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I have had over 300+ sessions over the past two years on North kites and the Reach is what sold me on the “new” North brand. I would like to share the top 3 characteristics of the Orbit and Reach, do a comparison, and why both should be in your quiver. The North Reach is a one-kite wonder. It truly does it all very well. Medium to light bar pressure that delivers a direct and intuitive fast flying kite. Loops very fast and can be directed with very little bar input. Light 3 strut constr …

Hey guys, I'm Ewan Jaspan and today I'm going to be going over the board that I mostly use for big air these days, and that is the Naish Drive.  Naish Drive Kiteboard I ride it in a 138cm, and I really like that size because it's not too short. I'm not really a fan of short boards so I can still get in a super hard edge. It's really light, which is nice on your feet for some big air tricks, and it helps in the lighter wind as well, to get going easily and have a …

Today we're going to review the new 2022 Cabrinha Contra. The Cabrinha Contra has always been one of my top two favorite light wind kites. I've been using it on and off for probably a good five years now, bouncing back and forth from the Turbine, and I had some sessions on the Eleveight RS 17 meter. I think there's some really good things about the Contra. With the the latest iteration, there are some things that I don't care for as much, and we'll break down everything you need to know in t …

When I first came across kite compression bags, I didn't immediately see the value in them. After several years of using them as my daily driver, I have a whole new respect for how they improve my kiteboarding and wing foiling experience. Compression bags offer upwards of a 50% savings in your gear space, deter would-be thieves, and keep the "Accounting Department" at bay. I'll explain. Kite and wing compression bags are typically made of lightweight nylon with a draw-cord closure and …

  So you’ve purchased your harness and are ready to hit the water, right? Before you do, here are 3 important accessories to make sure you have with you. Kiteboarding Hook Knife Every kiteboarder should have a hook knife with them when riding. For when you get jumped in the parking lot by jealous surfers? No, rather for that one-in-a-million situation that you get tangled in your lines. Most harnesses come with a hook knife provided - verify yours does. If not, make sure to pick one …

 If it's your first time picking out a harness (or your fifth), the age-old question always comes to light. “Do I go with a seat or waist harness?” Usually, the best answer is to come in and try it on and feel it out, but if you’re like most of our awesome customers and don't have a kite shop locally accessible, this article should point you in the right direction: upwind. Beginner Kiteboarders Will Appreciate a Seat HarnessSeat harnesses draw a lot of attention to a wide range of riders …

Is the Manera Halo the future of kitesurfing / kiteboarding harnesses? We think so. It's modular, serviceable, and combines the benefits of hard shell and soft harnesses into one supportive, flexible, and comfortable kiteboarding harness. In this video we discuss the construction and benefits of this unique and forward thinking design.

  In kiteboarding, harnesses tend to be the last thing on a kiter’s mind as far as the order of importance. However, the harness should be of utmost importance as it’s a rider's connection point to the kite and the only point in constant contact with you. The moment you downloop the kite to pull yourself up on your board the harness transfers the power of the kite to your torso and harnesses the power for your entire session. The proper harness and size can make or break your …

 Picking a harness might be one of the most important decisions of kiteboarding that many people often overlook. It’s not a cut-and-dry decision, especially with so many different brands, fits, and features. Looking at all the harnesses on the market, you’ll see two major separating factors—soft shell or hard shell. Adding to the options we now have on the market, we have hook and slider spreader bar options as well seat and shorts harness. For this blog, we’re going to focus on soft and ha …

Ocean Rodeo teammates Giel Vlugt and Keh-Lung Su use the long waiting period for the Big Air Kite League’s Final Stop event to their advantage, enlisting camera guru Kyle Cabano as their tour guide as they explore some of South Africa’s most unique kite spots. From towering mountains to sharky bays, Giel and Keh-Lung get a chance to work on their respective freestyle and strapless Big Air disciplines far off the beaten track, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the South African coa …

Okay, I think we all can admit that 2022 has been another weird year and the weirdness hasn’t been limited to just current events. Over the last year or so we have seen some funky products start to pop up in the kite market from new travel accessories, safety gear, and even some new foils.Let's take a dive into some of these new kiteboarding accessories and see if you might need to add any to your arsenal of accessories. Eleveight Revo Kiteboard HandleWe’ll start this out strong with an interes …

  The Cabrinha FX, in one word – fun – smooth - full of energy - just plain enjoyment! Ok, that was way more than one word, but those that know me know I never have just one word for anything. Recently rode the 12m FX in the warm waters of Jupiter, FL. (lighter winds 16-17 knots) and then again in the chilly waters of Michigan (21-23 knots) a few days later. Simply put, I love the feel of this kite. Completely responsive with a smooth forward drive at both the low-end and high- …

 Everywhere I go the question comes up, “is Aluula really worth the extra cost?” Well, cost aside, let's focus on the performance and then you make the call.I got the chance to test two of my favorite kites the other day, the 14.5m Ocean Rodeo Flight. What’s that you say, “wait, he said two of his favorite kites.” To clarify I did test two kites, both were the 14.5m Ocean Rodeo Flight, but I got to pit the A-Series (Aluula) directly against its brother from the same mother, the HL Series (H …

Getting InspiredGetting Hooked On KiteboardingWhether you hit the beach one day and saw some crazy kiteboarders flying in the air on a windy day, or you saw Kevin Langeree’s 28.3-meter jump in an Instagram video, you’ve somehow been introduced to kiting, and now you’re hooked. You’ve done your research, watched youtube videos, bought all your gear, and are ready to hit the water (with either an experienced kiteboarder or instructor, of course). The wind is cranking 25 knots, and you can see the …

Kiteboarding kites come in a wide variety of sizes. Which size kites are best for you? Let's take a look at your riding style, your gear budget, and find out how many kites you'll want to have in your quiver. Step 1 | What Kind of Kiteboarder are You? First, let's figure out what kind of kites you'll want to invest in. Are you an all-around, freeride kiteboarder who likes a little bit of everything? Do you want to focus on kitesurfing in waves with a surfboard? Maybe you want to get …