{"id":11430,"date":"2020-04-21T17:00:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T21:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/?p=11430"},"modified":"2026-03-26T07:34:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T11:34:07","slug":"startup-spotlight-forty1-kitesurfing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/startup-spotlight-forty1-kitesurfing\/","title":{"rendered":"Startup Spotlight: Forty1 Kitesurfing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Forty1 Kitesurfing founder, James Crook, riding a kiteboard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Combining two passions\nwas the origin story of Forty1 Kitesurfing, a startup founded by James Crook in\nearly 2017. Using Solid Edge to help bring his ideas to fruition, James applied\nhis mechanical engineering background to a passion: kitesurfing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitesurfing is an\nextreme sport that allows people to harness the wind to glide across water\nusing a controllable kite. \u201cKiteboards are a very mechanical product, with no\nreal electronics or software present in the product,\u201d describes James. This fact\nallowed him the opportunity to do it himself as he started to explore the\npotential of creating his own kitesurfing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he dove deeper into\nhis business and the market for kitesurfing, James realized there was a need\nfrom customers to have computer-aided design (CAD) software to see their design\nbefore production. This is where the Solid Edge for Startups<\/a> program came into the\npicture. With Solid Edge, James can now show his designs to customers before\nproduction and work with them to co-create and customize their ideal board.\nAlso, it makes it easier to configure his products and create different fin shapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solid Edge also provides\nForty1 Kitesurfing, like many other startups, the ability to scale down the\ncost of launching a business.\n\u201cStart-up companies take a while to run, especially\nwhen you\u2019re developing a new product and taking it to market. Solid Edge helped\nme finish my journey,” says James. “Now, I have the ability to market\nmy product on a grander scale and really connect with my customers to receive\ntheir feedback as well as what they want in a product.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a solo maker, this\nfeedback was very beneficial for James and Forty1 Kitesurfing. Interacting and\nengaging with customers gives the opportunity to receive feedback on what a\ncustomer really wants from a product. Assumptions no longer need to be made\nabout the needs of customers. Instead, it\u2019s received directly from them to help\nmake a product that is right for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Battle Between Hydrofoils\nand Shallow Waters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A common problem found in\nkitesurfing is the inability to surf in shallower water using hydrofoils, which\nare attachments to the bottom of the board that lifts the rider and board out\nof the water. Yet, shallow water locations are often the most popular for kite surfers.\nCurrently, hydrofoils are bulky, expensive, lift you very high out of the water\nand take time for users to learn how to use. Forty1 Kitesurfing is working to\nfix this problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe hydrofoil I have\ncreated attaches easily to the board and eliminates the problem of having to\nbuy a whole new kit. This also makes it easier for customers to transport and\ntake on trips,\u201d explains James. This hydrofoil improves upon products that are currently\navailable and lets users surf in lighter winds and shallower waters. However, the\npower and speed aren\u2019t lost with this new version, and the board is still able\nto ride in both directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhancing the current\nhydrofoils while being more affordable and easier to learn, especially for a\nbeginner, allows Forty1 Kitesurfing to stand apart from competitors. When\ntalking with a local kitesurfing shop a few years ago, James was clued in to\nthe growing popularity of hydrofoils. \u201cThere was a growing need for a more\naffordable hydrofoil that can be used in shallower waters, and I\u2019m not aware of\nanyone doing anything similar,\u201d comments James. He plans to move forward by\nhoning his design for a more accessible variant of hydrofoils for kite surfers\neverywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hydrofin \u2122 created by Forty1 Kitesurfing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Designing a Kiteboard to\nWin the Battle using Solid Edge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forty1 Kitesurfing is\ntaking advantage of the many features found in Solid Edge. Design, assembly and\npart modeling each play an important part in the development of Forty1\nKitesurfing\u2019s products. Solid Edge provides powerful CAD drawing<\/a> capabilities so that\neach hydrofoil can be designed with precision and customized to each customer\u2019s\nneeds and requests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\ndesigning hydrofoils, there are many different parts involved with various\nconfigurations. The unique family of parts<\/a> configurations included\nwith Solid Edge helps users effectively manage large assemblies. The family of\nparts tool offers users the ability to group together multiple parts within an\nassembly and is used by Forty1 Kitesurfing in the creation of their hydrofoils.\n\u201cThe [family of parts] tool is great when designing the hydrofoil,\u201d explains James.\n\u201cI can move the position of a hole, make the fin hollow or create a fin with a\nriveting part instead, all while keeping the main design.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest challenge\nfor Forty1 Kitesurfing is batch manufacturing, during which each component is\ncreated through a step-by-step process. The hydrofoil is currently 3D printed,\nand even though the smaller components are simple to 3D print, the main\nhydrofoil is a lot more complicated. Forty1 Kitesurfing is looking for a way to\nstreamline the process for a quicker result using Solid Edge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simulation\ncapability and finite element analysis<\/a> (FEA) in Solid Edge\nprovides tools to help simulate how the product will react to stress and\npressure caused while using the product in the real world, such as how the\nhydrofoil will react to shallower waters and lighter winds. The model is put\nthrough a stress analysis and FEA to garner an understanding of where the forces\nmight be and what they are. \u201cWe also opted to use Simcenter FloEFD<\/a> for Solid Edge,\u201d notes James.\n\u201cWhile it is still a work in progress, it is a definite bonus, and I am excited\nto see how much it can help in the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hydrofoil rendering in Solid Edge. Credit: Forty1 Kitesurfing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Giving Kiteboards a Tank<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forty1 Kitesurfing has a unique way of testing their products by teaming up with Solent University in Southhampton, England. The university owns a 60-meter towing tank that can be used to test hydrodynamic lift and drag components using a wave motor. The kiteboard and hydrofoil are tested in the tank to measure force. With the help of a Southhampton University student pursuing their master\u2019s degree, Forty1 Kitesurfing effectively measures the hydrofoil\u2019s lift and drag using this tank. The company\u2019s hydrofoil is unique in that it is quite close to the board and doesn\u2019t lift as high out of the water as common hydrofoils. The tank provides data and an assessment on the actual performance of the hydrofoil when it is close to the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Solent Unviersity towing tank<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Solid Edge for Startups:\nBringing Ideas to Fruition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forty1 Kitesurfing was exploring CAD packages to help with design and production since its launch. New startups have many struggles, one of them being able to afford a CAD package, which is an essential component of their design process. \u201cI chose Solid Edge because I was looking for something that would support me with where I\u2019m at with my business,” James says. “Other packages were trying to sign me up for a 3-year contract, but I\u2019m a startup with limited funding, so I\u2019m unable to lock myself into a long-term deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Solid Edge, users\ncan sign up for a monthly subscription. The Solid Edge for Startups program was\nperfectly suited to the goals of Forty1 Kitesurfing because it concentrates on\nproviding service and flexibility for its members. This was a big focus point\nfor James. \u201cHaving the option to pay for Solid Edge in monthly\nsubscriptions was a really neat way for me to pay for a CAD software. Now I can\napproach it with the thought process that I can manage to do this, which\neliminates a lot of stress,\u201d says James.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Next for Forty1\nKitesurfing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Forty1 Kitesurfing founder, James Crook, posing with the Hydrofin \u2122 <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Forty1 Kitesurfing has big plans to continue to develop and improve on their products, specifically the hydrofoil. One goal is to improve the manufacturing method overall when creating the hydrofoil, starting this year. Another goal is to continue the process of bringing the product to market. This will depend on the core group of users found who are fans of the sport and into the first variations of the product. From there, Forty1 Kitesurfing can continue to demonstrate and gain interest from others in the sport and continue to drive innovation in a highly specialized market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Next for You?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We asked James what advice he\u2019d give to others like himself who are entrepreneurs looking to start a business or bring a new product to market. Here\u2019s what he had to say: “Networking is so important. Talk to as many people as you can and as much as possible. The success of your product will be about the people you surround yourself with. If you have the right people and supports in place, it makes a huge difference. Reach out to them to discover the right tools you need to develop your product.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James also emphasized staying engaged with customers. This avoids designing something that you think your customers want rather than what they need. \u201cIt\u2019s all about selling your vision, what you\u2019re trying to do and why,” he says. “People buy into that, and when they do, they buy into you and follow your journey. Customers will change your vision.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

James highlighted the fact that you can\u2019t be afraid to speak to customers and constantly get feedback on your designs: \u201cI can tell you, stay engaged with your customers and don\u2019t be afraid to speak to them. This way, you can develop and maintain a good relationship while also catering to the needs of the market and customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about the Solid Edge for Startups program, visit our site<\/a>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Forty1 Kitesurfing<\/a> is a company headquartered in Portsmouth, United Kingdom. They have developed the Hydrofin\u2122, a set of low profile hydrofoils, that enables kitesurfers to ride in lighter winds and shallower waters – more availability, more accessibility, more fun!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Forty1 Kitesurfing, a UK-based startup, relies on Solid Edge to develop the Hydrofin\u2122, a set of low-profile hydrofoils, which enables kitesurfers to ride in lighter winds and shallower waters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69633,"featured_media":11753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[179,77,1],"tags":[243,230,193,12,9,244],"industry":[170,135,158,137,162],"product":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-11430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-customer-success-story","category-featured","category-news","tag-3d-design","tag-assembly","tag-computer-aided-design-cad","tag-floefd","tag-startup","tag-startup-spotlight","industry-small-medium-business","industry-consumer-products-retail","industry-marine","industry-sporting-goods-toys","industry-yachts-and-leisure"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/04\/James_Riding_Hydrofin_Kiteboard2.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11430"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11447,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11430\/revisions\/11447"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11430"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=11430"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=11430"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=11430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}