REDUCED WEIGHT
The HO’OKIPA Ultra PE fabric is 25% lighter than traditional Dacron leading edge materials. The reduced diameter structures and optimized details result in an overall weight saving of up to 30%.
HIGH PRESSURE LEADING EDGE
Able to run 80 – 100% more leading edge pressure, creating a stiffer structure and ultimately allows for a thinner leading edge.
LOAD FRAME SUPPORTED CANOPY
Utilizing the same Ultra PE primarily fiber as the leading edge and struts, the load frame carries much of the primarily load running through the canopy.
This prevents the canopy cloth from overstretching and losing performance.
This also increases responsiveness by creating a more locked in shaping into the canopy.
THINNER TIPS
Thinner tips reduce the oscillation of the wing when the wing is in neutral.
This makes the NITRO easier to control when the wing is flagged out.
HIGHER TENSION CANOPY
The higher tension leading edge increases tension which improves the stability of the wing, low end-power and responsiveness.
THINNER LEADING EDGE
Reduces the drag on the wing, when the wing is flagged out while riding or down winding.
This is especially important in more offshore wave conditions to help keep the rider on the wave face.
Allows a higher angle of attack when going upwind or traveling at higher speeds.
HIGH-PRESSURE LEADING EDGE AND STRUT
The biggest combined benefit of the Ultra PE is the ability to run higher pressure without sacrificing longevity.
This higher tension leading edge creates a much more responsive frame that can be loaded before jumping, pumps incredibly well and responds quickly to rider input.
Introducing Hookipa Ultra PE – by Challenge Sailcloth
Developed in conjunction with Challenge Sailcloth, this unique woven composite is the result of exhaustive development and testing, to nd the optimum balance between responsiveness, lightweight and long-term performance.
Traditional Ultra PE materials relied on a high percentage of films, coatings or glues to stabilize the material. The outcome of this was that these materials were strong, but either needed complicated seam constructions, had a limited amount of structural ber (for their given weight) or had inconsistent strength and distribution throughout the fabric.
Ho’okipa Ultra PE takes a reliable woven structure and supercharges the material through the use of Ultra PE instead of traditional polyester fabric.
The high amount of material in the composite that is structural, has allowed us to optimize all areas of the construction resulting in that beautiful blend of responsiveness, lightweight and durability.
Incredibly, the most high-performance fabric we have ever developed, comes with a reduced environmental impact, where Ho’okipa Ultra PE is made up of 48% recycled content by weight.
Understanding Ultra PE
• Ultra PE Fiber is a super-strong ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) ber that offers maximum strength with minimum weight.
• Ultra PE has extremely long molecular chains that transfer load more effectively. So it‘s stronger at the same weight or lighter at the same strength than alternatives. In a direct comparison to polyester, it is up to 32x Stronger.
• Ultra PE fiber is 15x stronger than steel at the same weight and 2x lighter than Carbon Fiber.
• As well as its extraordinary strength, Ultra PE excels in cut and abrasion resistance and has a high resistance to UV.
• Ultra PE fiber is so light that it floats on water.
• Stiff does not mean fragile, Ultra PE also has very high ductility – It can absorb a lot
of energy before it breaks.
Understanding the characteristics of this material is the key to the responsiveness of the NITRO, the process if inflation places a higher tension on the fabric and you feel that immediately. This does not stop at the strut and leading edge but is integrated into the canopy through the Ultra PE load frame.