In Focus: F-ONE Kiteboarding 2019 Product Overview
Features / Thu 11th Oct, 2018 @ 1:30 pm
All we do is Kiteboarding – well, that was before! We have now developed the gear which will make you enjoy every day, regardless of the conditions. F-ONE latest 2019 gear is out and it is on point, check it out!
F-ONE 2019 Kites
Bandit XII and The Summer Edition
The best “one quiver kite” on the planet still gets better over the years. Incredible control is coupled with a handling experience you will never forget. No matter what your level or style, the Bandit is the kite that delivers.
Every year we ask ourselves this question, and each year there follows another question, what are we looking for? Our primary focus is to develop the wind range, the lateral pull of the kite, the feedback and feeling at the bar and the manoeuvrability.
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After eleven years of constant enrichment, we focused on specific areas to channel our efforts and achieve our goals with the twelfth edition of the Bandit.
There is a unique link between the rider, wind and the water. Your connection to the kite is crucial, it is how you feel the power from the wind, and it provides the control as well. The feelings we get when we are kiting are always different, the wind is constantly changing and so too is the water we ride on. With predictable and consistent power delivery and incredible bar feedback, the new Bandit ensures every session is a good session. There will be no more complaints about gusty winds or struggling for control when overpowered.
Features
- Huge riding range
- Playful in all conditions
- Worry-free auto-relaunch
- Extraordinary manoeuvrability
- Perfect balance between power delivery and lateral pull
- Precise speed control
- Ultimate link for perfect feedback from your kite
For more information on F-ONE’s Bandit XII, please click here.
Breeze V.2
The most user-friendly one strut kite on the market today, incredible light wind ability matched with complete ease of use.
The Breeze V.2 is for anyone who wants a lightweight set up that offers incredible handling with great low-end performance. Now with a range of sizes from 3m to 17m, it is the perfect kite for light wind freeriding, and foiling in any conditions. Thanks to its stability and lightweight, the Breeze can show off impressive performances in light wind wave riding too.
Our design and test team have worked tirelessly to bring significant improvements to the Breeze V.2 You’ll discover the new kite has a more stable canopy when depowered and the overall range of the kite has been widened.
Across the range of sizes, the handling has been finely tuned; the larger sizes are even more responsive, making them perfect for manoeuvres. The smaller sizes are optimised to handle stronger winds with total speed control and excellent stability while foiling.
In the air, the Breeze V.2 is so intuitive to fly you can forget about the kite and concentrate on the riding. This unique characteristic makes it perfect for beginners and advanced riders alike.
The kite has also been designed to work with a low front V on the bar to untangle lines after those inevitable kite crashes.
The Breeze V.2 is available right now; if you want a lightweight, one-strut kite that can put a smile on your face in 8 knots, the decision is easy, let’s get breezy!
Features
- Ultra lightweight
- Unbeatable low wind performance
- Exceedingly stable, even when overpowered
- Total control with excellent bar feedback
- Excellent speed control on a foil
- Easy relaunch with reverse launch capabilities too
For more information on F-ONE’s Breeze V.2, please click here.
Diablo V.4
A Ram Air kite designed for pro racers, perfect for all top-level riders looking for performance.
Features
- Upwind performances enable to reach better angles thanks to the optimisation work performed on the wing profile and global work on drag reduction.
- Downwind, sheeting-in feels very consistent which makes for improved efficiency.
- The kite is reactive and therefore very effective for sharp and precise tacks.
- Created to reach high speeds and offer the best race angles, the kite remains stable, reassuring, and adapts to all riding styles and conditions.
- A wide range of use for incredible comfort and endless performance in both high and low range.
- Increased comfort and precision thanks to the ball bearing depower system pulley.
For more information on F-ONE’s Diablo V.4, please click here.
F-ONE 2019 Boards
F-one Twintip Trax Series
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Trax HRD Carbon Series
The Trax has a long heritage and is one of the most popular twin tips on the market. It is the ultimate freeride and freestyle board with a unique feeling on the water, offering both speed and comfort with a fantastic glide. The HRD Rail plays a significant role in the way the board performs, and it sets it apart from everything else out there.
HRD is a unique construction process that allows for the rails of the board to be shaped in 3D. There are three sections to the rail as it runs the length of the board. In the middle of the board, the rail is thin for grip and improved upwind ability, under the feet the rail is inverted and curved like a surfboard rail allowing the board to track through chop and enhancing its carving ability smoothly. As the rail reaches the tips, it thins out again enabling superior grip and bite to give an excellent pop.
Carbon Series
The Carbon Series benefits from a high-tech construction which incorporates some layers of carbon fibres over the whole board; this results into a much lighter weight, which makes a significant difference on the water where you can push your moves some steps further. The carbon construction also makes the board very responsive; it reacts accurately to all of the riders demands.
On the water, the TRAX HRD Carbon Series offers an instant feeling of speed and performance, the HRD rail eliminates spray and feels very comfortable regardless of the water conditions. The flex has been tuned with the properties of carbon fibre to provide the best pop off the water; the tips will respond at the pop to launch you into the air. When it comes to landings, the broad outline and channelled base combine to smooth things out and allow you to retain control at all times.
The board is so popular because it works for such a wide variety of riders; from experts in freestyle to beginners and everyone in between the Trax is an excellent choice. Combining early planing, upwind ability and control there is plenty of performance at your disposal when you need it. From flat water to harsh chop the Trax can handle it, you’ll get a ride like no other.
Features
- Ultimate performance freeride/freestyle board
- HRD Rail Technology
- Easy to ride – perfect for beginners and experts alike
- Ultra-light and responsive
For more information on F-ONE’s Trax HRD Carbon Series, please click here.
Trax HRD Lite Tech
On the water the Trax HRD Lite Tech offers a smooth, forgiving ride, the HRD rail eliminates spray and feels very comfortable regardless of the water conditions. The flex has been tuned to provide the optimum pop off the water, and the extra flex in the tips helps to launch you into the air. When it comes to landings, the broad outline and channelled base combine to smooth things out and allow you to retain control at all times.
Features
- Ultimate freeride/freestyle board
- HRD Rail Technology
- Easy to ride – perfect for beginners and experts alike
- Smooth and forgiving
For more information on F-ONE’s Trax HRD Lite Tech, please click here.
Trax HRD Lite Tech Girl
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The construction mixes unidirectional and bi-axial fibres at 45° to achieve the best balance in bending and torsion, and this results in a board which feels easy to ride at full potential with great comfort.
Features
- Ultimate freeride/freestyle board
- HRD Rail Technology
- Easy to ride – perfect for beginners and experts alike
- Smooth and forgiving
For more information on F-ONE’s Trax HRD Lite Tech Girl, please click here.
Trax ESL and Trax ESL Girl
The Trax ESL is all about having fun on the water. This new board is based on the long Trax heritage and implements some of the latest thinking developed on the WTF?! to offer a unique blend of comfort, performances and ease of ride.
The general rocker is moderate to ensure the board offers early planning and keeps the legendary glide which is the real signature of the Trax. The rocker line is split into three distinct stages with a flatter section in the centre, which is crucial to achieving an excellent upwind angle and good tracking on the water. The transition between the middle section and the tips was inspired by the WTF?! rocker to offer perfect pop.
On the water, the board impresses by how smooth it is to ride. Everything feels comfortable and entirely intuitive. Perfect glide, solid pop and easy landing characterise this well-balanced shape.
Features
- Amazing Glide
- Easy Performances
- Super smooth riding
- Maximum Comfort and pop with Bi-axial Construction
For more information on F-ONE’s Trax ESL, please click here.
MITU Pro Model
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More than an icon or a best-seller, the MITU Pro Model is first and foremost Mitu MONTEIRO’s board, and this can mean only one thing: the board just as the man behind it remains firmly at the top of its game year after year.
Mitu Pro Carbon Series
Mitu is very meticulous and involved when it comes to his Pro Model. There’s no shortcut with his testing. His approach is fueled by a lot of curiosity and an excellent analysis of how the board operates. Focused from day one, he invests all his experience into the tests. Offshore, side-off, onshore, Ponta Preta, Kite-beach, surfing, jumping, the board must tick all the boxes to be this all-in-one ripping machine.
With the compact outline, the single deep concave remains the DNA of the Mitu Pro Carbon Series which is known for its easy planning, sharp acceleration and high directional stability. The bottom features a channel at the front of the board to help while landing fins front.
The manoeuvrability is impressive and takes advantage of a much-refined rocker line. Travelling back along the bottom of the board, the concave fades progressively towards the back marking a rounded kick in the rocker line which further helps to make the turns smooth and effortless.
Combined with some thin rails at the back, the fishtail remains the best compromise between planning, stability, turning and pop.
The Mitu Pro Carbon Series uses the HD foam carbon construction where the use of carbon fibre allows a lighter structure and therefore a lighter board to bring your strapless riding to the next level. Mixing HD foam with 45° bi-axial carbon fibre and some deck stringers for durability, we have designed a board that will fulfil the most demanding riders.
Features
- 100% dedicated to strapless riding
- Excellent in waves and for freestyle
- Intuitive and playful in all conditions
- Available for everyone! (3 construction standards x 5 sizes = 15 boards to choose from)
For more information on F-ONE’s Mitu Pro Carbon Series, please click here.
Mitu Pro Flex
The Mitu Pro Flex uses the HD foam flex construction where the ability of the board to flex has been emphasised to provide outstanding comfort and a fantastic feeling in the waves. Built with HD foam of various densities together with fibreglass and epoxy resin, this construction also features some deck stringers for more durability. The comfort while riding is further enhanced by the shock absorbers and the full pad.
The Mitu Pro Flex has some deck inserts built-in so that they can be equipped with foot straps. They come with a thruster fin setup and a set of F-ONE FlOW RTM fins.
Features
- 100% dedicated to strapless riding
- Excellent in waves AND for freestyle
- Intuitive and playful in ALL conditions
- Available for everyone (3 construction standards x 5 sizes = 15 boards to choose from)
For more information on F-ONE’s Mitu Pro Flex, please click here.
Mitu Pro Flex Convertible
Enjoy the waves one day and foil around the bay the next day using the same board thanks to the Mitu Pro Flex Convertible.
Everyone is aware that kiteboarding is an expensive sport. We have therefore decided to offer the MITU MONTEIRO pro model surf as a convertible version in sizes 5’6’’ / 5’8’’ / 5’10’’. This 2in1 version is equipped with Twin Tracks.
The deep concave on the bottom of the board provides excellent acceleration to lift off easily while the proven rocker and outline of the board make the transitions easy and progressive when they are done on the water. The large pad designed for strapless riding enable a wide riding stance for maximum comfort and stability.
With its very efficient and all-around shape combined with the HD Foam Flex Composite construction, the surf Mitu Pro Flex Convertible is the perfect board to stop worrying about missing a session without loading your quiver.
Features
- 2 in 1 surfboard/foilboard
- Iconic Mitu Pro model shape
- Maximum comfort
For more information on F-ONE’s Mitu Pro Flex Convertible, please click here.
The Slice Series
The Slice is known for getting some pulses racing, designed as a strapless freestyle weapon for our top pro riders; it’s also an easy and intuitive board to ride in the waves!
Standing out of the crowd of the compact shapes, the Slice is ready to blow you away by its versatility and ease of use.
The board has a straighter rocker and a parallel outline, which fades into a dynamic winger tail to increase its manoeuvrability. The squared off nose keeps the length to a minimum, and there are two sizes for you to choose from.
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Freestyle is a lot about control, pop, and landing: The volume and the thickness of the Slice have been specifically tailored for kiting to ensure the highest possible level of performance.
Underneath you’ll find a single concave with the central channel which has been extended and now runs along the entire length for more directional stability.
We’ve kept the rails of the board thin to allow you to hold a better edge and also to increase the pop, making freestyle tricks easier. The distinct kick in the rocker line around the fins has been emphasised to get more pop out of the board.
The nose is pulled up slightly to help to nail the landings while the long channel provides stability required.
The board delivers plenty of speed, both on flat water, for tricks, and in the waves too. The flatter rocker line enabled the board to carry itself through weaker sections of the wave and the thin rails and pulled in winger tail make for dynamic turns on the face. And the thruster fin set up offers maximum versatility across a wide range of conditions, while also making the board more comfortable to use.
The Slice Carbon Series
The Slice Carbon uses the HD foam carbon construction where the use of carbon fibre allows a lighter structure and therefore a lighter board to bring your strapless riding to the next level. Mixing HD foam with 45° bi-axial carbon fibre and some deck stringers for durability, we have designed some boards that will fulfil the most demanding riders. The SLICE carbon comes with a set of F-ONE FLOW RTM fins and taking advantage of its lightweight the board truly lives to all expectations as the ultimate freestyle board.
Features
- Strapless Freestyle Weapon
- Early planning and excellent pop
- Control during aerial tricks
- Fantastic wave-riding abilities
For more information on F-ONE’s Slice Carbon Series, please click here.
Slice Flex and Slice Flex Convertible
The Slice Flex uses the HD foam flex construction where the ability of the board to flex has been emphasised to provide outstanding comfort and a fantastic feeling in the waves. Built with HD foam of various densities together with fibreglass and epoxy resin, this construction also features some deck stringers for more durability. The comfort while riding is further enhanced by the shock absorbers and the full pad. The Slice Flex has some deck inserts built-in so that they can be equipped with foot straps. They come with a set of F-ONE FLOW RTM fins.
Features
- Strapless Freestyle Weapon
- Early planning and excellent pop
- Control during aerial tricks
- Fantastic wave-riding abilities
For more information on F-ONE’s Slice Flex, please click here.
Slice Flex Convertible
Equipped with twin US tracks the Slice Flex Convertible is a fantastic all in 1 board: The compact dimensions, parallel outline and thin rails of the Slice make its shape a perfect match as a foiling board. Easy to handle, the Slice delivers a smooth ride even when the boards occasionally hits the water. Freestyle, Wave, Cruising and Foiling, the Slice Flex Convertible can do it all!
For more information on F-ONE’s Slice Flex Convertible, please click here.
Speed Gun AC21 Pro Model
Using a narrow and asymmetrical outline for a maximum top end speed, the board’s secret lies in its rocker line combined with a single concave and flex distribution for an optimum balance between control and speed.
The board comes with a thinner G10 profiled the main fin for minimum drag and a shallow front fin to get back to the top of the run.
The Speed Gun AC21 Pro Model is a unique shape designed for speed and pure adrenalin. The board inherits the years of development made by Alex Caizergues, multiple times World speed record holder, and the F-ONE team to push the limits of the world speed record.
For more information on F-ONE’s Speed Gun AC21 Pro Model, please click here.
GUN Long Distance
The conception of this gun started in 2005! At that time, the great downwind races were looking promising: leaving full speed downwind onto the open sea with winds blowing above 30 kts appeared to me as the most thrilling discipline.
We have therefore developed this specific gun shape, but the trend then evolved towards windward/leeward, inshore racing.
The board planes on its central section located between the feet featuring a locally straight rocker for speed and accelerations with a massive concave to eat the chop. The tail is slightly lifted to ease the ride in the most challenging sea states while the pronounced forward scoop helps with control and avoiding digging the nose.
A lot of work went into packing more comfort into this board as relieving the back leg pressure is necessary to maintain high speeds on distances exceeding 100km on the same tack. The board is therefore thick under the front foot but super thin under the rear foot; this helps you keep your back leg straighter which reduces the stresses. A lower volume at the back also helps with high-speed control.
The board is fitted with a set of tri-fins shaped for high speed. Their moderate depth is ideal for high speeds, and their placement is refined to the mm.
Equally able to maintain average speeds of 20 kts on 100miles or to reach top speeds of 30 kts this gun is the perfect weapon for all those who cannot help but head for the open seas!
For more information on F-ONE’s GUN Long Distance, please click here.
F-ONE 2019 Kitefoils
Bamboo Foilboard
Their dimensions and volume make these boards very stable and easy to use. The rocker line is designed for a quick and easy lift-off with good release. The bottom is shaped with a double concave at the front for smoother touch-downs.
The broad point is carried quite some way forward to provide more stability, and the rails are thinned out using bevels on the bottom for more tolerance and less resistance when the board hits the water when edging.
Built with a bamboo sandwich laminate over a lightweight EPS core, these boards are fitted large deck pad for total comfort, and they come with a track system on the bottom to match any foil equipped with a 4-bolt top plate.
Ideal for any riders looking for a comfortable and versatile board, the 156×51 and 156×49 are also entirely accessible for beginners with a vast progression potential.
The F-ONE Bamboo foilboards are explicitly shaped for foiling. An evolution from our previous designs, they focus on ease of use and versatility.
Features
- Stable and easy to use
- Equipped with track system
- Proven Bamboo construction
For more information on F-ONE’s Bamboo Foilboard, please click here.
Foilboard Pocket
The F-ONE Bamboo Pocket foilboards were crafted to reduce the momentum and drag of the board to bring your manoeuvres and to carve to the next level.
“Minimum size for maximum fun!” – This is the mantra behind these boards. By reducing the length, it is possible to enlarge the possibilities for all kinds of manoeuvres significantly and further engage in carving.
These pocket boards share similar DNA on the bottom with a double concave and some distinctive bevels. Their outline is explicitly adapted to this very compact shape, with the maximum width carried almost all the way forward; this keeps the boards very easy to use and accessible to all intermediate and advanced riders.
Built with a bamboo sandwich laminate over a lightweight EPS core, these boards are fitted large deck pad for total comfort, and they come with a track system on the bottom to match any foil equipped with a 4-bolt top plate.
Very playful with immense potential for all kinds of tricks or for merely carving some lines, these boards are available in 130×47 and 120×46 sizes. They will soon be the obvious choice for a large number of riders who like to play with the freestyle and carving potential of foiling.
Features
- Ideal for freestyle and carving
- Equipped with track system for
- Unrivalled Bamboo construction
For more information on F-ONE’s Foilboard Pocket, please click here.
Foilboard Carbon Series
The F-ONE Carbon Foilboards are the fast and furious boards of the range, from performance freeride to full-on racing.
An evolution from the bamboo range, the dimensions of these boards are thinned out to reach higher performances. The rocker line is designed for a quick and easy lift-off with good release. The bottom is shaped with a double concave at the front for smoother touch-downs.
Besides the reduced outline, the bevels are steeper on the smaller boards to further reduce the impact of the rails hitting the water. This shape reaches its epitome on the 148×43 which is the full-on race board: thin outline with parallel rails carried a long way forward, minimum rail profile, etc.
These boards benefit from a bamboo carbon construction with a brushed finish to achieve a lighter weight. This lighter weight brings performances obviously but also a fantastic feeling once in the air. They come with a large deck pad for comfort and are fitted with a track system on the bottom to match any foil equipped with a 4-bolt top plate.
Available in three sizes to match a wide range of user size and skills (156×49 – 153×46 – 148×43), these boards are the perfect weapon for anyone looking at going faster than the rest of the crowd.
Features
- Efficient, high-performance shapes
- Equipped with track system
- Lightweight carbon construction
For more information on F-ONE’s Foilboard Carbon Series, please click here.
For more information on F-ONE’s Kitefoil accessories, please click here.
F-ONE 2019 Bars
Linx Bar and Linx Bar Freestyle
The Linx Bar is since 2018 our new control system. Available in two sizes: 52/45 and 45/38cm for the four lines bar. It allows you to choose the perfect bar for your quiver. The integrated floats house the mechanism to adjust the size of your bar.
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For this 2019 edition, we have improved it and added some great features to create the best connection to your kite.
The new lines are less elastic: they stretch 30% less than the previous ones, which makes kite steering more precise. Moreover, elongation through time is reduced which allows riding with a kite always perfectly tuned. Also, as the lines are stiffer, it makes them easier to untangle while setting up the kite.
The Hub is now made of aluminium, and the ClamCleat is hollowed, which allows having lighter parts for an even more performing bar. Finally, the central neoprene float colours, as well as the release handle, have been harmonised with the rest of the bar to create a neat Linx Bar.
Features
- Adjustable bar length
- One line flag out system
- Manual swivel to untwist your front lines
- Only one bar for Bandit, Breeze, Furtive and Trust
- New lines 30% less elastic: kite steering more precise and more durability
For more information on F-ONE’s Linx Bar, please click here.
Linx Bar Freestyle
- Available in 5 lines setup: 42/35 cm
- Adjustable bar length
- One line flag out system
- Manual swivel to untwist your front lines
- New lines 30% less elastic: kite steering more precise and more durability
For more information on F-ONE’s Linx Bar Freestyle, please click here.
Kitebar Diablo V.4
The Diablo kite bar is built in the lightest and simplest possible way. The main body is made of Aluminum 6061, which is an alloy enriched with magnesium and silicon making it very resistant and widely used in aerospace industry. Besides its strength, this alloy also offers good strain behaviour and excellent corrosion resistance.
For more safety and comfort, the bar tips are over-moulded with a rubber material. A double layer of EVA is added on the top of the bar as well as a thermoformed antiskid layer.
The slender shaped floats are light and easily removable.
The bar features a longer throw than before, and the standard pulleys have been replaced by premium Ronstan pulleys equipped with a ball bearing system which allows tuning the kite correctly. Also, the Clamcleat is movable to adjust the length of the depower.
The line sets are available in many different lengths and are sold separately so that everyone can pick their preferred option.
The depower’s plastic tube has been replaced with a high-density polyethene sheath for a smooth and precise bar feeling
The safety release features a manual swivel which enables to untwist the lines while riding by merely rotating the top part of the release unit manually. The system is based on roller bearings which make the rotation effortless even when the kite is pulling.
The swivel on the release unit is combined with another one located on the lifeline, at the bottom of the whole unit. This one operates automatically and prevents the leash from twisting when using the central swivel.
Features
- The standard pulleys have been replaced by premium RONSTAN pulleys equipped with a ball bearing system which allows tuning the kite correctly.
- The Clamcleat is movable to adjust the length of the depower
- The depower’s plastic tube has been replaced with a high-density polyethene sheath for a smooth and precise bar feeling
For more information on F-ONE’s Kitebar Diablo V.4, please click here.
To view all F-ONE Kiteboarding products, please click here.
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
