Latest News, Blog & Videos

The Brazilian Brothers are back for episode two of the Kite Academy. In the first episode, they walked through all the gear you need to get going: a helmet, an impact vest, a harness, a kite, and a board. Today, they're getting into the fun stuff: pumping up the kite, walking through its different nuances, and learning how to handle it, all of which is incredibly important for anyone who wants to be an independent rider. Where Is the Wind Coming From? Before you even pump up the kite, you have …

The Brazilian Brothers sat down with kite designer legend and Brainchild founder, Ralf Groesel. In this highly specific breakdown, they ask Ralf some of the most important questions about kiteboarding bars, line setups, and everything in between. Low V vs. High V Kite Bars When testing kites, it becomes very clear that a kite performs drastically differently depending on whether you're using a Low V or a High V bar setting. Ralf explains that he uses High V on his kite designs simply because h …

The Brazilian Brothers are back for the second part of their interview with Ralf Groesel to pick his brain about kite design. As one of the industry's leading designers, Ralf shares his insights on where the sport is headed and what is currently driving performance. What's Holding Kites Back: Materials or Design? According to Ralf, it is both in an equal way. You have to have the knowledge about kite design and the experience to be able to judge new materials. A new material changes the flight …

The Brazilian Brothers were able to meet with Ralf Groesel, the founder of Brainchild Production. This is the first section of a multi-part series of interviews where we dive into the vision and innovation behind one of the most influential figures in modern kite design. What was the motivation behind Brainchild? Ralf Groesel left behind a long legacy with a stable and notorious brand to start Brainchild. His personal dream was always to be in the position to make his own decisions. Since he s …

Skip is one of the OG kiteboarders here in West Michigan, so when he finds a piece of gear he really likes, we pay attention. Today it's... a windbreaker? Yep, and according to Skip, it can be a real session saver during those shoulder-season months when the water is still relatively warm but the wind has a bite to it. What Is the Mystic Gust Windbreaker? The Mystic Gust is a windbreaker designed specifically for watersports. It cuts the chill from the breeze when a thicker wetsuit would …

The 2026 Duotone twintip lineup has officially landed, and it's refined, more responsive, and purpose-built for every riding style. In this Tech Talk breakdown, board designer Valentin Peiker walks through the updates across the entire range, from all-around freeride boards to full-throttle competition big air machines. Below, we break down what's new for 2026, highlight key performance updates, and make it easy to compare models. Freeride Lineup: Select, Soleil, and Shred The freeride c …

In Part 1 of our interview with Pat Goodman, Pat compared Cabrinha's kite lineup, breaking down the Drifter, Switchblade, Nitro, and Moto X, and what each design is really built to do on the water. From wave riding to big air to all-around performance, he shared how Cabrinha approaches design and why having the right tool for the job still matters. In Part 2, Brazilian Brother Rubens shifts the focus to design. Pat dives into advanced topics like Aluula and other high-end materials, the e …

If you've been around big air riders or have watched some videos, you may have noticed that some people use oversized handles on their boards and wondered why, and whether you need one. Known as "extended handles", these can bring some benefits, particularly for board-offs, but they might not be for everyone. David has used them for a while now, and he's ready to break it down for us. What Are the Benefits of an Extended Kiteboard Handle? Once you start taking the board off your feet in …

You just got a brand new kite, complete with the latest bar and fresh lines, and you've had some amazing sessions on it already. But now something seems a bit off. The kite feels sluggish and even wants to backstall more easily. What's going on? Chances are that you need to tune your bar. Fortunately, it's a quick, easy, and free fix. Why Might I Need to Tune My Bar? After as little as 10-15 hours on the water, the back and front lines of a new lineset can get out of sync. If the back li …

Can I Use Stick-On Strap Inserts? You love your board, but the board designers decided that it would be a strap-free zone and you'd really like to have the option of straps. Or maybe there aren't inserts at your preferred foot position. Now you can make your board fit your feet like it was custom made just for you. NSI's stick-on footstraps inserts come in sets of 2 or 4, and screws are included. You'll need two stick-on inserts for each strap (one for each end of the strap), so be sure …

Have a low-V (or low-Y) bar that you want to use with a kite that works best with a high-V bar? There's no need for a whole new bar- for just a few bucks and a couple minutes of your time, you can convert your existing bar to be compatible with your Duotone, Core, Harlem, or F-One kite. Even better, the process is reversible, so you can switch it back as needed. How Do I Use the High-V Split Kit? Here's how to install the High-V Split Kit. Just reverse the steps to convert back to a low-V …

The Deck Pad Dilemma Deck pads are a great addition to your surfboard, providing extra grip and comfort. However, over time, you might find the need to remove or replace them. Whether it's because they're worn out, you're upgrading to a new design, or you simply don't like the fit, taking off a deck pad can be challenging. This guide will show you a few easy tricks to remove your deck pad in one piece without damaging your board. Tools You’ll Need A broomstick Thinners (be cautious with …

With the amount of harness and spreader bar combinations, getting the right size Ride Engine can feel daunting. The good news is when you nail it, you get a precise, comfortable fit that translates to more time on the water. As a general rule, the size chart below gets you 80% of the way there. Here are a few sizing tips from the hundreds of Ride Engine harnesses we've sold over the years.What's Your Body Type? Consider your body shape. Leaner bodies are best represented by the above char …

Dustin and Pat take a look at some kites made with Aluula. What is it, and is it worth the hype? Is it right for you?What is Aluula?Dustin: Aluula is a step up from your normal kites. It's like the carbon bike of the kite world.Pat: Absolutely. It's that carbon fiber frame mountain bike in the kite industry. Is aluminum or steel good for most people out there? Yes. Do you need carbon? Probably not, but is it a nice upgrade and do you get some performance benefits from it? Absolutely.What a …

Jake Mitchell from MACkite is with Sam Medysky of Airush at the 2023 King of the Great Lakes Test Fest. Sam's been a name in the kiteboarding world for many years and has some insights into the Airush lineup and wind sports in general to share. Jake: We've got the man, the myth, the legend, Sam with Airush here. Sam, how long have you been working with Airush? Sam: I've been with Airush since 2017. I've been kiting since 1998, 25 years, and I've been coming to this event since 2004. I …