Freestyle & Wakestyle Kites
Freestyle riders want sharp pop, precise feedback, and a kite that gives the perfect slack window for unhooked tricks. Wakestyle is the tougher cousin, driven by board pop and low kite positions that demand power, grit, and strong landings. If you are chasing progression with attitude, you will find it in one of these styles. Which side will you conquer today?
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2026 Cabrinha Drifter APEX Kiteboarding Kite
Cabrinha
$1,529.00 - $2,089.002026 Drifter APEX Performance Surf / Freestyle Surf Sizes: 5m / 6m / 7m / 8m / 9m / 10m / 11m The Drifter continues to set the standard for a kite that lets you ride the wave while the pull of the kite fades away. The name says it all. It has been a...$1,529.00 - $2,089.00 -
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 Duotone Neo SLS Kiteboarding Kite
Duotone
$1,819.00 - $2,439.00Neo SLS Sizes: 5m / 6m / 7m / 8m / 9m / 10m / 11m / 12m WAVE Enter the Neo SLS, a kite designed for those who live for the waves and strapless freestyle. Back for 2026 with a fresh colorway, Duotone has kept all the same 'loves' of the kite: Penta...$1,819.00 - $2,439.00 -
Shipping times may vary. Contact crew for lead time.
Harlem Thrive Kiteboarding Kite
Harlem
$1,879.00 - $2,833.00Introducing the ultimate all-round machine, the Harlem Thrive. Combining over 25 years of experience in creating best-selling high-performance kites with the latest groundbreaking innovations, the Thrive is the pinnacle of Ralf Groesel’s design...$1,879.00 - $2,833.00
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 | |||||||