2026 Airush Session V2 Overview: Surf-First Design With Real Trade-Offs

If you ride waves on the Gulf Coast, you already know the problem.

Most kites are built to pull you forward and up. That feels great on flat water. It feels wrong when you are carving down the line and the kite wants to race ahead of you.

The 2026 Airush Session V2 exists for a different priority.

In places like St. Pete and Tampa Bay, where we see side-on winds, wind swell, and gusty frontal systems, control matters more than hype. You need a kite that can move forward in the window when you are working upwind, then sit back and drift when you drop into a section.

That balance is the entire design lane of the Session V2.

It is a surf-oriented platform with enough freeride performance to stay fun when the waves fade.

But if you are already riding, already carving, already experimenting with strapless airs, the real question becomes:
Does this kite match the way you actually ride?

The rest of this overview is about answering that clearly. No hype. No shortcuts. Just what the Session V2 does well, where it compromises, and who it makes the most sense for.

What is the Airush Session V2 built for?

The Session V2 is a surf-oriented kite designed around control, window positioning, and carving flow.
That is the lane.

Each one affects how the kite behaves under load.The Session V2 is built for surf, strapless riding, and performance freeride where you’re carving, redirecting, and adjusting a lot.

It uses a compact shape that turns quickly, stays manageable when you trim power, and can still fly forward when you need to regain ground upwind.

Airush pairs this with the V3.1 bridle, which helps the kite keep steering response as you sheet out. That’s useful in gusty coastal wind because you can reduce pull without losing control of where the kite is going.

The Session is designed to handle variable coastal wind where you may be riding powered one moment and trimming hard the next.

⤷ If you are riding mostly flat water and loading for vertical pop, there are better tools in the lineup.
⤷ If you are navigating wind swell, small beach break, or carving in mixed chop along the Gulf, this platform starts to make technical sense.

Where does the Session V2 sit in the wind window?

Wind window position determines whether a kite feels helpful or frustrating.

The Session V2 can fly forward when you drive it upwind, but it does not live at the extreme front of the window.

Forward Flight When You Need It

When you sheet in and edge, the kite tracks upwind cleanly. It does not feel sticky or trapped deep.

In lighter Gulf seabreeze, that forward movement helps you maintain angle without overworking the kite.

It is efficient, but not aggressive.

Controlled Depth in the Window

When you ease off edge pressure or carve downwind, the Session settles deeper and stays connected instead of racing ahead.

In side-on wind swell around St. Pete or Fort De Soto, that prevents the kite from pulling you out of rhythm mid-turn.

It feels predictable and stable without being overly eager to climb.

Steering While Depowered

The V3.1 bridle keeps steering active when you trim power.

In gusty winter frontal wind, that matters. You can dump pull without losing control of where the kite is going.

That helps keep transitions clean and avoids the “dead bar” feeling some kites develop when depowered.

How does the Session V2 turn and feel under load?

The Session V2 turns in a tight arc and responds quickly without feeling twitchy. That matters when you’re redirecting mid-transition or adjusting in uneven wind.

Bar pressure stays moderate and consistent through the turn, and the kite delivers power smoothly instead of spiking.

For downloops and transitions, it loops with a compact path and predictable pull, which helps keep things controlled during directional riding and strapless setups.

Tight Pivot Instead of Wide Sweep

On a high-aspect kite, a steering input creates a drawn-out arc. That arc generates lift and speed, which is ideal for big air setups. But it also means the kite covers more horizontal distance during the turn.

The Session rotates tighter.

That makes corrections faster and more contained. If you need to redirect mid-transition or adjust position in uneven wind, the kite responds without overshooting.

In small Gulf wind swell or tight carving lines, that tighter rotation keeps the kite closer to you instead of pulling you out of alignment.

Consistent Bar Pressure Through the Turn

The bar feel is moderate and steady. It does not spike aggressively as you initiate a turn.

Under load, the kite remains predictable. When you are edging hard and commit to a redirect, the power delivery stays smooth rather than snapping.

That matters in choppy Tampa Bay conditions where the board is already absorbing movement. You do not want the kite adding volatility.

The Session’s steering feels direct without being nervous.

Downloops and Transition Control

When you initiate a downloop for a carving transition, the pivot character becomes clear.

The kite loops with a compact path. It does not dive aggressively unless you force it to. The power builds progressively instead of spiking.

This gives you control during strapless transitions or directional riding where foot placement and timing matter more than raw pull.

⤷ If you are chasing explosive kiteloops with massive horizontal travel, that belongs to another model in the lineup.
⤷ If you are using loops to reposition and maintain flow, the Session fits that application cleanly.

What are the trade-offs of the Session V2?

No kite does everything best.

When a kite is tuned for surf and directional riding, it gives up a few things that big-air and freeride-first designs emphasize.

1. Boosting Ceiling
You can jump the Session V2.
It will not match the Lift for maximum vertical projection or extended hangtime.
It favors control and redirection over peak lift.

2. Parked Power
Compared to the Lithium, the Session does not generate the same locked-in, park-and-drive pull.
The Lithium provides stronger static drive when sheeted in.
The Session rewards movement and active positioning.

If you prefer edging hard against steady pull, the Lithium may feel more natural.

3. Lightwind Efficiency
If your primary focus is marginal wind or dedicated foil riding, the Ultra platform is more specialized.
The Session is efficient, but it is not built to chase the absolute lowest wind threshold.

4. Slack and Unhooked Riding
The Session is not a pure freestyle C-kite.
If you are chasing maximum slack for unhooked passes, the Razor is designed for that lane.

5. Relaunch Characteristics
The Session relaunches effectively in normal wind, but it relies more on rider input than heavily swept freeride kites.
In extremely light wind or turbulent surf, a more swept design may feel easier.

Trade-offs are not flaws. They are boundaries.

Session V2 vs Lithium: which one makes more sense?

This is where most riders hesitate.

They are not choosing between the Session and a big air kite.
They are choosing between the Session and the Lithium.

✔ Both can freeride.
✔ Both can boost.
✔ Both can handle variable wind.

But they deliver power differently.

Power Delivery

The Lithium has a more parked, steady pull. When you sheet in and edge, it gives you consistent drive. It feels stable and predictable under load.

The Session feels more dynamic. It responds to movement and rewards active positioning. It does not rely on static pull as much as rider input.

If you prefer locking the kite in and edging hard against it, the Lithium feels more natural.
If you prefer adjusting constantly and flowing through transitions, the Session feels more alive.

Riding Style

The Lithium is a true all-around platform. It handles flat water, chop, and small waves without demanding much from the rider. It is progression-friendly and very forgiving.

The Session leans toward directional riding. It feels more connected when carving and repositioning.

One is built to do everything well.
The other is built to do surf and carving exceptionally well, while still freeriding comfortably.

Which One Makes More Sense for Florida?

If you mostly ride flat water in Tampa Bay, chase jumps, and want dependable drive, the Lithium fits most riders better.

If you ride beach breaks, wind swell, or strapless directional boards along the Gulf, the Session starts to separate itself.

Neither is better. They solve different problems.

How durable is the Session V2 and what materials does it use?

The Session V2 uses Airush’s Originals materials package: a heavy-duty Dacron leading edge, Technoforce D2 canopy, and a single point inflation system built for daily use.

The canopy uses Technoforce D2 fabric. It is a double ripstop material with a high-density weave and protective coating. In real use, that translates to a canopy that holds its shape longer and resists UV breakdown in strong sun. That matters in Florida where gear sits exposed more than riders admit.

The leading edge uses heavy-duty Dacron with reinforced load points. Instead of chasing the lightest possible build, this platform is designed to handle repeated stress from looping, carving, and daily use without premature stretching.

Inflation uses Airush’s single point system with thicker internal tubing. Pump-up is straightforward and reliable. No special process. No fragile components.

This is not the Team Series construction used on the Ultra Team or other premium builds.
It is not trying to be the lightest option in the lineup.
It is trying to be durable, predictable, and repeatable.

If you ride often, travel with your gear, or leave it rigged on hot beach days, that consistency matters more than shaving a few grams.

What size Session V2 should you ride in Florida?

Below is the published wind range for a 75 kg rider:

Actual kite weights may vary slightly due to production tolerances.

What This Means for Gulf Coast Riders

For most riders in the 70–85 kg range:

• 9m and 10m cover the majority of St. Pete and Tampa Bay conditions
• 12m works for lighter Gulf days
• 7m and 8m cover strong winter fronts

Board choice changes sizing.
→ Directional riders can often go smaller.
→ Twin tip riders may want slightly more canopy in chop.

What size Session V2 should I ride in 15–20 knots in St. Pete?

If you ride St. Pete a lot, 15–20 knots is the range that tricks people. It can look like a clean “9m day” on paper, but on the water it depends on your board, your weight, and whether the wind is steady or pulsing.

For an average rider around 75 kg, a 10m is often the safer call at the low end of that range, especially if you’re on a twin tip or riding choppy water in Tampa Bay where you lose efficiency.

If the wind is a clean 18–20 and you’re on a directional board, the 9m starts to make more sense and feels more controlled once you’re moving.

The other factor in Florida is wind quality. A lot of our “15–18 knot” days are not smooth. They surge, then drop. In that kind of wind, sizing slightly bigger can keep you riding instead of constantly working the kite.

The simple way to avoid guessing is to size based on what you’re actually riding. If you’re directional and carving, you can typically go smaller. If you’re twin tipping and trying to hold edge in chop, you’ll usually want a little more canopy.

Who Should Not Buy the Airush Session V2?

The Session V2 is not the right kite for everyone.

You should look at other options if:

• You are chasing maximum height and hangtime.
• You primarily ride flat water and load hard for big air.
• You want a pure freestyle platform built around unhooked slack.
• You are focused almost entirely on lightwind foiling.
• You are a true beginner still learning basic waterstarts and upwind control.

There are better tools for those lanes.

→ Lift for big air.
→ Razor for freestyle.
→ Ultra for dedicated foil efficiency.
→ Lithium for forgiving all-around progression.

The Session V2 makes sense when your priority is controlled carving and directional riding in variable coastal wind.

Still deciding between Session and something else?

If you’re torn between the Session V2 and another Airush model, the fastest move is to talk to someone who rides these in local conditions.

Choose the kite that fits your conditions, your board, and your riding goals.

Is the 2026 Session V2 right for you?

The 2026 Airush Session V2 is a surf-oriented kite built for riders who prioritize carving control, predictable power delivery, and responsive handling in variable coastal wind.

It is not designed to be the highest jumping kite in the lineup. It is not the most lightwind-efficient foil machine. It is not a dedicated unhooked freestyle platform.

It is a directional-focused kite that balances forward drive with controlled window positioning, making it well suited for Gulf Coast wind swell, strapless riding, and dynamic freeride sessions.

If you ride mostly flat water and chase vertical lift, the Lithium or Lift may fit better. If you are carving transitions, riding small surf, and adjusting constantly to shifting wind, the Session V2 becomes a strong technical match.

Choosing the right kite comes down to riding style, local conditions, and long-term goals. When those align, performance follows.