Written by: Ryan Avery of 5 Star Stories

Coming from a sailing and surfing background, kitesurfing was a logical next step for me when it came to pursuing my love for all things wind and water. Having had a few lessons and gotten to the stage where I could go out on my own, I needed to start acquiring my own equipment. Having looked at all the big names I then came across Ullman Kiteboarding. Being a sailor and knowing their reputation in the sailing community, I decided to check them out.

Ullman Kiteboarding in Cape Town

Upon arrival at Ullman Kiteboarding I realised that this was not a shop but a full blown manufacturing facility with no expense spared. And all right here on my door step in Cape Town, South Africa. I was treated to a tour of their facility and shown the manufacturing process. They manufacture all their kites and wings in house, down to the very last stitch and bladder and can also customise graphics to your liking if you want your company branding or name on your kite. They also have their own bar and will be producing boards soon, as well as some interesting and innovating developments, which we should be seeing soon.

Taking my Ullman Kite for a test run

After seeing all they had to offer, it was time to get a kite and with a planned kite cruise in Ibiza coming up I went with an Onyx 11 with the idea that it would be big enough for the lighter winds I could expect there but still small enough to use at home in Cape Town.

Now, armed with my new kite it was off to the beach for me to try it out. Now keeping in mind, I am still relatively new to kitesurfing and still tend to crash quite a bit, this was no problem for my Ullman kite. It took all the punishment I gave it and had no problem with water relaunch.

Jumping a week or two forward, there I was in Ibiza pumping my Onyx 11 up in slightly lighter conditions than I would have liked but again, this was no problem and up it went. So I grabbed my board and got in the water hoping it would have enough power to get all 90kg of me going and it did! A great buy and definitely a kite I could recommend to anyone venturing into the magical world of incredible kiteboarding!