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A story of nerves, resilience, progression, and the mindset required to perform on kiteboarding’s biggest stage The Arrival: Energy, Expectations, and the Calm Before the Storm The opening moments of the Red Bull King of the Air 2025 carried a unique kind of electricity. Strong wind pulsed through the beach, conditions looked promising, and for the Slingshot Sports riders, the stage was finally set. For one rider in particular, the mindset was surprisingly calm—arguably the calme …

Banditry is not just a slogan at F-One—it is a state of mind. From the very beginning, the F-One Bandit was never designed to fit neatly into the established rules of kiteboarding. Instead, it was created to rewrite them. What began as a bold, almost defiant idea quietly evolved into one of the most influential kite designs the sport has ever seen, not through noise or hype, but through consistency, adaptability, and an unmistakable soul that riders around the world immediately recogni …

Unless you're lucky enough to live somewhere that's warm year-round, your cold-weather options are to suit up or stay home. Vacations to someplace sunny are also nice, but most of us can't pack up and go for more than a week or two. Tucker's been braving the frigid water for years now, and he's got some tips on how to stay warm and safe. What Gear Do I Need to Ride in Cold Water? As long as there's open water and you're geared correctly, you can ride. Here's Tucker's wardrobe selection. …

Tucker's had his hands on a Cedrus Forged mast prototype for a few months now, and he feels that it may be one of the most disruptive products in the industry this year. If you're a foiler, you should take a look at this mast, because it is something that will benefit riders of all levels. What Is Cedrus? Originally known as Project Cedrus, it was founded back in 2016 ago by Kyle Lobisser, then a lead product design engineer for Apple. He left Apple to focus his passion on developing an …

The Brazilian Brothers have put together a quick tutorial on how to launch your kite with an assistant. Their method is not the same as what many kiteboarders do, but they feel it's better and safer. Check out the steps and see if you may have been missing something in your own launches. 1. Secure Your Kite and Save Your Sail Your kite is pumped up and your bar is in your hand. Set the kite on the beach so that the leading edge is pointed upwind. If there's a lot of wind, it may want to …

The Reedin WhisperModel makes some impressive claims for light wind riding. Jeff decided to put it all on the line and rigged up, heading out on a twintip in just 9-11 knots. So, are these claims fact or just a flaunt? Not only was he able to get up and ride, but he could even tack back upwind in choppy bumps. He had to stay focused, but he came ashore where he put in, no Walk of Shame required. It would seem that the Whisper is a win in light wind. Shop Kites MACkite Subscription Lin …

The Brazilian Brothers love big air kites, but they also know that they're not all created equal. They'll all boost you high enough to pull some impressive moves or just enjoy the view from up there, but each kite has its own personality. In their Versus series, the Brothers break down the differences between two kites to help you find the perfect match. Up this time are the 2026 Duotone Evo D/LAB and the Harlem Thrive, and testing day brought 25-30 knot winds, perfect for a big air sess …

The YES Kite is the first freeride model from the Jacobsen Project, Nick Jacobsen's own brand. Known for sending himself off cranes, buildings, and just about anything tall, Nick has spent decades pushing kites to their limits. His experience shows in the clean, straightforward design of the YES. The Brazilian Brothers recently spent time putting this kite into their sessions, and they've shared their honest first impressions. YES Kite Design Characteristics The YES Kite is a three-strut, …

Jeff's got four decades of experience on the water but has only recently decided to begin wearing a helmet, and his pick is the Surf Convertible helmet from Gath. So far he's had two sessions with it, and he hasn't looked back. So why did it take him so long to start protecting his noggin, and how has the Gath SFC helmet overcome those objections? Do I Really Need a Helmet? Ultimately, it is up to you whether you want to wear a helmet. We know that they can feel heavy, especially if they …

At first glance, the 2025 F-One Trigger and Harlem Thrive seem pretty similar. Both are big air kites designed by Ralf Groesel and made at his Brainchild facility, have amazing digitally printed graphics, and use Proweld construction to make them extremely lightweight. But that's where the similarity ends, and one will probably meet your needs better than the other. The Brazilian Brothers have spent a lot of time on both and have some observations to help you sort out which one is right f …

Whether you're new to the kiteboarding scene or are an old-timer who learned on a C-kite, chances are you've heard of the Cabrinha Switchblade and perhaps have even owned one or two. The Brazilian Brothers have been putting an early release of the 2026 version through its paces and are ready to share their thoughts now that it's available to the public. What is the Cabrinha Switchblade? It's been two decades since Pat Goodman designed the first Switchblade for Cabrinha. It introduced mas …

Confidence at Your Fingertips The Cabrinha Unify Control System represents the next evolution in kite control technology—a streamlined, high-performance bar that blends safety, comfort, and precision into one cohesive system. Designed for riders who demand both simplicity and innovation, the Unify marks Cabrinha’s most refined bar to date, setting a new standard for intuitive control and long-term reliability. A Legacy of Innovation For years, Cabrinha has been at the forefront …

The Brazilian Brothers have been using the Cabrinha Nitro in their kite clinics since it was released in 2023, so they're very familiar with it. Now they've got a fresh 2026 Nitro. What's new, how does it stack up to past versions, and who is it for? What is the Cabrinha Nitro? The Nitro is a 5-strut big air kite developed by Pat Goodman, who also designed kites like the Switchblade and North Orbit. The Brothers love it for its ability to perform heli-loops and help students up their big …

You've heard that you "should" wear an impact vest, but do you really need one? And if so, what's a good one that won't get in your way? The Brazilian Brothers think they have the answer to both questions in the Ride Engine Empax V2. What's an Impact Vest For? Protection Buoyancy Warmth Harness Positioning An impact vest has a few benefits, not just the obvious protection from impact. You get some buoyancy, which is very helpful when you're in the water trying to relaunch your kite. Yo …

We've been seeing some exceptional kites coming from brands collaborating with Brainchild, so the Harlem Thrive has got the Brazilian Brothers excited to do a review on it. It excels at freeride, wave and the Brothers' favorite, big air, so they took it out to test its jumping and looping ability, as well as to figure out just who this kite is right for. What Is the Thrive? Like other kites made in Brainchild's facilities, the Thrive takes advantage of Proweld technology, which ultrasoni …