Aluula? New Revolutionary Material from Ocean Rodeo

[ORSales]

Congrats!

HDPE bladder?

The bladders are also updated from traditional PU bladders but I can't say what they're made from - only that they are specifically engineered to work with the new airframe materials for an overall stiffer, more responsive airframe.

this is really good news!

is that material used only for the frame or can it be also used for the canopy?

can the foil kites benefit from this?

how about cost?

For now, the focus was on the best "bang for the buck" weight reduction which was with the Dacron and bladders. Canopy is absolutely a possibility down the road.

As Richard says at about 3:30 on the video, this is only the beginning of where this could go.

Pricing will be announced later this summer but we worked hard with Aluula to keep the costs comparable to other high performance kites.

[jumptheshark]

Sooooooo, if you can make a 1.8kg three strut...…?

[Iridian]

@orsales have you considered removing the bladder entirely?

[Toby]

Are you working exclusively with this material ?

[Matteo V]

....Fair warning though: I'm going to be a little cheeky with my replies until we formally launch the new materials.

Have you done UV and abrasion testing?

Who cares if the kite costs another $100 for material that will allow the kite to last 3 more years. But as of now, the canopy is a kite's "Achilles heel". Ya, it would be nice if the LE did not stretch upon inflation as much as they do, I am just not as concerned with that. Honestly, I have not had a LE fail without being cut by a piece of glass, or blatant defective seam sewing. Nor has a LE ever stretched out or become too soft. All the ripped kites in my bin have full integrity to the LE but the canopy is worn out and dead. If you were to fix anything, the canopy would be my wish.

Still, just dreaming here.....Liquid Force V1 "Wow" with Alulla as the LE material would be the ultimate.

But I second the Canuks as being pretty cool to kite with. OR would be another brand I would look at when replacing my kites.

[Iridian]

Do you have an exclusivity agreement with Aluula or is it open to all manufacturers?

If you put it on the canopy as well I'll probably pre-order a Razor lol..

HYPE..

[Toby]

that test looks amazing...is it a cut out part with round corners? or like a cut ?

Because a cut would be more likely to happen when in use.

[ORSales]

@orsales have you considered removing the bladder entirely?

We've talked about that for years but it presents a lot of issues.

It should be noted too though that the bladder works in harmony with the materials in this new design to really increase the frame's rigidity and response. It's almost impossible to describe until you try it but the kite is much more alive, reactive than with conventional materials.

Are you working exclusively with this material ?

We will continue to sell traditional material versions of our kites in 2020 (if that's what you're asking?) If you meant, do we have an exclusive for the use of the material - I know we're the first to market with it by virtue of our having worked so closely with them to test / refine the material. Beyond that, I can't say.

Have you done UV and abrasion testing?

Who cares if the kite costs another $100 for material that will allow the kite to last 3 more years. But as of now, the canopy is a kite's "Achilles heel". Ya, it would be nice if the LE did not stretch upon inflation as much as they do, I am just not as concerned with that. Honestly, I have not had a LE fail without being cut by a piece of glass, or blatant defective seam sewing. Nor has a LE ever stretched out or become too soft. All the ripped kites in my bin have full integrity to the LE but the canopy is worn out and dead. If you were to fix anything, the canopy would be my wish.

Still, just dreaming here.....Liquid Force V1 "Wow" with Alulla as the LE material would be the ultimate.

But I second the Canuks as being pretty cool to kite with. OR would be another brand I would look at when replacing my kites.

We've been testing versions of this material for years and are very excited to take it to market. Our initial focus was on weight reduction but your point's well taken. Canopy versions are absolutely something we've talked about and anticipate.

As for kiting with us Canucks - more the merrier!

Do you have an exclusivity agreement with Aluula or is it open to all manufacturers?

If you put it on the canopy as well I'll probably pre-order a Razor lol..

HYPE..

We have first mover advantage due to how closely we've worked with them to develop this material for the kite market. Beyond that, I can't say.

that test looks amazing...is it a cut out part with round corners? or like a cut ?

Because a cut would be more likely to happen when in use.

We agree, it's incredible. The fabric simply won't rip. That's a jagged cut through the material that he's just grabbed the sides of and pulled. Not a rounded opening. With the launch, we will have some proper statistics to back it all up and we do intend to have samples on hand for people to try to tear whenever we're conducting demos.

[purdyd]

Great video!

I’m guessing uhmw-pe. Like spectra or dyneema.

Is it waterproof?

Having a light kite that didn’t get waterlogged would be fantastic for foiling.

I remember the cuben fiber nemesis HP. My 10 meter had unlimited top end,

But it was too stiff and best had to add flex panels so it would twist to speed up the turning.

It will be interesting to try one of these kites!

[Greenturtle]

Exclusive use contract with the material manufacturer, (at least for use on kites, at least for several years), would be key. Im no business man but that much is obvious. I hope it is so, Ocean Rodeo has earned my respect these last several years of riding Flites, and I wish them the best.