Airush Switch v11 Twintip Kiteboard
The longest-running board model in kiteboarding history – the Switch is the ultimate refined freeride machine. Designed for all-around fun riding, combining ease of use with forgiving and friendly handling, the Switch matches the needs of progressing kiters and those looking for a comfortable ride. With the new kiter in mind, the progressive single concave provides excellent comfort for a smooth and lively riding experience. Thin rails ensure a clean water release and offer sensationally low drag and easy upwind tracking.
SHAPE TECHNOLOGY
- Freeride rocker.
- Freeride specific outline
DETAILS
“The Switch is the longest running Twin Tip design in kiteboarding, going right back to the earliest days of the sport. Legendary designers like Jimmy Lewis and Colin McCulloch have in the past worked on this model. With the 20 years of history it is quite an honor for me to be able to put my own take on this important board in the Airush line up.” – Designer Dave Kay
The Switch is a Freeride model and for many Airush customers it will be their first board. To this end the Switch needs to be EASY: easy to ride, easy to control, and easy to get upwind on. It also needs to not limit a rider’s progression, it can’t be a board that you ‘outgrow’ in a short space of time.
The key design points that lead to this ‘easy rider’ style are:
- Progressive single concave bottom shape, deeper in the middle for lift and upwind ability and flat in the tip to keep this area flexible.
- Thin Step-down rails for clean water release and low drag.
- Low rocker for fast planning and easy upwind ability.
- ‘Mid square’ outline for tracking and stability
On the looks – the graphics team has killed it this year too; the exposed wood and color coded accessories have made it an amazing package.
CONSTRUCTION
AR GLASS
The layup found on the Switch is strictly focused on durability and responsiveness, ensuring a perfect combination for all freeriding needs. This construction is simple yet effective for smooth, easy, and forgiving riding.
ABS REINFORCED INSERTS & RAILS
No more pulled or broken inserts from hard landings or crashes. Featured on all Airush boards, the ABS Reinforced Inserts create the ultimate amount of durability, whether riding with boots or straps.
PAULOWNIA MULTIZONE BIOTECH CORE
The Airush Multi-zone Biotech Construction is a vertical paulownia wood core sandwich. This multilayer construction creates a consistent density from the natural material. Our wood cores are renowned for their response, durability and smoothness, and are combined with a versatile combination of laminates depending on each model’s requirement, for all-round performance and durability.
AK DURABLE SUPPLY CO BINDINGS
The Switch is the only board that is kitted with AK Durable Supply Co’s vibrant yellow bindings, handle & fin set.
SWITCH vs. SWITCH TEAM
The Switch is a Freeride model that is easy to ride, easy to control, and easy to get upwind on.
The Switch Team takes all the design features of the Switch and adds some higher performance elements for more demanding riders.
In particular Airush has added a Basalt Fiber Unidirectional I-Beam between the rider’s feet. This stiffens the board up as well as adding extra overall rocker. With a straighter outline than the Apex/Apex Team, the Switch Team is an excellent alternative in the range for flat water freestyle.
TEAM CHAT
Known for delivering durability and innovation, the Airush has released a new version of each twintip model over the past two years. For the new Freeride series, DK, Take us on a deep dive into what you were out to achieve with the Switch?
Dave Kay: The Switch is the longest-running Twin Tip design in kiteboarding history, going right back to the earliest days of the sport. Legendary designers like Jimmy Lewis and Colin McCulloch have in the past worked on this model. With 20 years of history behind the board, it is quite an honor for me to be able to put my own take on this important board in the Airush lineup. The Switch is a Freeride model and for many Airush customers, it will be their first board. To this end, at the forefront, the Switch needs to be EASY, easy to ride, easy to control, and easy to get upwind on. It also needs to not limit a rider’s progression, it can’t be a board that you ‘outgrow’ in a short space of time.
The key design points that lead to this ‘easy rider’ style are a progressive single concave bottom shape, that is deeper in the middle for lift and upwind ability while being flat in the tip to keep this area flexible. Thin Step-down rails for clean water release and low drag. Low rocker for fast planing and easy upwind ability. ‘Mid square’ outline for tracking and stability.
I think the graphics team has killed it this year on the aesthetic and look of the board, the exposed wood and color-coded accessories have made it an amazing package.
How does the Switch Team differ from the Switch?
DK: The Switch Team takes all the design features of the Switch and adds some higher performance elements for more demanding riders. In particular, we have added a Basalt Fiber Unidirectional I-Beam between the rider’s feet. This stiffens the board up, as well as adding extra overall rocker.
With a straighter outline than the Apex or Apex Team, the Switch Team is an excellent alternative in the range for flat water freestyle.
You spend a lot of time riding the Switch and Lithium as a combo, what do you feel these products bring to the market?
Victor Hays: Riding the Switch and Lithium is probably one of the easiest plug-and-play combos available on the market. The Switch is extremely easy and comfortable in every kind of condition, especially in choppy conditions.
It’s fast, with extremely easy upwind ability. It’s the perfect combination for riders wanting a good predictable ride, while the Lithium will give you the best Plug and Play ever. You literally just need to connect your bar and ride.
