Brazilian Brothers Interview Aaron Hadlow | Harlem Kitesurfing, Big Air & Beyond

Got questions about gear? 🤙🏽 Contact us HERE: https://www.mackiteboarding.com/conta...

In this interview, the Brazilian Brothers sit down with five-time world champion and King of the Air winner Aaron Hadlow in Taiba to talk about his career, kite evolution, and his involvement with Harlem Kitesurfing. The discussion begins with Aaron recounting his beginnings in the sport—learning to kite at age ten with his father, a windsurfer who transitioned into kiting during its earliest days in the late 1990s. Within just three years, Aaron rose through the UK competition scene and joined the world tour, where he won five consecutive world championships starting in 2004. After years of dominance in freestyle, he shifted his focus toward freeriding, video projects, and later, the emerging big air discipline, which allowed him to continue pushing the limits of the sport while managing the physical demands of high-level freestyle.

Aaron reflects on how his freestyle background provided a strong technical foundation for big air progression. He explains that early freestyle required immense board and kite control due to the raw and unforgiving nature of early equipment. As the sport evolved, he adapted by following new trends and disciplines while maintaining his role as both a rider and innovator. He also discusses the evolution of kites themselves—from early two-line “death machines” to modern, safer, and more efficient designs. He highlights the significant shift that came with the introduction of flatter “bow kites” that improved depower and accessibility, making the sport easier for newcomers and more capable for advanced riders. Over the years, continuous refinements in materials, weight, and design have led to kites that are faster, more controllable, and more versatile. Aaron notes that while progress can seem incremental year to year, the difference becomes striking over a five-year span.

The conversation then turns to Aaron’s transition from Duotone to Harlem Kitesurfing. He describes this as a major but rewarding decision, driven by the opportunity to work closely again with designer Ralf Groesel, whom he had collaborated with for over a decade on the Vegas C-kite. When Ralf left Duotone to start his own independent factory and design for multiple brands, Aaron saw Harlem as a platform where he could have greater creative influence within a smaller, more agile company. He praises Harlem’s forward-thinking approach, cutting-edge materials, and emphasis on performance and weight savings, crediting Ralf’s Brainchild manufacturing model as a key driver of recent industry innovation.

Aaron provides insight into the Harlem kite lineup, focusing on the Thrive and Peak models. The Thrive, he explains, is a versatile, easy-to-use, all-conditions kite with light bar pressure, strong depower, and smooth handling—perfect for everyone from beginners to competitive riders. It offers a wide performance range while remaining forgiving and accessible. The Peak, on the other hand, is a five-strut kite designed for advanced big air performance. It features a progressive arc, rounder turns, and a semi-pulley bridle that enhances backline feedback and control when overpowered. The kite drives aggressively into the wind for vertical lift and responsive loops, delivering strong catch and second-lift characteristics. Despite its competition-ready design, Aaron emphasizes that Harlem ensures all kites remain approachable for everyday riders—balancing elite performance with broad usability.

To close the interview, Aaron shares his future goals, noting his continued passion for both competition and product development. While he no longer competes as intensively, he’s focused on mentoring younger riders, producing new video and freestyle projects, and advancing Harlem’s product design. He remains highly engaged in pushing innovation within the brand and the sport as a whole.

Thanks for sharing the stoke with us here at MACkiteboarding! 🤙🏽 Whether you're into kiteboarding, wing foiling, or just dreaming of your next session, we're stoked to have you along for the ride. Got questions or want to chat gear? Drop a comment—we're here to help and love connecting with the community.

🌐 Shop gear + get expert advice:
https://www.mackiteboarding.com

🧠 Read, learn, and level up:
Blog: https://www.mackiteboarding.com/news/
Knowledge Center: https://www.mackiteboarding.com/kiteb...

📞 Talk to a real human (we're friendly):
Phone: 800-622-4655
Email: [email protected]
Live Chat: https://messenger.providesupport.com/...