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Pat is at King of the Great Lakes with Fred Hope from Slingshot. They're checking out the new 2024 Ghost V3. Fred: The Ghost is our one-strut kite for the new year. You tried it today, right? Pat: Yeah, I got out and had a nice foil session on it today. It's a pretty grunty kite, actually, with good sheet-and-go power. It's really quite fast-turning, and the relaunch on the thing was amazing. I was in really crappy, gusty offshore wind, and the kite just wouldn't stay on the water. Eve …

MACkite's Pat Taylor is at KoGL with Fred Hope of Slingshot, checking out the new 2024 Slingshot foiling lineup. Fred: We've got the brand new UFO for this year. This is my baby: the no-strut kite. It's the weirdest-looking kite on the beach because it just sits flat against the ground, but it's the best-looking kite in the air because of how different it looks when you're flying. There's no skeleton to the frame other than the leading edge, so it makes it really light and responsive be …

Cabrinha Fusion X-Series | The All-RounderThe X-Series MkII hydrofoil offers enhanced maneuverability with refined profiles, a moderate aspect ratio, and a redesigned wingtip shape, making it suitable for various board sports. While maintaining its forgiving low-end performance, the all-around lean profile now provides an extended speed range. The new tip design allows for freeing the tips during turns without worrying about cavitation, a result of research conducted at the SINTEF facility. A …

Pat from MACkite catches up with Kevin Wade at the King of the Great Lakes Test Fest to chat about the new 2024 V7 RS kite from Eleveight Kites. Kevin: It's so good to be here. It's always a good time. It almost looks like the Caribbean out there with the water color. It kind of tricks you into thinking it's tropical, but it's a little colder. It's great weather and I'm stoked to be here and tell you about the lineup. Pat: So you've got the new RS for this year- the V7, right? Kevin: …

Pat Taylor from MACkite is with Nick Baines of Reedin at the 2023 King of the Great Lakes Test Fest checking out the new Space Agency. What is it? Who's it for?Nick: We're really excited to launch this board this year. In the past, we've only had two twintips: the Kev Pro and the Super E. The Kev Pro is for those guys that like to ride fast and boost huge, and then the Super E is for your more beginner/intermediate rider. It has a softer ride and cruises through chop easily.But now we hav …

Derek Sproul from Naish takes a few minutes to chat about the 2024 kiteboarding lineup with MACkite's Jake Mitchell at King of the Great Lakes Test Fest. What's new? Is there a must-have coming for your quiver?Jake: We're super stoked to have you all the way here in Michigan.Derek: The sun is shining and it's just so beautiful here in late September. There's nowhere I'd rather be. It's awesome.Jake: Amen to that. So you brought some new gear?PivotDerek: Yeah, we've got a bit of everything …

Pat and Nick Baines from Reedin are at King of the Great Lakes Test Fest, and they're taking a few minutes to chat about the new 2024 Dreamstick X V2 control bar. What's new? Is it the right bar for you?Quick Release Nick: The Dreamstick X V2 is by far our best-selling product worldwide, and we have some good improvements for this year. We're sticking with the same seat belt quick release since it works extremely well.Autoswivel Solution Nick: I think we have one of the best self-untwis …

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 …

Revolutionary Design Upgrades for 2024 This year, the Neo SLS is not just another kite—it has undergone significant transformations: Wider and Squared-Off Wingtip: This allows the kite to flex and open up instantly when backline steering pressure is applied. The result? Lightning-speed and reactive steering initiation. Straighter Hybrid Flex Tip Struts: Coupled with a reduced angle of attack, they strike the perfect balance between sheeting force and steering force. Especiall …

Performance Surf | 2024 North Charge Pro Design Philosophy: The Charge Pro is crafted for riders aiming for peak performance in prime wave conditions. It thrives in down-the-line riding and handles big surf with finesse, offering a high-performance ride for those truly wanting to charge. Key Features: Rocker and Outline: The forward part of the board ensures drive and speed, while the curve through the tail allows tight turning, enabling the board to generate speed off the bottom and in …

Introduction The world of foil boarding is ever-evolving, and with the introduction of "The Scoop" for 2024, the game has changed yet again. This direct and responsive performance foil board is a testament to innovation and design. Let's dive into what makes "The Scoop" the ultimate choice for foil board enthusiasts. Who is The North Scoop Designed For? Jamie Scott, the designer, sheds light on the versatility of The Scoop. It's crafted for: Kite foiling Tow-in foiling Boat and wake …

Understanding Eleveight's Legacy Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of the CS Auto Bar V1, it's crucial to appreciate the brand behind this innovation. Eleveight Kiteboarding is a renowned brand in the kiteboarding industry. The brand is recognized for its technical product design, which is driven by a passion for kiteboarding and a commitment to innovation. Eleveight's products are crafted with precision, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality and performance. Their …

On-the-water review with the MACkite boys, Pat and Dustin, after their Grand Haven session on the new 2024 Rebel SLS from Duotone Kiteboarding.On-the-Water Impressions Pat: The kite feels like a Rebel. It's a five-strut, higher-aspect design with pretty good low end power. It's probably about 20, gusting to 22. I'm on a 12 meter and I'm about 200 pounds. I'm pretty happy with the kite so far in the first couple tacks on it. The kite looks phenomenal in the sky. The new colorway is a nice …

Hello, everyone—Kristen here! We've had the pleasure of spending time with the 2024 North Pulse, and we're thrilled to share our insights with you. Let's go!The New Logo First up, let's discuss the new aesthetic change. North has unveiled their new logo which is making its appearance in the 2024 collection. This isn't just a mere update, but a symbol of the brand's commitment to innovation. The North Sails logo will be incorporated into all their gear.Reduction in Weight For those who h …

Kristen chats about the 2024 North Reach: what's new, what's different, and what you can expect to feel familiar. It's a beautiful day in Muskegon, Michigan. It was a north wind, which tends to be a little bit gustier up and down. It's about 70 degrees and the water temp is warm, and I just had a great session on the 9m North Reach. It is a really fun kite! New Logo, New Material On the kites you'll now see the North Sails logo being rolled out for 2024. North has also been work …