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David is in Prea, Brazil, where he's had a chance to get a couple sessions on the new 2025 Orbit Pro from North. How does it fly, and how is it different from the 2024 Orbit Pro?Which Sizes Did He Test? David got out on both a 10m and the 8.1m, thanks to North Team Rider Josue San Ferreira, aka "Baby Shark" (named after his dad "Shark", not the epic song). Dave has been flying the 2024 Orbit Pro in an 8 and 10m for the past year, so he could feel the differences right away. What …

The North Dockstarter is quite a unique product that we haven't seen before, but now it's an indispensable part of our foil pumping toolkit. It's an inflatable foil launching device that you can use with a dock, boat, or whatever else you can strap it to. It holds your board above the water with the foil in the water so that you can run up, jump on your board, take off gliding and start pumping.What Is The Dockstarter? If you've tried dockstarting before, you know that it can be very ch …

Dockstarting can be a fun challenge with your foil. Just ask Pat! (Link warning: Goofiness inside.) If you love to pump on flat water, it's almost a required skill. But you do need enough dock length without pilings in the way so you can run up with your foilboard. Then you need to drop your foil into the water at just the right angle and still manage to hop aboard without losing your center of balance. North has tackled this hurdle and created something that every dockstarting enthusiast should …

Pat's back for a guest appearance! Now with North Kiteboarding, he's on the beach to chat with MACkite's Dustin about the new North Orbit Ultra Aluula big air kite. What's new, does the Aluula make that much of a difference for big air, and is it right for you? Pat: The North Orbit Ultra is our big jumper this year. We took the tried and true DNA of the Orbit, one of the bestselling big air kites over the last couple years, and added Aluula. Last year we added the Orbit Pro to the l …

In today's episode of Wing Wednesdays, Tucker has the all-new 2024 North Mode Ultra. You're probably familiar with the Mode, North's speedy race wing, as well as the Mode Pro that was introduced last year as an upgraded construction model, but the Ultra is on a whole other level. What makes this new entry to the Mode lineup so special? What is the Ultra? The Mode Ultra is North's top-tier, no-compromises wing construction. It delivers with a level of performance that hasn't been seen b …

Join Tucker, Hooker and Skinny for a chill wing foiling session in West Michigan. It's an absolutely perfect June day to try out some of the season's fresh gear, including North and Reedin wing foiling wings, Omen Flux wing foilboards, and F-One hydrofoils. West Michigan has a beauty all its own, with wide beaches, lighthouses, and the blue-green waters of Lake Michigan. Come along for the ride! MACkite Subscription Links: YouTube  |   Instagram  |  …

Dustin has been riding the new 2024 North Navigator Pro control bar, and he's super stoked on it. Is a control bar really something to get that excited about? What makes it so special?Auto-UnswivelThe auto-unswivel feature is absolutely amazing. The ceramic bearings are like butter, and nothing's going to get caught up there. There isn't going to be any wear and tear on it.Quick Release and LoopThe release is rock solid. It's got 20mm of travel before it releases, so you won't accidentally …

It's Wing Wednesdays, and this week Jeff and Tucker have the North Nova Pro. They had a chance to ride it and have some insights to share on how it feels and how it's different from the Mode Pro and what's been upgraded from last year's version of the Nova. North is a brand that is known for quality materials and design, and the guys have high expectations.ShiftLock Handle/Boom SystemThe 2024 Nova Pro has the new ShiftLock System, which is a rail that you clamp your choice of handles or bo …

Today's big air kite review from Jason focuses on the Harlem Force, comparing it to the North Orbit Pro, Duotone Evo D/LAB, and Cabrinha Nitro v2. As always, he'll highlight his favorite aspects of each while being as fair as possible.Harlem ForceI had the benefit of testing the Harlem Force over five sessions, but unfortunately four of them were under 30 knots due to the summer conditions here in Auckland not being very favorable for big air. In the end, some of us did a little road tri …

Jason is an excellent reviewer of kiteboarding gear, limited only by what he's able to get his hands on in New Zealand. He and MACkite have teamed up to get more gear in his hands, so hopefully you'll be able to enjoy even more of these in-depth reviews in the near future. Today Jason is talking about the North Navigator Pro control bar but, as is true of any of us, his perception of it is going to be influenced by what he's ridden in the past. So a little backstory will help bring …

What You Need Before starting the replacement process, ensure you have all the necessary tools and parts. Here’s what you’ll need: Multi-grips 2.5 mm Allen key Drift punch (less than 4 mm or 1/4 inch, ideally 3 mm) A 3D-printed jig (optional, but helpful) Step-by-Step Replacement ProcessStep 1: Prepare the Control Bar First, lay out your control bar and run the lines out fully. Locate the end of the landing line, grasp it, and pull through until you reach the loop-to-loop connection wi …

The latest innovation from North has arrived, and it's set to redefine the way we interact with our wing handle placement. The 2024 North ShiftLock Wing Handles, featured exclusively on the 2024 North Nova Pro Wing, are here, bringing unprecedented customization and performance enhancements to your wing foiling experience. In this blog, we'll dive into the details of this game-changing feature, its benefits, and why the North Nova Pro is the wing to watch this year. The Revolutionary 202 …

After bringing the MACkite crew and customers the boardsports stoke for 10 years, Pat is moving on join the North/Mystic team. Thanks for everything, Pat, and cheers to your new adventure! Check out the video to see just some of the reasons we love Pat! He'll put a smile on your face just like he has ours. MACkite Subscription Links: YouTube  |   Instagram  |   Spotify Oddcasts Contact MACkite Below: 800.622.4655  |   Kiteboarder@MACkite.c …

Kristen Cooper is back with a look at a new offering from North that shorter riders, women, and kids may find interesting, if not long overdue. The 2024 North Navigator Short Throw bar is out, and Kristen has had a chance to ride it in the Florida Keys. If you have ever had trouble reaching the bar when it's fully sheeted out, this may be worth a look.Who's It For? In addition to shorter riders, it's also a nice bar for beginners. It can be frustrating and even intimidating to have …

Getting Up and Riding | Ease of Use The primary purpose of a light wind wing is to get you up and riding with ease. Jeff and Ryan both agree that when it comes to “get up and go,” the North Loft Pro takes the win. It's easier to handle and builds speed effortlessly. The Loft Pro offers excellent stability and doesn't require aggressive pumping to get moving, even in sub 10 knots conditions. The Duotone Ventis, on the other hand, isn't far behind. It may require a bit more technical handli …