NAISH Ride
Sizes Available: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14m
Sizes Tested: 9m
Naish Says:
The Ride is a great kite for everyday kiteboarders looking for ease and simplicity. The incredibly lightweight, two-strut design provides superior low-end performance due to its fuller center section, creating a drifting effect while maintaining smooth power delivery throughout turning. It also has a slightly flatter arc compared to other kites, which gives it more punch when sheeting-in and provides easy jumping along with that nice “sheet-in-and-go” feel. The reduced surface area of the wing tip allows the kite to rotate with minimal drag on the water””resulting in a very easy water relaunch. In addition, fewer struts allow the Ride to inflate faster and pack smaller, so it can travel practically anywhere and be the first kite to get out on the water. New for this year are re-oriented struts and seams””allowing for better airflow throughout the kite and improved efficiency.
Visit for more info: https://www.naishkites.com/product/ride/
Our Testers Say:
“Great kite for someone getting into the sport. Easy to ride, with plenty of grunt, but performs really well in the upper end of its range, with a nice consistent pull through turns,” Dray Murray.
“Very stable, updated inflation system is a good improvement, great freeriding kite as well as a great starter kite for newbies,” Pat O’Connor.
“Nice easy riding stable kite, relaunches very well with middle of the road user-friendly turning and jumping performance,” Davey Beard.
TKB Says:
The Ride is a 2-strut medium aspect freeride kite that earned marks for its user-friendly performance, quick relaunch and large overall range. The Ride inflates quickly with a new large diameter Boston valve that requires the standard large nozzle attachment. The struts inflate via one way internal distribution strut valves which have 9mm valves on each strut for its two-step “Octopus” deflation system. The Ride features a single setting front bridle with simple pulleys and three steering settings on the wingtips as well as drain windows on the wingtips and a single 13” leading edge batten where the center strut would normally reside. Testers liked the Ride’s light to medium bar pressure as well as its predictable sweeping turns that build consistent power through the steering arc. The two struts keep the build weight down and despite the kite’s minimal strut layout it kept its shape without flapping in everything other than extremely overpowered conditions. The relaunch was reported to be excellent. Overall, testers recommend the Ride for those that are looking for a simple all around freeride performer that would be ideal for plane travel, but also felt like this kite could double as a great first kite for a beginner.
The Ride comes with the Base control bar which is a lightweight simpler bar with dual adjustable length bar ends (45, 51cm) and features a single center-line safety depower, spectra sheeting/throw line, push away quick release with integrated below the bar tuning. The throw is adjustable by moving a fixed stopper with a fin key, but also comes with a sliding stopper and the outside lines are tunable under the bar floats. This bar offers pure function and performance, by foregoing weight adding features like a swivel Naish makes this kite ready for travel. Testers commented on the bar’s overall light weight, and liked its smaller diameter and comfortable yet slightly more aggressive grip pattern.
Visit for more info on the bar: https://www.naishkites.com/product/base/
