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The relaunch is one of the most important steps in learning how to kiteboard. After all, if you can't get your kite out of the water you're not going to get very far in the sport. One of the biggest concerns people face in the early stages is the fear of the unknown.  What happens if I crash?  How do I get back in if I drop my kite? Will the kite keep pulling me if I drop it?  To counter these fears, I recommend starting small. You need to practice your relaunch on the beach, …

New kiteboarding locations can be intimidating. In this Vlog I'll be covering how to assess a new spot, as well as a few important reminders. These tips will be especially helpful if you're traveling to a location like Hood River, OR. A busy month  Speaking of the Hood, I've spent the last few weeks wrapping up some work in the Pacific North West. From Seattle to Squamish back down to Hood River. It's been eventful to say the least. Fortunately, I was able to get some time on the water my …

We've all been there. You've just learned how to kiteboard or you are in the research phase. You find yourself asking a lot of questions. How much wind is too much? What are the safe wind directions? Is it too cold to go kiteboarding? What size kite do I need for my weight? There really is a lot to take in. Fear not, this episode I break down almost everything you need to know about kiteboarding riding conditions.   Last week I was working in San Fransisco and I payed a visit to Crissy fie …

You've take a kiteboarding lesson and mastered the Waterstart that's awesome! However, there is one little problem... How do you go back the other way? Fear not, I've broken down the kiteboarding transition into five easy steps. The next time you hit the water give these a try and see if they help! Step one Practice on the beach with a trainer kite. Visualization goes a long way with learning anything. If you can get your hands on it that's even better. I recommend taking a day or two m …

In this episode we're going to be talking about what kiteboarding is, how you can get started, and how learning to kiteboard will impact your life and your travels.  What is kiteboarding  Kiting brings together a lot of different sports. From board sports, to watersports, to knowledge of wind. So if you're a snowboarder, a wakeboarder, a sailer, a para sailer, a surfer or even a skateboarder, you absolutely have what it takes to become a kite boarder. Even if you are none of those th …

My name is Crystal Veness, and I’m living the dream. I’ve been traveling full time for more than two years, with no home base and nothing but a kite bag, a carry-on suitcase, and a backpack in tow. This journey has spanned 5 continents, 19 countries, and created more than 1,000,000 memories, and the journey continues today. I’ll be honest, my bank account isn’t exactly growing, but I have accumulated an indescribable wealth of experiences, wonderful connections, and sk …

How to do a transition on your foilboard! It's Friday so you know what that means. Another episode of Ride with Blake. The last week was incurably fun as some old friends from MACkite came to visit. Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic, Steve Lee and Chris Bobryk. There is nothing like kiteboarding with friends and having some adventures. Like when we helped some F-16 pilots get a session and they were quick to reciprocate by letting us fly in their in single engine plane. It's amazing what life will bring …

Hey folks! In the latest installment of MACkite’s Ride With Blake series, Blake Olsen chats about how to ride upwind - a critical skill in the learning process of kiteboarding for beginners. Blake: Today’s lesson is on how to ride upwind. Once you get your first start, you end up going back and forth on the beach and you end up walking back up the beach, and that’s all part of the learning process. Everyone’s got to do it, so don’t worry about the walk of shame - w …

Traveling with Kite Gear Spring break is right around the corner! Hopefully, you have you planned your trip, packed your bags and are ready for some good times on the water. Quick question—how much are you planning to spend on travelling with your kiteboarding gear? Although there are creative ways to get around paying extra for your kite gear, It’s always a good idea to consult your airline’s policy on baggage fees beforehand. That way, at least you’re prepared for the w …

So, you've taken a kiteboarding lesson or two and you're ready to try your first water start. That's awesome! Welcome to a new reality, my friend! I have five great tips for you to remember when you're first starting out.  Tip One Learn to fly the kite in one hand. Kiteboarding is 80% flying the kite, so it's a no-brainer you should have some serious kite time under your belt. I recommend finding a clear area and just hanging out with a friend. Remember to keep your hand on the middle of …

Bit by the bug... I was bitten by the kiteboarding bug on a visit to Tarifa. I returned from Europe and decided to save up for my first kite. It took me all summer, but I managed to snag a 2009 Cabrinha Switchblade from MacKite when it went on sale at the end of the season. Even though everyone recommended buying a trainer kite, I didn't have any extra money to spend and thought it was something I had already outgrown. If I had only known back then what I know now!  The year of the trainer …

Memoirs of a Kiteboarder Yesterday morning, I had the chance to take my 2nd ever kiteboarding lesson. As a new member of MACkite’s team, I felt it would be a crime to not at least attempt the adrenaline-pumping, whirlwind sport. I’ve had my go at board sports over the years: wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, but I had never before challenged the beast of kiteboarding. After being securely hooked into my Dakine Chameleon harness. I could see the appeal. My eyes glazed over the …

So I have been asked by several of our staff, “Why the Roca?” Well, it is basically quite simple. I have flown the Best TS 17 almost exclusively for the past 3 years and while I liked, more like loved, the 17 TS, I was always riding the 12m on the wakestyle setting to slow the kite down. The Roca was said to be a little slower and more stable. And since I am really just a freerider who rides to relieve stress and be on the water with friends rather than trying to throw down handle p …

An Exploration of the Death Loop You've watched the wipe-out kiteboarding videos, right? Where we see people crashing into the water, followed by a surrounding, "oooh" from your coworkers who have huddled over to your monitor? Unfortunately, some of those kiting videos end in tragedy and it can happen because of the "death loop". Anton Chernyshov has released a video on how to "survive the death loop". We've transposed it here to increase the knowledge and safety of our riders.  What is th …

Jake Reviews Kiteboarding Trainer Kites You may have heard of Jake. Perhaps it was for his friendliness, or the fact that he gives some of the best deals in the shop. Either way, Jake has decided to take over the reviewing session for a bit to chat about trainer kites. Trainer kites are a great option for those that are looking for a cheaper kite to learn basic flying skills before, during, or after a kiteboarding lesson. If you're just learning how to fly, we definitely recommend spending abo …