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One of the most frustrating things to have happen as you're prepping your kite on the beach is to have something with your pump go awry. Whether a kink in the hose, a missing attachment, faulty seals, or your dual action pump suddenly becoming a single stroke, if a spare pump isn't around, the above scenarios can quickly sully a would-be great kiteboarding session. Fortunately, with some routine maintenance and general care, you can keep your inflation companion pumping strong for sessions to …

Arguably one of the most common questions posed by those unfamiliar with kiteboarding is, "Does it take a lot of strength?" The default answer is 'no', as that question is almost always in reference to the process of attaching yourself to the harness, which alleviates much of the pull on your arms. In reality, kitesurfing does require power, along with core strength, balance, coordination, and stability. If your aspirations are limited to merely riding, then physical fitness will have very littl …

Welcome to November. Up here in Michigan that means November gales, some 10'-12' wave days, cold water (50 degrees) and even colder air. Riding in cold weather takes a special mindset, but even more importantly, it demands the right gear. At MACkite we ride until Lake Michigan freezes over, with some days pushing a total temperature (water plus air) of only 75 degrees.Modern wetsuits with extra layers and a floatation vest will keep your core warm in just about any weather. Your head, feet and h …

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Your first 6-10 hours of kiteboarding lessons depend highly on your kite flying skills. Virtually all MACkite students who have flown a trainer prior to a lesson progress twice as far and twice as fast. A great trainer will cost $100-$400 and has a fantastic return on investment versus the cost of learning kite flying skills during lessons. Kiteboarding skills are the similar to all athletic skills - the better your muscle memory is, the more successful an athlete you will be.Here is a breakdown …

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With roots in ancient Hawaiian tradition, stand up paddleboarding, or SUPing, has gained incredible traction over the past few years. Its appeal is almost universal, with different boards allowing for a wide range of uses, including surfing, flat water touring, yoga, racing, and exercise. Oftentimes, those new to SUPing will want to opt for an all-around board, which will function in a variety of conditions, allowing you to really experience the sport to its fullest potential! Still, with an alm …

When kitesurfing, a trim strap allows the rider to make further adjustments to the line lengths (generally the front) to alter the power of the kite. The trim strap is always accessible from the bar, more popular configurations delivered in the form of fabric straps, stopper balls, or strap/cleat systems. Identifying the trim strap is something that should be done during your pre-flight check when on a new kite. The major difference between sheeting and trimming is that sheeting adjusts the kite …

Put simply, sheeting is changing the angle of your kitesurfing kite relative to the wind. When you move the control bar closer and farther away from yourself, you are sheeting the kite. Pulling the bar towards you, or sheeting in, changes the angle of the kite so it has greater interaction with the wind. Vice-versa, sheeting out, or pushing the bar away from you, flattens the angle of the kite, in turn reducing the power. This back-and-forth adjustment is how you essentially control the power in …

Now that you are finally giving this Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, thing a try, you are inevitably facing the tough choice of determining the right gear in an oversaturated market. If picking a board wasn't enough, there is also a smorgasbord of different accessories to sift through, all complicating the decision of what to get. By understanding the core differences between different options however, selecting the right equipment to meet your needs becomes far easier. In this section, we will …

Local Boy Cris Bobryk has more to come. Stay tuned with MACkite Surf Shop and BEST Kiteboarding https://youtu.be/BpVOZh-xPwQ …

So you now have your board, paddle, PFD, and leash. Now what? It is time to get that stand up paddleboard on the water and begin enjoying the fun sport of SUPing! Since you are new to the sport, take your board to a body of water that is calm so that you can get accustomed to being on the board without having to worry about big waves or current. But be prepared to spend a bit of time IN the water as well!Read more... …

Getting Started In Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) It is summertime and you have been watching people out on stand up paddle boards, perhaps taken a lesson, and are ready to purchase the equipment needed to be out on the water. The question you then ask yourself is, what do you need to get started? The good news is: not much. To get out paddling right away you only need four things; a board, a paddle, a personal flotation device (PFD), and a board leash. Let's break it down. Read more... …

2014 Slingshot COMPSTICK SUPERIOR CONTROL. UNMATCHED SIMPLICITY. TRUSTED SAFETY.         2014 COMPSTICK CONTROL BAR W/ GUARDIAN SAFETY  Today’s riders need to be at the center of control. Building on 4 consecutive World Championships, the new Compstick with Flight Control and our patented Rider Control Center, is the safest, most comprehensive andWe focused on the performance of three individual zones which work together to provide a world cla …

In light of MACkiteboarding now offering Slingshot Wakeboards, here are some of their best tearing up Hydrous Wake Park in Texas. In this episode of Viva La Texica members of the Slingshot team hit the ShredTown Park and Hydrous Wake Park for a little fun. Check out our Wakeboard Selection to pick up one of their boards. https://www.mackiteboarding.com/wakeboards/ View it on our blog at https://mackiteboarding.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/slingshot-summer-six-pack-viva-la-texica-episode-2 …