Behind the Design: the Innovation Behind Duotone’s New Team Series Range

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the new Team Series lineup and how each board is designed to meet specific rider needs?

The idea of the Team Series lineup really stemmed from the need to create a specialized quiver for our top riders. We wanted to develop boards that could cater to the different styles and disciplines our athletes excel in. The Team Series Park, Team Series Big Air, and Team Series Freestyle were each designed with a specific focus in mind. For instance, the Team Series Big Air is all about extreme performance in high-wind, big jump scenarios, while the Team Series Freestyle is tailored for riders who need that perfect pop for technical tricks. The Team Series Park, on the other hand, is built for riders who love park-style riding with obstacles and need a board that can handle those technical needs with ease.

What are the key differences between the Team Series Park, Team Series Big Air, and Team Series Freestyle?

Each board in the Team Series lineup is designed with unique features that enhance specific aspects of performance. The Team Series Big Air, for example, is stiff with amazing pop, making it ideal for those big air competitions. We’ve worked closely with Andrea Principi to ensure this board can withstand the immense forces during high jumps and hard landings. The Team Series Freestyle, however, is designed with a slightly different focus. It has excellent pop and design elements for it to excel for unhooked tricks and handle passes. The Team Series Park is more flexible, designed for park riders who need a board that performs well on obstacles while still being responsive and easy to control.

You mentioned working closely with top riders like Andrea Principi on the Team Series Big Air. What kind of feedback did you receive, and how did it shape the final design?

Working with Andrea was a game-changer for the Team Series Big Air. He needed a board that could handle extreme conditions and deliver consistent performance. After testing the first prototype, Andrea crashed hard during the King of the Air, but the board held up perfectly. That was a big moment for us. His feedback was crucial in making the board as stiff and durable as it is today. We focused on creating a board that wouldn’t break, no matter how hard you land. This led us to reinforce the board with a carbon X string on the top, which provides additional strength and pop, ensuring that it meets the demands of the most intense big air sessions.

The Team Series boards have been graphically aligned to create a unified look. What was the design philosophy behind this, and how do you think it enhances the overall experience for riders?

The graphical alignment of the Team Series boards was about creating a cohesive identity that reflects their elite performance. We wanted these boards to stand out, especially in photos, which is why we went with bold, eye-catching designs. For example, the Team Series Big Air has this really striking design with big, bold lettering and a color scheme that pops on the water. This not only gives the boards a distinctive look but also helps riders feel connected to the team quiver. It’s about creating a sense of belonging and pride in riding something that’s both visually striking and technologically advanced.

Stiffness and durability are essential for high-performance boards. How have you balanced these elements in the Team Series, particularly with the new carbon X string reinforcement?

Stiffness and durability were key priorities, especially for the Team Series Big Air. The carbon X string we integrated into the top sheet provides incredible rigidity, which translates into explosive pop and resilience during hard landings. This is crucial for riders like Andrea and Edgar who push the limits in every session. We wanted to ensure that the board wouldn’t just perform at the highest level but also last through the punishing conditions of big air and freestyle riding. The result is a board that’s not only powerful but also extremely reliable, giving riders the confidence to go big without worrying about their gear.

How does the Team Series Freestyle cater to the needs of riders looking for maximum performance during their tricks?

The Team Series Freestyle is all about control and precision. We’ve designed it to deliver the perfect edge control and pop, which is essential for unhooked tricks and technical moves. The board’s construction allows riders to generate that explosive pop needed to launch into tricks. This makes the Team Series Freestyle a versatile option for riders who want a board that delivers precision and consistent performance.

The Team Series Park is designed for park-style riding. How did you ensure that this board meets the demands of riders who focus on obstacles and more technical maneuvers?

Park-style riding demands a board that’s both a little more flexible than the Big Air or Freestyle and it needs to be durable. For the Team Series Park, we focused on creating a board that can handle the impacts of park riding while still providing a smooth, responsive ride. The flex pattern is optimized to absorb shock and provide control when riding over obstacles for locking into controlled presses, while the durability of the materials ensures that the board can withstand the wear and tear of park riding. We also worked on the base material to make it more resistant to damage from obstacles, ensuring that the board remains in top condition even after intense sessions in the park.

What challenges did you face during the development of these boards, especially with the new materials and technologies you’ve implemented?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing performance with sustainability. We’ve been working on integrating bio-based materials into our boards without compromising their strength and responsiveness. For example, we’ve switched out the ABS rails for a 70% bio-based PU material, which not only improves the environmental footprint but also enhances durability and UV resistance. It was a challenge to find materials that could perform at the level we needed while still being more eco-friendly. But through extensive testing and development, we’ve managed to create a lineup that we’re really proud of, both in terms of performance and sustainability.

Finally, how do you see the Team Series evolving in the future, and what can riders expect in terms of innovation and design from Duotone?

The Team Series is always evolving, and we’re constantly looking for ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of performance and sustainability. In the future, you can expect to see even more integration of advanced materials and technologies that enhance the riding experience while reducing our environmental impact. We’re also working on refining the designs to make them even more tailored to the specific needs of our top riders and the broader kitesurfing community. Our goal is to continue leading the industry with boards that not only perform at the highest level but also set new standards for sustainability and innovation.