Brand: Ocean Rodeo
Kite Model: Flite A-Series
Sizes Tested(m): 10
Sizes Available(m): TBD
Control Bar: Stick Shift 3.0
Synopsis
The Flite A-Series showcases how Aluula turbo charges kite performance, enhances the easy boosting character and adds that ultra light weight feel in the air with more responsive handling.
Likes
T
he Ocean Rodeo Flite A-Series expands this season with the addition of an enhanced, easy access, big air kite. The new five strut Flite A-Series is constructed with Ocean Rodeo’s revolutionary ALUULA airframe technology with the aim to provide any level rider access to big air jumping and extra hang time and glide. For most five strut kite designs the added struts mean additional weight, but with the Aluula airframe technology, the Flite 10 meter weighs less than many three strut kites, constructed with the traditional Dacron. The Flite is also easier to handle with better low end power delivery and easier, sheet in and go performance, than the more, high aspect, competition big air kite in the OR lineup, called the Rise. The Flite A Series has performance that makes jumping easy and accessible to the lesser skilled jumpers. Its light weight frame increases its easy to access lift and adds to the additional hang time and responsive control. The flat middle section of the Flite canopy ensures it can soar for that extra distance and reward less skills with more drift and hangtime. The Aluula enhanced frame also increases the speed of turn initiation as the Flite can quickly pivot and loop and reacts quicker to ensure a soft landing after soaring hang time. Having a lighter weight kite increases performance in all areas, including water relaunch, light wind stability as well as balanced drift and turn initiation. Test team riders were impressed with the smooth and quick pivotal steering of the Flite and the increased reaction time to steering input that the Aluula frame offers. The 10 meter is aa great size with the right power band to get you out on a foil in lighter winds with good power and range for when the wind picks up. Riders looking for a kite with great overall range and versatility, with the easy boosting and extra hang time, should consider the Flite A-Series model.
Drawbacks
Once you have your jumping and massive hang time completely dialled you might wish you had an A-Series Rise for its lighting fast kiteloops.
Users
Any skill level that wants a high performance freeride kite that is light and reactive with access to extra boost and glide with all the benefits of the new age, ultra light weight frame.
Control Bar: Ocean Rodeo Pilot 2.0
OR’s new Pilot 2.0 is amazingly comfortable in the hands and hits all the marks for high end safety and functionality. This is was one of the most comfortable bars in the hands with soft narrow grip. As with many things, once you try it, you likely won’t want to go back and the narrow bar grip is one of those things. The Pilot bar feels not only more comfortable but also more connected to the feedback from the kite. The Gen 9 Punch out QR release is quite short and compact giving the rider more access to instant depower from the throw which is particularly important for the riders with shorter arm reach. The trim loop itself is offered in three modes that can be changed out quickly a single fin hex key to remove the bolt and affix the compact Freeride, Freestyle, or Rope slider trim loop.
