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Best Sessions Taiba from Sam Medysky on Vimeo. Best Kiteboarding - Session in Taiba We love when team riders band together to create something awesome. Not only are they showing off their stuff, but they are kind enough to let others shine as well. Kiteboarding offers a special type of comradery that is only found in sunny, windy, and sandy conditions (sometimes snowy as well). Watch as Sam Medysky, Rita Arnaus, Hannah Whiteley, and Val Garat remind us that good times are ahead and that th …

Also check out Jake V's take on switching to the new 2016 Roca Rider Weight:179lbs Wind Speed: 16-17mph Board: 144 Cabrinha Custom CBL with RAD Bindings It was a cold 40-degree morning, with the water ranking in at a not-so-balmy 30 degrees. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a quality session. Of course, this is a reality for most of us during the winter months. A quick session before work, in frigid water. Whatever it takes to get it in, right?  The first thing that struck …

Photos courtesy: Christian Black/ World Kite League Team Slingshot came out firing last week at the opening stage of the 2016 IKA World Championships, making a big statement to the freestyle world by claiming first and second place in the men’s field and first place in the women’s. Among a stacked lineup of competitors, the final men’s heat came down to Slingshot teammates Carlos Mario and Youri Zoon. With Mario fresh off an amazing 2015 season and gunning for a world title a …

Alex Thomson - HUGO BOSS Have you ever looked at something and thought, "I could jump that". While it's not always recommended, sometimes it's fun to watch other people try to push the limits. Not only does this video create chills down our spines, the cinematic quality is incredible (it makes us want to buy a regatta and a suit). Watch as this kiter attempts extreme sailing stunts (like a boss).  HUGO BOSS presents the third installment of their extreme sailing stunts - following the Mas …

Colleen Carroll & Bruna Kajiya - "Rendez-Vous" Colleen Carroll & Bruna Kajiya are not only two influential kiteboarders, but they are also huge advocates for having fun (no matter your gender). What was once considered a "gentleman's" sport is now available for everyone, and we're excited to see Bruna & Colleen team up and create an edit that shows that when you say "ride like a girl" it actually means "ride tough".  From our friend, Colleen:  "I am very happy to share wi …

Bret Sullivan & Best Kiteboarding - "African Vibes" Africa can be considered the "wildlands". It's where people go to help, to find themselves, and to experience a new type of freedom. Freedom can be found in many ways. One way we experience freedom is through kiteboarding. Bret Sullivan experiences the same thrills behind the kite that we do, but only in a much more picturesque location. Lions, kitesurfing, and warm weather (oh, my) fill this video. While you're watching from your office o …

Jake M has seen his fair share of kiteboarding blows. Last summer, after winds had topped around 30-knots, Jake ran to the beach for his "lunch break". Not only did the wind die, but he ended up having to swim a quarter of a mile back to shore as a result. With a rip current and five-to-eight-foot waves to fight against and no floatation vest, Mitchell found himself red-faced, short of breath and wishing that he had worn a vest.  What Jake Recommends Since my incident last summer, I've foun …

Craig Cunningham - "Habitual" in Taiba, Brazil When you're traveling, the rush of being out from your office and into the world can have your vacation missing out on the little things, like fishing villages. These little villages and pit-stops may look run-down or abandoned, but they may be some of the best areas to stop (especially for kiteboarding). Every year, Craig Cunningham jumps down to Taiba, Brazil (a little fishing town) to grab some wind. Watch as North's rider Craig Cunningham shows …

2016 North Mono Kiteboarding Kite New for 2016, North Kiteboarding is debuting the Mono, a one strut kite that finds itself in the company of the Airush Lithium One and Liquid Force Solo. Able to be flown on both a 4-line and 5-line control bar, you can expect a light-weight, quick turning kite that’s perfectly suited for light to medium winds. With one strut, expect some canopy flutter. This will make the kite slightly more difficult to handle in heavy winds that require consistent depowe …

The Slider Project It's pretty rare to find a kiteboarding Indiegogo campaign. At MACkite, we wanted to help promote this campaign for The Slider Project's installation of a shorter kicker and a new entry-level slider. Not only does The Slider Project create public awareness of kiteboarding, it also has helped develop the sport and has supported riders like Colleen Carroll, Craig Cunningham, Sam Light, and James Ropner.  Donations start at $10 and move up from there. Each donation offers …

Nathan's Fireside Chat: 2016 Slingshot Foils With foiling taking center stage lately in the kiteboarding world, a few companies have either started to include foils to their lineup or expanded their current offerings. For Slingshot in 2016, we've been introduced to a program that will take you from true beginner to advanced, and everything in between. Slingshot's "Learn to Fly" Program Slingshot's "Learn to Fly" program features the all-new Hover Glide aluminum-masted foil aimed at tho …

Best Kiteboarding - East Coast Snowkiting While winter may mean February kiteboarding in some areas of the world, us Midwest folks get to experience the thrill and the beauty that is snow. In Michigan, almost half of our year has the anticipation of snowfall. That leaves us with two options: go outside and play, or stay inside with cocoa. While I like to do both, there's no question in my mind that there wouldn't be at least three guys out snowboarding or snowkiting if given the chance.  T …

Brazil Through RyGo's Eyes About 5 years ago I discovered the sport of kiteboarding through a lesson at MACkite no less. I took a lesson with a young kid named Chris Bobryk. We formed a solid friendship chasing the wind over the next year. Eventually, Chris moved to Hatteras, North Carolina to pursue kiteboarding.  While I spent my days working my 9 to 5 (that more often than not was a 7 to 7 kind of job), I started dreaming of a better life - by a better life I mean one where I could spen …

Red Bull's King of the Air 2016 Highlights Two weeks ago marked one of the most incredible spectated events in kiteboarding - Red Bull's King of the Air. This year, Aaron Hadlow made it to the top for the second year in a row. While we were sitting in our offices, we had the live stream playing in the background. This year, it seemed like we could not take the event off of our screens. We laughed, we cried a little, and we said, " ooh" during the crashes. Here, Red Bull has given us a little no …

Mystic's Welcome to 2016 We've carried Mystic for a number of years. We love their dramatic styles and their user-friendly gear. In this stunning video, Mystic showcases their 2016 gear and gives a, "hello" (not quite Adele style) to the new year (even though it's February). Enjoy calming waters, sunny beaches, and a soothing voiceover to give your dreams new meaning. Mystic has accelerated kiteboarding to a new level, and we are excited what they will bring in the following years to the indust …