In Focus: RRD 2017 Product Overview: The Kites and Control Systems
Features / Thu 29th Sep, 2016 @ 12:00 am
Today we’re going to be taking a look into the new kiteboarding range from RRD. Since the beginning of time RRD have been developing and creating innovative products within the market. For 2017 the kite range boasts 6 kites, 2 bars, surf boards, 9 twin tips and a slalom race board. The range has undergone a graphic re-design as well as design tweaks, it all looks pretty slick… Lets check it out.
Kites
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Emotion MK2
The EMOTION is a strutless kite developed for those who are looking for a kite that is specifically designed for light wind performance with great hangtime and boosting power while at the same time being something practical that packs 30% smaller than a conventional three strut kite.
The Emotion MK2 has a redesigned body profile that is progressively flatter towards the tips which increases upwind performance and flies into the wind window. A lightweight, simple, clean, and easy to use kite with exceptional relaunch ease is the standard for the new RRD Emotion MK2.
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Vision MK5
A real versatile, easy to use, fun, responsive and predictable kite that will allow you to freestyle, waveride, learn how to kite or go fast on a freeride board both upwind and downwind. A real thrill to have in your hands.
This year we have made many changes. The Vision’s shape is now more open which increases the turning speed and provides less bar pressure. The bridles and the pigtails are also shorter and overall the new features distinguish the Vision as a wonderful kite for all freeride and wave riding. All of the high quality finishing details on the kite have remained the same and have included all the various new features as the other kites in the range.
The Vision MK5 is ready to be your quality choice if you need to simplify your life by having to use only one kite that can do it all. In other words: a ‘Real All Terrain Kite’, great for Freeride, Freestyle and Wave.
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Passion MK8
The MK8 delivers pure, predictable power, paired with amazing stability. The ‘new best thing’ is a fantastic kite for all-round freeride, big air, and freestyle progression that provides a perfect blend of turning speed, handling, and jumping ability. Expect incredible performance from this kite due to the changes made to the profile shape and aspect ratio.
The Passion MK8 is especially easy to relaunch, even in low wind conditions. Furthermore, the gradually changing power while sheeting is coupled with consistent bar pressure. Thus aiding in the MK8’s predictability. Boosting huge airs is a blast on this kite because the kite is smoother and more stable in gusty conditions with increased turning speed. Don’t hold back! Give it full power.
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Obsession MK9
This kite is light, fast, powerful, stable, and easy to be de-powered. The Obsession is a full bodied three strut high performance kite that is ideal for the kiter who desires an aggressive freestyle machine. Do you want to have some huge boosts, radical maneuvers, and constant power on tap?
The foil profile allows the Obsession to float through the air and brings a more direct type of feeling on the bar while always having an abundance of power when fully sheeted in. Due to the profile and a tighter leech tension, we have achieved amazing hang time, an abundance of stability, and a greater range of use.
Today, the Obsession MK9 in sizes 10,5 and smaller can also be used as a Wave Kite, combining the freedom of improved maneuverability with an immediate and effective depower-ability in any wind condition.
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Obsession Pro MK3
The Obsession PRO MK3 is our new pure blooded PRO freestyle kite. An evolution of the previous version, the new Obsession Pro MK3 has been refined and was developed with precise input of the freestyle pro team. No compromises were made on the shape and characteristics that distinguish this true freestyle machine. The Obsession Pro is a pure, fine tuned, 5-Line C-shaped kite, designed to be precise, powerful, or very neutral when needed. We did not leave anything to chance and put the entire structure of the kite under intense scrutiny.
Each individual kite size in the range, from 7m to 15m, has a unique diameter leading edge that allows for the correct speed of rotation. The leading edge is progressively increased in diameter towards the smaller sizes to ensure that the speed and handling of each kite in the range feels the same. This is essential for a perfect execution of all the most radical maneuvers. The outside struts were also moved towards the wingtips to increase the turning potential during kiteloops and add to the stability of the new Obsession Pro MK3.
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Religion MK7
The new completely redesigned tips allowed us to increase the responsiveness of the kite and create better sensitivity from the bar. Another major change is the reintroduction of the adjustable bridles. The bridles can be easily adjusted for a side-shore or an on-shore wind by moving the position of the bridle between two points. The new adjustments allows the possibility to change the pressure on the bar, the speed of rotation and position of the kite in the wind window.
The new Religion MK7 allows for a bigger range of use both on the high and low end of the kite. More power, better lift during jumps, and an enormous progressive de-power that will stop the kite power exactly when you need it. Simply put, this kite is a throttle in your hands. Gearing up your rides when you need power and completely depowering the kite while you are on the wave, the Religion is the perfect wave kite. Since its first introduction, this kite has changed in every version together with the evolution of riding waves with a kite. If the ocean is your church, then look no further than the Religion.
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Control Systems
Global V7
The version 7 of a great bar with a great history of performance and reliability. We have taken out any unecessary items instead of adding them, to make every component more functional. Simply say :”you cannot break what does not exist”.
Everything must be there at your fingertips and must work instantly when you really need it.
A simple bar that works. Everyday. For a long period of time.
The Global Bar V7 has been designed around the idea of safety, functionality and durability.
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Global V7 5-Line
The new short Obsession Pro V7 bar is 7 cms shorter than our standard Global bar and is now 48 cms in total width. It comes equipped with 22 mts flying lines only.
This is the bar for your serious freestyle sessions!
Boards
RRD has a vast range of boards hitting the waters for the 2017 season. Keep an eye out for the low down on the RRD twin tip board range over the next week. Some of you may have spied some pretty rad looking surfboards in the kite videos, these have yet be revealed but as soon as we get a glimpse we will be taking a look at the surf range.
Still wanting more? Check out the RRD webpage for more information
By Robin and Sukie
With years of kite sport experience combined, you can be sure you’ll be receiving the highest quality of knowledge on the best equipment the industry has to offer.
