Goodbye F-One - Liam Whaley

[lizards]

Damn I was hoping he’d go back to cabrinha who could use more presence in the big air scene. Anyone but duotone though.

[nothing2seehere]

I agree. Big air is a bit of a 3 horse race at the moment. Duotone, North and Core.

I know Giel is doing well with Ocean Rodeo but I kind of see that as an anomaly as if he's injured/not competing you aren't going to see another Ocean Rodeo kite anywhere in the competition. Thinking about it, I wonder if Ocean Rodeo would have been an interesting company to bring Liam into the team - although maybe that's just a sideways move from Liam?

[Bill C]

Would I buy a North kite because of Whaley...no. My buying decision is based on quality, support and performance for the 'average Joe kiter'. Reminds me when I used to play a lot of golf, people would run out and buy the latest clubs sponsored by the pro's, but didn't do anything for their game.

But I get it, every industry has to have heroes.

[rnelias]

sponsored riders are not only important to influence the market. They should also be important as a showcase and to develop the equipment.

Some brands have excelent products but people will not have the chance to know if they can't see, at least, on social media.

I think DTK will "retire" Aaron on KOTA (2 times champion) and will refresh the bet with Liam, however, with the kite prices increasing, people will tend to search their quiver more based on quality than on performance.

[Baptiste_FR]

I think the hardest thing for Liam will be to switch from Manera wetsuit and harness to ION !!

[dracop]

sponsored riders are not only important to influence the market. They should also be important as a showcase and to develop the equipment.

Some brands have excelent products but people will not have the chance to know if they can't see, at least, on social media.

I think DTK will "retire" Aaron on KOTA (2 times champion) and will refresh the bet with Liam, however, with the kite prices increasing, people will tend to search their quiver more based on quality than on performance.

I agree with that, sponsored riders are there to help showcase their brand and promote it. Show what can be done and let qualified
people try fancy new stuff.

I do not think Duotone retires Aaron - when Aaron is ready to go, he will. He is still performing at such a high level no point in bugging him. Other Duotone riders have been earning their way up.

Big Air is currently a three horse race, altho the new OR Rise is getting good reviews. The Rise is prob not a good Intermediate Big Air kite, but supposedly it rewards pro technique. So we will have a four horse race soon enough.

Some brands WANT to stay in the kite industry and will likely adapt (F-One, Slingshot, Cabrinha) - which would make it a 5 horse race! My money is on Cab coming back to Big Air - they have a designer who can do it (he did the Orbit), Pete (now the owner again, not just a mascot like he was last few years) loves bragging about Big Air even if does not like the discipline anymore (he lives on Maui, kites same beaches as me), and SB could be modified. Its already a grunty kite with a smooth radial kiteloop, just needs improvement.

[skyte]

Some brands WANT to stay in the kite industry and will likely adapt (F-One, Slingshot, Cabrinha) - which would make it a 5 horse race!

I agree. Big air is a bit of a 3 horse race at the moment. Duotone, North and Core.

The Slingshot Machine can easily give any big air kite a run for their money. I think its just as important to have top riders who want to push the limits of big air riding. You can't win big air comps like KOTA without both!

It's really great for the sport that it is not just focussed on freestyle / wakestyle.

[Kamikuza]

What's the longest any team rider or whatever has been with a brand...?

[Baptiste_FR]

What's the longest any team rider or whatever has been with a brand...?

I think Robby Naish is still with the same kite brand from the beginning...

[Kamikuza]

What's the longest any team rider or whatever has been with a brand...?

I think Robby Naish is still with the same kite brand from the beginning...

Jackass