Nobile.The Story by Dariusz Rosiak

Dariusz Rosiak is a visionary whose dreams come true every year. Since 1994, when he began his adventure with sports business, he introduces innovations thousands of winter and summer sports fans worldwide make use of. When he began manufacturing kiteboards in 2004, he set himself a goal: these boards would have to be highly valued in every aspect around the world. And so they are. Dariusz revolutionized the market in 2013, when he introduced the split boards which allow the kiteboarding fans to travel around the globe without any extra charges for oversize luggage. The split boards have become a hit and in the following year they turned out to be bestsellers as well. Dariusz doesn’t rest on his laurels, continuously working on improving the equipment together with the R&D department engineers, travelling around the world and infecting everybody with his passion for this sports.

"I started kiteboarding in 2001. I was using very common directional foam-cored board. Back then the boards were heavy and super stiff. They were rather small windsurfing boards, much different from anything we use nowadays for kiting. Owning the snowboard factory as well as being keen snowboarder, pushed me to the idea of developing the kiteboard that will be working like snowboard, in terms of flex and comfort. In 2003 I've build the first prototype of the kiteboard to utilize the snowboard technology.

First prototypes were made in snowboard moulds and featured a snowboard shape. We tested it's floating in the factory's fire protection water reservoir and then I tried it with kite on polish Hel peninsula. Surprisingly, it was working well! After that, we made another prototype with a shape more similar to common kiteboards. As I was not yet ready to launch my own kite brand, I've presented the idea to Boards&More and other companies. In 2004 world's very first mass production kiteboards made in the snowboard tech appeared on the market. The revolution began, and soon no one wanted to use the old types of kiteboards. I can honestly say, my invention began the era of modern kiteboarding. I was constantly improving the kiteboard construction, developing my own solutions and improvements.

From the very beginning, the idea behind all Nobile innovations was called human concept philosophy. The point is, to understand it is the human who is the most important part of the system, because even the best equipment is not able to function alone. It is the rider who connects all elements of kitesurfing. It means, to develop the best equipment, we have to analyze and understand natural advantages and limitations of human body and mind, and built the gear around them. It's equally important as the external aspects of the environment the equipment will be used in: wind and water. It takes scientific knowledge from various of disciplines to develop best performing and truly rider-friendly gear . In short words, since the very beginning performance and safety are the key issues for us. I never wanted just to produce the kiteboarding equipment. I want it to be the best product on the market, the product that set the standards in terms of safety, performance and comfort and helps to popularize the kiteboarding as a sport.

Constant research on best flex and torsion, leaded us to invite the 3D Multichannel construction introduced in first NHP and 50/Fifty kiteboards. This solution began a new standard in boards performance. Improved comfort on landings, explosive POP, better response and improved edge grip began the standard features for all models equipped with 3D Construction. In 2011 we set the bar even higher and introduced the Pre-Stress technology – the evolution of 3D construction, which not only offers magnificent flex management, but also allows us to build thinner and lighter boards that are yet still more durable.  Nobile was also the inventor of the modern bindings system. Introduced in 2007 Integrated Footbed System significantly increased comfort and functionality for the rider. IFS allowed to eliminate the major source of discomfort in riding – the twist at the fixation point, whilst offering the maximum adjust ability.

 Now by introducing Carbon and Splitboard series we are beginning the new era of kitesurfing. Never before was the equipment so rider-focused and travel friendly. Our new Splitboard line consist of not only the NHP, but also the wave and light wind models. All of them not only feature the same durability and performance as standard versions, but within a seconds can be packed to your usual quiver or travel bag still leaving enough space for other necessities. No matter if you want to kite on your local spot during low wind weekend, or travel the world in search for perfect wave, with Nobile Splitboard Collection it's easier than ever".

What is the technology that makes our boards so revolutionary?
This technology enables us to produce extremely resistant and flexible boards at the same time. It’s the flexibility, which properly designed, turned out to be very beneficial in kiteboarding. It allows higher flights and cushions the landing, thus saving the kiter’s knees. Breaking such board produced in this technology during its normal usage is almost impossible. Our first boards’ designs were made in cooperation with North Kiteboarding. We delivered technology, while North tested and designed new board shapes.

What was the challenge to implement snowboard technology into kiteboards?
The main challenge was to design the flex optimally. The board should be properly stiff, in order to ensure outstanding edge grip during the wind tack, resilient – to ensure good pop while taking off for the jump, and flexible – to absorb as much energy as possible while landing. It should also cushion the wind blows in gusty conditions. Those challenges, hard to reconcile, we solved using a 3D composite construction.

Were there any failures or errors when implementing this technology? Did anything surprise you at the R&D stage?
The beginning was quite easy. My first impression from sliding on traditional kiteboard was very similar to experience with a freeride on snowboard in fresh snow. First board was just a special snowboard without metal edges. To make this board we used manufacturing form for the biggest snowboard we had in production program. The test proved us that this shape was not optimal, but the flex promised to be very useful. Refining the shape and flex took us about a year. It turned out that snowboard technology ensured great advantage over traditional one. In a short time it replaced the standard technologies.What

influence had a snowboard technology on the business? What does it mean for the riders?
Even first boards were significantly better. By continuously refining the technology we give riders the new possibilities. We attach great significance to “Human concept”, which means that while improving performance we take under consideration human capabilities. Of course, we want our boards to give better results – higher, further and faster – but on the other hand we also want it to be safer, easier and preventing many injuries.

Has the technology evaluated since then? If so, how?
We haven’t rested on our laurels and even today we still develop the kiteboards, implementing new solutions and technologies. We have patented many of these solutions. Technology remains continuously developing. I often thought there’s nothing to improve anymore, but after some time there are always new ideas and I’m sure that taking a full advantage of composite construction in kiteboards (named snowboard one due to its origins) is still ahead us.

What is Nobile Human Concept?
From the very beginning, the idea behind all Nobile innovations was called human concept philosophy. The point is, to understand it is the human who is the most important part of the system, because even the best equipment is not able to function alone. It is the rider who connects all elements of kitesurfing. It means, to develop the best equipment, we have to analyze and understand natural advantages and limitations of human body and mind, and built the gear around them. It's equally important as the external aspects of the environment the equipment will be used in: wind and water. It takes scientific knowledge from various of disciplines to develop best performing and truly rider-friendly gear . In short words, since the very beginning performance and safety are the key issues for us. I never wanted just to produce the kiteboarding equipment. I want it to be the best product on the market, the product that set the standards in terms of safety, performance and comfort and helps to popularize the kiteboarding as a sport.

I believe the safety on water and the joy of kitesurfing are the most important issues, that's why most of our innovations were never patented or legally reserved for Nobile, and they already became a industry-wide standards. Just to mention, after developing the first kiteboards to utilize the snowboard technology, we introduced the Elliptical Progressive Concave (EPC) that combines the advantages of both a flat-bottomed board and concave, and provides very early planning, Dynamic Asymmetrical Outline, because we realized the heel side edge of the kiteboard should work differently than the toe side edge, or Hydrodynamic Rocker Line to optimize the water drag (reflects in control over the board and riding speed). Do not forget about the Complete Anti Vibration (CAV) tech engineered to provide faster and comfortable ride. Constant research on best flex and torsion, leaded us to invite the 3D Multichannel construction introduced in first NHP and 50/Fifty kiteboards. This solution began a new standard in boards performance. Improved comfort on landings, explosive POP, better response and improved edge grip began the standard features for all models equipped with 3D Construction.