Ozone Vortex V1 Ultra-X Big Air Kitesurfing Kite

So with most manufacturers pushing the Big Air market and high profile competitions like King of the Air then everyone want's to boost to the moon! But Ozone have done something different with their Vortex, even mere mortals can fly it and have a great time! So any kite with the new Aluula material is expensive due to the cost of the material and manufacture, Ozone have joined it with their Ultra-X materials and taken all the learning over the years from the Edge and Enduro and brought us the lightweight three strut Vortex and it surprizes us every time we fly it!

When the big air kites came out then the smaller sizes for storm chasing has been what it is all about but now we are having amazing sessions on the 12m with the smaller stiffer leading edge, swept wingtips and lightweight three strut construction is it super quick to turn which is something the large Edges never really were. We haven't flown the 15m yet but hearing great reports about it's lightwind performance!  Check out the video below by Jesse and the one lower down the page comparing the Enduro, Vortex and the Edge for more info.

When the Ozone Vortex first came out then it was only in the Carbon Grey colour now it has a colour selection and you can always get a custom colour combination for only £60 extra and about 4 weeks for it to be made at the factory!

A King of the Air kite that’s user friendly enough for many people to ride. Sounds unreal? From your first loops to the biggest doubles with massive airtime. Dream it, feel it, do it…

Super highly spec’d, the design developments made with this kite and the predictable, responsive nature of its flight, will help a huge number of riders improve their performance levels… not just the pros.

The Vortex is a tightly tuned, lightweight, three strut design that’s been supercharged with an Aluula airframe, double transversal canopy shaping and a 16 point leading edge bridle connection to deliver the most stable, agile and responsive big air kite Ozone have ever made. Imagine the Edge, with magic dust.

• New school big air inspired 3-strut design with ultra stable Aluula airframe
• 16 point leading edge bridle connection for extreme stability
• Accessible and forgiving big air performance
• Fast handling and fast flying with super reliable catch after a kite loop
• Programmed for first kite loops to biggest doubles
• Lightweight design and easy bar pressure
• Double Transversal shaping for tight and efficient canopy
• High-strength and low drag Technora bridle lines
• Ride full power for max air time all day

TESTED TO PERFORM IN THE EXTREME, BUT WHO IS THE VORTEX ULTRA-X REALLY FOR?

• If your biggest love is to blast around on a twin-tip sending it big, whether you’re already pulling kite loops, or are serious about learning them, the Vortex is for you.
• Lighter in steering and more whippy in its response and turning than the Edge, the Vortex accelerates around its tips, turning very consistently without any pause in flight.
• Mixing jaw dropping, super stable lift with ultra-responsive handling, if you’re absolutely dedicated to big air and are a seasoned kite loop specialist, then the Vortex will help you reach the next dimension.
• Jump to stunning heights and then pull kite loop combinations with confidence, knowing the Vortex will drive around to catch you every time.
• For those looking for extreme performance, the Vortex always delivers intuitive feedback of the kite’s position through the bar and is tuned to continue driving, even accelerating through a second kite loop.

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE TOP END, THOUGH

• Super reactive and light weight handling means the Vortex can be moved with great agility around the window to generate power without causing fatigue in your arms. The Vortex simply feels very intuitive.
• The top end control is superb, but you’ll also be impressed by the range of each size. If you’re just gaining confidence with kite loops, the Vortex’s low end performance and turning speed offers the ideal gateway.

Bar Size: We recommend the Ozone Contact Water Control Bar:

Ultra-X: Aluula

We have been working with and testing Aluula on different kite and wing prototypes for three years. Bringing materials together to deliver combined performance and reliable strength without compromising any aspect of build quality is always of utmost priority, and a reason that our returning customers place their trust in our products.

Ultra stiff, Ultra responsive, Ultra reliable, Ultra wow…

In the Vortex we chose to use our strong triple-ripstop canopy cloth with a rigid Aluula air frame. Aluula’s incredible strength, stiffness and light weight qualities have helped deliver positive handling gains, particularly in the low end performance as well as when climbing up through the window, when its manoeuvrability for power and lift is key.

The added stiffness of Aluula materials helps to maintain the Vortex’s designed shape under heavy loads in extreme conditions for optimum handling and long lasting performance; the latter of which is always a crucial part of a design brief for any of our products.

Aluula can provide a tensile strength increase of as much as 38% compared to standard material construction, while tear strength is up to seven times greater.

Combining those advantages with the fact that careful integration of Aluula can also deliver up to a 30% weight saving, it’s the right air frame material for the high performance goals we set for the Vortex Ultra-X.

ULTRA CLEAN PROFILE  

Integration of Aluula is delivered alongside our double transversal seam that runs parallel to the leading edge. Especially effective in the high lift area of the profile, this creates a beautifully tight and efficient canopy.

The Vortex Ultra-X is the result of a constant in-house design evolution that spans more than 20 years. It is built with our fundamental principles that put testing and reliability at the heart of all our products.

Access to our own factory allows for real prototyping freedom. This, alongside our honest philosophy of only releasing products when they’re truly ready, instead of annually, has helped develop our community of happy customers.

THE JOURNEY – CREATING A SPORTS KITE  

WORDS – VORTEX DESIGNER, DOM ZIMMERMAN

“Ten different shapes have come and gone since we started this project in early 2022.

“It takes a lot of time to get these types of products tested in 40 knots. It’s a storm chase mindset and there are only so many days a year with really brutal winds. We had to commit to hunting them out.

“Most of the prototype shapes followed the belief that we needed a solid five strut design to handle extreme winds, but in further adapting the transversal shaping technique that features in our other recent kite designs, like the Zephyr, Reo, Edge and Enduro, we were able to better manage the tension we put into our canopies without needing such a heavy structure.

WHAT YOU FEEL 

• Absolute control with super clean handling
• Good response allows the rider to feel where the kite is without looking
• Comfortable front line pull through the harness to maximise edging load
• Very responsive, whippy steering to maximise lift as well as looping potential
• Superb acceleration as the kite turns tightly around its wing tips
• The confidence to pull kite loops immediately and on instinct
• Reliable and quick climb through the window after a loop
• Fingertip control to zig-zag the kite through the sky for perfect landings from height
• Light steering feel, ideal for long sessions in strong or light winds

WHY YOU FEEL IT 

• Ultra-X high-spec design
• Rigid, lightweight Aluula air frame delivers benefits in both strong and light winds
• 16 point bridle connection – every segment seam has a bridle line attached
• High-strength, no-stretch Technora bridle line is narrow in diameter and low drag
• Transversal shaping results in very clean and efficient canopy
• Rigid sail battens on trailing edge minimise sail flutter

Ozone Vortex V1 Kitesurfing Kites Features:

• Factory Ownership Advantage – Ozone uniquely owns its own factory where all kites, wings, boards, hydrofoils, paragliders, speed wings and accessories are made. Guaranteeing hand checked quality control and the finest materials at every step, there are also excellent working conditions for all 1000 employees. 
• Designed with OZCAD – The future is now. All Ozone kite and wings are designed with our own highly advanced custom built CAD software that we control and modify with each new product design. Allowing for specifically tailored technical developments, our designers can maximise performance while also minimising waste. 
• Teijin TechnoForce Triple Ripstop canopy –Teijin is the world’s leading supplier of technical performance materials for marine sports, setting the benchmark in quality with proven superiority in dynamic strength and durability.
  The new triple rip-stop canopy material has an advanced coating to increase strength, rigidity and durability while improving feedback to the rider for a more direct feeling.
• Aluula Performance Air Frame – Aluula can provide a tensile strength increase of as much as 38% compared to standard material construction, while tear strength is up to seven times greater. Careful integration of Aluula can also deliver up to a 30% weight saving overall.
• 4-line Pulleyless System – NO pulleys, NO problems. We design all our inflatable kites without pulleys, to inherit the unique Ozone feeling and performance across our range.
• Double Transverse Sail Shaping – The Leading Edge features Double Transverse Sail Shaping creating a cleaner and tighter surface on the most important area of the aerofoil. The result is less turbulent airflow and longer skin adhesion, which positively effects the lift to drag ratio increasing overall performance.
• High Performance Bridle Lines – High performance Technora bridle lines offer a vast reduction in parasitic drag and reduced weight.
• Overlap Flat Seams – Overlap flat seam construction improves sail control resulting in an overall cleaner canopy.
• Internal Reinforcements – What’s on the inside counts too – All Ozone kites are internally reinforced for improved strength and durability; such as a Double layered Dacron + Insignia taped Leading Edge closing seam with high strength threads.
• Load Distribution Panels – Dacron reinforcements are used on all loaded areas for enhanced load distribution. This means all loads are spread evenly into the sail ensuring the kite flies and performs at its best.
• Direct Connect Struts – Our Direct Connect construction method improves load distribution between the Leading Edge, Struts and Canopy. The Struts are connected directly to the Leading Edge with internal reinforcements and external webbing. This unique construction method ensures clean profiles are maintained with the optimum canopy tension
• Reinforced Leading Edge and Struts – The Leading Edge and Struts are reinforced in high stress areas to ensure the kite canopy remains in shape and performs at its best.
• Reinforced Trailing Edge – Double layer Trailing Edge strip with an internal light weight Dyneema reinforcement – this reduces canopy wear and helps to maintain optimum Trailing Edge tension as designed. The Dyneema line also reduces any potential stretch at the Trailing Edge.
• Low Profile Aerodynamic Scuff Pads – Leading Edge bumpers are often large and unnecessary cosmetic items. At Ozone we build our kites for performance and durability using the best materials & components available. Any areas requiring scuff protection we use a lightweight durable material with superior abrasion resistance, while keeping a low profile in order to reduce drag and maintain performance.
• Unique Bladder Construction – Our bladders are constructed in-house with advanced custom built welding machines. Double layered sections are applied to any potential wear areas.
• Anti-Snag Line Deflectors – The Anti-Snag line deflectors prevent bridles and lines from tangling around the wing tip. Safety is increased when launching with a partner and water re-launch is made easier.
• Tuned Bridle Geometry – We work extensively during our R&D process to develop the size range to feel in tune with each other. Every kite has a unique bridle layout, individually tested and fine-tuned to maximize the feeling and performance.
• Fast Flow One-Pump Inflation System – The Fast Flow One-Pump Inflation System makes set up and packing quick and easy. It features single point inflation/deflation and a high air flow rate between the Struts and Leading Edge, with clips to seal the hoses to prevent unwanted air flow in case of damage.
• Anti-Flap Soft Battens – Soft Battens strategically positioned along the Trailing Edge provide canopy support and reduce flutter, enhancing kite feedback to the rider and also reducing canopy material wear.
• Back line Trimming Options – Customise your handling and bar pressure with the back line bridle attachments. Closer to the Leading Edge for slower turn speed and more bar pressure, or closer to the Trailing Edge for faster turn speed and less bar pressure.
• Fool Proof Line Connectors – Fool proof, colour coded and numbered line connectors prevent incorrect rigging of the flying lines to the kite.