The Pivot Legacy

Words by Peri Roberts

The Pivot is more than a kite; it’s the kite that defined a decade of kiteboarding. It’s been there for the first jumps, the first loops, the first big moments. It’s taught riders their first tacks and carried them into their first podiums. It’s been the constant in an ever-changing sport. Ten years in, the Pivot is a big part of our story… and it’s still being written.

We wanted to show you the history – the linear progression of this legacy. So we took to the shores of Maui, where it all began. There’s no better place to see and feel the evolution of this kite and the impact it’s had: not only within Naish, but on the riders who’ve flown it, past and present. The Pivot has seen competition wins, world titles, first flights, first loops, and fearless new lines from kiteboarders all over the world. Every version tells a story, every session a chapter in the ongoing book of kiteboarding.

Ten Years of Evolution

“You can feel the evolution,” says Robby Naish.
You can sense it’s more than just nostalgia – there’s pride there too.

Naish has been making kites for over 25 years, but the Pivot holds a special place. “The Pivot started as a really good all-around kite that did everything well,” recalls Robby. “You don’t see people getting lofted into the wilderness anymore like in the old days. The evolution has been pretty substantial.”

Where It All Began

The Pivot was first designed to be Naish’s new wave kite – a three-strut, super-light build with a “real tight pivotal turn… not like the common C-kites that drive through the window.” That ability to pivot on its tip gave the kite its name, but it was the wide wind range that made it a weapon.

It quickly earned its place on top podiums, bringing home Wave World Titles with Jalou Langeree and Peri Roberts. And as the team points out, its turning speed made kite loops more approachable:

“A classic C-kite would give you a huge, uncontrollable pull in a loop. The Pivot made it smoother. Faster, more controlled loops.”

That combination of control and range turned the Pivot into a big-air machine;  the kite everyone wanted to ride. Kevin Langeree sealed its reputation with his King of the Air win, and riders like Stig Hoefnagel showed how far its versatility could be pushed outside of competition with viral moments and big moves on film.

Built on DNA, Year After Year

Every new version of the Pivot starts with the same challenge: innovate without losing its soul.

“There’s always room for improvement,” says the design team. “But you don’t want to lose what makes it a Pivot.”

That’s why, for this anniversary project, they pulled out every Pivot ever made. Ten years’ worth,  to fly them back-to-back and feel the lineage.

The Kite That Does It All

For some riders, the Pivot is more than a kite,  it’s the very definition of kiteboarding.

“It feels like five different sports in one. You can hit a rail, do a kiteloop, go foiling, hit a wave… each feels completely different and you can do all of it on a Pivot. You can learn on it and never grow out of it. It’s the kite to do kiteboarding with.” – Ewan Jaspan.

The 2017 edition marked a turning point with the introduction of Quad-Tex material – a step into the “materials race” that kept the kite crispy and durable. And even the much-debated Octopus inflation system gets a little love in hindsight:

“Honestly, it wasn’t that bad. It got a bad rap.”

Favorite Pivots and First Flights

Ask around and most riders will tell you their favorite Pivot is the newest one. 

“The first Pivot was a milestone… the first kite I ever had where you never had to look to see where it is. You could just feel it.” – Robby Naish.

But that’s what made this test session special: ten years of kites, same size, same beach, same conditions.

“I just came off the new Nvision and then pulled this one up on the bar. I couldn’t believe it’s the same kite,” said Ewan. “It was really fun. Almost emotional.”

And the biggest surprise? “Even the old ones feel familiar. You can tell the path has been pretty linear. They’ve never lost what makes a Pivot a Pivot.”

No Wrong Turns

Kite design has gone through its trends – higher aspect, lower aspect, delta phases… but the Pivot has always stayed relevant.

“The standout? None of them suck. Not one where you think, ‘Wow, what a pig.’ They meandered with the trends, but they’re all good. You could ride waves, jump, do everything.” – Robby Naish. 

Ten years in, the verdict is unanimous: the Pivot’s evolution has been one of refinement, not reinvention and that’s exactly what makes it timeless.

True legacy isn’t about tearing something apart and starting over; it’s about honoring what made it great in the first place, while continuing to push it forward. The Pivot’s DNA has never wavered, from its first world titles to its King of the Air wins, from first tacks to first loops, it has carried riders through every stage of their journey.

It has been the constant through a decade of kiteboarding trends, quietly setting the standard and inspiring the next generation. The Pivot is more than a kite. It’s a living legacy. A reminder that progress and tradition can coexist, and that evolution is the purest way to honor where you’ve come from while shaping where you’re going.