AOUA Panta II

AOUA Kites? That was our first reaction when the email landed in our inbox about testing them, specifically, the Panta II model paired with their all-new Carbon Pro bar. We had never heard of the brand before, let alone seen one of their kites in person, which made it all more exciting. Usually, we have some idea of what to expect from a brand in terms of build quality and performance, but this time, it was different. This was a true blind test for us, and honestly, a refreshing change.

When we opened the box, we found a comfortable, durable bag with well-designed pockets and spaces for all the session essentials – board, bar, pump, as well as a keychain and money and phone pocket. As we pumped the kite, we discovered a 5-strut delta-shaped kite with a mid-to-high aspect ratio, built with high quality materials. It felt just right in terms of weight, not heavy, not ultra-light, just well balanced. The leading edge and struts use the most durable Japanese Teijin Warp Dacron, while the canopy features the highest quality material on the market, Japanese Teijin T9675. The kite shows thoughtful reinforcements in key areas and attention to detail in its construction. With erased branding, we wouldn’t guess this kite wasn’t from an established industry player just by looking at the build quality. All parts, like valves, are the same commonly used across the industry. The bridles are slightly thicker than what we’re used to seeing lately, but this is necessary to accommodate the 3-pulley system. We found several different trim options available, offering adjustments for everything from Big Air to wave riding, plus the classic speed/bar pressure tuning on the back lines. With strong winds during our test, we opted for the Big Air and fastest setup for our first session.

When preparing the bar, we immediately noticed it was significantly lighter than expected. Usually, bar weight isn’t something we even notice, but this one stood out. It might just be the lightest bar we’ve ever tested. It’s an auto-swivel design with a “high V / Y” setup and a one-flag safety system, coming with different pigtails options so you can pair it with kites from other brands. There are a few visible screws holding the bar together, which slightly affects the aesthetic, but they’re barely noticeable while riding and actually make swapping out the carbon tubes quick and easy if needed, the only bar on the market to feature this. EVA or cork options are available for the grip.

Once airborne, the kite immediately inspired confidence. It delivers solid low-end power and the bar pressure ranges from medium to high in the fast-turning/high-bar-pressure setup. The high-end performance is well-tuned, though in gusty conditions, we occasionally felt slightly overpowered. In terms of speed, the kite sits comfortably in the middle of the spectrum, not the fastest but not slow either. It requires a slightly firmer bar input to steer, but overall, it offers a smooth and comfortable ride.

When we started pushing it to test its Big Air capabilities, we found a kite with nice, consistent vertical lift and solid hangtime. It felt predictable throughout the entire jump, and because it sits a bit more forward in the window, it doesn’t demand advanced technique to get decent height and soft landings, so it is an accessible boosting machine. As for kiteloops, the kite felt a bit slow at the beginning of the loop and showed a small flutter, but it always completed the rotation and caught us on the way down, giving a safe and soft landing.

We didn’t get the chance to test this kite in the waves, but we did take it out for a foil session. It was a freestyle-focused ride, and thanks to the kite’s nice lift, we were able to pull off high jumps and rotations with ease. The kite was always easy to locate in the air, which made the tricks feel smooth and controlled. As expected from its 5-strut design and weight, performance dipped slightly in marginal winds, but this didn’t come as a surprise.

We wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a pure Big Air kite, but more as a freeride option. It rides upwind nicely, relaunches easily in strong wind, and above all, feels super predictable. Whether you’re cruising or popping jumps in good conditions, this kite strikes a balance that’ll appeal to riders looking for fun without complexity at a price that offers really solid value for money.