Freestyle & Wakestyle Kites

Honestly, when it comes to overall perception, the two are interchanged frequently. The main difference is that freestyle kiteboarding focuses on lift to perform unhooked and kiteloop tricks. Wakestyle riding has the kite sit lower to the water and the board creates the lift with a "load and pop" motion.

Of the two, freestyle is more beginner-friendly. Once you've mastered basic kite control and upwind riding, go ahead and start trying hooked-in tricks. Wakestyle is more advanced and requires serious board skills and comfort riding in boots. Our opinion? Start with freestyle and then see where you're kiting takes you!

Technically, yes. However, freestyle boards are often focused on responsiveness for unhooked tricks in straps. Wakestyle boards are stiffer with boot inserts made to handle serious abuse. If you're committed to wakestyle riding, a dedicated board will be well worth the upgrade.