Since 2015, unbeknown to most, F-One and their head board designer Charles Bertrand have been developing dedicated boards for wheelchair athletes with the help of SitKite godfather Thierry Schmitter. Here is the updated sitkite board collection. F-One is using their know-how and access to technology used on our surf and foilboards collection to improve the previous models. You can download the new specs below.
As a mountaineer Thierry got hit by an avalanche while climbing. You can read his bio here. When the snow melted, Thierry sailed out winning multiple World Championship’s and participated in three Paralympics. In his search for independence and with his passion for the outdoors he became the godfather of “SitKite” and continues to develop this new sport. Thierry inspires, motivates and grabs all opportunities. Watch the video he shot with Kinetic-Balance in Cape Town, such an inspiring video. Thierry has been deeply involved in the development of the SitKite boards, and below is his take on the new board setup (Source: SiteKite.com)
F-One, my dedicated partner in the development of sitkite boards since 2015 comes out in 2020 with the latest version of the surf and foil models. Both models have been improved together with my progression in sitkite-surfing and -foiling.
Many riders have tried to use existing foil boards as a sitkite-board. The outline of those boards looks like the outline of a sitkite-board (but isn’t the same!) and are in general cheaper than a dedicated sitkite-board. Therefore, I can understand the temptation to use mass produced boards…
But the lack of nose rocker and straight outline makes those boards unsuitable to ride in chop or surf waves. Also, the nose of those boards is too long which makes the board unsafe when being dragged in the water by the traction of a crashed kite. The nose surface in front of the rider’s feet works as a drogue anchor, which prevent the rider to orient himself into a safe waterstart position (feet oriented in the direction of the kite). Also, the reduced volume of the F-One sitkite board is essential for the safety. A board with too much volume implies that the rider floats butt up and head down, which means drowning…
Further, to be able to go upwind properly, you need at least two fins 6-10cm deep. The Tuttle box, instead of a unibox system, enables beach landing without breaking fins or board inserts.
The combination of a wooden core (reduced volume) and the pronounced 3D nose rocker (longitudinal and transversal curvature) makes the design of the F-One sitkite board unique and asks for a dedicated production process. The wooden (Paulownia) core is CNC machined in the F-One twin-tip factory and the glass layup is done in the F-one surf board factory.
The 3D nose rocker makes the wave riding sensation very close to surfboard, the rail is rounded in the front and ‘edgy’ in the back. The winger and swallow tail are also implemented for wave riding in small to medium size waves and chop (typical conditions of the North Sea). To make the board indestructible, a small deck strip / elevation has been incorporated to spread the local load of the frame into the board.
Further, the deck layout and inserts position of the F-One sitkite-board are compatible with the Wolturnus sitkite-surf frame and sitkite-foil frame. The frame is made of anodized high-grade Aluminum (7030). The weight of the surf frame is 1,8kg! and after 3 years of intensive use in all kind of waves and salty waters, it has been found indestructible. Wolturnus is a high-end wheelchair manufacturer in Denmark.
The seats are manufactured by Tessier adaptive sports in France and are available in 4 sizes. The dedicated sitkite cutouts makes the Tessier seat specially adapted for sitkite boarding.
The (foot)straps and webbing to fix the spreader bar are custom made by my local sailmaker in Scheveningen. The shock absorbers connecting the board with the frame are standard shear-mounts APK type (TP080A70). Those shock absorbers enable that the frame doesn’t prevent the board from flexing. All nuts and bolts for assembling the different parts should be of marine INOX 316 grade (A4).
We met Chris & Chris Jr. MacDonald, dad & son early in the spring during the lockdown at Crissy Beach in San Francisco. The parkings were closed but not the beach, which was just a great way for all kiters, windsurfers and wingers to get their daily dose of happy water time, and this is the time of the year where it blows hard every day. Young Chris progression in a few months has been quite phenomenal and we are happy to report he has join our F-One & Manera National team program.
It has been amazing to see a lot of young kids join the wing revolution. This is so refreshing. Chris is currently ahead of the pack and showing skills that are just crazy for his young age. For the summer the MacDonald family moved to Hood River and we caught up with Chris after a post epic Hatchery day (+25kts) where we asked him a few questions. And to not forget: Chris LOVES to jump!
Name: Christopher Graeme MacDonald
Age: 14
Height: 5'
Where do you live throughout the year: Fairfax, California USA
Favorite spot: Crissy Field
Hood River Favorite spot: The Hatchery
La Ventana Favorite spot: Rasta Where are you attending school and what grade are you currently in: I am enrolled in Hood River High School Options academy. Its a study at your own pace program. I want to get the full high school experience but Zoom school from 8am to 3pm doesn’t sound fun....especially when its windy.
When did you start wing foiling: Well it was pretty recently... I would say three months?
Let’s talk about your water sports background: Which water sports where you involved prior to wing foiling? Kiting ? Surfing ? Wakeboarding. Well my dad used to tow me across the pool on a wakeboard with a pulley to the diving board when I was really young. We wakeboarded in the delta as well. I started kiting two years ago and fell in love with the twin tip and surfboard. Then last December I started kite foiling. I learned behind the boat then moved to the kite. I love to surf anytime I can and can't wait to prone foil.
What are your favorite wind conditions: 25 to 30 knot and huge swell for jumping
Favorite size swing wing to fly: 2.8m for sure. That's my magic wing I can do all my tricks on it
Go to foil and board combination, what do you ride on a typical day and why: That's a good question things are changing so fast. Right now I love my F-One Rocket Surf 4.2' 28L with foot straps and 105 Carbon Mast with 530 Escape monobloc. It's so fast and I can boost really high. I also like the 800 Mirage with the 85cm mast. My mom rides the F-One Rocket 5'5 85L which is surprisingly fun in really light winds to just play around and practice tricks.
Idols and professional athletes, do you have an idol you look up to in the wind sports industry? Why and what makes this person stand out to you? You know there’s a guy here in Hood River named Chris Anderson, we have been riding at the Hatch together all summer. He has been a professional wind athlete his whole life and has taught me so much about wind sports and life in general. Whenever I ride with him at the Hatch he introduces me to everyone and is really cool. I also got the chance to ride with Chuck Patterson who is a legend also.
Favorite post wing meal: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We make them every morning and take them to the beach. It's crazy but after an epic Wing session PB and J tastes amazing, and of course who doesn’t love Chicken Wings! There’s a place on the top of Mt. Hood that has the best wings on the planet.
Is there a location you dream of wing foiling one day? Sprecks at Maui for sure, anywhere where there’s good surf
Who’s you favorite person to follow on instagram: Thats easy, Kook of the day!