Freestyle & Wakestyle Kites
Freestyle and wakestyle demand more from a kite than almost any other discipline. Freestyle riders need sharp pop, precise feedback, and a clean slack window for unhooked tricks — the kind of predictability that lets you stop thinking about the kite and focus entirely on the move. Wakestyle takes it further, relying on board pop and low kite positions that put everything on your technique and nerve. The kites here are built for both. They’re responsive, durable, and dialed for riders who are chasing progression with intent. Not sure which style fits where you're at? Reach out and we'll help you figure out the right direction.
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2026 Cabrinha Switchblade APEX Kiteboarding Kite
Cabrinha
$1,659.00 - $2,529.002026 Switchblade APEX Performance Freeride Sizes: 5m / 6m / 7m / 8m / 9m / 10m / 11m / 12m / 14m When you think about the legacy of kite surfing over the last 20 years, one kite has been through almost the full evolution — the Switchblade. Now...$1,659.00 - $2,529.00 -
2026 F-One Bandit Brainchild Kiteboarding Kite
F-One
$1,686.75 - $3,149.002026 F-One Bandit Brainchild Sizes: 8m / 9m / 10m / 12m Freeride / All-Around The F-One Bandit Limited Edition takes the legendary Bandit DNA and dials it up with cutting-edge materials and construction from Ralf Grösel’s innovative Brainchild...$1,686.75 - $3,149.00 -
On Sale
2025 F-One Bandit V17 TEC Kiteboarding Kite
F-One
$999.00 - $1,399.00After two years of research and development, F-ONE is proud to present the brand-new edition of the BANDIT, our legendary kite, filled with innovations and offering ever more sensations and performances. Thanks to our new CODE-TEC fabric, this BANDIT TEC...$999.00 - $1,399.00
Freestyle and Wakestyle Kite FAQs
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.
| Wind 12-18 mph | Wind 16-24 mph | Wind 22-30 mph | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider Weight | Kite Size | Rider Weight | Kite Size | Rider Weight | Kite Size | ||
| 200+ lbs | 17m+ | 200+ lbs | 17m+ | 200+ lbs | 12m | ||
| 200 lbs | 17m | 200 lbs | 14m | 200 lbs | 9-10m | ||
| 180 lbs | 14-17m | 180 lbs | 12m | 180 lbs | 8-9m | ||
| 160 lbs | 14m | 160 lbs | 10-12m | 160 lbs | 7-8m | ||
| 140 lbs | 12m | 140 lbs | 8-9m | 140 lbs | 6m | ||
| 120 lbs | 10m | 120 lbs | 6m | 120 lbs | 4m | ||
| Chart based on average rider, on a standard twintip kiteboard | |||||||