a single front-line flag out that ensures peace of mind and meets safety standards, while also increasing kite performance. Airush keeps the hardcore rider in mind with double PU coated line – the only choice for a durable sheeting line – which will give you years of usage. With these new additions to 2013, the Smartbar 4 is a truly smart package.