Latest News, Blog & Videos
Colleen Carroll talks 2018 North Kiteboarding
In this episode, Crystal meets with one of kiteboarding's hardest working riders, Colleen Carroll. She tells how she got her start in kiteboarding, what she is up to now and breaks down the 2018 North kiteboarding line up.Crystal rocking her Ion Jewel up in Squamish, BC.
Thanks again, and see you next time on Chasing the Dream! *Written & produced by Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic and Crystal Veness
Crystal VenessOriginally from Canada, she now calls the entire world her playground and simultane
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31st Aug 2017
The North Click Bar—Married In Less Than a Year
Have any of you ever had one of those "ah-ha" moments with a new piece of kiteboarding gear? Something that made you grin from ear to ear the first time you tried it? Here are my thoughts after spending a whole year riding the North Click Bar.At first sight, I was blown away at how simple the Click Bar appeared. Ben Skaggs, our North sales rep, put one in our hands last August, at the North dealer meeting in Hood River, Oregon. It actually looked less complex than the North Trust Quad or 5th Ele
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2nd Aug 2017
Winds of Change: The 2018 North Rebel Kite
2018 North Rebel Product Clip
Diehard North Rebel fans—take a deep breath—everything is going to be OK. Your 2018 North Rebel kite is now a 4-line powerhouse!
For many years, we have been recommending the North Rebel to that premium freeride kiteboarder. Historically, the Rebel has had amazing qualities, like huge jumps, ripping upwind ability and massive wind range. While those are all things that a freerider wants from a good kite like the Rebel, they don’t seem to want the 5th line
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1st Aug 2017
North Kiteboarding Academy / Relaunching a 4-Line Kite
Beginner Kiteboarding Lesson: Relaunch a 4-Line KiteLearn how to relaunch your kite in shallow water first, as this will make it easy when you're swimming in deeper waters.When your kite drops into the water, let go of the bar, untwist the lines, and check that your bar is the correct way around by using the color code. Now you're ready to relaunch. Pull gently on the floater to initiate the kites movement to the edge of the wind window. Once the kite is there, grab the bar and pull on the
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11th Jul 2017
North Kiteboarding Academy / How to Relaunch a 5-Line Kite
Beginner Kiteboarding Lesson: Relaunching Your 5th Line KiteThe 5th-line makes it easy to relaunch your kite, especially in low wind, when it is relied on to get your kite into the air.If you lose hold of your bar when riding unhooked, hold on your safety line and hook back into your chicken loop. Now pull the fifth line until the kite starts to flip over. Before it flips completely, grab the bar floater on the upper side and pull it towards you. As you do this, the kite will start to move
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11th Jul 2017
North Kiteboarding Academy / How to Relaunch a 4-Line Kite
Beginner Kiteboarding Lesson: Crash and Relaunch Your KiteIn critical situations, it can be necessary to use the quick release on your kite.In doing so, your kite will remain connected to your harness via one line, and most of the kite’s power will be lost.To open the release, let go of the bar and push the quick-release mechanism away from you. In doing so, your kite will fall into the water and waiver in the wind. Once you're ready, you'll need to prepare your gear for relaunch. Hold the safet
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11th Jul 2017
North Kiteboarding Academy / How to Launch a Kite
Beginner Kiteboarding Lesson: Launch Your KiteLearn how to launch your kite in shallow water, with lots of free space around you.The correct launching procedure is your first step to safe kiteboarding. Before launching, check that your bar lines and kite or all in order. Then check that you have enough space above and around you. Once your helper is holding the kite in the correct position, at the edge of the window, you can walk up wind to increase the pressure in the lines. With
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11th Jul 2017
North Kiteboarding Academy / How to Land a Kite
How to kitesurf: Land a kite - Beginner - North Kiteboarding AcademyLearn how to land your kite in shallow water, with lots of free space around you.When you're ready to land your kite, be sure to signal clearly to your helper that you want to land the kite by tapping the top of your head with a flat hand. Once the helper is ready, slowly lower your kite down along the edge of the wind window, using your top hand only to steer the kite. The lower hand should be free. Slow down the kite
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11th Jul 2017
The Global Women’s Boost off Competition From WOO and KB4Girls
Haey, Laay-deeez!In the spirit of encouraging women kiteboarders to jump their absolute highest, WOO has initiated their “Global Women’s Boost Off”.Participation is easy—just log your WOO Kite sessions and be sure to use the new gender filter to weed out those pesky dudes. From June 1st through July 31st, WOO will be tracking women’s progress and look for those ladies who are jumping the highest and for those who have accumulated the most in total jump height.Sites and SocialCurrent women’s stan
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23rd Jun 2017
Cabrinha Switchblade Vs North Rebel
The Switchblade vs The Rebel
The aim of this video series is to remain as objective as possible.That being said, we made sure to get opinions from our entire crew. Rygo and Lucas collaborated to communicate the group consensus to you, and you can expect more videos to come soon.
So, you're debating between the Cabrinha Switchblade kiteboarding kite and the North Rebel. Not an easy choice, but this should give you plenty of insight when making your decision.
Both of these kites have
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14th Jan 2017
Chasing The Dream
Traveling, Kiting, and Working Around The WorldIt sounds too good to be true, an unattainable adventure.
Traveling full time, working remotely, and kiteboarding as much as you want?!
How is that even possible? Relax… it is.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
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10th Jan 2017
Let's Chat: 2017 North Rebel w/ Jake
Jake on the 2017 North Rebel
So you're Interested in the Rebel. We're imaging some of the questions you are asking yourself...What's New this year, and what type of rider will benefit from this kite?
Well this overview should square that up for you.
The Rebel is North’s long standing big air freeride kite. In years past people have turned to the rebel looking for that efficient user friendly kite that will jump huge, ride upwind better than your average kite and minimize shake in the bar
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1st Dec 2016
Let's Chat: 2017 North Dice w/ Jake
Jake on the 2017 North Dice
The Firecracker! or as you might know it. The 2017 North Dice. What's new, and what kind of rider will benefit from this kite.
What is great about the Dice is it really has something to offer anyone. Whether you are into unhooked wakestyle/freestyle. Hooked in riding with some serious flair, waves or kite loops. This kite loops especially well! The Dice is North's answer to riders willing to sacrifice a little wind range for an exceptionally high performanc
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1st Dec 2016
Let's Chat: 2017 North Neo w/ Jake
Jake on the 2017 North Neo
The Neo is known as North's go-to wave kite but in all reality, it is much much more than that. What most people don’t know is with a slight tweaking of the bridle it becomes an excellent free ride kite.
So What’s new with the Neo in 2017?
This year North didn’t want to fix what's not broken. For 2017 you can expect incremental improvements in the turning speed, the de-power and a more direct feedback and bar feel.
Order your 2017 North Neo today!
The visi
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1st Dec 2016
Kiteboarding Video: Melancholy (in cursive)
Noe Font - Melancholy (in cursive)
"On a hot day, the snow melted away into a stream and flowed down the valley and into the sea. And this place was born."
Hood River: an eclectic location filled with grandoise mountains and cool, deep blue water. Here, kiteboarders come from all over to enjoy the resources around them and to demonstrate their skills.
Noè Font has shown the joy of kiting in Hood River and spun his take in a way that's fun, unique, and inspiring.
Video Sy
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15th Nov 2016