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When two kites share the same name, the same designer, and the same big air DNA, but are built on completely different platforms, it’s worth slowing down and taking a deeper look. After spending weeks riding both models in strong Brazilian conditions, the Brazilian Brothers set out to answer one key question: “Which version of the Trigger truly delivers when it comes to big air, hang time, and kite loop progression?” In this detailed breakdown, we’ll unpack the dif …

For most of the year, if you want to be on the water, you’re zipped into something thick. And once fall rolls into winter, that suit better be legit. Ryan and Jeff been riding the 6/5/4 hooded suit from Soöruz through real Great Lakes conditions. Not just quick sessions. Not “kind of cold.” We’re talking high 40s water, air temps in the 30s, wind in your face while you’re rigging. After a bunch of sessions in it, here’s what Ryan and Jeff have foun …

When riders ask us about flotation, the first thing we usually have to do is slow the conversation down. Not all vests are built for the same purpose. And if you kiteboard or wing foil, what you need on the water looks very different than what a boater might need. The Ride Engine Empax Vest has become one of our go-to recommendations because it strikes a balance that actually works in real riding conditions. We’ve used it kiting in powered summer sessions, winging in choppy Lake Mic …

The 2026 Duotone twintip lineup has officially landed, and it's refined, more responsive, and purpose-built for every riding style. In this Tech Talk breakdown, board designer Valentin Peiker walks through the updates across the entire range, from all-around freeride boards to full-throttle competition big air machines. Below, we break down what's new for 2026, highlight key performance updates, and make it easy to compare models. Freeride Lineup: Select, Soleil, and Shred The freeride c …

The Naish Hatch is Naish’s performance-driven entry into the evolving parawing category, positioned as a more upwind-capable, speed-oriented option compared to the brand’s earlier Morph model. Where the Morph leaned toward a downwind glide and a beginner-friendly grunt, the Hatch shifts focus toward better upwind angles, a broader usable wind range, and a lighter, more refined feel. If you’re building a multi-wing quiver or looking for strong price-to-performance value, …

There are a lot of kite brands in the world. Some have been around for decades. Some are backed by massive distribution. Some dominate podiums. Harlem started as none of those. When Alex Monstan founded Harlem Kite Surfing, people genuinely asked, “Who’s Harlem?” The name didn’t carry weight. There wasn’t a long legacy. There wasn’t a marketing machine behind it. There was just an idea: Change the tide. And that wasn’t meant as a catchy slogan. It …

Aaron catches up with Kevin Wade to break down two of Eleveight’s most popular wings—the WFS and the WFS Pro. The conversation blends real-world learning with performance-driven design details, offering a clear view of why these wings have become standouts in the freeride and progression categories. WFS | The Bread-and-Butter Progression Wing The WFS has been in Eleveight’s lineup for six years and continues to be one of the most accessible and widely used wings in their …

Brainchild DNA | Two Very Different Big Air Personalities The Brazilian Brothers are back with another high-level big air showdown—this time comparing two of the most hyped five-strut kites in the game. Both are built at the Brainchild Production facility and designed by Ralf Groesel, but that’s where the similarities start to diverge. On paper, they look like close cousins. In the sky, they feel radically different. This breakdown covers: Jump performance Loop characteristics B …

Ryan and Hunter have been quietly battling over this mast—and that alone says something. The new North Integrated Ultra High Mod Carbon Mast isn’t just another accessory in the Foil Drive ecosystem. It’s a purpose-built, performance-focused solution for riders who are already pushing their limits in waves, downwinders, and pump sessions. After significant time on the water, their takeaway is clear: this setup changes how a Foil Drive feels underfoot. Tech Specs | What You …

The most basic question we get when it comes to efoiling is, “Can I actually do this?” Short answer? Yes. Absolutely. Long answer? Well, that’s a little different. It can feel intimidating, but we find the learning curve is much shorter than most expect. We get this question nearly every week, and Eli and Kevin (Waydoo USA) are here to break it down. Who Can Learn to E-Foil? We’ve had customers ask us this question at every age, including an 85-year-old who picked …

Ryan and Hunter from MACkite have been logging serious sessions this summer and fall on the Appletree Zapple S, and it’s quickly become one of their standout Foil Drive setups. If you’re looking at trench boards and wondering whether going smaller actually improves performance, this board makes a strong case. Let’s break down why. What Is the Zapple S? The Zapple S is closely related to Appletree’s Apple Slice prone board, but with one major difference: a built-in tr …

The Brazilian Brothers are back with a comparison that many riders have been waiting for—a direct breakdown of the Trigger Brainchild versus the Bandit Brainchild. While both kites share the same design lineage and manufacturing DNA, they deliver drastically different experiences on the water. This is not a subtle tuning difference. These are two kites built for different missions. If you are deciding between explosive big air performance and all-around versatility, this breakdown will …

If you’re shopping for an efoil, one of the hardest parts isn’t learning how to ride — it’s figuring out which setup makes the most sense for how and where you’ll actually foil. A pretty big misconception is that there’s one “best” efoil board setup for everyone. Even two experienced riders on the same brand will likely build their setup completely differently. One might want something lightweight for better maneuvering in swells while the o …

With 2025 North closeouts hitting the sale rack, we asked Jeff, Tucker, and Ryan to weigh in on the wings they'd personally build a quiver around. From Jeff's decades-long connection to the North brand to Tucker's appreciation for the consistency and polish across the lineup, this isn’t a spec-sheet rundown. It’s a look at what we believe actually works on the water, why it works, and who each piece makes the most sense for. Jeff's Go-To For 2025 North Wings North Sails and I go bac …

F-One has officially introduced the biggest structural update to its foil system in six years. After a week of riding in La Ventana alongside the F-One crew, customers, and the MACkite team, one thing became clear — the new T2 connection is not a cosmetic tweak. It’s a foundational shift in how the front wing connects to the mast. If you’ve been riding F-One for years, you already know the Titan T1 system has been incredibly reliable. Many riders have put serious miles on i …