Appletree's eigen Wieger zit er weer relaxed bij in een tuintje in Kaapstad. Beetje babbellen met Luke McGillewe over Big Air met een strapless boardje. Geen vette action video maar een Tech Talk met Mr Appletree 
Welcome to another Appletree Surfboards Tech Talk video, featuring Luke McGillewe, a kite designer for Flysurfer and long-time friend of the brand. In this episode, Luke discusses the growing trend of big air strapless kiteboarding and shares his insights into board and kite design for this discipline.
Is Big Air Strapless Kiteboarding a Thing?
Yes, it’s definitely a thing, with younger riders like the Casati brothers pushing the boundaries. While riders like Airton Cozzolino and Matchu have been central figures in the sport, it’s exciting to see new talent emerging.
What Makes a Good Big Air Surfboard?
Luke prefers compact boards with a cut-off nose and wider tail, which help with board control and reduce wind resistance. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the board small and light to aid quick handling during big jumps.
Does Board Weight Matter?
Yes, board weight plays a significant role. Lighter boards stick to the feet better for big air jumps, while heavier boards can be beneficial for wave riding in choppy conditions. However, Luke highlights that some lightweight boards, like the ones from Appletree, maintain durability despite being light.
Different Board Constructions
Luke mentions that while carbon boards offer stiffness, which helps with pop and takeoffs, they can be tougher on the knees. Appletree board constructions like the S+ or CF+ offer both strength and performance, allowing for confident landings without fear of breaking the board.
Landing Big Jumps
Luke notes that with big air kites, the landings are softer due to the lift provided by the kite, which projects forward momentum. This helps make landings smoother, even when riding surfboards.
Differences Between Big Air and Wave Kites
Big air kites provide more lift and time in the air during down loops compared to wave kites.
Big Air Kites
Luke's FlySurfer Era kite has been receiving positive reviews in the big air community. Although his 35-meter jump was on a twin-tip board, he aims to push similar heights with a surfboard.
What to Look for in a Big Air Kite?
For big air strapless kiteboarding, many top riders are using five-strut kites, which provide more air time and softer landings (depending on you skills). Luke suggests looking at what's performing well in the market and adapting from there.
Transitioning from Twin-Tip to Wave Riding
Luke advises that riders transitioning from twin-tip to wave riding should stick to their existing kites and focus on changing one thing at a time, like starting with a surfboard.
Can You Wave Ride with a Big Air Kite?
Yes, big air kites are capable of wave riding as they can turn and depower efficiently, making them versatile for both big air and wave riding.