RRD Religion

The RRD Religion is a kite revered for its focus on pure wave riding, so we had to wait for the right conditions to test it, but after a couple of weeks we found it was well worth the wait!

This year’s Religion model is a 3-strut delta design, crafted with top-tier materials that maximize durability and minimize stretch. For the leading edge and struts, RRD has chosen a blend of Rectex Dacron in 140 and 160gsm, known for its longevity and minimal stretching over time. The canopy is made from the renowned Teijin D2 fabric, but with a clever load frame between panels and double-layer reinforcement in some key areas. This extra protection gives the kite a robust build to withstand wave riding crashes, while the 9m version still comes in at a mere 2.7kg. The kite’s main upgrade this year is a pulley-less bridle system, which reduces bar pressure and smooths out power delivery resulting in a refined ride with excellent feedback.

When we finally got a strong swell paired with side-offshore winds, we knew we’d found the Religion’s element. Straight after launch, the kite felt direct and responsive. We tested it with the RRD Global Bar, outfitted with their legendary “rigid thread flying lines”, which further enhanced its lively and intuitive feel. The new Religion needs a little bit of movement to get going, but in exchange its high-end range is impressive, allowing for easy power control especially inside the wave. When passing the kite through the power zone, it maintains an incredibly smooth power delivery, ensuring it doesn’t pull you off the wave or disrupt your flow, a definite improvement over previous versions and many other wave-specific kites. The kite turns in a tight and pivotal arc, making it easy to reposition with downloops without disrupting the flow on the wave, and has low bar pressure making it super manageable and offering a super controlled surf experience.

What really sets the Religion apart, however, is its exceptional drift. The kite effortlessly follows you down the line, even during intense bottom turns when the kite is deep in the opposite side of the window. This drift, combined with the kite’s responsive control, makes all your riding feel natural and immersive, almost as if the kite is pre-empting your next move.

Although primarily designed for wave riding, the Religion isn’t just a one-trick pony. A knot on the front bridles allows you to adjust it for strapless freestyle, providing a bit more lift and low-end power for those sessions when waves are scarce. Foilers will also appreciate the Religion’s agility and easy water relaunch, making it a fun, adaptable kite for foiling in light-wind days.

So, who is the RRD Religion for? This kite is perfect for wave enthusiasts who also enjoy dabbling in strapless freestyle or foiling when conditions change. Its drift and maneuverability boost confidence on the wave, making every session feel connected and controlled, even allowing for a few mistakes along the way. In short, it’s a versatile and forgiving wave kite that makes every ride memorable and in my particular case, it made me feel a way better rider on the waves!