Hi guys,

I got in two NOS Quadrifoil KiteSurfers today. The XXXL (9.66m) & XL (4.92m) have the Icarex Polyester Sailcloth and they are built really nice!

What's the scoop on Quadrifoil? When did they go out of business and where were these kites made?

I'll get some pics when I get to fly them. The XXXL is a funky orange

Joe

I've got first dibs on the XL!!! I'm not a big fan of the Kitesurfer version but.....I should not have sold my Kitesurfer XL way back when.

I've never gotten a straight answer on Quadrifoil history.
I've been told they are still being made in the Netherlands. I even got some possible contact information from over on racekites.com But I've not tried to contact anyone yet.

Scott

No problem Scott - I just want to see how they fly first :D

I also got some old data sheets on Q-KiteBoards and Q-Powerline, some Quadrifoil stickers and a Technical Flight Manual for the KiteSurfer - good stuff.

The funky orange is mango.

Susan

Thanks Susan - I really like the color. Any scoop on what happened to Quadrifoil?

Here's some info that I pulled together from various places, including Ted Dougherty's KiteInnovations site. Hope someone else can fill in the blanks, or maybe even Ted since he posts on the forum from time to time re his ProFoil kites:

- 1986 Ted manufactures the Sparless Stunter
- original Quadrifoil 4 line kite made from 2 Sparless stunters sewn together (not sure where I heard that from)

- Quadrifoil Classic - sold in sizes 1 though 5 (in sq m). Available up until mid to late 90s? I don't think they were called the 'Classic' until sometime later, I think after the C series was available. Interesting trivia - the Quadrifoil 4m was used in an expedition to ski across Greenland, and the Q series were used in a similar trip to the South Pole

- at some point here Ted is no longer involved in the Quadrifoil Company or the design of the kites. The company and or the brand name is sold to Active People?

- (around 1996) Quadrfoil Competition, available as C1 2.5m, C2 4m & C3 5.5m. Very sweet race kites - well worth getting hold of if you can find one.

- Quadrifoil Competition X, available as XS 2.28m, XM 3.48m, XL 4.92m, XXL 7.09m & XXL 9.66m
XXL and XXXL were Icarex, the rest were Chikara Nylon
- designed by Alain Hoffer of Active People in France

- Quadfoil Q2000 series, based on X series (?) but lower aspect ratio, intermediate traction kites. Q2002 'Qusic' 1.5m, Q2003 'Qebra' 3m, Q2004 'Qrazy' 4m, Q2005 'Qing' 5.84m, Q2007 'Qing' 7m. The 'Q' names referred to the colorful designs on the foil.

- Quadrifoil X Surfer. Water relaunchable foil kites for kite surfing.
PRO (31gr Ripstop Polyester):
XM-Surfer 3.18m
XL-Surfer 4.34m
XXL-Surfer 6.23m
XXXL-Surfer 8.52m

NYLON (42gr Ripstop Nylon):
XS-Surfer 2.08m
XM-Surfer 3.18m
XL-Surfer 4.34m
XXL-Surfer 6.23m

I skiied with a guy once this past winter who was using Quadrifoil competition X series kites. I always thought those were good looking foils and they certainly held their own in the snow.

I scanned some old Quadrifoil literature today – I posted the pictures here:

http://secondwindkites.com/Technical_Data.php

I've got some of those brochures and some stickers. Cool stuff.

Scott

Do you use Power Rings on your XXXL Speleo?

Yes, use the "power rings" on both the XL and the XXXL.

Scott

Here's a pic of my using a XXL. You can see where I took off from.
Kinda cool picture.

Here's a pic of me using a Q2004 kite. I wish I still had the Q2004 and a Q2005!

I'm looking for pictures of me surfing that also show the Quadrifoil kites in the picture.

Scott

Great pics Scott! So what size were the Q2004 & Q2005s?

Never mind - I just read khooke's post again.

- Q2004 'Qrazy' 4m, Q2005 'Qing' 5.84m

I still use Quadrifoil X foils. Tons of power.

But Quadrifoil (KS4U/Active People) is long gone as Active People dropped kites to focus exclusively on toys back in 2002.

For thoses who are interested, here is the archived KS4U website (contact links invalid):
http://www.madmoosestudio.com/ks4u/

I still have the quadrifoil xm (3.5) for sale. Asking $250.00 plus shipping. The kite is in great shape with no ripes or repairs. It comes with lines, handles and a backpack.

Susan

1. A little bit of history
2. My view of how the original Quadrifoil went out of business.

The first prototype Quadrifoil kite was 2 Sparless Stunters sewn together. Each of the Sparless Stunter panels was cut at an angle that produced a sweptback shape when sewn together. Here is a video link of that kite flying in Wildwood, NJ May 1989. http://www.kiteinnovations.com/media/Wildwood89512K_Stream.w...
About 5 months after the event I moved back to Texas from N.J. Lee Sedgwick contacted me and wanted a Sparless Stunter. Lee took the two line sparless parafoil kite and modified it to fly with four lines. Lee was so excited about the power he called me up and said he needed a larger one. I asked him if he saw the four line foil flying in Wildwood that same year... I guess he was too busy competing. I sent him a second version in alternating yellow and black stripes which he proudly named “the bee”. Lee started flying the kite everywhere he went and generated plenty of interest in the foils. In a very short time we had the production version of the original Quadrifoil 25 that was literally flying out of the door.

The original design and manufacturing of the Quadrifoil was made in 3 sizes 25sq ft, 50sq ft and 75sq ft. by Kite Innovations in Spring Texas. The Quadrifoil 25 was the only kite that had the swept back wing and tapered tips. At the time the Quadrifoil was the hottest kite on the market with orders pouring in. We were in desperate need of a faster manufacturing source with funds. We needed an investor and eventually found one here in Houston. Plans were to go abroad to manufacture new designs with complete RTF packages at a better price. The decision to bring in an investor would ultimately turn out to be the downfall of Quadrifoil. In less than four months Kite Innovations was out of business. In my opinion the new partner never had any intention on wanting the business to succeed (more on that some other time). The new investor took over the company started selling off the assets one of which was the Quadrifoil name. Rene Kung of Papagaios who was already manufacturing the Quadrifoil under license in Europe purchased the name for $20,000. Rene took the name had some new kites and graphics designed “Quadrifoil C”, “Q”, “X” and the X Surfer series. I could not tell you why Rene left or why active people left the kite market.

The Quadrifoil was my dream come true. I was sad to see it go.

Hey Sailors,
I happen to still have one of Ted's original Quadrifoil 75's.
It's not really that size, however.
I think Ted liked round figures: 25, 50, 75 etc.
The bottom surface on my 75 measures 82 sq/ft

If memory serves, I pushed Ted into his first cross-vented foils.
I mean that figuratively.
It must have been in the late 80's.
Something around 60 s/f with small, round holes between the cells.
Maiden flight at Wildwood that year.

Seems Wildwood and the group of flyers surrounding that event have had an enormous impact on kiting that we are only beginning to understand.

I was just going to a kite festival - A Great, Big Kite Festival, to be sure, but still just a kite festival.
I didn't think I was participating in history.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Thanks for the info Ted & Corey! Just curious – which model/design is your favorite?

My all time favorite kites are the Competition XL and XXXL
Scott

Wow. Thanks for the extra info Ted and Corey. It's interesting to hear the background behind what goes on behind businesses.

Ted - it's sad to hear that your company took a downturn like that, although it's great to see you are still around. Are you planning any new kite designs? I noticed you were selling off your ProFoil inventory... something new coming along maybe?

By the way I noticed at NABX this year at one point there was 2 people out bugging with what looked like new (or in very good condition) Quadrifoil Classics... are they still being made under license anywhere?

Quote:

Originally posted by khooke Wow. Thanks for the extra info Ted and Corey. It's interesting to hear the background behind what goes on behind businesses. Ted - it's sad to hear that your company took a downturn like that, although it's great to see you are still around. Are you planning any new kite designs? I noticed you were selling off your ProFoil inventory... something new coming along maybe? By the way I noticed at NABX this year at one point there was 2 people out bugging with what looked like new (or in very good condition) Quadrifoil Classics... are they still being made under license anywhere?

Yes it is sad. They say we do learn from our mistakes and I have learned allot.

I always have new ideas in mind I just do not have the time to do it any more. I am still hoping to pass the reins to someone. I am still willing to make someone a great deal all they need to do is show some interest.

I do not think anyone is making the Quadrifoil any longer.

Ted-You should recreate a couple of the "Quadrifoil X kites" and sell them privately to willing motivated buyers like myself. I don't need logos or anything just the kite and bridle!
In my avator I'm flying a Competition XL offshore of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands USA.

Scott

I got to fly the Mango XXXL today.

It took a bit to get it inflated (very small inlets), but after that it flew well.

The winds were only around 10 mph and I used it on handles while on the Dirtsurfer.

I snapped a few pictures:

Quadrifoil XXXL - Front View

Inlets

Mesh at corners to get the water out

Rear View

Side View

KS4U logo

In flight

XXXL on Left - 13m PIII on Right

Here are a few pictures of the XL. Really slow to fully inflate like the XXXL.

They are not snatchy like a Blade or Bego - but smoother like a Profoil or Brooza I tested out.

These Kitesurfers needed a deflation zipper like the Flysurfers. You got to squeeze the air out in order to pack up…

Front View

Small Inlets

Rear View

The slow deflation helped on the water. However, it was a pain to pack them away after you land. If I remember correctly mine had a couple of velcro air release tabs somewhere.

I found a picture of me flying a Kitesurfer XXL from 2001.

I'm still interested in them when your finished with them. Especially the XL.



Scott

Here's a pic from 2003 of me with my XXL. The slow to deflate helped in the photo below. The wind switched directions and was then blocked by the trees onshore.

Scott

Great pics Scott!

I posted this pic in another thread but it's appropriate for the Quadrifoil history thread.
It's from a 1999 newspaper blurb.