Airush Ultra V5 Team Kite

You get to the beach, rigged and ready, only to see the flags barely fluttering. It’s one of the biggest frustrations in kitesurfing—not enough wind to fly. But what if your gear was the solution, not the problem?

Enter the world of specialized light-wind kites, where the Airush Ultra V5 Team stands out as a masterclass in design. It’s a tool engineered to turn those marginal days into memorable sessions. This guide breaks down what makes this kite a ‘light-wind machine,’ exploring its unique structure, the advanced materials in the ‘Team’ version, and who benefits most from its design.

The Genius of the Single-Strut Design

If you think of a kite’s inflatable frame as the poles of a tent, you’ll quickly understand the advantage of the single-strut kite design. While most kites use three or five inflatable struts to hold their shape, the Airush Ultra V5 has just one running down the center. This minimalist approach is the foundation of its performance, shedding a huge amount of weight and material compared to a conventional kite.

The result is a kite that’s almost lighter than air. This is the secret to winning the fight against marginal conditions; it needs very little wind to launch, fly, and stay in the sky when other kites would simply fall. For riders, this means more potential days on the water, turning a frustratingly light breeze into a fun session. It’s what makes this a class-leading lightweight freeride kite.

This incredible lightness also unlocks another key performance trait: drift. Imagine you’re riding a wave and you want the kite to just float with you, not pull you off the wave. Because the Airush Ultra V5 is so light, it hangs in the air effortlessly, like a balloon following you down the line.

Ultra V5 vs. Ultra V5 Team: What’s the Real Difference?

The Ultra V5 and Ultra V5 Team share the same brilliant single-strut shape. The distinction isn’t in the design’s “what,” but in the “how”—specifically, the exotic materials used to build the Team version.

The standard Ultra V5 is like a high-end carbon fiber road bike: incredibly light, responsive, and a joy for any enthusiast. The Ultra V5 Team is the professional, Tour de France version of that exact same bike. It uses more advanced, weight-saving materials to deliver an even stiffer, more direct feel and a true competitive edge.

This means your choice isn’t about riding style, but about how much you want to invest in ultimate performance. Both are exceptional light-wind kites, but the Team version uses special construction to feel sharper and last longer.

The ‘Team’ Superpower: Ho’okipa PE and the Load Frame

At the core of the Team version’s upgrade is a revolutionary fabric called Ho’okipa Ultra PE. This high-tech material is not only incredibly strong but also significantly lighter than the fabrics used in most kites, allowing the kite to dance in the lightest breeze.

Working in tandem with this fabric is the Airush Load Frame, which acts as a woven skeleton giving the kite its backbone. When a powerful gust hits, this frame absorbs the pressure, preventing the kite’s shape from distorting or stretching. This technology is a game-changer for maintaining the kite’s designed performance from its first flight to its last.

The result is a kite that feels incredibly direct and intuitive. With virtually no stretch, your input at the bar translates instantly into action, like the hyper-responsive steering of a sports car. This not only gives you precise control for foiling or wave riding but also means the Airush Ultra V5 Team holds its crisp, factory-fresh feeling for much longer.

Who Is the Ultra V5 Team Actually For?

The Ultra V5 Team’s unique strengths make it the perfect tool for three specific disciplines: hydrofoiling, traveling, and wave riding.

For hydrofoilers, the benefits are immediate. Because it’s so light, the kite stays airborne with almost no wind, letting you generate speed on the foil without worrying about the kite dropping from the sky. It’s an incredibly forgiving partner for those silent, gliding sessions where other kites would falter.

The kite’s incredible drift defines its wave riding performance. Its feather-light build allows it to float down the line as you surf, staying ready without pulling you off your line. This same single-strut design also makes it a traveler’s dream, packing down exceptionally small to save precious luggage space and weight.

How to Fine-Tune Your Ride: Using the Bridle Settings

The Ultra V5 Team offers a simple way to tailor its feel to your session using different attachment points on the kite’s bridle. Think of these as a ‘sport mode’ vs. ‘comfort mode’ switch for your kite.

Choosing the right point is all about what you want to feel that day. The two primary settings provide distinct characteristics:

• The Freeride Setting: This option increases bar pressure, giving you more direct feedback on where the kite is and how much power it has. It’s excellent for knowing exactly when to pull the trigger on a jump.
• The Wave/Foil Setting: This setting creates a lighter bar feel and makes the kite turn faster. This is the go-to for wave riding and foiling, where quick, responsive steering is essential.

There is no wrong answer here; experimenting with both is the best way to find what clicks with your riding style.

Is the Ultra V5 Team the Right Kite for You?

Choosing the right kite isn’t about finding one perfect model, but about matching the tool to your primary discipline.

The Airush Ultra V5 Team is an elite tool built for specific needs. If you are a hydrofoiler, a frequent traveler, or a wave rider who often faces light winds, its lightweight construction, drift, and responsiveness will unlock more days on the water.

However, if your main goal is aggressive big air in overpowered conditions, this is not the kite for you. A heavier 5-strut kite is designed to provide the extreme high-end stability needed for that style of riding. Ultimately, understanding your needs allows you to choose the right gear for the conditions, ensuring every session is the best it can be.