Source: GKA Words By Ian MacKinnon
“France’s Charles Brodel showed his complete mastery of the breath-taking Hydrofoil Big Air discipline when he landed his second consecutive crown at the opening of the world championships.”
“Brodel had won the Hydrofoil contest in last year’s maiden Qatar Airways GKA Big Air Kite World Championships, which also played out on Tarifa’s Balneario beach. Brodel swept aside all-comers with his spectacular, high-flying kite loops and boards offs. It is his fourth Hydrofoil world title.”
Charles’ Favorite Gear
The Pocket Carbon
These boards have all the shape features that make them easy and forgiving on the water: Beveled rails, double concave, and specific foiling outline with the wide point well forward. This versatile, light and sturdy board will accompany you on any of your freeride or freestyle foiling adventures.
The POCKET CARBON is incredibly tough and light. Using the SLIM Tech Carbon technology, the board is built around a PVC foam core with a carbon layup. The construction has been improved, and its increased stiffness will bring an outstanding control of the board at all times. Easy to handle and more reactive than ever on the water, this board will make your foiling more rewarding and bring you to the next level.
Escape HM Carbon
Designed to foil at high speeds with full control no matter the conditions, these foils will lead to incredible performances, but their “raisons d’être” are first and foremost to provide the most exhilarating ride on the water.
In light or strong winds and whether kite foiling or wing foiling, the ESCAPE HM CARBON foil is a playful, nimble, and enjoyable hydrofoil that delivers an amazing glide with a terrific speed potential and utmost control.
Such a high level of performance is only possible by using a Full Monobloc construction where the entire plane (front wing, fuselage, stabilizer) is molded together in a single piece made of pre-preg carbon. This consequently reduces the hydrodynamic drag and results in a stiff and solid foil. The newly added High Modulus Carbon fiber layup leads to even more rigidity, control, and dependability that will drive you to incredible feats in each of your session.
The Trigger
The TRIGGER is the ultimate Big Air weapon to throw huge airs as well as a freeride machine. Designed to perform, its high aspect and five-strut air frame can handle tons of power while offering precise handling for impeccably targeted sends.
Simply pull the bar to enjoy its mind-blowing vertical boost. The resulting hangtime is on point, offering the perfect amount of float and bar feedback to confidently and gently land after a big jump.
The vertical climb is progressive, and the hold on the way down is so good you will confidently try all your tricks. Very effective in Big Air in all conditions and especially on flat water, its vertical traction allows you to jump high without the need of a kicker.
