Latest News, Blog & Videos

Read more...

One of the most frustrating things to have happen as you're prepping your kite on the beach is to have something with your pump go awry. Whether a kink in the hose, a missing attachment, faulty seals, or your dual action pump suddenly becoming a single stroke, if a spare pump isn't around, the above scenarios can quickly sully a would-be great kiteboarding session. Fortunately, with some routine maintenance and general care, you can keep your inflation companion pumping strong for sessions to …

Arguably one of the most common questions posed by those unfamiliar with kiteboarding is, "Does it take a lot of strength?" The default answer is 'no', as that question is almost always in reference to the process of attaching yourself to the harness, which alleviates much of the pull on your arms. In reality, kitesurfing does require power, along with core strength, balance, coordination, and stability. If your aspirations are limited to merely riding, then physical fitness will have very littl …

Welcome to November. Up here in Michigan that means November gales, some 10'-12' wave days, cold water (50 degrees) and even colder air. Riding in cold weather takes a special mindset, but even more importantly, it demands the right gear. At MACkite we ride until Lake Michigan freezes over, with some days pushing a total temperature (water plus air) of only 75 degrees.Modern wetsuits with extra layers and a floatation vest will keep your core warm in just about any weather. Your head, feet and h …

Read more...

Your first 6-10 hours of kiteboarding lessons depend highly on your kite flying skills. Virtually all MACkite students who have flown a trainer prior to a lesson progress twice as far and twice as fast. A great trainer will cost $100-$400 and has a fantastic return on investment versus the cost of learning kite flying skills during lessons. Kiteboarding skills are the similar to all athletic skills - the better your muscle memory is, the more successful an athlete you will be.Here is a breakdown …

Read more...

When kitesurfing, a trim strap allows the rider to make further adjustments to the line lengths (generally the front) to alter the power of the kite. The trim strap is always accessible from the bar, more popular configurations delivered in the form of fabric straps, stopper balls, or strap/cleat systems. Identifying the trim strap is something that should be done during your pre-flight check when on a new kite. The major difference between sheeting and trimming is that sheeting adjusts the kite …

Put simply, sheeting is changing the angle of your kitesurfing kite relative to the wind. When you move the control bar closer and farther away from yourself, you are sheeting the kite. Pulling the bar towards you, or sheeting in, changes the angle of the kite so it has greater interaction with the wind. Vice-versa, sheeting out, or pushing the bar away from you, flattens the angle of the kite, in turn reducing the power. This back-and-forth adjustment is how you essentially control the power in …

Local Boy Cris Bobryk has more to come. Stay tuned with MACkite Surf Shop and BEST Kiteboarding https://youtu.be/BpVOZh-xPwQ …

2014 Slingshot COMPSTICK SUPERIOR CONTROL. UNMATCHED SIMPLICITY. TRUSTED SAFETY.         2014 COMPSTICK CONTROL BAR W/ GUARDIAN SAFETY  Today’s riders need to be at the center of control. Building on 4 consecutive World Championships, the new Compstick with Flight Control and our patented Rider Control Center, is the safest, most comprehensive andWe focused on the performance of three individual zones which work together to provide a world cla …

In light of MACkiteboarding now offering Slingshot Wakeboards, here are some of their best tearing up Hydrous Wake Park in Texas. In this episode of Viva La Texica members of the Slingshot team hit the ShredTown Park and Hydrous Wake Park for a little fun. Check out our Wakeboard Selection to pick up one of their boards. https://www.mackiteboarding.com/wakeboards/ View it on our blog at https://mackiteboarding.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/slingshot-summer-six-pack-viva-la-texica-episode-2 …

In many areas, certain times of the year tend to be windier than others. For us, summer can be a quiet time with days or weeks of little wind. Many of us have a lightwind kite in our quiver. Read more... …

Slingshot Kites - Declare your Independence this 4th of July. Fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball. It’s all good but it’s not the same as claiming your independence by getting some time on the water.We’ve got the gear to get you there with our 4th OF JULY SUMMER SALE.Go shopping and then hit the water. -2012 RPM’s, Rally’s, Fuel’s-2013 Rally’s-2010 and 2011 Fuel’s -2013 Surfboards -2013 Twin Tips -2011 and 2 …

Slingshot 2014 Kiteboarding Gear Release Slingshot's 2014 Gear is being released July 12th.  The new kites and boards look amazing!  More information to come on the 2014 Misfit, Asylum, Glide, Darko, Rally, and Fuel.