Target

The ALMA is a light, stable and versatile kite for hydro foiling and snow kiting. It’s a new-technology design, never seen on a kite before. A monofoil-hybrid, the front half is inflated closed cells, the back is single surface, and five inflatable spars add structure and rigidity.

The ALMA is very light but is made of standard-weight, durable fabrics. It combines the best features of foil and tube kites.

It is very easy to re-launch unaided, stays airborne in light breezes and is easy to control and forgiving of positioning errors. Power generation is progressive making for fast and controllable loops. It’s amazing for hydrofoiling, great for twin-tip, and perfect for technical ascents on snow.

The ALMA is delivered without a bar. A bar can be ordered from the shop

Recommended bar size 3, 4, 6, 8 = 50cm, 10, 12, 15 = 60cm

Designer Notes

The Alma is the outcome of the collaboration between Airwave designer Tom Lolies and multiple world champion Maxime Nocher as test rider. From the start we felt that hybrid single skins foil kites had a huge a potential. We assumed that with a lot of research in development we could create a kite that would combine the best of the tube kite and foil kite worlds:

– A kite 20% lighter than the lightest tube kite on the market, yet using strong and durable materials
– Low bar pressure, nice bar feedback
– Progressive power generation in loop or gusts for easy foiling and surfing
– Low packing volume for snowkite and touring adventures
– Super tight turn radius, kiteloop and megaloop machine
– Instantaneous depower
– Super simple line layout, no tangling
– Easy relaunch
– Rock solid stability even in strong turbulence

After a year of intense R&D, Thousands of computational hours, many prototypes and countless trim configurations, we are very proud to present that will surely transform your riding regardless of your style. Initially optimised for foiling, it also performs in wave riding, strapless surfing and twintip riding.

The structural design of the Alma is truly different. An hybrid single skin with a high aspect ratio, a radical arc, and 5 closed cells stiffened with high modulus nylon wire stopping any flutter of the canopy. Also, it is by far the single skin with the simplest line layout on the market with only 6 attachment points per side, for each of the 3 line levels of the kite.

Despite the use of strong and durable cloth, it is still 300g lighter than the lightest LEI (Leading Edge Inflatable) kite on the market (for the size 12).

The Alma offers a very progressive and fast loop, making foil manoeuvres and technical ascents on snow much easier. It forgives piloting errors thanks to a very progressive power generation, ideal for foiling.

The drift is incredibly efficient so you can surf without fear of letting the lines go slack. If you push the limits and it happens anyway, the kite will re-fly gently without a strong pull in the harness making it also very safe for riding in turbulent conditions.

The power to depower ratio is exceptional giving every size a wide range of use.

It relaunches without any action from the rider in winds above 12 knots, and, in lighter winds, can be relaunched by pulling both back lines (foil kite style) or one back line (LEI kite style).