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Let's Chat: Tucker's Explanation on How to Get Into A Front Zip Wetsuit Getting into front zip wetsuits is all about technique. I can get into my front zip 6mm just as quickly and easily as my 3mm back zip wetsuit (maybe faster since I can find the zipper easier). Even if it takes you a little longer until you get the hang of it, the benefits of front zip suit far outweigh the negatives. Back zips leach cold water in and warm water out, they also limit the stretch of the suit.&nbs …

The Dakine Option spreader bar is an awesome option for kiteboarders looking for more freedom in their riding. The option spreader bar is a new offering on the market that combines the benefits of a rope slider bar and a hook. You will have the option to choose between the two. Riding with the hook  Using the hook is similar to a traditional hook and will work very much the same way. The only real difference here that that it will rotate up and down. You can also remove a nylon …

In his first episode of "How Tues", Tucker goes over the Cabrinha Overdrive Adjustable Control Bar with Recoil and Fireball. Wow, that's a mouth full. Fortunately the bar is easier to use than it is to pronounce.Cabrinha kiteboarding has quite a few bar offerings and for some, particularly new riders it can be a little daunting. Fear not, it's actually easier than you think. In this video Tucker breaks down how simple all the Cabrinha Control Bars are to operate. Let's start with the Cabr …

Relaunching Your North Trust 5L Element Control Bar In this new season, North introduced the 2017 5th Element Trust Bar, a product where safety and control meet performance and reliability. Not only is the 5th Element easy to use, but is also durable with its EVA construction and safe due to the Iron Heart IV safety release. When it comes to the 5th Element, you'll want to know a thing or two before going out and trying to relaunch. Our main North-tweaker, Aaron Johnson, gives the skinny on t …

Hi guys, it’s Tucker from MACkiteboarding.com and today I’m going to show you how to connect a 2017 Cabrinha Fireball spreader bar to a Mystic Warrior harness.  First thing you’ll want to do is take your quickloop clip and connect it to the harness.  Find the right side of the harness - this HAS to go on the right side of the harness - and we have a fat strap and thin strap there, fat strap first.  We’re going to go up through the big slot on the clip and …

Hi, this is Tucker from MACkiteboarding.com and today I’m going to show you how to connect the 2017 Cabrinha Fireball spreader bar to an Ion Vertex harness. This will be the same for any other Ion harness, but the Vertex is one of our favorites.  Disconnect the quick-connect, we’re going to put that on first.  Find the right side of the harness - that’s where the quick-connect is going to go.   Connect the fat strap of the harness. Still on the right side of th …

Hi, this is Tucker from MACkiteboarding.com, and today I’m going to show you how to connect a 2017 Cabrinha Fireball Spreader Bar to a Ride Engine harness. Here we have the Hex-Core Ride Engine, and the first thing we did was strip the rubber plastic tubing off to expose the strap. This is what we’re going to need - doing that is not super easy and getting it back on is even harder, so we wouldn’t recommend doing that unless you’re really planning to put this on for a wh …

Q - Can I use the Fireball system with a non-Cabrinha kite? A - Any Cabrinha kite that functions on the 1X system of the past few years will be absolutely A-OK. However, it might not be completely compatible with every other brand in regard to the compatibility and functionality of their security systems. WIth that in mind, it should work for most brands - the Fireball was designed for use on a four line depowering kite with a single line flagging system. Q - Can Fireball be used on my oth …

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 …

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 …