So, you’ve been working diligently trying to get a few more feet (or metres) out of those jumps. You have been working on speed, timing, edging and finding the perfect little ramp, but alas, you seem stuck.

We have two answers to this problem. The first one is the brand-new ocean rodeo Rise Aluula Kite: a purpose built kite to get you higher. This is the kite OR team rider Giel Vlugt used to land the first ever double kiteloop (previously thought impossible). How did he do it? The Rise Aluula material: stiffest, lightest, strongest kite material on the planet, and 20 years of design experience + Giel = worlds first landed double kiteloop....(update he just did a TRIPLE!)

I’m no mega looper, yet, but I have used this kite five times so far this winter (see blog: winter water is fun). And I’m here to report that not only will you jump higher instantly, you will also feel so incredibly relaxed and controlled, you will fall head over heels in love again with kiteboarding!  And then you will start to push it and that is when the real fun begins.

Now, let me put your mind at rest. You can do whatever you want with this kite, it is incredibly smooth and stable and only does what you tell it to do. In fact if I was learning all over again I’d use one of these….Really! So do not discount how user-friendly this wicked kite is. And do not mistake its friendliness and usability for its wickedness, that lies just under the hood.

The second answer to the jumping problem is simple, more wind, more technique, and good old-fashioned guts.

Go get them tiger.