Naish

Overview

Brand History and Philosophy

After finding massive success in the windsurfing market, Naish entered the kiteboarding scene in the late 1990s. The release of the “AR 3.5” in late 1999 is often cited as a turning point that established kiteboarding as a legitimate sport. The following year, the “AR 5” introduced the industry’s first dedicated 4-line production kite, establishing the concept of the “Chicken Loop” and advancing safety and depower systems significantly.

Naish has never been afraid of innovation, famously developing the “Sigma Shape” (a W-shaped leading edge) seen on kites like the Cult. In January 2023, the brand sold its operational business to Kubus Sports, its long-time European distributor. However, Robby retains the personal licensing rights to the Naish name, securing the brand’s legacy while entrusting operations to a strong European platform and continuing to lead product development in Maui.

Flagship Products

Pivot: Originally designed as a user-friendly freeride kite, it revolutionized the big air scene when Kevin Langeree won the Red Bull King of the Air (KOTA) with it. This proved that a predictable freeride kite could out-jump peaky, pro-only C-kites, making it a historic best-seller.

Nvision Series: Naish’s premier high-end lineup featuring the latest Aluula materials. It currently includes the “Pivot Nvision,” with dedicated big air kites and wave foils also under development.

Other Iconic Kites: The aggressive C-shaped “Torch” long favored in freestyle and big air, the wave-specific “Slash” known for excellent drift, and the plug-and-play “Triad” designed for everyday ease of use.

Boards: A vast lineup featuring the “Monarch” twin-tip, famously paired with the Pivot by Kevin Langeree to grip the water in extreme winds. Wave options include the classic “Global” surfboard, the snub-nosed strapless freestyle masterpiece “Gecko”, the best-selling all-around “Motion” and its ultralight carbon counterpart “Drive”, and the agile “Skater” for small waves.

Technical Features

Developed and tested in Maui’s year-round wind and waves, Naish products reflect the Hawaiian spirit in both function and graphics. Historically, Naish held the patent for the push-away quick release system (Nalu Kai patent), which became the industry standard for safety and was widely adopted for nearly two decades.

Team Riders

Jason van der Spuy: Made a high-profile transfer from Airush to Naish in January 2026. He joined because of Naish’s vision, allowing him to be involved in the early stages of gear design rather than just riding extreme kites built solely for competition, making him a central figure in Naish’s new era of investing in young talent.

Alessa Sophia Mensch: A top German rider and Jason’s partner. She had already joined Naish prior to him and continues to drive the team forward with her proven skills, recently winning the Lords of Tram in March 2026. She travels the world for shoots in locations like Ireland, spending most of her life on the water and showcasing an incredibly stylish way of riding.

Ewan Jaspan: The 2017 Triple S Champion. He now serves as the official kite designer in Naish’s R&D department, leading the development of kites like the Pivot.

Stig Hoefnagel: A top Dutch rider leading the big air division, with a podium finish at the Red Bull King of the Air.

Past Riders and Transfers

Cohan van Dijk: A young Dutch star who was the first to land a “Doobie Loop” (a double forward rotation with a Megaloop) in a competition at Tarifa (though the trick was originally invented by Lewis Crathern). Cohan has since transferred to NORTH.

Kevin Langeree / Jesse Richman: Legends who built an era for Naish by dominating the King of the Air before eventually moving on to other brands.

Jalou Langeree / Sam Light / Kai Lenny: Star athletes who previously supported Naish’s product development and media presence.

Search Aliases: Naish Kiteboarding, NaishKiteboarding, Naish