The Lift – The Ultimate Big Air Machine
Interview with Lead Kite Tester, Jason Van Der Spuy.
The Lift v4 has taken everything that’s good from its predecessor and fine tuned it even more. It’s faster, more intuitive, and climbs like a rocket. This kite is without a doubt among the best 5 strut big air kites available. What a machine! – Jason Van Der Spuy
What was the main design goal when developing the Lift v4, and how does it improve upon the v3?
The primary design goal behind developing Lift v4 was to enhance the looping functionality, making it smoother, more intuitive, and easier to manage.
This improvement was accomplished without sacrificing any of the powerful features or performance that made the Lift v3 so effective. The v4 update focuses on providing users with a more efficient and user-friendly interface while maintaining the robustness and capabilities of its predecessor.
In essence, the goal was to strike the perfect balance between improved usability and retaining the core strengths of the Lift v3.
The Lift Team uses H2 Ultra PE leading edge, how much weight savings and durability improvements are we talking about compared to the original model?
The 9m Lift Team v4 model weighs 3.040 kg, which is noticeably lighter than the original 9m Lift, which weighs 3.260 kg.
This results in a weight difference of 220 grams between the OG and Team model. In addition to the weight reduction, the 9m Lift Team v4 also boasts significant durability improvements, particularly with its use of the H2 Ultra PE leading edge, which provides improved strength and longevity.
These upgrades not only make the Team version lighter but also enhance its performance and resistance to wear, making it a more efficient and long-lasting choice.
The Lift has always been known for its boosting power—what did you do in V4 to push that even further?
While the Lift has always been renowned for its impressive boosting power, the primary focus of the Lift v4 was to refine the control and precision during the boost.
In v4, the emphasis was placed on improving how users can manage and direct the boost, providing a more stable and responsive experience. The improvement lies in the enhanced control mechanisms, making it easier for users to harness and fine-tune the Lift v4.
This allows for more consistency and adaptability in a variety of scenarios, ultimately improving the overall user experience without compromising on the core performance of the kite.
The construction is very different between the Lift and Lift Team —what was the design philosophy behind keeping the same performance DNA but applying two different construction approaches?
The design philosophy behind the Lift and Lift Team’s differing constructions revolves around maintaining the same core performance DNA, while tailoring each model to suit distinct needs and preferences through different material choices and design approaches.
For the Lift Team, we opted to use the all-new H2, a material that is significantly stiffer and more rigid than the traditional Dacron used in the standard Lift. This choice allows us to reduce the leading edge (LE) diameter, which offers several benefits.
By using H2, we can achieve a more streamlined profile, which not only reduces overall weight but also enhances the kite’s aerodynamic efficiency. The smaller LE diameter decreases drag, which in turn improves the kite’s performance, particularly in terms of speed and responsiveness. The stiffer construction of the Lift Team gives it greater rigidity, which contributes to more precise control and a more direct feel during flight. This material choice reflects the Team’s focus on advanced riders seeking high-performance, while still preserving the Lift’s signature power and responsiveness.
Essentially, the two different construction methods allow us to fine-tune the kite’s characteristics to better suit various riding styles and preferences, all while preserving the core performance qualities that both kites share.
Jason Van Der Spuy is a standout in the kiteboarding world and serves as our head kite tester, working closely with Mark Pattison and Clinton Filen to develop performance driven kites. His hands-on approach ensures each design meets the demand of modern kiteboarding – from performance freeride to big air – in the most extreme conditions.