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Working at MACkite has some unique benefits. Working with friends in an industry that we are passionate about makes most days feel less like “work”. The huge amount of demo gear available is also well appreciated by our staff. However, it is hard to monetize the value of our “Board Meetings”. Our "Board Meetings" are not the typical drudgery that is associated in most workplaces. Rather, it is a meeting of employees where we can go play and test gear during work hours. …

So if you’ve watched the last few videos, you might have caught Freeride Kites vs Freestyle Kites where we talked about how most kites that undergo years of development slowly get so well rounded that they cross over into all-around territory. The Cabrinha Drifter is one of those kites. While it is a surf specific kite, it is a great contender as an all-around freeride kite. It’s even decent at unhooking. So the first thing to consider would be the most obvious, and that is where t …

So you’re looking to go big! One of the most fun aspects of kiteboarding is going all out at full speed and just sending it. On those days where the wind is so strong that the beach is empty except for a hand full of wind junkies. Your heart is pounding, all you hear is the constant hum of the wind in your ears and the shouting of your friends as you set up. Cars line up to watch the show, people venture out to the pier to see what's going on. It’s one of the most exciting and eye- …

Kiteboarding has come a long way since the early days. What was once an extreme sport is now only as intense as you’d like it to be. Whether you want to experience the freedom of sailing and exploring, you want to wakeboard without a boat. Maybe you want surf in any conditions or you want to get 40 feet of air and push the limits. Best of all it’s an all season, all terrain sport. Basically, kiteboarding is freedom. It’s gravity, it’s your lift pass for life. All the hy …

The two leading performance kites that bridge the gap from freeride to freestyle. Both appeal to intermediate to advanced riders looking to push big air, kite loops or unhooked freestyle. Often, when I review kites there are a lot of trade offs and the differences are very clear. Between these two kites, the water can get a little muddy. All that said, I hope to clear this up for you. These kites are designed to fill the gap between C-kites and user friendly Freeride kites. What’s awe …

Lightwind kites have come a long way in just the last 5 years really. I’ve said it before, if you’re not taking advantage and kiteboarding in the sub 12 knot days, you’re really missing out. This week, we’re breaking down two of the longest standing light wind kites in our shop. The Cabrinha Contra Vs The Slingshot Turbine. Their both built with the same purpose and rider in mind but they do have some pretty distinct differences. Let’s start with the Contra. There …

The North Neo Vs the Cabrinha Drifter. Both of these kites are kitesurfing kites in the same vein. On paper, they don’t look that much different but once you get on them water it’s clear that they are very different kites. If I were to define each in a paragraph, I would describe the Neo as controlled, powerful and constant. The Drifter, I would say playful, well-rounded and aggressive. When it comes to deciding which one is for you, it really comes down to what sort of feel you&rsq …

The top two performance freeride kites in the world. How do they stack up?  A little history. The last decade and a half, kiteboarding culture has come into its own. In the formative years, we had legends like Pete Cabrinha, Robby Naish, Lou Wainman defining the sport, and the list goes on and on. Most kiteboarders lived in Hawaii and other tropical locations. At first, the sport wasn't accessible to everyone. The gear wasn't safe or efficient - albeit, it was fun if you had the fortitu …

2018 Cabrinha Contra Overview Hey guys what’s going on today? It’s Nathan from MACkite and today we’re going to be discussing the new 2018 Cabrinha Contra. The Contra was originally designed as a lightwind kite. A few years ago Cabrinha decided to expand it into smaller sizes. Despite this, the Contra is still available all the way up to 19m. The Contra is known as an extremely lightwind kite, or a lightwind kite that can be used by someone a little heavier. High Tenacity Dacr …

2018 Cabrinha FX Overview The FX has been a shop favorite since 2016 Today I’m going to be discussing with you the all-new 2018 Cabrinha FX. All new...what does that mean? There’s a bunch of design changes that have been made for the 2018 FX that are marked improvements over the 2016/17 models. This is pretty hard to do, as the FX was already one of our favorite kites for freeride and advanced freestyle. Cabrinha has increased it's capabilities. There’s three different setti …

2018 Cabrinha Switchblade Overview The 2018 Switchblade remains the kite we know and love, with a few new updates. Today I’m going to be discussing with you the new 2018 Cabrinha Switchblade. The Switchblade has been a staple in our lineup for years. It’s always been one of our most popular kites, and for good reason. It’s an easy beginner kite. You can pick it up and go right away. It’s something that will take you from your early kiting stages to winning Red Bull King …

2018 Cabrinha Drifter Overview In 2018 the drifter gets a make over. Slash the waves, ride the magic carpet or enter into advanced freeride.  Today we're going to be discussing the all-new 2018 Cabrinha Drifter. Now all new and for good reason, the Drifter has been redesigned for 2018. It's the first time it's been redesigned since its inception in 2012.  So whats up with the Drifter this year?  The Drifter has always been an exceptional surf kite, obviously g …

Pete and the Cabrinha team have done it again for 2018! Of course, you’ll have to wait until early next week to see the full monty. In the meantime, queue up this official 2018 Teaser from Cabrinha Kitesurfing and peep the goods now! …

Frances Osorio Rivera is many things. In the mosh-pit of life, she’s one of those people right smack dab in the middle of it. Screaming, yelling, laughing her ass off—and making sure you do too. She will not take one ounce of crap from anyone. Ever. And I would advise against crossing her—she’ll cut ya. Ha! Only kidding. Mostly. Frances is positive and determined. When you first meet her, you can see a depth in her eyes that suggest she can do absolutely whatever she put …

Amazing Kiteboarding Video Shots This is quite a gorgeous compilation of kitesurfing shots from the past few years. All shot by drones, we're seeing videos from Cabrinha, North, and other brands in the kiteboarding industry.  From ice caps to sunny shorelines, tranquil water abounds, making it perfect for kiting.  If you're in the mood for a relaxing video to take you away from the woes of the real world, this is it. Enjoy! Video Synopsis: The best video compilation of ki …