Naish in the UAE: Which Kite, Wing or Board for What

Quick answer: if you are learning to kite in the UAE, start with the Naish Xeon trainer kite on the beach, then a forgiving twin tip like the Naish Hero. Experienced kiters riding Dubai's light winds should look at the Boxer kite and the Motion board. For wing foiling, the ADX is the all-rounder and the Matador LT is the lighter, compact option.

Naish makes kites, wings, foils, kiteboards, SUP paddles and more, and its catalogue is big enough that most people only need two or three of its products. This guide explains which Naish gear suits which rider and which UAE conditions, with the models we actually have in stock. Everything is in our Naish collection, priced in AED with delivery across the UAE.

In this guide

• Who is Naish?
• Which Naish gear for which sport?
• What UAE wind means for your gear choice
• Naish kites and kiteboards
• Naish wings and foil boards
• Naish SUP paddles
• Comparison table
• Looking after Naish gear in the Gulf
• FAQs

Who is Naish?

Naish is a Hawaiian watersports brand started by Robby Naish, the windsurfing world champion who went on to shape the early kitesurfing and stand up paddle scenes. Today it makes gear across kitesurfing, wing foiling, foiling, windsurfing and SUP.

For UAE riders, Naish's strength is gear for light and moderate wind, which is what we get most days. The trade-off: Naish is a premium brand, so it costs more than budget kite brands, and some of the in-stock items are previous-season models. Previous-season kites and boards perform almost identically and are often the better value.

Which Naish gear for which sport?

What does UAE wind mean for your gear choice?

Most UAE kite and wing days are light to moderate, so bigger kites and wings, bigger boards and foils get the most use. Strong winds come mainly with winter shamal systems, which can blow for a day or two at a time, while summer afternoons often bring a sea breeze that builds after lunch.

• Light-wind gear earns its keep. A large, light kite like the Boxer in 12 to 16 m, or a foil, will get you on the water on many more days than a small kite.
• Foiling is popular here for a reason. A foil lifts you out of the water in wind that would be too light for a twin tip.
• Know your spot. Dubai's Kite Beach, Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah and Yasmina in Abu Dhabi are well-known kite spots. Use designated kite areas, stay clear of swimmers and check local rules before launching.

Naish kites and kiteboards

Naish Xeon Trainer Kite: best first purchase

The Naish Xeon is a ready-to-fly trainer kite (1.3 m or 2 m) used on land to learn steering and kite positioning before water lessons. It comes with an alloy control bar, 20 m lines and a carry case, and has a reinforced nose for crashes, which will happen.

• Pros: cheap way to build kite skills, great for kids too.
• Cons: not for riding on the water.

Naish S26 Boxer: best light-wind kite

The Naish Boxer is Naish's lightest one-strut kite, made for light wind, waves and foiling, with good low-end power, plenty of depower and easy relaunch. Naish says it floats in light wind, which is exactly the UAE use case. We stock several sizes from 6 m to 16 m.

• Pros: light, flies in marginal wind, good for foiling.
• Cons: one-strut kites are less stable for big jumps than three-strut designs.

Naish Hero S27: best beginner kiteboard

The Naish Hero is a wide, forgiving twin tip that stays stable in light wind and is built to take beginners from first water starts to confident riding. We have it in 140 and 145 cm.

• Pros: easy to ride, good in light wind, durable.
• Cons: you may want something livelier once you start jumping.

Naish Motion 2024: best all-round freeride board

The Naish Motion is Naish's most popular freeride twin tip, with a Paulownia wood core, flex tips to reduce chatter and a Keel Lock Spine for better upwind riding. Sizes in stock are 138 and 142 cm.

• Pros: versatile, rides upwind well, durable core.
• Cons: not as forgiving as the Hero for first sessions.

For the lightest days, the Naish Orbit S27 (162 cm) is a large board designed to get you riding when the wind is borderline.

Naish wings and foil boards

Naish ADX Wing 2023: best all-round wing

The Naish ADX uses a 50D nano ripstop canopy that barely stretches, so the wing stays taut and delivers power instantly. We stock 6 m and 7 m, which are useful light-wind sizes for the UAE.

• Pros: stable, punchy power, low-stretch canopy.
• Cons: larger sizes are a handful in shamal gusts.

Naish Matador LT S26: best compact wing

The Naish Matador LT is compact, light and powerful, with a stiff leading edge and strut, deep locked-in draft for instant power, removable adjustable handles and a fully inflated structure with no hard surfaces. It packs small for travel.

• Pros: light, direct, no hard parts to hit you.
• Cons: 5 m is a stronger-wind size; you will want a bigger wing for light days.

Naish Hover GS Foil Board 2022: best for learning to wing foil

The Naish Hover GS foil board has a wood sandwich deck and bottom with carbon and Kevlar reinforcement, an EPS core, EVA deck pad and a tail kick for easy lift-off. We have 75 and 85 litre versions: bigger is more stable while you learn.

• Pros: durable construction, easy take-off, stable.
• Cons: you will need a foil kit too, such as the Naish Jet or Kite Foil.

Naish SUP paddles

The Naish Performance 85 Vario is a 3-piece, length-adjustable paddle in glass and carbon that breaks down for travel and costs much less than full carbon. It is the obvious upgrade from the paddle that comes with most inflatable SUP sets, like the boards in our Gladiator SUP guide. Lighter paddlers, particularly women, may prefer the full-carbon Naish Alana, which Naish designs specifically for women.

Naish comparison table

Sizes and prices change as stock moves; the product cards below the article always show what is available now.

Looking after Naish gear in the Gulf

• Rinse with fresh water after every session: kites, wings, lines, bars, foils and screws. Salt crystals wear canopies and seize foil bolts.
• Keep it out of the sun. UV is the biggest enemy of kite and wing canopies. Do not leave a pumped kite sitting on the beach between sessions.
• Dry before you pack. Packing a wet kite in a hot car is how mould and delamination start.
• Check foil hardware. Rinse, dry and re-grease bolts, and use the correct tool, such as a Torx T30 for Naish foil hardware.
• Release pressure in the heat. Let some air out of an inflated kite or wing left in the sun, as the bladder pressure rises as it warms.

Looking for waves rather than wind? Our Dubai surf spots guide covers where and when to go.

Verdict

New kiters should buy a Xeon trainer, take lessons, then add a Hero board. Experienced riders in the UAE get the most days on the water with a light-wind setup: a Boxer kite with the Motion or Orbit, or a foil. For wing foiling, the ADX in 6 or 7 m on an 85 litre Hover GS is a forgiving, UAE-friendly combination.

FAQs

Is Naish a good kitesurfing brand?

Yes. Naish is one of the longest-running names in kitesurfing and windsurfing, started by world champion Robby Naish in Hawaii, and makes kites, boards, wings and foils for all levels. It is a premium brand, so prices are higher than budget brands, but previous-season Naish gear performs almost identically and is often better value.

What size kite do I need in Dubai?

Because UAE wind is mostly light to moderate, many riders of around 75 to 85 kg use 12 to 14 m kites on typical days and a smaller kite of 8 to 9 m for shamal days. Lighter riders can go smaller. Your instructor should help you choose based on your weight, board and the spots you ride.

Should I learn kitesurfing with a trainer kite first?

Yes. A trainer kite like the Naish Xeon teaches you to steer and position the kite on land, which is the hardest part of kitesurfing. Time on a trainer makes your paid lessons on the water more productive, and it is fun for children too. Always fly it in open space away from people and power lines.

What is the difference between the Naish ADX and Matador wings?

The ADX is Naish's all-round wing, with a taut low-stretch canopy and instant power, suitable for beginners through to advanced riders. The Matador LT is more compact and lighter, with a stiff frame and no hard parts, aimed at riders who want a direct, responsive wing. We stock the ADX in 6 and 7 m and the Matador LT in 5 m.

Where can I kitesurf in the UAE?

Popular spots include Kite Beach in Dubai, Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah and Yasmina in Abu Dhabi. Use designated kite zones, keep well away from swimmers, and check each spot's current rules and launching areas before you go. Winter shamals bring the strongest wind, while summer afternoons often have a sea breeze.

Is Naish gear suitable for beginners?

Some of it is designed specifically for beginners: the Xeon trainer kite, the Hero twin tip, the ADX wing and the larger Hover foil boards. Other products, such as high-aspect foils and performance boards, are for experienced riders. Always take lessons from a qualified school before riding on the water.