Description
HARLEM ASCENT: ENGINEERED FOR HEIGHT AND PRECISION
The Harlem Ascent is the board that completes the high-performance Harlem ecosystem. Developed by Aaron Hadlow and Ralf Groesel, it’s been engineered with a specific flex pattern and bottom shape that provides the aggressive pop needed for Big Air without the knee-punishing stiffness. It’s the board for riders who demand a twin-tip that feels locked-in at high speeds and can handle the heaviest landings.
See the Ascent in Action:
ROCKER & BOTTOM SHAPE: THE SCIENCE OF THE POP
The “soul” of a kiteboard is its rocker line and bottom contours. On the Ascent, these have been tuned specifically for Big Air:
- Optimized Rocker: The Ascent features a medium-high rocker. In plain English, a flatter board is faster in light wind, but a rockered board (like this one) allows you to hold a much stronger edge in high winds. It lets the board “curve” into the water, giving you that vital extra split-second of tension before you release for a jump.
- Double Concave with Central Channel: If you look at the bottom of the board, you’ll see a complex “W” shape. The double concave funnels water to create lift and speed, while the central channel acts like a keel on a boat. This gives you maximum grip so you don’t skid out when loading up for a megaloop.
- Soft Landing Tech: The bottom shaping also breaks the surface tension of the water. When you land flat and hard, the channels disperse the water outward rather than slapping against it, which is why the Ascent feels so much “softer” than other carbon boards.
OUR HONEST TAKE: THE CARBON PERFORMANCE FACTOR
At our school, we often caution riders about carbon boards being “too stiff,” but the Ascent is different. It uses a Paulownia wood core wrapped in premium carbon to give it a “live” feel. Here is what we found during testing:
- The Load and Pop: This is where the board shines. The stiffness of the carbon allows you to hold your edge until the very last millisecond, resulting in a much more explosive release than a standard glass board.
- Eliminating Reverse Flex: Thanks to the blend of unilateral and biaxial carbon, the board doesn’t “banana” or wobble when you land heavy. It stays true to its shape, giving you the confidence to ride out of jumps at high speed.
- Chop Handling: The pulled-in tips help the board cut through messy water at spots like Greatstone rather than bouncing over it.
TECH SPEC (IN PLAIN ENGLISH)
- Stiff Center / Flex Tips: The center is rigid for power and stability, but the tips are softer. This makes the board forgiving in the chop and helps “flick” you into the air during take-off.
- Angled Fins: The fins are slightly canted to provide extra grip when the board is tilted on its rail. You can ride with smaller fins without losing upwind performance.
- Eco-Friendly Resin: Built using bio-based resins that are better for the planet without sacrificing the “snap” of the board.
- Boomtag NFC: Every board comes with a built-in digital tag. If you lose your board, anyone with a smartphone can scan it to find your contact details.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Medium-High Rocker | Better control in high winds and smoother landings in chop. |
| Double Concave | Increases speed and provides “soft” landings by breaking water tension. |
| Custom Carbon Mix | Lightweight, explosive pop with zero reverse flex. |
WANT TO TEST THE ASCENT?
A board’s feel is incredibly personal. We have the Harlem Ascent in our demo fleet because we want you to feel that carbon “snap” for yourself. Whether you want to see how it handles the local chop or how high it can launch you, come down to the shop and take it for a spin. We’re here to help you find the perfect size!
