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Robby Naish & Damien Girardin Talk Naish Kite Tech With all the kites on the market and so many kites be marketed as fast turning, easy relaunch, good power, it can get confusing as to why one kite is actually different than another. Most of us don’t truly understand the differences that go into making a freestyle kite great for that particular discipline or a wave kite great for wave riding. Thanks to Robby and Damien for sitting down and walking through some of these specific differe …

Let's Chat: Tucker's Explanation on How to Get Into A Front Zip Wetsuit Getting into front zip wetsuits is all about technique. I can get into my front zip 6mm just as quickly and easily as my 3mm back zip wetsuit (maybe faster since I can find the zipper easier). Even if it takes you a little longer until you get the hang of it, the benefits of front zip suit far outweigh the negatives. Back zips leach cold water in and warm water out, they also limit the stretch of the suit.&nbs …

Hey folks! In the latest installment of MACkite’s Ride With Blake series, Blake Olsen chats about how to ride upwind - a critical skill in the learning process of kiteboarding for beginners. Blake: Today’s lesson is on how to ride upwind. Once you get your first start, you end up going back and forth on the beach and you end up walking back up the beach, and that’s all part of the learning process. Everyone’s got to do it, so don’t worry about the walk of shame - w …

The Back roll hand drag is possibly the most stylish way to transition The last week in Key west has been epic. Exploring the islands with my kite, paddle boarding the mangroves and snorkeling the reef. The abundance of wildlife in the ocean never ceases to amaze me! For this week's blog I thought I would share five steps to nailing your first back roll hand drag transition. This is one of the most stylish ways you can transition with your kite. Like most kiteboarding tricks, th …

Traveling with Kite Gear Spring break is right around the corner! Hopefully, you have you planned your trip, packed your bags and are ready for some good times on the water. Quick question—how much are you planning to spend on travelling with your kiteboarding gear? Although there are creative ways to get around paying extra for your kite gear, It’s always a good idea to consult your airline’s policy on baggage fees beforehand. That way, at least you’re prepared for the w …

Lift Introduces the World's First Electric Foil At MACkite, we carry electric bikes and skateboards. We also carry hydrofoils. What better mesh between the two than an electric hydrofoil?  Lift is back, stronger than ever, with a whole new array of performance foils.   While the eFoil isn't out yet, riders can pre-order and gather information from their website. The takeaway? The Lift eFoil is going to be for all riders and with the classic, elegant design. Video Synopsis Lift pres …

The Dakine Option spreader bar is an awesome option for kiteboarders looking for more freedom in their riding. The option spreader bar is a new offering on the market that combines the benefits of a rope slider bar and a hook. You will have the option to choose between the two.  Riding with the hook  Using the hook is similar to a traditional hook and will work very much the same way. The only real difference here that that it will rotate up and down. You can also remove a nylon stra …

The inverted front roll is a slightly more advanced variation of the front roll.  The last few days in key West haven’t been that windy. In truth, it’s a much-needed break! I thought I would take a bike ride down to the White Street Pier and break down my favorite trick for you. The inverted front roll! One of the most fun aspects of our sport is taking these basic tricks and adding your own personal style to them.  This is an intermediate level trick, that said if you ca …

So, you've taken a kiteboarding lesson or two and you're ready to try your first water start. That's awesome! Welcome to a new reality, my friend! I have five great tips for you to remember when you're first starting out.  Tip One Learn to fly the kite in one hand. Kiteboarding is 80% flying the kite, so it's a no-brainer you should have some serious kite time under your belt. I recommend finding a clear area and just hanging out with a friend. Remember to keep your hand on the middle of …

The new What’s in a Name? movie is the biggest video feature to come out of Airush Kiteboarding since 2014. Rather than just produce a film to serve product campaigns, airush wanted to create a complete movie involving every aspect of Airush to tell the story of the brand itself. Filmed in the three locations of Cape Town, Mauritius and Brazil, the sixteen minute feature is a beautifully shot masterpiece and a true testament to the Airush brand. The movie showcases the utmost talent of th …

Bit by the bug... I was bitten by the kiteboarding bug on a visit to Tarifa. I returned from Europe and decided to save up for my first kite. It took me all summer, but I managed to snag a 2009 Cabrinha Switchblade from MacKite when it went on sale at the end of the season. Even though everyone recommended buying a trainer kite, I didn't have any extra money to spend and thought it was something I had already outgrown. If I had only known back then what I know now!  The year of the trainer …

North Ace Foil Kite - The High Performance Foil Kite Are you looking to step-up your game and enter the foiling world? North is giving you the opportunity to experience a huge wind range, fast turning, durability, hangtime, and easy water relaunching all packed in one kite: the Ace Foil Kite.  Riders can enjoy the Ace either with a foilboard or a twin tip. It's perfect for intermediate to advanced riders.  Hint: Pair the Ace with the Slingshot Hypermiler Foil Board and Gho …

In the second episode Blake gives us a glimpse into his life on a sailboat in Key West.  Kite dreams Quit your job, move somewhere south. Pick up a sailboat and spend your days kiteboarding with friends. Live a care-free life. It sounds impossible, I know. I'm here to tell you it's not. Four years ago I moved to the Florida Keys. Since then I've lived in more than a few apartments and surfed a lot of couches, some nicer than others. Along the way, I've learned a lot about myself and …

In his first episode of "How Tues", Tucker goes over the Cabrinha Overdrive Adjustable Control Bar with Recoil and Fireball. Wow, that's a mouth full. Fortunately the bar is easier to use than it is to pronounce. Cabrinha kiteboarding has quite a few bar offerings and for some, particularly new riders it can be a little daunting. Fear not, it's actually easier than you think. In this video Tucker breaks down how simple all the Cabrinha Control Bars are to operate.  Let's start with the Ca …

Blake Olsen will be covering a variety of topics including trick tips and the basics behind foilboarding for the first time. Foil boarding is beyond fun Many claim it's akin to snowboarding in endless powder. That said it can be intimidating for first timers looking to get on the water. I have a few tips to make the process easy and reduce those pesky crashes. Tip One Keep your weight centered over your front knee. This is as simple as keeping your shoulders lined up with your front knee. …