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When two kites share the same name, the same designer, and the same big air DNA, but are built on completely different platforms, it’s worth slowing down and taking a deeper look. After spending weeks riding both models in strong Brazilian conditions, the Brazilian Brothers set out to answer one key question: “Which version of the Trigger truly delivers when it comes to big air, hang time, and kite loop progression?” In this detailed breakdown, we’ll unpack the dif …

For most of the year, if you want to be on the water, you’re zipped into something thick. And once fall rolls into winter, that suit better be legit. Ryan and Jeff been riding the 6/5/4 hooded suit from Soöruz through real Great Lakes conditions. Not just quick sessions. Not “kind of cold.” We’re talking high 40s water, air temps in the 30s, wind in your face while you’re rigging. After a bunch of sessions in it, here’s what Ryan and Jeff have foun …

When riders ask us about flotation, the first thing we usually have to do is slow the conversation down. Not all vests are built for the same purpose. And if you kiteboard or wing foil, what you need on the water looks very different than what a boater might need. The Ride Engine Empax Vest has become one of our go-to recommendations because it strikes a balance that actually works in real riding conditions. We’ve used it kiting in powered summer sessions, winging in choppy Lake Mic …

The 2026 Duotone twintip lineup has officially landed, and it's refined, more responsive, and purpose-built for every riding style. In this Tech Talk breakdown, board designer Valentin Peiker walks through the updates across the entire range, from all-around freeride boards to full-throttle competition big air machines. Below, we break down what's new for 2026, highlight key performance updates, and make it easy to compare models. Freeride Lineup: Select, Soleil, and Shred The freeride c …

There are a lot of kite brands in the world. Some have been around for decades. Some are backed by massive distribution. Some dominate podiums. Harlem started as none of those. When Alex Monstan founded Harlem Kite Surfing, people genuinely asked, “Who’s Harlem?” The name didn’t carry weight. There wasn’t a long legacy. There wasn’t a marketing machine behind it. There was just an idea: Change the tide. And that wasn’t meant as a catchy slogan. It …

Brainchild DNA | Two Very Different Big Air Personalities The Brazilian Brothers are back with another high-level big air showdown—this time comparing two of the most hyped five-strut kites in the game. Both are built at the Brainchild Production facility and designed by Ralf Groesel, but that’s where the similarities start to diverge. On paper, they look like close cousins. In the sky, they feel radically different. This breakdown covers: Jump performance Loop characteristics B …

The Brazilian Brothers are back with a comparison that many riders have been waiting for—a direct breakdown of the Trigger Brainchild versus the Bandit Brainchild. While both kites share the same design lineage and manufacturing DNA, they deliver drastically different experiences on the water. This is not a subtle tuning difference. These are two kites built for different missions. If you are deciding between explosive big air performance and all-around versatility, this breakdown will …

The Reach is a three-strut all-around freeride kite by North. It's been the do-it-all kite in North's lineup for a few years now, so the Brazilian Brothers were excited to see how the 2025 version performed from a big air perspective. What's New with the North Reach? There are two big improvements to the 2025 Reach. The first is that the leading edge now uses N-MAX 2. This material allows for a leading edge with a reduced diameter, which not only makes it lighter, but more aerodynamic as …

F-One sent the Brazilian Brothers a Trigger TEC to try out, so they headed down to the beach in Prea where Rubens geared up, pumped up, and launched, excited to see how it handled and whether he could get some good jumps in the 25 knot conditions. What Is the Trigger TEC? Available in sizes from 6-12m, the Trigger TEC is a 5-strut high-performance big air kite that shares its DNA with the Trigger Brainchild, but is more intuitive and forgiving. Its leading edge and struts use CODE-TEC, a …

The Peak is a big air/freeride kite from Harlem, and there was quite a bit of buzz around its release when Lorenzo Casati pulled off the highest kiteloop in history with a prototype. Of course, he's a pro rider, so what does that mean for your sessions? Rubens of the Brazilian Brothers has the breakdown on the Peak's performance. What Is the Harlem Peak? Like all Brainchild designs, the Peak was developed by Ralf Groesel, and he brought his years of experience to the table. Here's what t …

In Part 1 of our interview with Pat Goodman, Pat compared Cabrinha's kite lineup, breaking down the Drifter, Switchblade, Nitro, and Moto X, and what each design is really built to do on the water. From wave riding to big air to all-around performance, he shared how Cabrinha approaches design and why having the right tool for the job still matters. In Part 2, Brazilian Brother Rubens shifts the focus to design. Pat dives into advanced topics like Aluula and other high-end materials, the e …

This episode brings together three purpose-built five-strut big air kites and one of Brazil’s most exciting big air talents, Josue “Baby Shark” San Ferreira (Instagram @josuesanf), for a true side-by-side comparison. No hype, no marketing spin—just real feedback from a rider throwing powered tricks in challenging, gusty conditions. The Brainchild lineup: Reedin MasterModel F-One Trigger Harlem Peak All three are five-strut designs aimed squarely at big air riders wh …

Few things are more confusing for riders than navigating a kite lineup, especially when every new model promises to jump higher, turn faster, and do it all. To cut through the noise, Brazilian Brother Rubens sat down with Pat Goodman, longtime designer at Cabrinha, for an honest, no-hype conversation about what actually matters on the water. In Part 1 of this two-part interview, they dig into Cabrinha's core freeride, wave, and big air kites, break down who each model is really for, and s …

The Brazilian Brothers from MACkiteboarding got their hands on the Eleveight Kiteboarding RS Pro V2 and wasted no time putting it straight into real conditions for a true first-impressions session. With winter wind delivering a rare January opportunity, this was a chance to see how Eleveight’s flagship freeride kite feels right out of the bag, before any long-term tuning or familiarity sets in. This session focused on setup, build quality, bar feel, jumping, looping, and overall usabil …

If you've been around big air riders or have watched some videos, you may have noticed that some people use oversized handles on their boards and wondered why, and whether you need one. Known as "extended handles", these can bring some benefits, particularly for board-offs, but they might not be for everyone. David has used them for a while now, and he's ready to break it down for us. What Are the Benefits of an Extended Kiteboard Handle? Once you start taking the board off your feet in …