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2016 North Mono...Shop Tested, Aaron Approved So, a 2016 North Mono 12M showed up at the shop today. I walked in just as it came off of the truck and Jake offered first dibs. Bam; I’m out the door. Gear Used & Riding Conditions Kite: 2016 North Mono 12M Conditions: Side-onshore around 13 knots Rider Weight: 190lbs Years Riding: 16 Board: 6’0” Surfboard Experience Riding the Mono Single Strut Kite There was already plenty of buzz about the 2016 North Mono, well be …

Wave Day w/ the 2016 Slingshot Rally Conditions Water temperature: Low 40s Wind: 20 - 25 knots Gear Used Water wear: NP Mission 5/4 Wetsuit NP Neoprene Hoodie NP Thermal Pants NP Mission Booties Xcel Gloves Ion Beanie Kite: 2016 Slingshot Rally w/ Slingshot Guardian Bar Kiteboard: 2016 Airush Cypher Experience Having made it to May without a session, I figured it was long overdue that I get out on the water. With water temperatures in the low 40s, I grabbed my NP Mission 5.4, neoprene hoo …

Growing With Kiteboarding It's time to get back into the water. As we begin to approach the kiteboarding season here in the Midwest, I start to get excited about returning to the water. Yes - others have been kiteboarding for months now (Marc Hoeksema has over 25 sessions so far!) while I've yet to dip a toe into Lake Michigan. This is actually a first for me in years, not rushing to get back into the water as soon as the ice clears. I'm taking advantage of the mild weather with some of my other …

First Impressions with the 2016 Best Roca Rygo's Riding Conditions & Gear It was a cold 40-degree morning, with the water ranking in at a not so balmy 30 degrees. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a quality session. Of course, this is a reality for most of us during the winter months. A quick session before work, in frigid water. Whatever it takes to get it in right? Rider weight: 179 lbs. Wind Speed: 16-17 mph Kiteboard: Cabrinha Custom CBL - 144 cm with Rad Bindings K …

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 …

Also check out Jake V's take on switching to the new 2016 Roca Rider Weight:179lbs Wind Speed: 16-17mph Board: 144 Cabrinha Custom CBL with RAD Bindings It was a cold 40-degree morning, with the water ranking in at a not-so-balmy 30 degrees. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a quality session. Of course, this is a reality for most of us during the winter months. A quick session before work, in frigid water. Whatever it takes to get it in, right?  The first thing that struck …

2016 North Mono Kiteboarding Kite New for 2016, North Kiteboarding is debuting the Mono, a one strut kite that finds itself in the company of the Airush Lithium One and Liquid Force Solo. Able to be flown on both a 4-line and 5-line control bar, you can expect a light-weight, quick turning kite that’s perfectly suited for light to medium winds. With one strut, expect some canopy flutter. This will make the kite slightly more difficult to handle in heavy winds that require consistent depowe …

Sam Light on the Slingshot Refraction: Sam Light Model Sam Light, team rider for Slingshot, offers his expertise on the 2016 Refraction Sam Light Model. We love seeing riders give their opinion, especially one that lets us sit back and think, "man, we've got a good board on the shelves".  Opinions from Sam Light on the Refraction: Incredible graphic, a tribute to Sam Light The board slices through the water smoothly while offering loads of pop Durable and tested for ultimate balance …

2016 Ion Apex & Vertex Select w/Ben Skaggs Sometimes you have questions. And, well, we don't always have the answers. In those cases, it's better to get the answers from the person who would know the product best, our brand reps. Ben Skaggs, one of North's representatives, was able to give us the low-down on the 2016 Ion Apex Select and 2016 Ion Vertex Select harnesses. 2016 Ion Apex Select & 2016 Ion Vertex Select Wire_Tec on both harnesses allows even load distribution, thanks t …

2016 Ride Engine Overview feat. MACkite's Nathan The 2016 Ride Engine harness has broken through the kiteboarding industry with a revolutionary design and fit. Sticking to a classic form, the Ride Engine is able to be customized based on your desired riding. The exchangeable spreader bar is a nice touch, with the ability to change sizes as well as material. Nathan breaks down the differences in the Ride Engine harness types as well as getting the perfect fit.  The Line Up: Hex-Core Widest …

2016 Ride Engine Harness Overview Ride Engine’s Armor harness features a revolutionary design that will forever change expectations of how a kiteboarding harness should look, feel and perform. The core of the Armor is an ergonomic hard shell designed around hundreds of precision molds and contoured to distribute load evenly across the lumbar and hips and lock the harness low on your back where it’s supposed to be. The result is a low-profile, form-fitting harness that will dramatica …

2016 Liquid Force Foilboard at 2015 Surf Expo Gary Siskar talks The Kiteboarder Magazine through Liquid Force's lineup of 2016 foilboarding products.  As a recap of the 2015 foilboard, the Liquid Force Foil Fish, was the first foil "for the people". Easy to learn, ride, expansive, and affordable donned the characteristics of this 2015 foil. Check out Siskar's overview of the latest foilboarding gear. 2015/16 LF Foil Fish A continuation from their successful predecessor, this  …

Slingshot Sports - Down the Line Slingshot's new Wave SST kite has redefined kitesurfing. We are thrilled to have this kite in our lineup, and can't wait to break it out during those choppy days. In this video, Slingshot shows off the Wave's power and precision while kiting and also shows the complimentary action that comes when pairing the Wave SST with the Slingshot Angry Swallow, Slingshot Tyrant, and Slingshot Screamer. What Slingshot has to say about the Wave SST: Slingshot …

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 …

Nathan's 2015 Airush Livewire Review Nathan is polished, prepped, and prepared to chat it up about the 2015 Airush Livewire, a kiteboard that has everyone talking (even Alex Pastor)! If you've been clicking through our site trying to find some awesome deals for your money, it may be time to float your mouse on over to Airush's kiteboarding page. Recommended riders for the 2015 Airush Livewire: Beginners to advanced riders can enjoy the Livewire. This thing rips and is crazy comfortab …