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MACkite Foil Showdown: Who Wins? If 2016 was the year of the foil (according to the ancient kiteboarder zodiac calendar), then 2017 is the year of foil refinement. Hydrofoils are being ridden for more than simply racing, and are now accessible for most riders. For goodness sake, Kai Lenny is ridding them without a tow-in on waves.  What was once a simple choice has now become far more convoluted. However, with more options comes the opportunity to get something that better fits your riding …

Lucas on the 2017 Slingshot Rally The 2017 Slingshot Rally - what's new this year, who will benefit from it, and why. The Rally is Slingshot’s all-around freeride kite, but what does that even mean? If you’ve been researching kites, by now you know most kites can “do it all”, in a sense. The differences present themselves in that every kite will do certain things better than others. For every benefit, there is usually a tradeoff. Fortunately, a kite that excel in each as …

Thunder From Down Under  Ayy mate, Slingshot’s got a new rider! Comin at ya from down under, this current Wake Park World Champion is now on Slingshot’s team. At just 20 years young, he’s got more bounce than an Aussie kangaroo. Aaron Gunn of Sydney showcases his cable skills at his home park with out-of-this-world tricks. Wake parks are spreading like wildfire and have been growing in popularity over the past couple years. Who needs a boat when you’ve got a cable? …

A Fresh Kite for A Fresh Rider What’s the definition of versaility? Slingshot’s newest RPM kite for 2016. And what better way to debut a new generation of Slingshot kites than with a young, Brazilian Slingshot rider: Carlos “The Freak” Mario. At 17 years young, Carlos sure has made a name for himself in the freestyle kiteboarding world. He throws down with massive air that rivals some of the most talented and weathered pros. For a rookie, he sure knows how to put on a sh …

Wave Day w/ the 2016 Slingshot Rally Conditions Water temperature: Low 40s Wind: 20 - 25 knots Gear Used Water wear: NP Mission 5/4 Wetsuit NP Neoprene Hoodie NP Thermal Pants NP Mission Booties Xcel Gloves Ion Beanie Kite: 2016 Slingshot Rally w/ Slingshot Guardian Bar Kiteboard: 2016 Airush Cypher Experience Having made it to May without a session, I figured it was long overdue that I get out on the water. With water temperatures in the low 40s, I grabbed my NP Mission 5.4, neoprene hoo …

Youri Zoon on the 2016 Slingshot RPM The Slingshot RPM has been the powerhouse and championship kite since 2009. Youri Zoon, recent competitor in the IKA World Championships, gave his two cents in this latest #RPMisWHAT video.  “For me, to come back to Slingshot is like returning home from a travel,” Zoon said. “We have a lot of history together and I’m very excited to add more to it. Slingshot is the ruler of quality, innovation and performance. I’m …

Jessie Richman Joins Ride Engine Photo credit: Ride Engine Here's the latest from Ride Engine's email blast... Few fits in the kiteboarding industry could be more appropriate and well-suited than Jesse Richman joining the ranks of  Ride Engine. As an innovative new brand, Ride Engine is focused on challenging the status quo and setting ourselves apart from the standards set by the industry. Jesse has been doing the same thing over his decade-long career as a professional athlete, and nothi …

Photos courtesy: Christian Black/ World Kite League Team Slingshot came out firing last week at the opening stage of the 2016 IKA World Championships, making a big statement to the freestyle world by claiming first and second place in the men’s field and first place in the women’s. Among a stacked lineup of competitors, the final men’s heat came down to Slingshot teammates Carlos Mario and Youri Zoon. With Mario fresh off an amazing 2015 season and gunning for a world title a …

Nathan's Fireside Chat: 2016 Slingshot Foils With foiling taking center stage lately in the kiteboarding world, a few companies have either started to include foils to their lineup or expanded their current offerings. For Slingshot in 2016, we've been introduced to a program that will take you from true beginner to advanced, and everything in between. Slingshot's "Learn to Fly" Program Slingshot's "Learn to Fly" program features the all-new Hover Glide aluminum-masted foil aimed at tho …

Learning to Foilboard Using Slingshot's "Foil Flight School" Foilboarding is an experience unlike anything else in kiteboarding. No matter your riding or your style, there is nothing like gliding silently and efficiently across the water (in fact, it's almost addicting). But learning how to foilboard can be a difficult experience, and it can take months or years to become proficient in riding. To some, it can be intimidating, painful, and frustrating. Sometimes people do not take the plunge due …

#RPMISWHAT: FUN Alex Fox has been flying the RPM since day one and over the years he's figured out that having fun on the water is key. The versatile RPM keeps him on the water longer and more often where he can focus on having fun. If you're not having fun, what are you doing? Check it out as Alex Fox the fun, weapon-of-choice for tricksters, soul-searching surfers, and casual weekend-warriors alike known as the 2016 Slingshot RPM. 2016 Slingshot RPM The legend continues with the 2016 RPM: Th …

Sam Light on the Slingshot Refraction: Sam Light Model Sam Light, team rider for Slingshot, offers his expertise on the 2016 Refraction Sam Light Model. We love seeing riders give their opinion, especially one that lets us sit back and think, "man, we've got a good board on the shelves".  Opinions from Sam Light on the Refraction: Incredible graphic, a tribute to Sam Light The board slices through the water smoothly while offering loads of pop Durable and tested for ultimate balance …

MACkiteboarding Package Kiteboard Comparison So, you're a first-time rider or buyer looking for the best deal possible, right? Well, we don't blame you. Like you, the crew at MACkite is all about getting the most bang for their buck. Bearing that in mind, we've crafted our packages to maximize performance while being budget-conscious. Nathan breaks down the package boards featured in the Learn 2 Ride, Instructor's Choice, and Performance Plus packages. Not sure which to choose? Enjoy Nathan's …

The Getaway: Kiteboarding in Paradise 4k We love traveling with our kiteboards, embracing the great unknown that is life, and opening ourselves to adventures. While some of us are able to travel more frequently than others, not everyone has the chance to go out and afford to travel. At least the ones that have to stay behind have YouTube and Vimeo to show us some incredible footage of crystal waters and sandy beaches. In this case, Slingshot has decided to show us an unforgettable getaway with …

Often times it's very easy to get set in your ways. You have a favorite restaurant, maybe a favorite musical genre. If you're really bad like me, you even have a favorite parking spot at all of your regular stops. Now imagine if you only ate Mexican and never experienced pizza in all its glory? Oh the horror!!!! Okay, all bad jokes aside, let me get to the point. In kiteboarding, like many sports, we often find a piece of equipment that we like and just stick with it, riding it out fo …