Jimmy Lewis and REAL kiteboarding are proud to announce the release of Jimmy’s new lightwind twin, the JL Flight Deck.

Board Specs
Category : Lightwind Twin
Dimensions : 147cm x 18”
Tail Block : Massive
Construction : Jimmy Lewis Custom Production. Light and Tight.
Bottom Shape : Dominatrix Single Concave, beveled rail panels, rounded rails.
Fins : 4 Jimmy Lewis thin foiled 1.5” G-10 Kite Fins. Less Drag, More Speed.
Pads and Straps : Jimmy Lewis Asymmetrical Ergonomic Pads and Straps
Handle : Jimmy Lewis with soft texture for your pleasure….
Price:$799 complete

Behind the Scenes
During the 2006 season, Jimmy Lewis Kiteboards were the rage on almost every beach in the world. While many markets were satisfied with Jimmy’s comprehensive kiteboard lineup, with shapes specifically detailed for almost every user group imaginable, the one board that was consistently requested for 2007 was a lightwind dedicated twin tip.

In September of 2006, the decision was made to begin prototyping this new shape. First, all of the existing boards in this category were tested, measured, re-tested, and analyzed as to what was good about each design and what could be improved. The response to these tests was unanimous. Every board in the lightwind dedicated category did excel in lightwinds, but the performance advantages deteriorated rapidly as the wind and water conditions intensified. Both the wind and water surface condition range of these boards both seemed to be VERY limited, some only working in a narrow 5 mph wind range, or when sea surface conditions were totally flat. Once taken out of this range, either in stronger winds (winds always do increase or gust) or in chop or waves, the boards fell far short of comparing with other boards in the all around kiteboard category.

Creating a new lightwind shape that excelled in lightwind, as well as when conditions intensified, was the goal of the project. This board also needed to suit a wide range of ability levels, as most of the ultra-flat boards currently in the lightwind category proved very technical to ride.

JL Flight Deck R & D
The R & D for the new JL Flight Deck was performed by Jimmy Lewis and REAL Kiteboarding in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Testing was performed both in a wide range of conditions, and with a wide range of ability riders, REAL students all the way through REAL Coaches and Pros. The Flight Deck prototypes were ridden in all sea surface conditions, from mirror glass slicks, through chest high breaking waves, all to help find a design that had a wider range of use. Again, the goal was create a true classic shape, that matched the lightwind ability of other existing shapes, but blew them out of the water with regards to range, control and feel…..

The ‘07 Jimmy Lewis Flight Deck 147!
The results of these R&D sessions produced a shape that both excelled in lightwinds, as well as remaining in control in higher winds or rougher sea surfaces. The final dimensions of the new JL Flight Deck are 147cm x 18” x 13” tail. Jimmy says, “the secret behind the new Flight Deck is creating a board with smooth lines, both for rocker and outline. Straight lines don’t work for either, not only do they look bad, they really inhibit the performance of the board as you pick up speed or encounter rough water. Adding more curve, and also cleaning up the curve, both to the outline and the rocker, allowed us to broaden the range of use without sacrificing low end.” Add to this the unmatched control provided by the Dominatrix bottom and rail shape and you have a board that re-defines the lightwind category. Lightwind, More Wind, Totally Flat, Totally Blown Out, the new JL Flight Deck remains in control, easy to ride and rip on.

Jimmy Lewis lays it down….
"I was asked to do a very lightwind board by the guys at Real. I checked out a few of the existing boards on the market for that range and saw that they weren't much more than a rectangle snowboard with no design or shape whatsoever. The way MOST of the boards on the market today are is that they put some flex in it, put some big fins on it and it works OK. But with the lack of design, they all have severe limitations and most riders don't know this unless they can actually compare THAT board with one that DOES have a shape to it. Although the rocker and template are similar on the Flight Deck to some of the other light wind boards on the market, the Flight Deck actually has hydrodynamic PRINCIPLES incorporated into the shape. There are MANY riders and shapers, I've noticed over the years, who don't have any idea about how a curve should be. Such as the curve of the bottom going from one end to the other. Just because the Flight Deck has very little rocker and a very parallel outline doesn't mean that the CURVE doesn't have to follow basic hydrodynamic principals. All of the lines and
curves of the Flight Deck flow and blend like ALL of the boards that I shape. That's why this will be another "Magic" board in the JL line."


JL Flight Deck Availability
The first shipment of Jimmy Lewis Flight Decks will arrive in North America at the end of February 2007. Many of these first boards are pre-sold based on rumors or prototype sightings alone. The rest are available on a limited basis through REAL Kiteboarding or your local Jimmy Lewis Kiteboard Dealer. Don’t delay, call TODAY to put your name on one of the hottest kiteboard shapes of 2007 and beyond. The new 2007 Jimmy Lewis Flight Deck…….