Harlem builds its twintips in two ways: with a wood core and glass fibre for the Launch and Launch V2, and with a mix of carbon and glass fibre for the Ascent and Descent. On top of that, flex, base and rocker decide how a board feels.

Wood core with glass fibre
The Launch and the Launch V2 have a light wood core with a glass fibre construction. That build feels comfortable and forgiving under your feet. It's the classic base for a freeride board that helps you progress step by step.

Carbon and glass against reverse flex
In the Ascent and Descent, Harlem combines carbon and glass fibre in its own layup. It pairs unidirectional carbon, with the fibres running in one direction, with biaxial carbon, with the fibres running in two. According to Harlem, this mix prevents reverse flex: the board won't bend the wrong way when you load it hard on take-off or landing. So the board stays crisp and predictable, exactly when you push it hardest.

Stiff in the middle, soft in the tips
All Harlem twintips share the same flex idea: stiff between the inserts, softer towards the tips. The stiff centre turns the pull of your kite into speed and pop, while the softer tips soak up chop and cushion your landings. On the Launch V2 the flex even changes per size: the 132 and 135 are more flexible for lighter riders, the 141 is stiffer and gives heavier riders more support.

Single or double concave
The base decides how water flows under your board. The Launch and Launch V2 have a single concave, a channel in the base that guides the water and gives you grip, stability and easy upwind riding. The Ascent and the Descent have a double concave with central channels. They give extra grip when you edge hard into a jump or trick, and keep your landings under control.

Rocker per discipline
Harlem also tunes the rocker, the curve from tip to tip, per model. The Launch V2 got a refined rocker line, so it planes early and holds its grip when you load up. The Descent is built on the shape of the Ascent, but has a thicker core and a bit more rocker for wakestyle tricks and handle passes. The Rise has a flat rocker in the middle and kicked rocker in the tips: flat for speed and upwind, kicked for comfort in chop.

Light wind shape with asymmetric fins
The Rise has an asymmetric outline with a negative curve and extra-wide tips, for as much surface area as possible. The fins differ from a regular twintip too: a large 45 mm centre fin and a smaller 35 mm heel fin, set at an angle and placed asymmetrically. That setup gives grip and keeps the board tracking, with as little drag as possible.

Boomtag and production in Europe
The Launch and Launch V2 carry a Boomtag: an NFC tag you use to register your board, so it's easier to get back if you ever lose it. The Launch, Launch V2, Descent and Rise are made in Europe, the Descent at Brainchild, Ralf Groesel's factory. The Launch models and the Descent also ship in plastic-free packaging. In the product video below you'll see the Launch, the base of the Launch V2, on the water.

Can't find the Harlem board or size you're after? Send us a message and we'll check with Harlem: they may still have stock, or we can help you pick a comparable kiteboard.

At Kitemana you'll find five Harlem kiteboards, all of them twintips. The biggest difference is what they're made for: freeride and progression, big air, freestyle or light wind. The Launch now also comes in a second version, the Launch V2. The current range with all sizes is shown at the top of this page.

Harlem Launch V2
The Launch V2 is Harlem's all-round freeride twintip and the successor to the Launch. It's made for riders who want to ride comfortably and improve step by step, from your first little jumps to clean carves. Harlem reworked the outline and rocker line, so the board holds more grip when you edge hard into a jump and stays stable through turns and on landings. The Launch V2 comes in 132 x 40.5, 135 x 41, 138 x 41.5 and 141 x 42 cm, and each size has its own flex. More boards for your first years are in the beginner twintips.

Harlem Launch
The original Launch laid the foundation for Harlem's freeride line. It has a wood core with glass fibre, a shallow single concave and a stiff zone between your feet with flexible tips. According to Harlem, the 138 is the right size for riders of around 70 to 80 kg and about 1.80 m tall, the 135 for lighter riders and the stiffer 141 for heavier riders. Compared with the V2, it mainly lacks the refined outline and rocker and the 132 size. A solid way into the Harlem boards.

Harlem Ascent
The Ascent is Harlem's big air board, for intermediate to advanced riders: from your first board-offs to megaloops. The board combines a stiff carbon centre with softer tips, and the double concave with central channel gives you grip when you load up fully for your jump. Despite that powerful construction, the Ascent feels forgiving. Clément Huot showed what's possible: in January 2026, during Storm Goretti, he jumped 37.3 metres high on an Ascent 138 with a 7 m Peak. You can choose between the 135 and 138 sizes. Want to compare it with other brands? Have a look at the big air twintips.

Harlem Descent
The Descent is Harlem's freestyle twintip, for advanced riders and pros, developed together with Aaron Hadlow. The board is based on the shape of the Ascent, but has a thicker core, an even stiffer centre and a bit more rocker: made for unhooked tricks, wakestyle and handle passes. According to Hadlow, the Descent lands remarkably softly, and landings are often the hardest part of freestyle. The Descent comes in one size: 141 x 40.5 cm. It's the board that goes with the Hadlow Pro, the five-line C-kite you'll find in the Harlem freestyle kites.

Harlem Rise
The Rise is Harlem's answer to light wind, suitable from beginner to intermediate level. It's made for riders who don't want to wait for the wind to pick up. The board comes in one size, 156 x 46 cm: big, but with a narrow stance that keeps your weight nicely centred. Thanks to the large surface area and the flat rocker in the middle, you plane early and ride upwind with ease. Together with the Thrive LiteX, the Rise forms Harlem's light wind setup. Also take a look at the other light wind twintips.

Surfboards and foilboards
Harlem's line has no surfboards or foilboards. If you want to ride waves or foil, pair a Harlem kite with a board from another brand. Have a look at the kite surfboards or the foilboards.

New versions and older models
Harlem gives updated models a version number, like the Launch V2 for boards and the Thrive V2 for kites. That way you can see straight away which generation you're buying. Come across a Harlem board with a different name in the secondhand kiteboards, such as the Wood, Swell or Charge from the early years? Then it's an earlier generation. Want to know what changed between two versions? Our team will find out for you.

You've just finished your kite lessons
After your lessons you want a board that forgives mistakes and gets up to speed easily. The Launch V2 is made for exactly that: the soft tips absorb choppy water and the single concave helps you stay upwind, so you don't have to walk back up the beach after every run. You'll also find the original Launch in our beginner twintips. Torn between two sizes? The bigger one gets you planing sooner. Our beginner guide to kiteboards tells you more about choosing your first board. Want everything in one go? The Harlem kitesurf set combines the Thrive with the Launch, including the Lead Bar and Sneaker Pads & Straps.

You want to cruise, carve and jump
Looking for one board for every day on the water? Then the Launch V2 is the answer here too. The stiffer centre gives you enough pop for your first proper jumps, while the tips stay comfortable on long reaches through the chop. If you later move towards big air or freestyle, the Launch V2 stays a great second board for the mellow days.

You're chasing hangtime
Want to go high and stay up long? Choose the Ascent. It has the grip to load up fully against a powerful kite and the stiffness to handle hard landings. Pair it with a kite from the Harlem big air kites, like the Peak, and you've got a setup built for height.

You're into unhooked freestyle
For powered tricks, handle passes and wakestyle moves, the Descent is your board. The stiff centre and the channels give lots of pop and a crisp take-off, while the softer tips keep your landings under control. Note: the Descent only comes in 141 x 40.5 cm. Add the Hadlow Pro and you've got the freestyle combination Harlem developed together with Aaron Hadlow. Want to ride boots on this board? Then also check the bindings in question 4.

You're a lighter rider
Harlem doesn't make a separate women's twintip, but it does have sizes that work well for lighter riders. The 132 and 135 Launch V2 have extra flex, so the board still flexes smoothly at a lower body weight. For big air, the Ascent 135 is usually the best fit if you weigh less than about 70 kg. Looking for a board designed specifically for women? Have a look at the women's twintips.

Your home spot often has light wind
Often standing on the beach wondering whether there's enough wind? Then the Rise is your board for the marginal days. With its large surface area and flat centre, you get going sooner and ride upwind with ease. The Thrive LiteX, which you'll find in the Harlem light wind kites, completes the combination. Because the Rise is also made for beginners, it's a forgiving first light wind board.

What size Harlem kiteboard do you need?
Your size depends mainly on your weight, then on your level and the wind at your spot. More kilos or less wind call for more surface area. On the Launch V2, the 132 and 135 are for lighter riders, the 138 for the average rider and the 141 for heavier riders. For the original Launch, Harlem names the 138 as the size for around 70 to 80 kg. The Ascent 135 fits up to about 70 kg and the 138 from about 60 kg; if you're in between, the 135 gives you more manoeuvrability and the 138 more stability and earlier planing. The Descent and the Rise come in one size. Tell us your weight, your level and where you usually ride, and we'll recommend the right Harlem size for you. You can also see the boards in person at our megastore in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Every Harlem twintip comes with fins and a grab handle, but without pads and straps. So you choose your bindings yourself, depending on your style and how you like to stand on your board.

Harlem Sneaker Pads & Straps. Harlem's own binding comes in two sizes: XS/S up to EU shoe size 39 and M/L from EU size 40. They're also included in the Harlem kitesurf set. To buy them separately, go to the Harlem straps and pads; other brands are in all straps and pads.

Kite boots. Riding freestyle on the Descent? Kite boots give you more control and a more direct connection with your board. Check beforehand whether your boots fit the insert spacing of your board, or let us find out for you.

Grab handle and fins. Is your handle worn or do you want to replace it? The Harlem grab handle fits with a screw spacing of 20 cm. Lost a fin? Replace it with a fin of the same size. That matters even more on the Rise, with its 45 and 35 mm fins. You'll find loose fins in our kiteboard fins.

Screws, boardbag and repair. Loose screws for your twintip, pads and handle are in the Harlem spare parts. Carry your board in a boardbag to protect the rails and tips. Has your board taken a knock anyway? Our kiteboard repair service will help you out.