KOGL Test Fest 2026

King of the Great Lakes 2026

September 25–27 | Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, MI

Three days. The best gear on the market. The MACkite Crew. And a beach that was built for exactly this.

King of the Great Lakes is MACkite's annual demo event. After years of doing this, we'll say it plainly: there's nothing else like it in the Midwest. KoGL brings together the best kiteboarding and foiling brands, team riders, and a community of people who genuinely love being on the water. It's part gear fest, part block party, part annual reunion.

Whether you're a rider who wants hands-on time with $125,000+ worth of the latest gear, or someone who's kite or foil-curious and wants to see what all the fuss is about — there's a spot for you at Pere Marquette Beach this September.

What Makes KoGL Different

The water is right there. No shuttles, no staging areas. You rig up, walk ten feet, and you're in. Pere Marquette Beach is one of the best kiteboarding venues in the state, and we've called it home for years.

The brands actually show up. Not just with banners and catalogs. Experience full demo fleets and chat with their team riders. This is your chance to ride gear you can't get your hands on anywhere else, back-to-back, with the people who can walk you through it standing right next to you.

It doesn't feel like a trade show. It feels like the best weekend of the season (in our not-so-humble opinion). Clinics, competitions, a Friday night kickoff, a Saturday night bowling event — KoGL is an experience, not just an event.

The Weekend at a Glance

Friday, September 25

• Noon: Registration opens
• 1–6 p.m.: Gear demo (extended if conditions allow)
• Evening: Friday night kickoff at Liquid Assets — come hang with the crew, meet the brand reps, and kick the weekend off right

Saturday, September 26

• 10:00 a.m.: Registration opens
• 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.: Gear demo (extended if conditions allow)
• 1:00 p.m.: Saturday lunch gathering!
• 2:00 p.m.: Cornhole with Cado — a KoGL tradition. Sign up at the event. Prizes TBA.
• 7:00 p.m.: Socibowl bowling event — because the fun doesn't stop when the wind dies

Sunday, September 27

• 10:00 a.m.: Registration opens
• 11:00 a.m.: Freeride / demo
• 5:00 p.m.: Event wrap-up

Schedule subject to wind and conditions. Some events may be adjusted. Demos are limited to registered riders with previous ability and are subject to staff or brand approval.

Get Your Ticket — And Get It Early

Early registration saves you money and guarantees your t-shirt and swag. Last-minute and day-of sign-ups are welcome, but we can't promise anything will be left in your size.

Register before September 10th to lock in early bird pricing.

Spectator — Free

Never kited before? This is your in. Spectator registration is free and open day-of.

• Kiteboarding and foiling action all 3 days
• All clinics — a $30 value, on us
• Gear preview and vendor row

Come curious. Leave ready to sign up for lessons.

Beach & Event Tee Pass — $35 early / $45 after Sept. 10

Everything above, plus the full KoGL experience on land:

• Event t-shirt (guaranteed with early registration)
• Saturday lunch ticket

Rider Demo Pass — $45 early / $55 after Sept. 10

This is the one. Everything above, plus full access to the water:

• Demo gear pass — $125,000+ worth of the latest kiteboarding and foiling gear
• Boat pass for foil & wake surfing
• Event t-shirt (guaranteed with early registration)
• Saturday lunch ticket

Important

• Rider privelege is subject to staff/brand approval and require demonstrated previous riding ability.
• A completed waiver is required, regardless of ability. You can complete your waiver early and get on the water faster through our online registration.

Good to Know

What should I bring? Spectators: water, snacks, sunscreen, and an open mind. Riders: wetsuit recommended — Lake Michigan in late September has feelings.

What if there's no wind? Clinics run all weekend regardless. There's always something happening at the brand tents, and KoGL's off-water events are half the reason people keep coming back.

Is this a competition? KoGL is a demo event first — the emphasis is on getting time on gear, learning, and having a great weekend. Some competitive elements may be added; check the schedule closer to the event.

Demo Gear

Brand and gear list coming soon. Follow the KoGL Facebook event for updates as brands are confirmed.

Getting Here

We're at the MACshack — Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, MI.

What People Are Saying

Matt from North:

"You know what? This event is so great. All the brands are here. I guess we're supposed to be like arch-rivals competing against each other, but we're all a bunch of buddies that get together at this event, and it's super low-key. Your staff's amazing and you make it super easy. You meet us here in the morning and help us unload our stuff and put our tents up, and it's all really easy. We're all a bunch of friends and maybe we share a couple beers in the afternoon together, so it's a really fun event to work at. Then we always meet your local riders — a really good bunch of people. The actual venue is pretty epic too. We're all rigged up right here on the beach right next to the water. It typically gets pretty good conditions this time of year, so it's a lot of fun."