Under the Hood: RRD

Roberto, you originally started the RRD brand after developing a love of windsurfing. Tell us the story of how RRD came about. Was it an easy transition into kitesurfing from windsurfing?

I started the RRD brand in 1989, inspired by my passion for windsurfing and encouragement from friends to create custom boards. The brand’s name, Roberto Ricci Designs, reflects my personal commitment to quality and innovation. At that time, I was living in Maui, working as a professional windsurfer and shaper. My goal was to craft the best possible boards for my friends and fellow professional windsurfers, tailored specifically to their needs and preferences. In the early years, from 1989 to 1993, I focused solely on producing custom boards, which I handcrafted in a small workshop in Maui and at my parents’ house in Grosseto, Italy. Each board was meticulously designed and built one by one, ensuring the highest quality and performance. These years, which I refer to as the “prototype years”, were crucial in establishing RRD’s reputation for excellence in the windsurfing community. In 1994, I decided to expand RRD beyond custom boards and introduced our first production collection at a trade show in Munich. This collection included a range of windsurfing boards and a small line of clothing, consisting of board shorts and t-shirts. This marked RRD’s transition from a niche brand known only to professional windsurfers to a broader audience of windsurfing enthusiasts.

The shift from windsurfing to kitesurfing within RRD happened quite naturally. In 1994, my friend Manu Bertin, a fellow windsurfer, introduced me to kiting. Manu arrived at my house with a snowboard bag containing a board and three kites. I was amazed by the simplicity and compactness of the equipment, especially compared to the bulky gear associated with windsurfing. Intrigued by this new sport, I began exploring kiting more deeply. Manu’s enthusiasm and expertise were significant in this transition. He traveled to various locations, including Brazil and Maui, to promote kiting and test new equipment. His efforts helped establish kiting in Europe and introduced it to a wider audience.

By 1996, RRD had fully embraced kitesurfing. We began developing kites and boards specifically designed for this exciting new sport. The transition from windsurfing to kiting was seamless and felt like a natural progression for the brand. Kitesurfing’s growing popularity and the innovative spirit that had always driven RRD made it a perfect fit for our next chapter. Today, RRD continues to innovate and expand, offering a wide range of equipment for windsurfing, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, stand-up paddleboarding, and other watersports. The brand’s evolution from custom windsurfing boards to a 360º watersports company reflects our commitment to quality, performance, and the passion for the ocean that started it all.

Which location is the brand centered around, and what are the conditions and kiting scene like at your local spots?

Our brand is centered in Grosseto, in the southern part of Tuscany, Italy. We have a sail loft at my home in Castiglione della Pescaia, a charming tourist town nearby. My factory and office are just 10 minutes from the water, allowing me to easily go from work to the ocean. My house is right across from the sea, and the sail loft is located by the water. This setup lets us modify and design boards and kites daily, which is the most enjoyable part of our work. We can test and redesign equipment practically every day.

I also have a second home in Scarborough, Cape Town, where I spend three months each year from December to March. This location is ideal for testing wave-riding gear and equipment for strong winds. In Tuscany, we benefit from thermal breezes and low-pressure systems until October or November. Then, I head to South Africa and return to Italy in April when the summer breezes start again. This allows us to test gear in two different parts of the world under completely different conditions, ensuring our equipment performs well in a variety of environments.

You like to call the RRD staff one big family. Who are some of the key players, and besides yourself, have any been around for the whole 30-year journey?

Yes, our staff truly feels like one big family. Key players include my Sales Manager, Dylan Duffus, who has been with me since day one, even before the company was officially founded. Another integral member is Werther Castelletti, our Kites, Wings and Foils designer, who has been with us from the very beginning of our kite journey. Werther and I work side by side every day, developing and testing equipment. Additionally, Abel Lago from Spain has been with us for over 20 years. He’s an exceptional rider and tester with deep knowledge of kite design and testing.

We are also represented by new riders from South Africa, Germany and other parts of the world. They join us in South Africa and Italy to continually test and develop our gear. Our team includes a mix of veterans and talented young riders, both men and women, exceling in Big Air, freestyle, and wave riding. I’m thrilled to see the sport growing, with a strong new generation coming up. This transition ensures the longevity of kitesurfing and keeps our brand evolving. It’s a joy to work with such a dedicated and passionate team that shares my philosophy and commitment to the sport.

What have been the most iconic kitesurf products for RRD over the years?

Outlining the most iconic products from RRD’s kitesurfing division is a challenge, but some standouts have left a significant mark over the years. One of the earliest was the Super Type, our first Big Air kite introduced in 2002. It was the first kite to feature a multi-panel design on the leading edge and body, providing incredible speed, elevation and hang time. This kite was ahead of its time and would still compete with today’s top Big Air kites. Another key product was the Hyper Type, which featured five struts and bridles, marking a transition from traditional C-shaped kites to more advanced designs. It was versatile, suitable for both Big Air and freeriding. The Obsession kite marked a turning point for RRD. We rebranded our kites based on the type of experience they offered. The Obsession was born from discussions

with Martin Jandke, our  technical consultant and factory scouter. We wanted to capture the evolution of a kiter’s journey – from envisioning the sport, developing a passion, becoming obsessed, and finally being addicted to kiting. The Obsession became our first Big Air and freestyle kite, perfect for boosting air and performing tricks. Following the Obsession, we introduced the Addiction, a high-performance kite designed for racing and Big Air. It symbolized the next level of a kiter’s journey – an addiction to the sport. Finally, we developed the Religion, specifically for wave riding. This kite represents the pinnacle of a kiter’s career, focusing on riding waves – a pursuit that continues lifelong.

In terms of boards, the Poison stands out as an iconic product. It started as a custom-made board in Thailand, where each piece was handcrafted. The Poison Contest was groundbreaking, featuring a wood core with routed-out holes to make it lighter. This innovation set a new standard in board design and remains one of our most sold models. For surfboards, the Maquina is particularly notable. Developed with Abel Lago, it has become a favorite shape and a staple in our range. These products highlight RRD’s commitment to innovation and quality in kitesurfing. From the Super Type to the Religion, each product reflects a stage in the evolution of both the sport and the brand, ensuring our gear remains ahead of kitesurfing technology and performance.

And what have been some of the most memorable moments of the past 30 years?

Over the past 30 years, RRD has had numerous memorable moments! One standout was Max Bo’s victory at the King of the Air in Maui, where he did the biggest and highest jump ever recorded at the time. This win marked the first King of the Air Big Air contest in history and was a significant achievement for us. Max Bo, riding an RRD board, created an unforgettable moment that solidified our passion for kiting. Other notable podium finishes include Adeuri Corniel securing second place in freestyle and Jerrie van de Kop achieving third place at the King of the Air in Cape Town. These successes highlight our consistent presence in competitive kiting. Martin Vari’s back-to-back World Tour wins in freestyle and numerous podiums in wave riding further demonstrate our riders’ excellence. Max Bo left a lasting impression with his early achievements. Recently, young talents like Andrea Lauro and Alice Ruggiu have been pushing the boundaries. Andrea, a 16-year-old from Italy, and Alice, who recently placed fourth in Gran Canaria, represent the next generation of kiters.

Our marketing trips also hold special memories, particularly those in Cape Town. The synergy of having our team riders at my house in Scarborough, pushing the limits in Big Air and wave riding while developing new equipment, is unforgettable. These trips seamlessly blend marketing with product development, ensuring we stay at the forefront of innovation. One of our most memorable marketing campaigns was “After Action Satisfaction” for the Super Type kite. This campaign featured four girls in a swimming pool and our main rider at the time, Simone Vannucci, looking cool in sunglasses. This advertisement was a hit, appearing in magazines worldwide and capturing the fun, stylish essence of kiting. It remains an iconic moment from the early 2000s that resonated with many.

In summary, our journey has been filled with remarkable podium wins, groundbreaking rider achievements and innovative marketing campaigns. These moments have not only defined RRD as a brand but have also helped shape the kiting community globally. From Max Bo’s historic jump to our latest young talents, and from memorable trips to iconic campaigns, these experiences encapsulate the spirit and evolution of RRD over the past three decades.

What do you think has been the biggest single advancement you’ve seen since starting kiting?

The biggest single advancement in kites has been the introduction of the bridle system, especially when paired with a delta shape or shorter leading edge kite. Unlike the traditional C-shape, the delta shape combined with a bridle allows for significantly improved control and stability. The bridle system enables the kite to be controlled from different positions in the air, enhances stability, and allows for adjustments to bar pressure. This advancement has resulted in kites that perform better in various conditions and offer a more versatile and user-friendly experience.

Let’s hear about your latest product releases – what would you like to highlight to our readers with your Y30 range?

Our latest kitesurf release in the Y30 range features the standout product, the Religion kite. We’ve developed this kite in two different technologies: one with full Aluula material combined with light Dacron tips, and the other using 160-gram Dacron on the leading edge and 140-gram Dacron on the struts and tips. The new Religion kite is iconic, having been significantly modified, developed and improved to deliver an incredible performance. Set for release in October this year, this wave-riding machine is something you need to experience to believe. Keep an eye out for it, as it represents the biggest innovation in our kite range for this year.

How challenging was weaving new materials such as Aluula into the kite range?

Introducing Aluula into our kite range posed significant challenges initially. We were among the first brands, alongside Ocean Rodeo, to delve into Aluula technology. Initially, we primarily utilized Aluula on our wings, hesitant to adopt it for our kites due to concerns about its necessity and impact on performance. We began testing Aluula kites as early as 2020 with models like the Religion and Passion. However, at the time, we didn’t fully grasp its potential innovation or advantages. Designing with Aluula required understanding its unique characteristics – how it stitched, its impact on kite profiles, and its stiffness affecting aerodynamics and repositioning capabilities. It wasn’t until this year that we fully embraced Aluula across our range, including the forthcoming Religion and Obsession models. Our journey with Aluula began with pioneering its development in collaboration with manufacturers in China and Sri Lanka. Initially met with skepticism, we encountered challenges with stitching and gluing, resulting in aesthetic imperfections and uneven performance in early Aluula prototypes. Through rigorous testing and improvements over two years, particularly with our wings, we refined our techniques and processes. Now, with the upcoming releases of the Religion and Obsession kites featuring Aluula, we’re excited about the remarkable advancements we’ve achieved in kite technology.

You celebrated your 30 year anniversary recently in Sardinia. How did that go?!

It went incredibly well! In May, we had the privilege of gathering in Porto Pollo, hosted by my longtime friend and partner, Michiel Bouwmeester, who runs an exceptional school center there. We welcomed over 140 guests from around the globe: our distributors, shops, riders, testers and cherished friends. It was a joyous family reunion, reconnecting with people we hadn’t seen in years. The weather was perfect, with great winds and sunny days, setting a fantastic tone for the summer ahead. Celebrating with our backbone – business partners, stakeholders, suppliers and clients – made it truly special and immensely rewarding. It was a phenomenal success, and we loved every moment of it!

You must already be working on your next releases. Can you give us any hints as to what you will be focusing on or what the next few years hold for RRD?

Absolutely, looking ahead to the coming years – beyond  Y30 and into  year 31, 32 etc. – the keyword for RRD will be simplicity. I aim to streamline our product ranges in both windsurfing and kiting, reducing complexity while maintaining a strong focus on quality and attention to detail, which has always been central to my philosophy. Our approach will continue to emphasize extensive testing and meticulous design work, collaborating closely with riders and designers to refine every detail. The backbone of our strategy remains longevity and reliability. We are committed to simplifying the customer experience, ensuring that our product lines are intuitive and easy to navigate. Whether online or in our stores, customers will find clear, concise information about each product’s design purpose, range of use, and technical specifications.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” This principle guides our approach moving forward. As I turn sixty this year, I’ve learned the value of focusing on what truly matters. We won’t chase every trend or rush into new products without a clear purpose. Instead, each item we develop will serve a specific need, backed by our deep understanding of the sport and its evolving demands. In essence, our commitment to simplification isn’t just about reducing options; it’s about refining our offerings to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance and usability. We believe this approach will resonate with all kiters, providing them with equipment they can trust and enjoy for years to come. ■