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This week, we’re going to break down the difference between flat boards and rockered kiteboards. Last week, we got started with our first kiteboard comparison. We broke down small boards vs large boards, as well as choosing the right size. This week, we’re going to get a little more tech and break down the difference between flat boards and rockered boards. We’ll also finish up this series next week by breaking down construction materials like wood boards vs carbon boards. Le …

We’ve been getting a surprising number of requests for C-Kite comparisons. The North Vegas vs the North Rebel, The Cabrinha Chaos vs the Cabrinha FX. With that said, I’ve decided to first do a video focused specifically on all C - Kites in general and who they are for. There are three types of people riding C-kites right now. Riders who have been using them since the early days of the sport when they were the only option. Riders who are competing in the PKRA and making a living off …

This video covers how to perfect your kiteboarding stance as well as some of the basics concepts such as heelside, toeside. Goofy foot vs regular foot. Riding blind and riding wrapped. If you need help putting your footstraps together for the first time give us a call and we'll walk you through it. 800-622-4655 This may seem like a simple one but in reality when do you ever learn how to set up your board? They don’t teach you this in a lesson. I’ve done it myself where the footstra …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Benefits of Adding A Surf-Specific Harness to Your Quiver Up until this last week, I was a firm believer that one harness was sufficient for any and all conditions. Having homed in on the Apex Select, that was my do-all harness. Leisurely cruise? Apex Select. Freestyle session? Apex Select. Slashing it up it the waves? Apex Select, although a little looser so it could rotate around my body. Hardcore wakestyle sesh? In my dreams I’m wearing the Apex Select.  But then came last wee …

Relaunching Your North Trust 5L Element Control Bar In this new season, North introduced the 2017 5th Element Trust Bar, a product where safety and control meet performance and reliability. Not only is the 5th Element easy to use, but is also durable with its EVA construction and safe due to the Iron Heart IV safety release. When it comes to the 5th Element, you'll want to know a thing or two before going out and trying to relaunch. Our main North-tweaker, Aaron Johnson, gives the skinny on t …

Hi, this is Tucker from MACkiteboarding.com, and today I’m going to show you how to connect a 2017 Cabrinha Fireball Spreader Bar to a Ride Engine harness. Here we have the Hex-Core Ride Engine, and the first thing we did was strip the rubber plastic tubing off to expose the strap. This is what we’re going to need - doing that is not super easy and getting it back on is even harder, so we wouldn’t recommend doing that unless you’re really planning to put this on for a wh …

Hi, this is Tucker from MACkiteboarding.com and today I’m going to show you how to connect the 2017 Cabrinha Fireball spreader bar to an Ion Vertex harness. This will be the same for any other Ion harness, but the Vertex is one of our favorites.  Disconnect the quick-connect, we’re going to put that on first.  Find the right side of the harness - that’s where the quick-connect is going to go.   Connect the fat strap of the harness. Still on the right side of th …

Hi guys, it’s Tucker from MACkiteboarding.com and today I’m going to show you how to connect a 2017 Cabrinha Fireball spreader bar to a Mystic Warrior harness.  First thing you’ll want to do is take your quickloop clip and connect it to the harness.  Find the right side of the harness - this HAS to go on the right side of the harness - and we have a fat strap and thin strap there, fat strap first.  We’re going to go up through the big slot on the clip and …

Q - Can I use the Fireball system with a non-Cabrinha kite? A - Any Cabrinha kite that functions on the 1X system of the past few years will be absolutely A-OK. However, it might not be completely compatible with every other brand in regard to the compatibility and functionality of their security systems. WIth that in mind, it should work for most brands - the Fireball was designed for use on a four line depowering kite with a single line flagging system. Q - Can Fireball be used on my other no …

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 …

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 …