A new brand from the team that created one of the best known and biggest kiteboarding brands, Adrian Roper, Aaron Smith and Steve Palmer have worked their magic again in the creation of Axis Kiteboards. These pics are of some pre production prototypes that are on demo at Kitepower stores now. There are some minor changes that will be made to colours/graphics, and some small detail changes to the straps. The boards themselves will remain unchanged and the riders that have had a go so far were very pleased with the ride.

... looks nice, are there other sizes?

Just wondering, does that mean Underground has stopped making boards or is Adrian branching out???

cheers,

Robbie

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Puetz said...

... looks nice, are there other sizes?

Just wondering, does that mean Underground has stopped making boards or is Adrian branching out???

cheers,

Robbie

Hey Robbie, Complicated story.... but end result I am not working with Underground anymore. I doubt Underground will make boards again. Our official release for Axis Kiteboarding is 6th Septemebr at Surf Expo in Orlando. There will be more info on the range after this.
Cheers Adrian Roper

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Puetz said...

... looks nice, are there other sizes?

Just wondering, does that mean Underground has stopped making boards or is Adrian branching out???

cheers,

Robbie

Yep, the usual size range. Ran out of time yesterday and rushed to shoot these, and I had to clean the boards as they had been used. We got a small sample of 5 boards to test and review, just wanted to share and will take some better shots of the others asap.

Gutted! I love Underground boards! Oh well I am sure the Axis boards will be awesome

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Adrian Roper said...

Puetz said...

... looks nice, are there other sizes?

Just wondering, does that mean Underground has stopped making boards or is Adrian branching out???

cheers,

Robbie

Hey Robbie, Complicated story.... but end result I am not working with Underground anymore. I doubt Underground will make boards again. Our official release for Axis Kiteboarding is 6th Septemebr at Surf Expo in Orlando. There will be more info on the range after this.
Cheers Adrian Roper

G'day Adrian,

thanks for honest answer, I'm gutted too but then again your the talent so the talent should/will follow into the new boards, so for us fans out there we're still going to be happy!

I look forward to the coming info!

Cheers,

Robbie

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Puetz said...

Adrian Roper said...

Puetz said...

... looks nice, are there other sizes?

Just wondering, does that mean Underground has stopped making boards or is Adrian branching out???

cheers,

Robbie

Hey Robbie, Complicated story.... but end result I am not working with Underground anymore. I doubt Underground will make boards again. Our official release for Axis Kiteboarding is 6th Septemebr at Surf Expo in Orlando. There will be more info on the range after this.
Cheers Adrian Roper

G'day Adrian,

thanks for honest answer, I'm gutted too but then again your the talent so the talent should/will follow into the new boards, so for us fans out there we're still going to be happy!

I look forward to the coming info!

Cheers,

Robbie

Yep I started Underground when I was 20 now 28 years ago so a bit sad.
Very excited about Axis thou. Thanks for the kind words of support. Cheers Adrian

this is a shame underground boards were the benchmark in my opinion.

Hey Adrian Good luck with the new venture. Are there any plans to carry some of the old underground shapes over to axis, such as the kipuna/srf ?

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bennie said...

this is a shame underground boards were the benchmark in my opinion.

Hey Adrian Good luck with the new venture. Are there any plans to carry some of the old underground shapes over to axis, such as the kipuna/srf ?

We have a board called the Newave which is a modified version of the freewave/kipuna. The deck shape where it comes up to the rails is a smooth transition, I guess a little more like a wakeskate to look at. It also adds a little stiffness in the area you stand in.

Hey Adrian,

GOOD LUCK in this new stage!!!!

Any race board on mind?????

All my best!!!!!

Underground was a brand which many aspired to be. I hope Axis achieves the same status that Underground did.My first reaction was what about the replacement for the Kipuna? Thankfully it seems we have the New Wave.
Best of luck Adrian on your new direction.

looks the goods cant wait to see whats on the way

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Adrian Roper said...

Yep I started Underground when I was 20 now 28 years ago so a bit sad.
Very excited about Axis thou. Thanks for the kind words of support. Cheers Adrian

Hey Adrian maybe you could answer a question for me. I have ridden FLX's before and loved them but I never owned one for myself. My next board purchase was going to be this year's model but I can't find any from online stores in Sydney. I can find other models but not the FLX. I've seen people in Sydney using them before they were even released on undergrounds website. Why are other models available and not the FLX? I have been waiting for a while now????

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nugs said...

Adrian Roper said...

Yep I started Underground when I was 20 now 28 years ago so a bit sad.
Very excited about Axis thou. Thanks for the kind words of support. Cheers Adrian

Hey Adrian maybe you could answer a question for me. I have ridden FLX's before and loved them but I never owned one for myself. My next board purchase was going to be this year's model but I can't find any from online stores in Sydney. I can find other models but not the FLX. I've seen people in Sydney using them before they were even released on undergrounds website. Why are other models available and not the FLX? I have been waiting for a while now????

I am not sure, the boards were released over a year ago, actually the FLX had new graphics but was an older popular model although we did change the carbon internally last year. The stores buy what they think will sell and I guess the FLX is either sold out or not ordered in. I would call a few stores? Kitepower Sydney and QLD, Surf FX, SHQ are all stores that had stock on the east coast
The website not being updated was linked to the other issues Underground had I guess

They look nice boards man. Like the look of the Footstraps actually. What design specifics have gone into them ?

What's the flex, rocker, size factors in your TT range and desired use?

Adrian

I notice on the newwave that there is a small raised area either side of the back strap area adjacent to the rail. The 5'8" kipuna has a similar feature - I have been wondering why it is there? It seems to have nothing to do with the fin location - its almost likes its there just to get in the way of your back heel? Keen to understand the design principle behind this interesting 'bump' - Lambie

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Lambie said...

Adrian

I notice on the newwave that there is a small raised area either side of the back strap area adjacent to the rail. The 5'8" kipuna has a similar feature - I have been wondering why it is there? It seems to have nothing to do with the fin location - its almost likes its there just to get in the way of your back heel? Keen to understand the design principle behind this interesting 'bump' - Lambie

bump is the outside boxes, they go thru to the deck and bond top and bottom and are near impossible to rip out

Can confirm after a great session demoing this very board last Saturday that it is very good.

It looked pretty stiff and I've always been skeptical of the whole multiple channels thing but the ride turned out surprisingly smooth and fast in the chop, with really soft landings. I somehow avoided many faceplants I thought would happen with my current Laluz. Also felt like it has some really nice pop to send my 85kg high in the air but didn't unhook much as the conditions were pretty sketchy.

I loved the Laluz but it didnt like me crashing full speed after loops (if any Xenon person is around, go make these inserts stronger) so I'm on the market for a new board and tried the Vanguard 132x41 side by side with another brand Steve is selling. Will need to try the 135x42 next time but I think I'm sold!

As for the straps they look and feel weird with the outside thing going under but they do the job. Not super easy to adjust though.
Fins are big but didnt really feel them, probably due to the rocker. Good to make the board skaty and light under the feet, but maybe not going upwind as good as other board with a single concave.

Found a link for info on the Axis kiteboarding range:



Looks good, hopefully steps into the hole left by the departure of Underground.