Sizes Available: 5, 7, 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5, 15, 17m
Sizes Tested: 7, 9m
RRD Says:
The Passion MK9 is the benchmark of a high performance, 3 strut, Freeride, Wave and Big Air kite, impressing everyone from entry level riders to experts. The MK9 still delivers pure, predictable power, paired with amazing stability. This ”˜new best thing’ is a fantastic kite for all-round freeride, wave, big air, and freestyle progression that provides a perfect blend of turning speed, handling, and jumping ability. One of the important differences between most of the classic freeride kites on the market is that the Passion MK9 has 3 struts instead of five. The reduction of two struts translates into a lighter kite with more maneuverability and an increased low-end.
Expect increased performance and all-round use from this kite due to the changes made to the MK9. This year we have lowered the aspect ratio, shortened the bridles, and removed all four of the pulleys that were on the MK8; that’s a total of zero! This kite will respond immediately to input and provides direct feedback throughout the more rounded, faster turns. The MK9 is re-designed, refined, and has redefined the durability of its predecessor, the Passion MK8. The bar pressure is now lighter, it flies more on the front lines and the kite has slightly less grunt, which is compensated by the increased speed.
Visit for more info: www.robertoriccidesigns.com/equipment/kite/kites/passion-mk9
Our Testers Say:
“Quick, reactive with good low end and intuitive turning speed make for a good all around weapon. Super stable, medium bar pressure, bar grip felt thin.” // Tiberiu Anghel
“Like a bumblebee this kite zips around and fill you with passion. Super fun with easy fast turning and almost no bar pressure.” // Marko Bartscherer
“The 9m was extremely fast turning, good upwind ability, decent jumping, stable while looping quickly. Extremely light bar pressure but drives like a Ferrari, fast, agile and super fun.” // Justin Lord
TKB Says:
The Passion is RRD’s all around performance oriented freeride kite with a low to medium aspect 3-strut canopy that is designed to work for just about every discipline. The Passion uses a large diameter bayonet style inflation valve that requires no nozzle on the end of your standard pump hose for a quick and easy pump up. There are two wingtip settings for tuning turning speed and bar pressure and the single setting front bridle uses a fixed attachment point for adjusting angle of attack without the use of any pulleys. The front bridle attachment point ends in a loop and the outside attachment point ends in a knot. The Passion sports really light bar pressure (lighter than the Emotion) and generally feels like a very lively kite. Compared to the single strut Emotion, the Passion has crisper steering response and overall offers faster turning speed in perhaps a tighter steering arc. Across the board, almost all the testers highlighted the Passion’s super light bar pressure and its striking turning speed. The relaunch on the Passion is reliable; much like the Emotion, it takes a bit of bar input to get it to rollover from deep within the window before taxiing towards the edge of the window and releasing from the water. Tkb’s test team reported the Passion as being solidly stable in the sky even in gusty conditions, The Passion performed decent in the lift and hangtime category, but was equally happy drifting off the wind for surf and downwind carving.
The Passion came with RRD’s Global bar which is a fixed length bar available in a single length of 55cm with 22m lines. The Global features loops at the end of the center lines and knots at the end of the outside lines for connecting to the kite. While the lines do not offer the option for extensions, the bar features a single center line safety depower system and a low V with above the bar tuning cleat with Velcro on the depower strap. The trim loop opens and can be wrapped around the center line for to keep the toggle in place if adjustment on the fly is not desired. The Global features a static length plastic coated throw/depower line with a sliding stopper and the safety line runs up the center keeping the bar very simple, uncluttered and clean. The Global features an easy to use push away quick release, a QR shield and a below the bar hand swivel. The floats are integrated into the padded bar ends, (line lengths not tunable) and the bar bungees are not retractable. At first use, the bar diameter falls on the narrow side, but the grip is fairly cushiony with big padded bar ends that have sufficient space to wind lines. Testers commented on the high quality of the flying lines, both smooth and durable feeling. RRD has clearly put some time into the development of this bar and offers a sold mix between tech, function and simplicity.
Visit for more info on the bar: https://www.robertoriccidesigns.com/equipment/global-bar-v8
