Hailing from the Canadian Pacific Northwest, Ocean Rodeo is a kiteboard and technical apparel brand focused on building the best gear to challenge the most rugged and demanding kite conditions. With a full line of kites, surfboards, twin tips and drysuits, Ocean Rodeo can outfit you with the equipment needed to take on the most merciless kiteboarding environments.
OCEAN RODEO HAS A WELL-DEFINED LINEUP OF FOUR KITE MODELS THAT ARE CLEARLY TARGETED TO COVER THE MAJOR RIDING STYLES OF KITEBOARDING. HOW DO YOU STEER KITEBOARDERS BETWEEN THE PRODIGY AND RAZOR LINE OF KITES AND WHAT ARE THE KEY PERFORMANCE BENEFITS OF THE ROAM SURF KITE AND FLITE LW OPTIONS?
We believe that our kites have come to an industry-leading position by virtue of their performance. Our passion is to design gear that allows our avid group of adventurists to reach new levels in their performance, without feeling slowed down or limited by the tools they need. With four kite styles in our lineup, we set about to master the key riding disciplines of the sport; Freeride, surf, freestyle/wake and light wind/foilboard freeride.
Having the Prodigy as a performance freeride kite, this model delivers a wide range of performance to riders who really want a ”˜one kite fits all solution.’ Hit the surf, throw a mega loop, and perform in both light and heavy winds. This versatility makes the Prodigy our most popular kite in the lineup.
When we designed the Roam we only had one word in mind. Surf. With a deep draft, this kite is designed for sitting back in the window and drifting while you charge down the line. The Roam allows you to focus on the wave, not the kite. Because of its ability to sit back and drift, the Roam has also caught the attention of freeride foilboard riders looking for a stable, nimble kite.
The Razor’s our no holds barred kite. If we find new methods and designs that make a kite go higher or turn faster, it without question goes into the Razor first. Designed for the freestyle/mega loop/wakestyle rider, the direct input and industry unique forward swept tips (FST) allow for quick turns and monster megaloops.
The Flite is our light wind performance/freeride kite. Compared to any other kite on the beach, the Flite will get you up and riding before all other kites. It makes what would be considered mundane conditions for other kiters an exciting ”˜private’ session for you. Being overpowered in only eight knots isn’t a crazy thing to hear. We’ve made it a reality.
OCEAN RODEO HAS A WELL-DEFINED LINEUP OF FOUR KITE MODELS THAT ARE CLEARLY TARGETED TO COVER THE MAJOR RIDING STYLES OF KITEBOARDING. HOW DO YOU STEER KITEBOARDERS BETWEEN THE PRODIGY AND RAZOR LINE OF KITES AND WHAT ARE THE KEY PERFORMANCE BENEFITS OF THE ROAM SURF KITE AND FLITE LW OPTIONS?
We believe that our kites have come to an industry-leading position by virtue of their performance. Our passion is to design gear that allows our avid group of adventurists to reach new levels in their performance, without feeling slowed down or limited by the tools they need. With four kite styles in our lineup, we set about to master the key riding disciplines of the sport; Freeride, surf, freestyle/wake and light wind/foilboard freeride. Having the Prodigy as a performance freeride kite, this model delivers a wide range of performance to riders who really want a ”˜one kite fits all solution.’ Hit the surf, throw a mega loop, and perform in both light and heavy winds. This versatility makes the Prodigy our most popular kite in the lineup.
YOU ARE ONE OF THE FIRST COMPANIES TO BRING TO MARKET A BACKLINE TRIMMING SYSTEM WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING SHIFT CONTROL BAR. WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS OF THIS DESIGN IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, DURABILITY AND USABILITY?
Six years ago we looked at traditional above bar trim methods and realized that this entire time we had been trimming the wrong lines. Think this through for a second”” front lines take all the load, while back lines do not. By removing all the front line clutter that could sink the bar and/ or hook a reef we were able to come up with a completely new design for our flag out system. Accomplishing the ability to trim with precision while on the fly by simply moving your hand a few inches meant that in practice you could trim out with a nudge in gusty conditions or wind up to dial in the perfect power while foiling.
Having a motto of ”˜No Excuses’ transcends us to also have no excuses when it comes to the inclusion and access of the sport to everyone. The Shift Bar’s performance comes from the ease of access to power and depower, to dial in your bar to fit the best condition as well as provide the perfect sheeting range and throw for those of any arm length and size. This can be done with a combination of using the bar stopper, polyurethane tubing in combination with our stainless steel center. In terms of performance, we’ve limited the amount of moving parts, meaning that it’s durable and easily flushable of debris through the bar’s bottom which is open channeled. A sidewinder ergonomically placed along with a curved bar makes sessions longer, smiles bigger and allows any level of kiter to feel right at home.
THE MAKO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GIANT HIT FOR ITS UNIQUE SHAPE IN THE TWIN TIP LINEUP. WHAT IS THE SECRET TO THE MAKO’S POPULARITY AND WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE FOR THE TWIN TIP DEPARTMENT?
The Mako has been our calling card to the industry since we started in 2001. The secret of its popularity is something that starts with a commitment to the sport itself. The Mako is a board that was designed first and foremost for kiteboarders in rough chop and surf conditions. Having a board that allows for a smooth ride is crucial here in the Pacific Northwest as well as many other places around the globe. This mentality of thinking rider first instead of market first is what still places the Mako as a top seller for many of our dealers and distributors. As for the future of twin tips? Look out! We have the Smoothy set to release in the upcoming months. This freeride/ freestyle twin tip is the beginning of Ocean Rodeo’s next initiative to have boards that master the same conditions we’ve mastered with our kites. We don’t release new products until we get it right, and getting this right was first and foremost our priority.
THERE ARE TWO BOARDS IN THE SURF LINEUP. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DUKE AND JESTER AND WHAT CONSTRUCTION METHODS DO YOU USE AND HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY?
Starting with the Mako bottom shape and rocker, we decided to build the Duke surfboard with the same mentality of creating boards for kiting, rather than just starting with surfboards as a template or a base to merely copy. The rocker down the center on both boards is almost in balance, which means it’s basically the same in the tail as the nose. This may seem odd, yes, but that same flat planing surface down the middle gets you up and riding fast and provides speed and stability over a huge range of water and wind conditions. From the semi-flat centerline rocker, the rails drop down into a more traditional surf rail rocker so that when the rail does engage on turns these boards become carving machines. Speed from the center and a refined surf rail create a kiting experience based on what really matters. Fun!
The Jester is the younger sibling to the Duke and is simply a slimmed down version. Thinned out and rebalanced for strapless freestyle means that the ride between the two boards is similar, however the Jester feels much more daring and adventurous by being much more reactive than the Duke. Metaphorically put, the Duke runs on two cups of coffee a day, where the Jester just took a quad shot of espresso and is still looking for more.
OCEAN RODEO HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR ITS TECHNICAL LINE OF DRYSUITS THAT KEEP KITEBOARDERS ON THE WATER IN THE MOST EXTREME CONDITIONS. WHAT IS NEW IN YOUR DRYSUIT TECHNOLOGY AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS TO RIDERS WHO ONLY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH COLD WATER NEOPRENE OPTIONS?
We’ve been working hard on our lineup of suits with micro adjustments to the fit; this in turn delivers even better ergonomic movements for the rider. All of our one piece suits feature a Stand-by Mode where the neck seal can be removed and the ”˜jacket’ portion of the suit can stay zipped up. This is perfect to add comfort both before and after your adventures on the water.
For riders who are used to wetsuits, they all know that getting in and out of your wetsuit in cold conditions is the worst. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s time consuming, and can sometimes make work out of something that should just be fun. With drysuits it’s simple; these products keep you warm and dry while making set up and pack up seamless and easy to do.
As with everything, our goal is to make riding enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re in the tropics or here in the cold Pacific Northwest, it’s important that kiteboarding as a sport is never exclusive based on where you live or who you are. Have no excuses and get out there and ride your local beaches! One of our passions is extending your season to ride all year, even when things seem ”˜outside the norm’ to do so.
