Naish Traverse EJ | Lightwind Freeride Twintip

The Naish Traverse EJ is a light-wind freeride twintip kiteboard developed in collaboration with 2x KPL World Champion Ewan Jaspan. Part of the Naish 2026 twintip range, it is built around one idea: making marginal-wind sessions feel effortless. A long, narrow outline, medium-high continuous rocker and sintered base all work together to get you planing sooner, cover water faster, and stay on the water when other boards are back in the van. Three sizes — 138, 144 and 152 cm — span a range of rider weights and conditions.

The 2026 version brings updated construction: lighter tips with more flex for better control and softer landings, reinforced UD Glass Cross through the centre for torsional rigidity and durability, and raised deck beams for a connected, direct feel underfoot. The sintered base is harder and faster than an extruded base — it handles park obstacles, slides cleaner and holds up better on gravel beaches. Graphics are a full collaboration with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: bold, psychedelic and genuinely striking on the water.

Who It's For

The Traverse EJ suits riders who want to maximise their time on the water in the UK's frequently marginal conditions — anyone who is tired of watching a 10-knot session from the shore. It also works as a park and freestyle board thanks to the sintered base and direct torsional feel, and Ewan Jaspan designed it to handle high-performance riding as well as pure light-wind cruising. It is worth noting that the long, narrow shape means Naish recommend going one size bigger than your usual twintip — if you normally ride a 138, start on the 144.

Key Features

• Long narrow outline — maximises glide and early planing in light wind, covers water efficiently when underpowered
• Medium-high continuous rocker — smooth, flowing feel that works in chop and flat water alike
• Updated lighter flex tips (2026) — reduces tip weight for better control through carves and improved vibration damping
• Reinforced UD Glass Cross through centre (2026) — added torsional stiffness and centre durability for park and hard freestyle riding
• Sintered base — harder and faster than extruded, handles park obstacles and gravel beaches without delaminating
• Raised deck beams — direct underfoot connection, improved power transfer to the fins
• Subtle bottom grip channels — added grip and control through turns without creating a stiff, locked-in feel
• 2.8 cm G-10 fins — lock in when you need hold, break free when you want release; versatile across freeride and freestyle

Real-World Feel

On the water, the Traverse EJ feels noticeably different from a standard freeride twintip. The long, narrow body glides through chop rather than bouncing off it, and you feel it start to plane at much lower wind speeds than a wider board. That is the whole point. In powered-up conditions, the board is lively and direct — the narrow outline does not feel sluggish at speed, and the torsional stiffness from the UD Glass Cross keeps things precise through carves and pop. For park riding, the sintered base makes a real difference: it does not scuff or slow down on impact, and the flex tip construction helps absorb harder landings. It is not a dedicated freestyle board, but it handles park sessions comfortably as a secondary use.

Setup and Fit

The Traverse EJ comes with 2.8 cm G-10 fins. Centred insert positions give you flexibility in stance width and angle — worth experimenting with if you are transitioning from a wider board, as a narrower stance tends to suit the narrow outline. The board runs centred inserts rather than extended outside tracks, which keeps fit simple. Pad and strap sets are available separately from the twintips, pads and fins collection. Ride one size bigger than your usual twintip due to the narrower outline.

Materials and Construction

The 2026 Traverse EJ uses a fibreglass laminate construction with UD Glass Cross reinforcement through the centre for torsional stiffness and durability. The tips are updated for 2026 with a lighter construction and more flex, improving control and vibration damping without reducing durability. The base is sintered — a harder material than the extruded bases found on most entry to mid-range boards, offering better speed and resistance to surface damage from park use and rough beaches.

Size Guide

Important: Naish recommend sizing up one from your normal twintip. The long, narrow outline provides less width-based planing support than a standard freeride board. If you are unsure, contact us and we can advise based on your weight, riding style and the kite sizes you typically fly.

Pairs Well With

The Traverse EJ is made for light-wind days, so pair it with a large kite — typically a 14–17 m, depending on your weight and local conditions. A delta or C-shaped kite with a long wind range gives you the best spread of usable sessions. A quality bar and lines setup is important: longer lines (24–27 m) increase the kite's power window and complement the Traverse's light-wind focus. Explore the full twintip and accessories range for pads, straps and fins.

Why We Stock It

On the Wirral and across the North West, light-wind days are common. The Traverse EJ is one of the few boards we have ridden that genuinely extends the wind range rather than just promising to. The Ewan Jaspan collab brings real rider input — the 2026 construction updates to the tips and centre make a tangible difference to how the board performs. It is a serious tool for serious light-wind sessions, and it looks unlike anything else in the car park.

FAQs

Who is the Naish Traverse EJ designed with?

The Traverse EJ is co-designed with Ewan Jaspan, a two-time KPL (Kite Park League) World Champion. The 2026 version is the fifth edition of the board and reflects his input on construction, flex and performance across freeride, park and freestyle riding.

Do I need to size up on the Naish Traverse EJ 2026?

Yes. Naish specifically recommend riding one size bigger than your usual twintip. The long, narrow outline means you have less width-based planing support, so going up a size compensates and gives you the light-wind performance the board is built for. If you normally ride a 138, start on a 144.

Can I use the Naish Traverse EJ for freestyle and park riding?

Yes, though it is primarily a light-wind freeride board. The sintered base handles park obstacles well, and the 2026 UD Glass Cross reinforcement adds torsional stiffness that suits pop and aerial riding. It is not a dedicated freestyle board, but it is comfortable doing park sessions alongside its main light-wind role.

What fins does the Naish Traverse EJ 2026 come with?

The Traverse EJ comes with 2.8 cm G-10 fins. These are smaller than the fins on most standard freeride boards, which is intentional — they give the board a versatile balance of grip and release rather than locking it into a stiff, hold-first setup.

What is the difference between the Naish Traverse EJ and the standard Traverse?

The EJ version is longer and narrower than the standard Traverse and features the sintered base, specific graphics and construction updates developed with Ewan Jaspan. It is aimed at riders who want a more performance-oriented light-wind board rather than a general freeride twintip.

What kite size should I use with the Naish Traverse EJ 2026?

The Traverse EJ is designed for light-wind use, so it pairs best with larger kites — typically 14 m and above, depending on your body weight and local wind averages. Longer lines (24–27 m) also help maximise the board's light-wind performance by giving the kite a larger power window.