Harlem Ascent Kiteboard

Harlem Ascent Kiteboard

The Harlem Ascent is a purpose-built big air twintip developed over years of refinement by five-time World Champion Aaron Hadlow and legendary shaper Ralf Groesel. The result is a board that loads hard, launches high and lands clean — engineered for riders who want to push their limits, break records and build the kind of confidence that only comes from gear that performs when it counts.

It’s not just talk. Lorenzo Casati, 2025 Big Air World Champion, rides the Ascent. When the best big air rider in the world chooses your board, the engineering speaks for itself.

Available in 135×40cm and 138×40.5cm, both sizes deliver the same explosive performance character with the 138 offering slightly more surface area for lighter riders or gusty conditions.

Key Features

• Carbon and fibreglass layup — unilateral and biaxial carbon eliminates reverse flex for unparalleled stability
• Stiff centre, soft tips — explosive energy transfer through the centre with forgiving, knee-friendly tip flex
• Double concave base with central channel — maximum grip during load-up with fast, clean release at take-off
• Optimised outline and rocker — faster acceleration, higher boost, smoother landings
• Angled fins — enhanced edge grip across varied water surfaces
• Sustainably crafted in Europe — eco-conscious production and packaging
• Designed by Aaron Hadlow and Ralf Groesel — over 25 years of combined big air expertise in every layup decision

Specifications

Construction

The Ascent uses a hybrid carbon and fibreglass layup designed with purpose at every zone of the board. The centre section uses a high-concentration carbon weave to create a rigid power platform — when you edge hard and load the kite, the energy has nowhere to go but up. The tips transition to a softer fibreglass-dominant layup, absorbing the vertical impact of hard landings and protecting your knees through repeated big air sessions. The unique combination of unilateral and biaxial carbon fibres eliminates the reverse flex that plagues many performance boards, keeping the shape true under load and ensuring consistent feel across conditions.

Why We Recommend It

If you’re serious about big air — boosting as high as your kite will take you, working on your megaloop or just chasing that next personal best — the Ascent is the board to be on. It pairs perfectly with the Harlem Peak or Thrive kite and the Lead Bar V2 as a complete big air system. The 135 is our pick for heavier riders (85kg+) in stronger winds; the 138 suits most other riders well. At $1,829 it’s a significant investment, but this is World Championship-calibre hardware built to last.