Kiteboarding Knowledge Center

MACkite's Kiteboarding Knowledge Center

Getting started kiteboarding
 

Getting Started: Beginner FAQs

You've just gotten into kiteboarding or are thinking about it. You have lots of questions about the gear, how to learn and, well, pretty much everything about kitesurfing. We were there once too, and here we'll share what we wished we knew when we were just learning to ride.

What is Kiteboarding?
How Do I Learn to Kiteboard?
Do I Need to Get a Trainer Kite?
What Gear do I Need to Go Kiteboarding?
Where Can I Kiteboard?
More beginner articles...

Finding wind for kiteboarding
 

Weather

Having the right skills and gear helps a lot, but let's face it- whether or not you're going to ride today ultimately depends on the weather. So it's worth investing the time to learn all you can about the wind and how and where to find it. Your session (and perhaps even your sanity) depends on it.

Weather Links and Webcams
How to Kitesurf More Safely in Gusty Conditions
Choosing a Lightwind Kite for Summer
Judging Wind Speed Without a Wind Meter
The Benefit of Kiteboarding in Low Winds
More weather articles...

Kitesurfing gear pumped up and ready to ride
 

Gear Info and Maintenance

Your kiteboarding gear is important to you. You've endlessly researched which brand, which shape, and which size are right for you and you've invested a lot of cash into it (or are about to). We ride it all and make over a thousand gear recommendations every year- here's our take on kitesurfing equipment.

How To Maintain Your Kitesurfing Pump
Kiteboarding Gear Thoughts for 2014
What Does a Trim Strap Do?
How Does Sheeting a Kitesurfing Kite Work?
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying New Kiteboarding Gear
More kiteboarding gear articles...

kiteboarding tricks make riding more fun
 

How To: Kiteboarding Tricks

So you're up and riding, and you can even stay upwind. Ready to take it to the next level and start having some real kiteboarding fun? Unless you're content to just mow the lawn, sooner or later you're going to want to spread your wings and fly. We know that's why you got into kiteboarding, so here are some tips.

How to Throw a Raley (includes video)
Toeside Transitions (includes video)
Boosting 101 (includes video)
How To Improve Your Board Skills
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
More kiteboarding tricks articles...

So many kiteboards to choose from
 

Gear Comparisons

Which one is better? Is that one worth the extra cost? Which one suits my style best? Very few of us have the resources to buy every piece of kitesurfing equipment we consider, so we have to make some decisions. Here we weigh the pros and cons of some commonly compared kiteboarding gear.

Gloves vs. Mittens vs. Claws
2012 vs. 2013 Cabrinha Switchblade
2013 Cabrinha Switchblade vs. 2013 North Rebel
New vs. Used Kiteboarding Gear
Kiteboarding Boots vs. Straps
More kiteboarding gear comparison articles...

launching a kiteboarding kite at a riding spot
 

Kiteboarding & Snowkiting Spots

Sure, you've got your usual kiteboarding hangout, but what do you do when the wind isn't cooperating there? Are you willing to drive to find good wind? Yeah, we thought so. Or maybe you just want a change of scenery. Whatever your motivation, here are some kiteboarding spots and things to know about them.

What does a good kiteboarding spot look like?
Southern Florida
Grand Haven to Buchanan Downwinder
Grand Haven, MI
Muskegon, MI
More riding spots articles...

Kiteboarding among the icebergs
 

Snowkiting & Cold Water Kiteboarding

If you live in or visit a region that gets cold, you know that riding isn't always as simple as throwing on boardshorts and a harness. Here's how to have fun in the cold.

Frozen Fingers: Don't Cut Your Session Short
Choosing the Right Wetsuit for Kiteboarding
Snowkiting FAQs
What Size Snowkite Do I Need?
Kiteboarding Safety In Cold Water
More snowkiting and cold water articles...

kiteboarding-at-sunset-1-.jpg
 

Other Kiteboarding Articles

There are a lot of interesting aspects to kiteboarding. Here we enlighten you with random articles that don't fit neatly into a particular category.

How Exercise Makes You a Better Kitesurfer
A Look at the Origins of Kitesurfing
Boardies and Wettys
Kiteboarding Terms and Definitions
Top 10 Kiteboarding Myths
More kiteboarding articles...

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
 

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Info

Whether you're looking for a sport that complements kiteboarding or something for your family to enjoy, SUP is a fun sport for anyone.

Get Started In Stand Up Paddleboarding - Part 1
Get Started In Stand Up Paddleboarding - Part 2
SUP FAQs
Choosing Your Board
Choosing Your Paddle
More SUP Info...

blake-riding.jpg
 

Ride With Blake Series Archive

Our Team Rider, Blake Olsen, creates kiteboarding trick, beginner tip, and destination videos. His popular YouTube series blogs can be seen here.

How to Kiteloop for Beginners
Grabs Every Kiteboarder needs to know: Part One
Kiteboarding: How to Setup Your Footstraps
4 Tips to Land A Kite
3 Sessions to Your First Front Roll
More Ride with Blake...


New Tag Frame work

A complete list of support articles is coming soon