MASSIVE DAKINE BAG SALE ON NOW!

S2AS massive Dakine Bag sale, S2AS are the number one retailer for Dakine bags in the UK, with a wide range of Dakine Travel, Dakine Skate, Dakine Surf, Dakine Snow and Dakine Camera bags you’ll be sure to find the perfect Dakine bag at great sale prices.

Each Dakine bag is made from tough material and is reinforced underneath for when the terrain gets a little rough. High quality many of the Travel Bags come fitted with urethane wheels which roll smoothly from each destination.
Dakine Bags are fully padded so you’ll be sure to keep those valuables safe, with all bag having different accessories including skateboard, ski and snowboard straps, fluid reservoirs and many different shaped compartments and pockets for every extreme sport accessory you an think of.
Dakine bags are built to last with materials tough enough to handle the worst conditions and terrain, so due to the bombproof construction of Dakine bags, whether your dragging it around the streets of Tokyo or hiking up the glaciers of the French alps Dakine bags will always remain intact with you’re your essential gear inside safe from whatever conditions your throw at it.

Dakine have many different backpacks for different riders and extreme sports, Such as the Dakine Heli BackPack with its built in fluid resivior this bag created a new category or backcountry snowboard and ski packs. To the Dakine Jordy Smith which features skate carry straps and external padded laptop sleeve, an insulated cooler pocket and a fleece lined sunglass pocket.
Dakine truly have created a bag for every rider, terrain and condition that that the world has to offer.
Overcome the elements with Dakine Bags.

A Simple Take on Snowboarding

The Snowboarding Dream

Snow. Gleaming white mountains and sheets of it laid down at a perfect angle. You could easily look at this pristine, white landscape, snap some photos and head back home. Maybe others can, but really you can't. That powder must be pressed under your waxed board...and it must be done as soon as possible.

Growing out of the skateboarding and surf culture of the Western United States, snowboarding has been scathing the sides of snow capped mountains since the late 1970's and early 1980's. Initially developed using skateboards with stripped wheels, the sport has come a long way, with boards of varying lengths, widths, and flexibilities, not to mention that many combinations of boots, bindings, and various other gear needed.

Unlike skiing, a snowboarder goes downhill "sideways", leading their body with either the left or right arm. This position allows them to swerve back and forth, cutting into the ice and snow, which in turn gives a modicum of control in a situation that is little more than hurling one's self on a split of wood down a bloody mountain.

Most non-professional riders will wear special safety gear such as a helmet, goggles, padded gloves, and special pants, because falling on your backside against ice and snow is never a joyous occasion. The rush you can get from snowboarding is something else; it's like parachuting, surfing, skiing, and wind sailing all rolled into one, yet better than all of them together. While snowboarding is not for the faint of heart, it is for any one fit enough to ski or perform any sort of aggressive or extreme sport.

Most snowboarding resorts also feature two types of area for the rider. The first is the traditional downhill course which may include moguls or jumps to perform tricks. The second course type is similar to street courses in skateboarding, featuring less incline and more trick-able areas, such as railings, scaffolds, or waxed wooden edges to show your skills on. Whichever you choose, the cold won't have any affect as you get better and better and find the joy of snowboarding.

A Bit of Reality - Snowboarding Equipment

All poetic ideals aside lets get back to reality somewhat and cover some of the basic snowboarding equipment you are going to need to indulge our previously described idea of heaven.

There are some essential items that every snowboarder should take with them whenever they hit the slopes. While you are going to want to take your snowboard, boots and bindings, you are also going to want to take a few other things along as well.

First up, a helmet, a good helmet is an essential item for, funnily enough, protecting your head, even the pro's fall over enough, so don't think for a second you won't. along with a helmet comes goggles; these will protect your eyes from the sun and your face in case of an accident.

Wrist guards are a must for all but advanced snowboarders. These can save you from an injury, especially whenever it's icy. However, they don't work for advanced snowboarders because they go too fast and thus can do a lot more harm than good for them. However if you are a new to intermediate snowboarder, make sure that you wear your wrist guards, because wrist injuries are not uncommon in this sport, so better safe than sorry.

Impact shorts (padded pants/shorts) will protect you from the impact (and the pain) that will inevitably occur whenever you catch your board in the ridges of the snow. I'd reommend a pair that has foam protection instead of plastic.

Foam knee pads are flexible and will help keep you out of pain whenever you are catching the edge of your board or falling down.

Thermal leggings are an essential part of keeping warm from the waist down and thermal socks will feel better and keep you warmer than if you were to try to wear 2 pairs of socks.

Heat pads will help to keep you warm. The best ones to use though are the heat patches that you put directly against your skin. If you get too hot, you can then transfer them to the outside of your socks and still stay warm. You will want to take plenty of these with you though as they are disposable.

A small, waterproof backpack is necessary for keeping your sun cream and any other small items that you need to keep with you which remind me tkae some waterproof suncream too.

So with that in mind (and we only covered the basics here) gear up and lets hit the slopes!

Kitesurfing Lessons in Poole with S2AS

Bank holiday weekend and I'd barely slept. Waking up on a Saturday morning like a 6 year old at Christmas eagerly anticipating a pile of presents at the foot of the tree, I had that little knot of excitement starting to build in the pit of my stomach. No, I wasn't going for a job interview and no, there were no presents. And no tree.

I had wanted to try out kite surfing for yonks, having lived in and around the Poole /Bournemouth coastline since I was 5, I remain only too aware about how cool I could have been if I had picked up a kite, added a board and taken to the sea a lot earlier in my life. I always felt, apart from the obvious proximity benefits, that the sport would be quite inaccessible. By that, I mean, there were a lot of excuses and preconceptions that I believed were good enough reasons not to do it.

“Don't buy anything older than 2007, as advances in technology since then are enormous. And always spend the money on the kite.”

Cost. It's true that it is not a cheap sport (though what is these days?), and a full kite surfing rig can set you back about £1500.00. Obviously, you can get cheaper and you can get 2nd hand, but always get advice and find the right kite's for you, your environment and your ability. As a general rule, always spend the money on the kite. Don't buy anything older than 2007, as advances in technology since then are enormous. And always spend the money on the kite. Did I already say that? Well it's worth emphasising.

I always thought that the sport was a bit intimidating. I genuinely had this idea that the solitary surfer attitude would be perpetuated here and that a disdain for newcomers on their turf would be frowned upon. As I'm not one for conflict, this was one anxiety to overcome when taking to the sport.

So, not to be deterred and manning-up to the task, I enrolled on a two-day course with Surface 2 Air Sports (S2AS) of Ashley Cross in Poole, Dorset. S2AS actually has 3 bases in total; with Camber Sands in Kent and Brighton completing the line up. We arrived at the store to sign our lives away and meet Simon, our instructor for the course. Among the group were a lively couple from Winchester, who had decided that kite surfing was going to be their next adventure together, as well as a shop customer who had purchased a full rig from S2AS and came along for some help from Simon to get acquainted with his new kit. This is a great service that the store offers to customers and underlines their after-sales support and customer service focus.

The shop is about 5 minutes drive to our first location of the day; Baiter Park. Situated close to the main Quay & Poole town centre, parking can be tricky especially during holidays so give yourself plenty of time and make sure you've got some spare change. The park itself is renowned for kiting in the area and is used by many of the local schools for this stage of the instruction process as well ask power kiters and kite landboarders in general.

Starting, as you would expect, from the beginning, we were given a little theory – wind, safety, kite anatomy, that sort of thing. Nothing too scientific, nothing too boring – when you're chomping at the bit to start flying the last thing you need is the instructor spouting rhyme and verse from the health and safety manual at you as you probably wouldn't be listening anyway!

A short demonstration and soon given the keys to our own 2.4m flexifoil 2-line kite. The design of this particular kite is ideally suited to land-based flying. The problem is that, if flown on the water, it fills up in an instant after crashing and makes it nearly impossible to relaunch. Another interesting fact, in terms of performance, relates to the kites two-layer construction. Our 2.4m flexifoil training kite is the equivalent to a 5m single skin inflatable kite.

“This is a great service that the store offers to customers and underlines their after-sales support focus.”

As the wind picked up during the morning, as did our proficiency with the kite. We moved on fairly quickly to a 7m Nobile N62 Leading Edge Inflatable (LEI) kite, more commonly used for kite surfing. These kites were straight out of the bag & fresh for the new season. S2AS certainly don't make you learn on any old tat – this was shiny and new, which is just my favourite thing.

The briefing and setup instructions were a little more in depth for these kites, in particular the process for readying the kite – no-crossed lines, correct level of inflation etc. and understanding how to detach yourself quickly should you find yourself stuck on another kite, a passing car or an aeroplane! There is a very logical, straightforward and crucially important process to follow when getting your kite ready. Rush it it, get it wrong and you'll pay for it later. You will notice that even the most experienced kite surfers are on the beach doing exactly the same thing that you are being shown to do. Remember, one knot in just one of your lines weakens it's tensile strength by about 80% - and a snapped line out at sea is the last thing that you or the coastguard will need.

“A snapped line out at sea is the last thing that you or the coastguard will need.”

The afternoon session took place at Sandbanks in Poole, which again, is a hugely popular location for kite surfing & windsurfing due to the vast, shallow area in which you can learn. If you know the area, you can park for free by finding the right spots, otherwise bring plenty of nuggets with you, especially during the summer season.

Donning our wet suits, harness, buoyancy aids and helmets, the order of the afternoon was body-dragging. This involves using the kite to essentially pull your limp torso through the water, back towards the beach. It's amazing how quickly you get a feel for the kite, where the power comes from and how to harness it's energy into movement. It's really quite an exhilarating feeling, the spray in your face as your body glides powerfully through the breaking surf.

Unfortunately, the second day of the course didn't live up to the promise of the first. With confidence levels starting out high, hoping to progress quickly onto the boards and the aspirations to be crowned fully-fledged kite surfers by the end of the weekend were dashed when the wind simply forgot to blow.

We tried for a couple of hours, bless us, but a mixture of frustration in trying to just keep the kite flying and then introducing the board (something else to think about), it was all proving too much. A unanimous decision from the group brought a halt to proceedings, made easier with the introduction of a beer and bowl of chilli con carne in the local Sandacres pub.

Such is the commendable attitude to customer satisfaction from the S2AS Team, they offered to write-off Sunday and give the group their 2nd day all over again. To me, that's the kind of thing I hope I'll find when out reviewing. Genuine, honest goodwill to customers. At the end of the day, they will benefit, as those happy experience day customers come back to the shop to buy their first full kit. And guess where they'll go to upgrade a few years later? It's just good business, practiced in the best way.

And my preconceptions? Well, I was wrong, obviously. When you begin to understand the dependencies kite surfers have on one another – help with launching, keeping an eye on their kit left on the beach, raising the profile of the sport, you understand quickly that this is predominantly a sport made up of helpful, selfless and friendly individuals all with a common purpose – harnessing the power of nature for their own enjoyment. And that is a place I'd like to belong.

A two-day Kitesurf course with S2AS costs £195.00, or £99.00 per single day. There are special offers available (at the time of writing, the two-day course was discounted to £149.00) so it's well worth checking the website. If you're considering buying the kit, Justin in the Poole store is the oracle when it comes to prescribing the best setup for you, and as the store stocks all brands, you're going to get an unbiased opinion. We recommend popping in for a chat and a coffee – just make sure he's there first and not out testing the next best thing on the market!

Wakeboarding with S2AS

Few water sports are as exciting as wakeboarding. Developed on the heels of the snowboarding craze, wakeboarding involves riding a wakeboard usually with fins and boots for the feet pulled by a boat at speeds of around twenty miles per hour. The wakeboard rider uses techniques of waterskiing, snowboarding and surfing to cut across the wake of the motor boat and jump into the air and performing acrobatics on the board much like a snowboarder.

In England there are excellent areas to pursue the sport of wakeboarding. One such location that affords excellent conditions for this sport is Camber Sands. Those new to the sport can learn on a large costal lake just outside of Kent where wakeboarding lessons are given for those from the novice to the professional level. Once instruction is complete wake boarders can head for the open water just off the beach for more exhilaration on the waves from this exciting sport.

Poole is another area that has excellent conditions for wakeboarding. Located in the south of Britain, Poole Harbour is perfect for the pursuit of water sports. Wakeboarding is no exception. There are many days when the wind is quiet and wake boarders abound. There are also times at where the wind is up and more challenge can be found as the cresting waves thrill wakeboarders and kite surfers alike.

In both locations Surface 2 Air Sports is the dealer of choice for wakeboarding equipment and instruction. With wakeboards, vests, ropes, and other gear for the novice to the experienced wake boarder Surface 2 Air Sports has all that the wakeboard aficionado needs in a location that is convenient to the awesome wakeboarding areas.

In addition to wakeboarding there are other sports of kite surfing, wind surfing, waterskiing and the like that wakeboarders may choose to try. It is difficult to beat wakeboarding however for continual enjoyment in the water not only for the wakeboarder but also the group of friends in the boat or on the beach.

Kitesurf Locations - Learn to Kitesurf in Brighton

At Surface2Air Sports we are ideally located to offer you the best kitesurfing conditions for beginners, and experienced riders alike.

Based from our new Kitesurf shop in Brighton (Hove), we have the option to teach Kitesurfing lessons at the local beach, (just 100m from the Kitesurf shop), Lancing, and Worthing, which are just a short trip along the coast. This means that we can find the optimal conditions for your Kitesurfing lessons.

The best conditions are southerly winds, ideally SW, and at low tide. This is what we look for as it enables our qualified Kitesurf instructors to ensure the safest possible conditions to learn this extreme sport. At low tide the water retreats to expose over 100m of soft sand beach, and a further 200m of waist deep water, creating a perfect location to practice your Kitesurf skills. The beach has also recently been divided up to provide us a specified kitesurf teaching zone, which allows beginners and experienced riders to have their own designated area.

During the summer months we get a warm sea breeze which picks up in the afternoon with winds anywhere from 15knts – 35knts. The water is warm enough for a spring/summer wetsuit, and when you’re ready for them, we get some pumping swell that provides an ideal playground to practice some surf skills.

S2AS Team

For kitesurf lessons in brighton call 01273 746836

How to Kitesurf: Getting Started - Buying a Kite

We will be adding to our site new 'How to's' every week and we will start at the very beginning for all the newbie Kitesurfers or wanabe kitesurfers, Ok well here we go!

This time we are going to cover buying your kite.

Getting Started - Kite Buying Guide

Kite Surfing can be a pretty expensive sport to engage in due to the high costs of equipment. It is therefore important to make sure you get a kite that fits your skill level, the kind of performance that you expect from it and of course, your budget.

But just how do you get the ideal kitesurf kite for you? Sure, you can resort to trial and error, but it will prove costly in the long run. Keep in mind that the price of a kite alone starts at around £800 for the basic ones up to around £1000 for the advanced models, so think twice before you shell out that much money. A better alternative would be to read this article and to let us Surface2Air Sports be your guide in getting a kite.

If you are just starting Kitesurfing, then it is advisable to talk to your local kitesurf shop. That way, you don't waste money buying the wrong kite for your level or weight, for example you buy a 16mtr kite and your weight is only 65kgs then your have a problem in the avarage uk winds. If you want to buy a kite for kitesurfing, do not purchase a kite which has a high aspect ratio (AR). The AR is the ratio of the length and width of your kite. The higher the AR, the faster your kite will make turns. Also, it is more powerful than those with lower ARs. As a general rule, try starting out first with one that will give you optimum control and that which will give you enough power to lift you to manageable heights. The more powerful ones can wait as you progress and become a better kitesurfer.

Meanwhile, if you are a more experienced kitesurfer, then it's safe to say that you pretty much know what you want in terms of the type of kite you want, your desired hang time as well as other factors. At this point, pretty much is left to your taste and what makes you feel comfortable. There are several types of kites out there that you can choose from. It is discussed in greater detail in our Kites - Types section. But if you want to fine tune your kite for better performance, you can also check out our Kite Tuning section.

We hope that this article has somehow given you some helpful insights when it comes to buying the right kite for you. Sure, there's no perfect kite out there. But if you get the right one for your particular needs and tweak it to your liking then you already have something that's close to perfect.

Thanks for reading

S2AS Team

Surface2Air Sports have kitesurf shops located at Brighton, Poole and Kent in the UK.

How to Kitesurf: Getting Started - Bow Kites

We will be adding to our site new 'How to's' every week and we will start at the very beginning for all the newbie Kitesurfers or wanabe kitesurfers, Ok well here we go!

This time we are going to cover bow kites.

Getting Started - Bow Kites

With the advanced mechanisms and Kitesurf equipment that are used in Kite Surfing today, it is no wonder that the types of kites used are also evolving. One of these types is the Bow Kitesurf Kite.

Bow Kites were designed by Bruno Legaignoux. They are inflatable kites that have a bridle. Bow Kites are usually flat and with a concave trailing edge. The Bow Kites was first patented in France on March 2004 and in Canada and US on February 2005.

The earlier designs of Bow Kites have a lot of drawbacks. These kites can get inverted and are not that stable. Moreover, they can be difficult to re-launch.

Bruno Legaignoux took the bridle on the leading edge concept and improved it much further. Since a Bow Kite has a wider wind range compared to a C-Kite, it is more suitable for beginners. Its de-powering range allows for safe use and is great for wave riding. Another good feature of a Bow Kite is that it works well for all kinds of kite surfers.

With the advancement in technology, modern Bow Kites have more features than the earlier models, making Kite Surfing safer and a lot more fun. Nowadays, Bow Kites come with light bar pressure and better L/D ratio, and are very easy to re-launch. Moreover, they cannot be inverted easily and they are more stable.

Bow Kites are the newest and most innovative when it comes to kite design. Because of their huge de-powering range and safety mechanism, Bow Kites are used by a lot of kite surfers. They are actually used in Kite Surfing lessons. Keep in mind, though, that it is important to seek professional advice so you will know what type of kite suits your needs and ability level.

Thanks for reading and we hope this helps you.

S2AS Team

How to Kitesurf: Getting Started - Location Check

We will be adding to our site new 'How to's' every week and we will start at the very beginning for all the newbie Kitesurfers or wanabe kitesurfers, Ok well here we go!

This time we are going to cover location checks.

Getting Started - Location Check

Before you start with Kite Surfing you need to check first the wind Conditions and the location.

We will first discuss a few common terms that we will use throughout the instructions.

When we talk about onshore wind, the wind comes from the sea and blows towards land. With offshore wind, the wind blows from the land towards the sea, while side shore wind blows over the beach, parallel to the shore.

When we talk about a position or course relative to the wind, the terms upwind and downwind are used.

When you arrive at the beach, check first where the wind is coming from, feel it blowing against your hands or look at flags or trees around you. Look around the place and see if the area is large enough. There should be a safe distance from all obstructions. Should anything go wrong and you are dragged downwind, you will need time and space to correct your mistake. You need to check the shoreline as well. If you should end up downwind after a kite surf session, (and a beginner usually does end up downwind), this must be a safe place to land. Clearly, this is a dangerous situation you don’t want to end up in a jetty.

Kitesurfing Tips and Tricks

1. Most accidents happen while standing on shore. Whenever the area you’re standing on is flat, the wind will be constant and move horizontally but when it hits an obstacle, it will change direction and can produce some very dangerous situations.

Just like when moving water that goes straight up in the air hits a rock, the wind will also create turbulence when it hits an object. A kite surfer can be lifted meters high up in the air, can fly about 30 meters downwind and will end up against a steel fence. This accident is the result of the wind hitting the sand which causes it to change its direction and produce an upward current lifting everything in its path.

Do not launch or ride near rocks, trees, power lines or in a crowded area!

2. Offshore winds can be dangerous primarily because the wind is almost never stable, which makes it difficult to control the Kite Surfing Kite. Moreover, if you get into some sort of trouble, you will not be blown back to the shore but out to the open water. You will need a rescue boat to help you.

Learning how to check the wind condition and the location of your kite surfing session can prevent you from experiencing any accidents during kite surfing.

For more info on Kitesurfing or Kitesurfing Lessons please take a look at our website www.s2as.com

How to Kitesurf: Getting Started - Wind Conditions

We will be adding to our site new 'How to's' every week and we will start at the very beginning for all the newbie Kitesurfers or wanabe kitesurfers, Ok well here we go!

First up we are going to cover wind conditions.

Getting Started - Wind Conditions in Kite Surfing

Wind conditions vary from time to time and it is important that you know how to assess the wind. If you are just starting out with Kite Surfing, a basic understanding of the wind conditions may well be enough.

Before we further discuss how you can assess certain wind conditions, let us first discuss some terms you need to know.

1 Onshore winds blow from the water directly perpendicular to the land.

2 Offshore winds blow from land toward the water at any angle.

3 Side shore winds come directly parallel to the shoreline.

4 Side-onshore wind is a combination of side shore and onshore winds.

5 Upwind refers to the direction from which the wind is blowing.

6 Downwind refers to the direction the wind is blowing towards.

To help you determine whether the wind condition is suitable for Kite Surfing", follow these steps:

First, check where the wind is coming from. Feel the wind blow against your hands or look at flags and trees. Look downwind and check that there are no obstacles in the beach and that the area is large enough. Should anything go wrong and you fall downwind, you’ll need time and space to correct your mistake.

Also check the shoreline. If you should end up downwind off your kitesurf session, this must be a safe place to land. Clearly, this is a dangerous situation and you don’t want to end up in a jetty.

Tips and Tricks

1. Side shore winds allow you to travel away from and back toward the beach without fear of getting blown out to sea or back into the launching area. If you drop your Kite Surfing Kite, you don’t get blown out any further from land.

2. An angle toward the beach less than 45 degrees can be a favourable wind direction because you can still travel away from and towards the beach. If you drop your kite and have to swim in, the wind will push you slowly toward the shore.

3. Avoid onshore winds as this wind will continually try to blow you further inland. Unless you can ride upwind instantly, the Kite Surfing Kite is going to blow you back onto the beach in a matter of seconds.

4. Offshore winds can be very dangerous. First, because the wind is almost never stable and this makes it difficult to control the kite. Secondly, if you get in some sort of trouble, you will not be blown back to the shore but out to the open water. A rescue boat will then be needed to help you.

5. Another thing that you need to take note of is wind direction and the smoothness of the wind. Direct offshore winds have the possibility of you being flown out to sea while direct onshore winds have the possibility of you being thrown against beach objects. Cross-shore wind directions are widely considered to be the best.

6. Avoid the following: thunderstorms, gusty winds, off-shore winds, directly on-shore winds, downwind obstacles, power lines, trees, other kite surfers, other water users, underwater obstacles, piers, boats, winds too strong for your kite size among others.

7. Know the expected weather for the day.

8. Know how to determine wind speed and choose an appropriate Kite Surfing Kite.

9. Know the hand signals to communicate with other kiters on and off the water.

10. Know how to perform Self-Rescue if the wind changes directions or switches off.

Different Kite Surfing Kites have different wind ranges. Some kites may have a wider wind range while some may have a narrower wind range. You don’t need the exact speed and direction of the wind, but it pays if you have a very good idea of how strong it is and where it is coming from.

A Wind Meter is very helpfull to determine the wind speed BEFORE you head out to sea.

For a great range of Kitesurf Boards and Kitesurfing Kites have a look at our website www.s2as.com

Thanks for reading and we hope this helps you.

S2AS Team

A Simple Take on Kite Surfing

Kite surfing is a thrilling water sport which involves the rider being propelled over the water on a kite board by hanging on to a huge, controllable kite. Kite surfing has taken off in the last decade with the advent of snowboarding and wake boarding along with the increasing popularity of wind surfing. The board, the kite, some water and a good breeze are pretty much all you need to enjoy the sport, but to be safe and get the most out of this sport, you really want to make sure you are doing it right which is where Surface 2 Air Sports (S2AS) come into play.

S2as are stockists of all the latest and greatest kite surfing equipment; kite boards, kites, harnesses they even do full kite surfing packages to get you started with a whole set. Most importantly S2AS offer kite surfing lessons at there 3 kite school locations in Poole, Brighton and Kent and best of all they are all avid kite surfers themselves so they are experienced in, and passionate about, what they do. Ask any Kite surfer and S2AS will normally always garner a positive review from them.

Back to what makes kite surfing so good. Well there are the physical benefits; Kite surfing will get and keep you fit. The total body workout is a great for conditioning. As you hanging on to the kite and control it strengthening your arms and torso you are guiding the board over the waves with your legs giving them a full workout simultaneously. You will be building muscles all over your entire body while experiencing the exhilaration of kite surfing.

Then there is the thrill, and it is a completely unique experience. The speeds, the feeling, the rush; it is different to anything else you've tried before. You don't need to wait for the right wave, the wind does it all for you, and that wind can be a harsh mistress to tame, but when you do...WOW!

Maybe you have only watched a kite surfer before or you are simply looking for a new challenge. Well if you are going to try it, then your best bet is to try Surface 2 Air Sports, they will ensure you get the full feel for this awesome extreme sport, with all the help and training you'll need to get the most out of it.

2009 RRD Obsession 9m Review

"A BIG thanks goes to S2AS, especially Justin for answering all my questions with no BS and sending me the demo kite to try – Top Bloke!

It was a random beach chat, you know similar to the ones about peeing in your wetsuit etc. When I found myself comparing the Slingshot Rev to Marmite as I think you either love it or hate it – me I like marmite, but not too keen on the Rev. However, if I was to think of an advert to describe the RRD Obsession it would be Pepperami…. it can be a bit of an animal!

The Equipment:
The kite, well it is Italian by design and this is apparent when you unfold and pump it up as it is ‘bling’ right down to the metallic red strut end protectors. However, the design is not all for show and there are some nice touches like the solid surrounds at the valves, plus it all looks very well put together.

When laid out you can see the delta inspired shape and this becomes even more evident when pumped up with swept back wingtips and a quite substantial leading edge. The bridle is very compact and the rear lines have a direct connection with the ‘flap’ that extends beyond the wingtips that I assume acts like a mini ‘V’ bridle and provides a solid stable attachment.

The bar supplied with the demo was last year’s design with the updated touches for 09 and the main difference apparently for this year will be slightly longer to increase turning in larger sizes - not a problem for the 9m, but more on this later and on the bar which came with short (20/22m?) lines.

As an aside the bag although not hugely important, in my opinion is brilliant, not just an afterthought but a functional well designed piece of equipment (those Italians) with excellent padding that would be great for travel and you could easily get 12m and another smaller Obsession in there.

The Flying:
First thing you notice when you get the kite up is just how quick and responsive it is and I don’t think this is just a consequence of the short lines – it is fast full stop! RRD describe the bar pressure as medium, however I actually found it light, but in no way vague as it is still very direct. Also while flinging it about on the beach you notice the power it has, especially from 11 in the window and how ‘grunty’ it is when moving.

On the water it took me a little bit of time to get used to the speed as it is really fast, in transitions you could almost loop the kite so a little time to adjust was required. Early in the session the wind was light and here you notice the kite has good low-end power for its size and I could hold ground when others were on 11m Revs. You can also position it quite far forward in the window and really hack upwind on it, which is good because after you start to jump with it you will need this ability!

Jumping the obsession is crazy and you feel it in your core as it literally rips you off the water and then up, but unlike other kites that can do this it also has good glide and float – it is pretty effortless to jump good on this kite. The kite is also really stable making it easy to generate pop and when doing tricks and grabs it just sits there well behaved and you can feel exactly where it is. Also if you do drop it the delta inspired shape means that it is super easy to re-launch and it always seems to be waiting on a wingtip for you. As I don’t unhook (yet) I cannot comment on that aspect of the kite, but I would hazard an un-educated guess that the stability would make the kite good for this.

When the wind picked up it, was easy to depower and the adjuster/cleat was in easy reach for me (shorter riders or groms might struggle when at full power though), however what I did notice compared to other kites I have tried recently is that the power is maybe not as progressive with sheeting. It can go from not a lot to BANG! power and I think this is partly due to the extended throw on the bar to allow for more depower compared to the Type 9 (which I have ridden).

This could be helped greatly with a stopper that would also be very useful to spin the bar against to untwist the lines against without it totally killing all the power in the kite. Also the throw without it can be quite large, however, Roberto did state in a recent interview on AS news that the bar will soon ship with an adjustable push through stopper – good.

The Conclusion:
Final thoughts are that I liked the kite and it would only be better with a stopper on the bar, as without it I found the throw too much and it was annoying when un-spinning the bar. However, I feel that similar to when I tried the Type 9 that it is maybe too much performance for me currently – it was like going to one of those days out and getting to ride a performance car that is thrilling on a track, but you would not want to commute in it. A few other riders rode it and everyone generally liked it and all loved how it jumps, but the consensus would be that it was the ‘younger’ wakestyler’s kite and that it had potential hooligan tendencies to scare of us ‘older’ freeriders (hooligan was the exact words of one rider, but this same guy said he has not gone as big so easily)!"

Naish Helix 9m & 12m Kite Test

Size Tested: 9 m2, 12 m2
Style: Four-line SLE
Wind range: 14-28, 10-22 knots
What’s new: Direct Response Steering, Geo-Tech-generated C shape, reduced number of struts, lower aspect ratio, low-drag wingtips, re-engineered bridles

The kite that spawned the revolutionary Sigma series last season takes charge in 2009 as a totally redesigned kite. This year’s Helix offers faster turning, superior glide, great upwind ability, easier relaunch and a more direct bar feel with a fifth-line-friendly option. With a lower aspect ratio and gruntier back-in-window feel than its Cult counterpart, the Helix has many Naish Torch freestyle kitesurf riders taking another look at the Sigma shape.

Bar setup and safety systems
The bar pulleys of last season have followed the industry trend of extinction on Naish’s new four-line SLE control system, which is used with both the Cult and the Helix models this year. Impressive new features include a new front-line attachment system with anti-twist line swivel. Also, rather than relying on the depower capability of both front lines, the leash is connected through a mini fifth-line leash to a single front line, ensuring complete single-line flagging. New bar ends have bar-size adjustment capability, a great feature for multiple-sized kites used with a single bar.

Key kite features
Naish’s attention to detail is always evident. Its industry-exclusive features include the Octopus inflation, an internal single-point inflation system, the Delta-cut two-ply trailing edge and internal Aramid leading-edge seam reinforcements. The easily identified Sigma shape has advanced for 2009 with new low-drag wingtips, Direct Response Steering and the Geo-Tech C shape that alters the kite’s stability and turning style.

On-water performance
The Helix is a completely different kite this year, with performance that appeals to what most advanced riders are looking for in an SLE kite. Whether it’s the lower aspect shape, fewer struts or the steering design features that were added, this year’s Helix feels much more like a C kite.
The testers were impressed by the smooth pull, quick and reactive steering, and excellent depower as well as the solid unhooked performance. Although it takes longer to find the sweet spot to boost some big air than its Cult counterpart, when you hit it right this kite has excellent lift and glide. The feedback you get from the Helix is the perfect balance between too much and not enough. Water relaunch has also been improved, with a simple steering-line pull that provides faster results.

Like the Cult, the Helix pulls fast and smooth, and it’s quick to react to steering input at all levels of depower. Its fast pulling speed and good upwind capability make it a good kite for the racing crowd.

Reality check
This Helix may depower slightly less than last year’s model; however, the added stability, quicker turn reactivity and direct bar feel more than make up for it. If you need more instant depower, there’s always the Cult.

Bottom line
The Naish Helix was a test favourite in both sound and ocean sessions for its great all-terrain performance, wind range and smooth unhooked capability, which was absent from last year’s Sigma. It more than satisfies the demands of the dedicated C-kite freestyle rider who has held out from using SLE’s in the past.

Naish Cult 10.5m & 12m Kite Test

Size Tested: 10.5 m2, 12 m2
Style: Four-line SLE
What’s new: Direct response steering, low-drag wingtips, re-engineered bridles

The Naish Cult took the kitesurfing world by storm last season and impressed testers worldwide with its all-terrain capability, ease of use and accessible top-end performance. This year’s Cult sees some intelligent design enhancements aimed to improve steering speed, increase low-end wind range and continue to advance its user-friendly nature. For Cult riders from last season looking to expand into unhooked tricks, the Helix has also evolved to enlist enhanced freestyle-friendly performance within the Sigma series.

Bar Setup and Safety Systems
The 2009 SLE control system is a 1:1 pulley-less four-line bar setup. There’s a new thermo-molded grip and new bar ends that offer simple bar-length adjustments. Leader lines have been shortened and are covered by larger bar floats. The Smart loop introduced last season includes below-the-bar sheeting adjustment, and the system is enhanced with a new front-line swivel and easily retrofitted mini fifth-line kit for added safety.

Key Kite Features
Some new key features include Direct Response, low-drag wingtips and Delta-cut trailing edge. The kite’s design is built around the Sigma-shaped leading edge and Geo-Tech flat panels for enhanced range, control and relaunch performance. Naish’s excellent durability features include Aramid internal reinforcements on leading-edge seams as well as molded bumpers and patches.

On-Water Performance
The ’09 Cult has a similar feel to last year’s ground-breaking design, but with less bar pressure and faster overall steering available at varying levels of depower. It truly is an all-terrain magician that eats up gusts and builds confidence to reach that next level. A great kite for intermediates with excellent stability overhead and no fear of back stalling or overflying the window.

The Cult sits more forward in the window than the new Helix model but continues to offer good steering control while sheeted out and depowered. Quick pivotal turns are available for easy no-pull transitions, great for waveriding. Testers noted slightly more power and pull in this year’s design while maintaining the upper wind range.

The more you ride the Cult, the quicker you become accustomed to its light, lively feel. The bar pressure and feedback feels even less than last season and takes a while to get used to. The Cult’s water relaunch capability also rivals the industry’s leading performers in this category. Capable of boosting decent air even with the shorter 22-metre stock lines.

Reality Check
It takes some time to get used to the less than hardy positional feedback. C-kite freestylers will appreciate the smoother unhooked pull of the Helix over the Cult.

Bottom Line
The Naish Cult’s performance generated a huge following last season, and with increased performance in turning speed and low-end power, it’s poised to dominate the all-terrain category again. It has performance that gives the quickly advancing beginner confidence and enough high-end drive to satisfy a wide range of users from all disciplines and skill levels.

F-ONE Bandit Dos 8m & 10m Kite Test

Size Tested: 8 m2, 10 m2
Style: Four-line Delta C
What’s new: Redesigned front V bridles, shorter chicken-loop line, new strut placement

The Bandit DOS is redesigned this season with some refinements to its ground-breaking Delta C shape that took the kite scene by storm last season. It has flying characteristics that span all disciplines and skill levels of kitesurfing by combining good depower capability, enhanced safety with plenty of advanced performance for big jumps, waveriding or freestyle.

Bar setup and safety systems
The simple four-line control bar has smooth EVA foam grip with smaller than average bar length and leader-line length adjusters on the bar ends. Above-the-bar trim straps are within easy reach because the PVC composite chicken line was shortened this year. The bar lines work in unison with the front V-line bridle connections on the kite. The left and right lines are different colours, and because of the long front bridal attachments on the kite, the back lines are 10 feet longer than the front set.

Key kite features
The Bandit is a kitesurfing kite in a class of its own with a unique shape and bridle system. Some key kite features include Delta C shape for improved aerodynamic flow, EVO bridle system to access more depower and safety, Dacron frame and canopy reinforcement for robust build character.

On-water performance
Although visually similar to last year’s Bandit, the DOS has some definitive improvements over last season. The steering is more direct, with less lag in turn initiation and no tendency to lock into certain angles of attack. It feels more like a C kite this year, with plenty of grunt and equal amounts of depower as last year’s model. Bar pressure is moderate, with good positional feedback.

The Bandit has excellent unhooked pop and kite loop performance that combines with high levels of depower capability. It pulls fast and smooth, and is capable of big jumps and huge glide. Fast pivotal turns are available, along with more power turns depending on how aggressively you pull on the steering line.

In the water relaunch department, the Bandit gets top marks. The C-shaped leading edge and Delta cut let the kite rotate easily into launch position. The safety system works amazingly well by pulling in both front-line V bridles; it instantly puts the kite onto its leading edge. This is an ideal performance feature for self-landing on the beach. The Delta shape of the Bandit DOS reduces canopy drag and opens up its access to great amounts of speed.

Reality check
When depowered quickly or when tension comes off the back lines, the eight-metre Bandit DOS becomes less stable. A one-pump system would be appreciated by most riders.

Bottom line
This is a kite capable of dominating multiple disciplines with its speed, good unhooked performance and excellent depower capability. The Bandit DOS has proven that the Delta shape and V bridle setup can simplify the kiteboarding experience; it successfully delivers one model with one setup that can do it all.

The New 2009 Kiteboard Range from Brunotti

I’m pleased to announce that S2AS (Surface2Air Sports) will again be selling Brunotti kite boards. The new 2009 range of boards are scheduled to arrive at the end of February.

The 2009 range sees the return of the popular Onyx, ProX, Bumblebee and Pro Princess boards and now they all have the now famous Brunotti full wood core with ABS rails and each has new killer graphics, so we're sure these boards will impress again!

New editions to the Brunotti kite board range - the Youri Pro a top end freestyle board and the Pro King a totally pimped out board for those individuals looking for something unique! Both boards feature Brunotti's new GSS (Gel Shock System) footpads (see below for further info.)

The full range includes;

09 ONYX Kite Board

The new Brunotti 09 Onyx is the beginner to intermediate’s choice of kite board for either progressing through the initial phases or for getting into more advanced techniques such as jumps, spins, and transitions. The moderate rocker line is an ideal compromise design between speed and manoeuvrability. Multiple foot strap inserts allows a newbie to ride in a variety of configurations. The Onyx comes complete with a grab handle for transport or “board-off” style jumps. The Onyx is an ideal beginner-intermediate board, but is also a great lightwind board for those 10-15 knot days. The slight single concave shape on the bottom provides extra “lift” for an early plane with extra grip.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• G10 Fins
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 136x36, 136x38, 136x40, 130x36, 130x38 & 130x40 cm

09 PROX Kite Board

Brunotti’s legendary Pro X series has once again been refined to allow for even more radical freestyle action. The new Brunotti 09 Pro X is the board that international pro-riders are using during competition for unmatched power and pop. Brunotti have added Carbon/Kevlar strips strategically placed in an “x” pattern, which provide even more control and “pop” when loading up. The all-wood core has been extensively tested for a precise, moderately stiff flex pattern that remains constant with time and usage. Flip-nose tail ends allow for a smaller wet surface area when on a plane, resulting in increased top-line speed, which is also great for pop.
Whether you’re just starting to get into freestyle tricks or are the latest kiteloop-handlepass master, the Brunotti 09 Pro X is the kite board for you.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• Carbon Kevlar Torsion Stringer
• G10 Fins
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 128x37, 128x38.5, 128x40, 134x37, 134x38.5 & 134x40

YOURI PRO Kite Board

Fast and aggressive, replicating pro rider Youri Zoon’s aggressive style, the new Brunotti Youri Zoon Pro Model represents the purest in freestyle kite boards. A carefully tuned, progressive flex pattern provides maximum pop off the water for trick riding. Slightly wider tips allow for extra planning surface when landing hot from jumps, which means more stability and control. The Youri Pro is designed for speed with popping, so more parallel lines, and a faster rocker line. The board incorporates Brunotti’s now famous Woodcore interior for maximum durability and strength.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fiberglass
• Carbon Kevlar Torsion Stringer
• G10 Fins
• Variable GSS Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 130x39 cm & 130x41 cm

PRO KING Kite Board

The new Brunotti 09 Pro King is specifically designed for overall freeride performance. A more rounded outline provides fast and grippy rail to rail transitions, with a flatter rocker line which is tuned for speed and upwind capability. Incorporating the latest in Brunotti WoodCore technology, the Pro King will outlast even the harshest of punishments. The Pro King also features the new GSS (Gel Shock System) footpads as featured on the Youri Pro.
The Brunotti Pro King is totally pimped out with diamonds on the foot straps, pads, and grab handle, giving it an unique aesthetic styling!
Pro King is available in two sizes, to cater for different rider weights, and wind conditions.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• Carbon Kevlar Torsion Stringer
• G10 Fins
• Variable GSS Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 128x38 cm & 133x40 cm

09 PRO PRINCESS Kite Board

Kiteboards are designed with a number of variables in mind: wind/water, riding conditions, preferred style of riding, stance, and rider weight. Women typically have a narrower stance, prefer a more forgiving flex in the overall contour of the board, even the graphical designs are of a different preference.

The new Brunotti 09 Pro Princess is a board which has been designed for women and their specific needs. Incorporating a moderate flex pattern in combination with a smooth rocker line, the board provides enhanced tracking, upwind, and top-line speed while at the same time being forgiving on the knees and legs. The narrower footstrap stance (inserts) is ideal for women, providing more comfort on the legs during straight line riding, and the pads have been designed to tailor for smaller feet (more comfort and control).

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• G10 Fins
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 125x36, 125x38, 130x36 & 130x38 cm

09 BUMBLEBEE Kite Board

The Brunotti 09 Bumblebee is a unique kite wave-surfing board. The progressive rocker line in conjunction with the proportionately thin (16 mm) volume allows for unprecedented control in wave riding. The Brunotti Bumblebee has been designed for typical “real-world” wave conditions, but also for pure, down-the-line wave riding. A single concave hull ensures the board planes early and remains “loose” on the water. A thruster fin set up on the tail makes for even more grip with bottom turns and cutbacks on the wave face, and on the nose of the board two small, central fins allow for control during “fakie” or “switch” riding. These front fins are placed clear from the rail so as to stay clear of the water when charging through bottom turns. Symmetrical foot strap placement ensures comfort for riding both goofie or rightie. The Brunotti 09 Bumblebee provides unprecedented performance and comfort for riding waves with a kite, and tracks upwind like a rocket.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fiberglass
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps
• G10 truster fins 7.5 cm
• G10 middle fin 9.5 cm

Size: 152x42.5 cm

GSS FOOTPADS

Introducing the ultimate in footpad comfort, grip, and fashion statement: the Brunotti Air Pads. A multi-layering of high and low density moulded EVA, extra heel and toe reinforcements, and an elevated mid-foot design ensures maximum comfort and protection to the feet. Incorporating a unique Kryptonite gel, this moulds into an anatomical shape of the rider’s foot, providing ideal fit (Efficient Density Control). The sum of the design and materials involved equate to up to 50% more shock and vibration absorption, compared to traditional foam pads.

Connecting the straps to the board is a plate, which is screwed on to the deck only once. A link webbed in via a unique retainer strap connects the straps to the board. No more hassles of screwing and unscrewing foot straps! Available in black & white.

Contact S2AS now to place a pre-order!

The 2009 Nobile Kite Range

This is the first release of the 2009 series kites from the Nobile kite range. The existing 2 kite range will be expanded into a 3 kite range with the inclusion of this N62. This is an all new, full production kite that has been worked on for the past 9 months. Its Mark Shinn latest creation; trying to push the handling and performance characteristics, which the 555 and 666 NHP kites are famed for, into the Delta concept of kite.

Deltas have proven very popular over the last twelve months, and although the kiteboarding has never seen such easy to use kites, it seems that the even easier to use Deltas are very popular... life can never be too easy... right....?

Trouble is, you are sacrificing something with the Delta kite... after all nothing comes for free, and the price to be paid with the delta is efficiency and handling. That big old luff curve may make the kite stupidly quick to re-launch and very fast turning, but it doesn't go upwind as well, neither does it have as much forward pace through hard turns or as positive a bar feel. Mark set out to push the advanced hybrid handling traits into the super easy and safe Delta; the result is the N62.

From what I hear it retains the Delta characteristics;
- plenty of power on tap at the back of the window,
- fast turning in the big sizes
- immediate re-launch
- lots of hang time
- stupidly stable (sink back) feel.

Improvement include;
- improved steering feel
- improved efficiency
- improved forward turning speed

Prices will be set when the kites are ready for shipping... keep you fingers crossed that the £ is worth more than rotten apples by that point!

Massive Snowboard Sale at Surface2Air sports

Great Savings and amazing discounts on all Snowboard Equipment in-store and online at S2AS.

S2AS have a huge range of Snowboard Equipment from the industries leading snowboard brands such as Ride, K2, Forum, Never Summer, DC, Vans, Volcom, FourSquare, Special Blend and Nitro.

Get your weapon of choice this winter with huge discount savings on Snowboards, Snowboard Bindings and Snowboard Boots.

S2AS not only have a great range of Snowboard Hardware but a large range of the latest Snowboarding Outerwear now at amazing discount prices.

Stay warm Snowboarding this winter and look good doing it, with the hottest Snow Wear this season. S2AS bring you Snowboard Jackets and Snowboard Pants from Special Blend, FourSquare, Vans and Volcom. Be sure to pick yourself up a bargain on all the latest 2009 Snowboard Equipment this season.

The biggest 2009 Sale with the Hottest Snowboard gear only at S2AS.

Slingshot RPM Kitesurf Kite

Slingshot RPM in Stock Now at S2AS!

The Slingshot RPM Kite is the latest edition to the Slingshot RPM KiteSlingshot Kite Range.

The Slingshot RPM Kiteboard Kite has set its mark in the Slingshot Kite Range between the Slingshot Rev and the Slingshot Fuel ideal for any the intermediate rider who is looking for targeted performance and ease of use at a great value!!

Slingshot's goal when producing the Slingshot RPM Kite was to develop a hybrid style kite that has C kite characteristics along with options for performance tuning.

The Slingshot RPM has the performance depower benefits of a bridled kite, mixed together with the unhooked & turning characteristics of a C kite. The RPM Kite customization is beyond anything else seen in the kite market and is extremely simple.

The Kitesurf industry has not yet seen a kite developed that has achieve maximum performance for all style of riding. The Slingshot RPM Kite has been developed to suit all styles of kitesurf riding including surf, freeride, & freestyle.

The The RPM marries all of the targeted performance benefits, ease of use, re-launch ability and in flight stability, all with great value. The RPM addresses two of the most common hurdles when learning, a Kitesurfing Kite that is easy to progress and develop skills with and quality well designed equipment.

No set rules, definition or condition.

Progression and evolution!

Beginners Kitesurfing

So you fancy having a go at Kite Surfing! Where do you begin? What do you need? Hopefully we can provide some helpful advice for those not sure where to start.

Firstly, a little information on kite surfing; a relatively new sport having took off in the late nineties, combining elements of windsurfing, power kites, paragliding and wakeboarding.

Anybody can learn the sport of kite surfing, it helps to be comfortable in water and have experience of any of the aforementioned sports. Having a moderate level of fitness will also make learning much easier.

Naturally, the best way to learn the sport is to attend professionally taught kite surfing lessons at one of many schools around the country; learning solo is inherently more dangerous, technique is also likely to be better as an instructor will be able to monitor and correct you. A school will also provide you with all the necessary equipment, saving you the risk of buying expensive equipment should you find out the sport isn’t for you. To find your nearest school, visit the British Kite Surfing Association website (other useful information for beginners can also be found here).

A good school will start by teaching you the essentials including; safety precautions, use of equipment, landing, general understanding of how kites work and essential manoeuvres. Once you become competent you can begin to learn some basic tricks.

If you decide you would like to pursue Kite Surfing after learning the basics, then you will need to purchase some kit to continue. The essentials you will require include a kite (unsurprisingly!), a kite surfing board, harness and accessories (wet suit, helmet, life jacket etc), or buy the whole lot in a kite surfing package. For the beginner, a ‘Trainer’ kite would be most appropriate; these will typically be small limiting the amount of power generated and have beginner friendly features. A good example of a beginners kite is the Cabrinha Convert.
You know the basics; have the essential kit, now where should you go? Many choose to join a kite surfing club. These can be found on shorelines all around the country, and will be the best way to develop your skills alongside other surfers. You will be able to pick up invaluable tips, safety info and important connections.

Some quick safety tips; avoid extreme weathers, poor visibility conditions and off-shore winds. Start in cross-shore wind so you will only go across the beach instead of being blown away from the shore. Ensure you have the proper safety equipment.

This concludes our short guide, hopefully those of you out there new to the sport or hoping to start soon will have found it useful.

About Dakine

Seeing as we like Dakine so much here at S2AS and harp on about how great it is, we though why not have a look at the background to the company.

Dakine had its humble beginnings from Rob Kaplan who designed the Dakine Leash, a surfing leash, back in 1979. Kaplan lived in Maui in Hawaii, and to the name Dakine from the Hawaiian Pidgen word “Da Kine” which has several meanings, one being “the kind”

The Dakine Leash was a big success, and by 1980 many professional windsurfers asked Kaplan to make foot straps for their new wave boards. Dakine also developed the first adjustable foot strap along with waist harnesses and seat harnesses some time later.

Dakine made the move towards snowboarding gear in the mid 1980s when it opened its facilities in Hood River, Oregon.

Being positioned at the base of Mt Hood, a very popular place for snowboard and ski camps meant optimum expose to the desired customers. A few years later and it began in earnest to manufacture and market Dakine snowboard bags, snowboarding accessories and other snowboarding gear.

Dakine continued to create extreme sports gear and accessories venturing into skateboarding during the 1990s with such products as the Park Pack. The Park Pack's innovation and durability proved to be a winning combination and has led to many other versions being made over the years.

In the early 2000s Dakine ventured into the Kiteboarding arena with kiteboard specific harnesses nd accessories. The Fusion harness quickly became Dakine’s best selling harness, surpassing all other harness variations.
Today Dakine are one of the world’s top manufacturers and sellers of extreme sports accessories. These include kitesurfing harnesses, snowboarding gloves, snowboard bags, surfboard bags and cases and much, much more besides.

Like we said at the beginning of this article, we love the range, choice and quality that Dakine have to offer and if you are looking for some Dakine gear, be it a Dakine bag or backpack, harness or whatever you need , then come and have a look at www.S2AS.com