Matt Nuzzo: 15 to 17 real slick. It's go time to see if Keahi's got what it takes to ride gear from 1999.
Matt Nuzzo: What's up everybody? Matt Nuzzo with REAL. Today we've got a treat. We're going to put Keahi out on my original F-ONE kit. We started with F-ONE kites because they're the only kites that held air. This is the original F-ONE Shadow. Trip and I rode these things forever. It was awesome. We still got a couple other history things over here. We got a whip of Free Air, which we've patched up a ton. Old pulley bar with hockey tape. We're going to go over here and pick out a board for Keahi. I've been collecting these things for just this moment. First twin tip, then the XS70. This was such a sick kitesurfing board in its time. So good. So, we're going to put him on the directional F-ONE Shadow 7 and see what it can do. Raphaël, you think Keahi's got what it takes? Come on. Twin tip kite surf Shadow 7. Let's go.
Matt Nuzzo: Yo, Keahi, you think you got what it takes? Come on, bro. Let's do some kiteboarding history lesson. Look at all these beautiful F-ONE kites. The past meets the future. The latest in technology from F-ONE. These are the newest, latest, and greatest from F-ONE. We have the XS70, awesome for ripping turns and getting barreled. Then we have the TT1 174, huge airs going big time. Then we have our three-line foil kite, which is good for relaunching, stability, and dragging you down the beach.
Keahi de Aboitiz: How you feeling? Kind of excited.
Matt Nuzzo: Modern shape. Raphaël Salles is going to be stoked to see you sending it on this. We've been saving this. This was the original, original kite surfer board. We had the TT215, which was a wood board, and then they came out with the XS70. It was super high-tech shape, lots of rocker to handle full powered kites like that one. And then if we can get some straps on this one, she's ready to go so you can go do some aerial maneuvers. Check out the reverse angle almost. Custom fins here. Raphaël Salles was cutting edge here. Have you ever flown one of those?
Keahi de Aboitiz: I have not.
Matt Nuzzo: Okay, well you're in for a treat. Lesson time. I'm going to do what's called a hot launch. I'm going to bridle fly the kite and then I let go and you just drag until you get the kite to neutral. Sound good? Lines attached, quick setup. Okay, these lines are super long. They're like 35s, maybe. They came with 40s, but the 40s broke, so we put this Q-Power line on here. It's a three-line setup. A three-line setup means you have two steering lines and then a brake line for water relaunch or for safety.
Keahi de Aboitiz: Lots of depower, right?
Matt Nuzzo: All power, fully powered full-time. You depower by edging. You just edge harder. So in 1999, we were riding these foil kites because the inflatable kites just deflated. You had to have a sandwich sealer to go and seal all the bladders. You had to take all the bladders out and basically do kite repair on your brand new kite. This one you had to deal with all these bridles, but it held air. Both were super sketchy, both were super fun.
Keahi de Aboitiz: Does the safety do something?
Matt Nuzzo: Yes. If you let go, it pulls the back lines. It pulls the C-line and drops it. Okay, Keahi, you ready? How's that bar feel? Are they making them like they used to? No depower, full power. What's that thing hanging off there? I believe this is what they used to call a sail. And this is why when people say, "Man, that sport's pretty dangerous," you're about to find out why this sport used to be really dangerous. Keahi is our test dummy.
Matt Nuzzo: Okay, we got the go ahead. It's like a stunt kite. You just got to run backwards. Hey, let the old guy take over. Straight downwind launch. A little harder than we used to remember, but we'll see if we can get it. All right, good effort. We'll get this. How did you launch this thing before? Neither do I. No, it's not there yet. Hold down, I need a hold down. And how did you blow out your hamstring? Yep, there we go. Here we go. Oh yeah, we're locked in. This thing's ready. Here we go. Only took four of us to launch it. Look how stable this sucker is. Perfectly tuned bar. Are you overpowered or underpowered? It turns pretty quick. Stopping is optional. You edge if you want to stop. Remember, if you want to stop, you put the kite on that side and you keep going that way. I think we're good.
Matt Nuzzo: All right, let's do this. So, we actually used to teach on these things, believe it or not. And it's water-relaunchable. Just pull the C-line. That's what that big giant line is in the back. Keep air moving. Hold down is important. Can a pro kiteboarder actually kite on old gear? I guess the answer is yes.
Matt Nuzzo: Yeah, he's driving the school bus! Let's go, baby!
Matt Nuzzo: Yo, how you doing?
Keahi de Aboitiz: Fine.
Matt Nuzzo: How's your retro gear?
Keahi de Aboitiz: Perfect for sending it.
Matt Nuzzo: You can't ollie that. Come on, bro.
Matt Nuzzo: How'd you go, Keahi?
Keahi de Aboitiz: Kind of worked. Definitely a little faster than a regular two-line. What I learned is you just got to turn it and get speed, and if you want to slow down, lean back and edge as hard as you can and hope for the best.
Matt Nuzzo: Well, that was the thing in '99. This was the only kite that held air, so you could actually go kiteboarding. It actually is super stable and turns pretty quick. You got a giant super broomstick, but it turns really quick for a bar that big. It's cool to see a pro riding a kite and board from 1999, our first gear, and it all works. How'd the board go?
Keahi de Aboitiz: Board goes good. I kind of want to try it with a real kite and see if I can do a little bit more, dude. Let's go. Perfect for sending it.
Matt Nuzzo: Want to find out some kiteboarding history? Give us a call at the shop: 252-987-6000. If you want to come and ride this crazy stuff over here, you can go to the shop or stay in those accommodations at realwatersports.com. See you guys on the water for the next one. Got a waiver for this thing?
