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What is the Raptor? The all-new Raptor from Slingshot for 2020 is their new user-friendly big booster, capable of taking you to heights you've never achieved! According to Slingshot, the Raptor is their dedicated high-performance freestyle/freeride crossover kite, tuned for big boosts, lofty airs, and aggressive performance. We tend to agree with this - it's a five-strut jumping powerhouse! The Raptor, although excellent at jumping, tends to really lean its focus in that direction and forego …

Today we are going to go over how to do a Kiteloop Front Roll. This trick is a fun one. People call it a front roll kiteloop and Ruben Lenten coined this trick as a Boogie loop. I would call a massive mega loop front roll a boogie and an average one a front roll kiteloop. It doesn’t really matter what it’s called because it’s the same thing so call it what you like. This trick feels strange at first because you and the kite are rotating in opposite directions. However once …

Two freestyle kites that at first glance look similar, yet are noticeably different on the water... the long-standing Cabrinha FX and the even-longer-standing, yet new to the category Liquid Force NV. If you’re looking for a kite to take your kiteloops or unhooked riding to a new level, these will get it done. The question is, which kite is right for you? Today we’ll break it all down and dive into everything you need to know. Let’s dive into some common attributes between …

Welcome to Destinations, your one-stop kiteboarding video travel guide. If you have any questions when planning your trip, don't hesitate to reach out. SPOT GUIDE When we think of South Africa, the images that typically come to mind are incredible wildlife roaming the grassy plains or the sparkling city of Cape Town. But only 90 minutes drive up the coast is a holiday haven with a beautiful blue lagoon. In this edition of Destinations, we're visiting Langebaan, South Africa. In South Afr …

Chances are, if you clicked on this blog, you are interested in learning to Wing Surf or Wing Foil. SUP, Foil, Surfboard, Snowboard, Skateboard... whatever you decide to put on your feet, Wing Boarding is the hottest new wind sport. It combines a kiteboard kite-like sail, handheld similar to a windsurf sail, only not attached to the board, to propel you. It requires only basic board skills to start and minimal equipment. In addition, it is simpler and safer to learn, so everyone can have a blas …

Today we are going to go over how to do a heli loop. This is a really great addition to any trick because it maximizes the wind window and allows for you to catch yourself on the way down. Heli loops are used as a tool for soft and smooth landings after a jump. A heli loop is a short loop at the top of the wind window, but is different than a kiteloop because it has no power. Heli loops are pulled after you reach the peak of your jump and, as you are descending, it catches you. A heli loop i …

Expanding the line-up We have been waiting for Cabrinha to add some surfy foils to their program for some time. The new Cabrinha Carve and Cabrinha Varial Medium and Large foils have finally delivered. These wings expand Cabrinha's hydrofoil program to help those riders looking for easy progression, light wind performance, and support for a slower, surfy style ride. Let's start with the platform for these surf foils and go into the differences between the wings. Some highlights for the Cabrinh …

Last time on Sessions we explored Key West and the Canary Islands with our team rider Blake Olsen. We were filming for our  kiteloop playlist and just enjoying the islands with good friends. It was so much fun visiting what has become one of my favorite cities for kiteboarding in the USA. The only downside was that I had just injured my knee snowboarding and I had to sit out on most of the riding on both of these trips!  Testing the Liquid Force NV V9  Getting back on the wa …

Wing Surfing is the hottest new thing for SUP and hydrofoilers.  If you are not already familiar, Wing Surfing uses a small inflatable kiteboard kite-looking sail that is handheld similarly to a windsurf sail.  This, paired with a paddleboard or foilboard, allows the rider to capture wind power in a unique way for windsport basics, downwinders, flatwater play, and even foil surfing waves. Riders who have experience hydrofoiling, paddleboarding, and windsurfing will have a signific …

Today we're covering one of the most sought-after tricks in kiteboarding: the backroll kiteloop, also known as the F-16. This doesn’t have to be a scary trick. Actually, most people accidentally do backroll kiteloops as they are learning their first backrolls because it is natural to pull in on your back hand as you throw the rotation.  The only thing that makes this trick scary is when you don’t know what you are doing and it gets out of control. If you can follow thes …

Hydrofoiling is the fastest growing, tow-behind category for boat owners. A common question we get here is "how do I chose the right hydrofoil or hydrofoils for myself, my family and my boat?" We wanted to do a high-level video helping you understand how to go about choosing the correct setup, and this blog aims to go a little deeper.  We'll be breaking down three different categories of foils to consider as well as recommending different foils that fit into each category.  That bein …

Today Rygo and I are going to be covering a very important topic, one that will change the way you transition forever. The reason downloops are so cool is because they're basically a shortcut to more powered transitions, used for riding waves, carving turns and riding in light winds. Make sure to do this while slightly under-powered to minimize risk of injury. This is one of our more advanced videos. The good news is that we have three tutorials you should master before attempting this trick. …

Welcome to Destinations, your one-stop kiteboarding video travel guide. If you have any questions when planning your trip, don't hesitate to reach out. SPOT GUIDE There's a place way down in the Southern Hemisphere where the scenery will steal your heart and the wind will knock you off your feet. It sounds intense and it is... in all the best ways! In this edition of Destinations, we're checking out a kite spot that's close to my heart: Cape Town, South Africa. Cape Town is the home …

Get to know the crew Last week on Sessions, we made our way to Orlando, Florida where we caught up with one of MACkite's original team riders and of my closest friends, Steve Lee. Every winter I find myself spending more and more time in Florida. As much as I like snowkiting and snowboarding, spending a couple weeks in the sun and in the water is good for the soul. Steve isn’t our only team rider who migrated to Florida. Blake Olsen has also been living down there for years now, ori …

Unhooked Back Roll Basics Difficulty 2 Today we’re going to breakdown a heelside back roll. Learning the back roll is going to open the door to many other more advanced tricks that begin with this rotation. Tricks like the Back to Blind, the KGB or even Back Mobes. Like all sports, it comes down to repetition and practicing the basics.  The Back Roll is often a misunderstood trick. Not because it's overly difficult but because people often mistake it for a flip and while you can …