Latest News, Blog & Videos
Kiteboarding | Crafting the Harlem Force Kite with Sustainability and Performance
Unparalleled Performance Meets Unmatched Sustainability
The kiteboarding industry is on the brink of a revolutionary shift, spearheaded by the introduction of the Harlem Force, a product of Harlem Kitesurfing's innovative Game Changer Lineup. What sets the Harlem Force apart is its rare combination of high speed, exceptional hang time, and reliable performance in down loops. It's not just a kite; it's a testament to the possibilities of combining high performance with environmental c
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24th Apr 2024
North Navigator Pro Quick Release | How to Swap Yours Out With Ease
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 co
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18th Apr 2024
Lightwind Kiteboarding in Key West with Kristen and RyGo | MACkite x Airush
Kristen and Rygo are headed down to Key West in the RV, where they'll hook up with the crew from Light Wind Watersports. They'll camp along the water at Curry Hammock in Marathon along the way to test out some fresh Airush gear.
The wind was fairly light the next morning, so Kristen took out the 14m Lift and had a great session. That evening, Rygo got a turn as well for a fantastic sunset session.
The next morning Rygo and Kristen completed their trip and met up with Bronza
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15th Apr 2024
Dakine Compression Bags for Kiteboarding and Wing Foiling
Today Aaron takes a look at a product he's been using for a long time, the Dakine Compression Bag. They used to come in multiple sizes for your different kite sizes, but now it's one size fits all. What does Aaron think about that and, more importantly, will these bags let him fit his entire quiver of three North Carves into a single Carve bag?Dakine Compression Bag FeaturesThe bag is made from a heavy duty nylon that holds up surprisingly well as a daily driver. It's a simple bag with o
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10th Apr 2024
MACkite Recommends: Set Sail
At MACkite, we're grateful to be part of the amazing watersports community. Sometimes we learn about a customer that we think other watersports enthusiasts might be interested in hearing about. Tyler and Valentina are a perfect example. They're living the dream, and they're making it possible for others to experience it as well.We asked Tyler and Valentina to tell us a little bit about themselves and their company, Vive L'Amour (Long Live Love), and how they can take your watersports adventure t
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22nd Feb 2024
Cheers to Pat - Thanks for All the Sessions
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:
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Contact MACkite Below:
800.622.4655 | Kiteboa
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12th Feb 2024
How To Size Your Ride Engine Harness | A Quick Guide
With the amount of harness and spreader bar combinations, getting the right size Ride Engine can feel daunting. The good news is when you nail it, you get a precise, comfortable fit that translates to more time on the water. As a general rule, the size chart below gets you 80% of the way there. Here are a few sizing tips from the hundreds of Ride Engine harnesses we've sold over the years.
What's Your Body Type?
Consider your body shape. Leaner bodies are best represented by the abov
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5th Feb 2024
Kiteboarding Through Ice Chunks | Lake Michigan in January
Don't try this at home, kids! Pat and DC brave the frigid Lake Michigan water to ride among floating chunks of ice. ...Wait. You can do that?
Well, sort of. It's a bit of a trick to get in and out past the densely-packed area of iceballs near the ice shelf, and both guys take a refreshing dip. Once out a bit further, it becomes a thrilling game of dodge-the-asteroids. Hey, no fair jumping over them!
Would we recommend trying this adventure? Pat readily admits this is one of his
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29th Jan 2024
2024 North Navigator Short Throw Kite Control Bar | On-Water Review
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
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29th Jan 2024
The Evolution of Excellence | 2024 Cabrinha Switchblade's Innovative Features
The Cabrinha Switchblade has been a cornerstone in the kiting world, renowned for its performance and versatility. The latest iteration, the Switchblade, marks its 17th year with significant advancements, promising to elevate the kiting experience for enthusiasts around the globe.
A Legacy Reinvented: The New Switchblade
The Switchblade is not just an update—it's a complete overhaul of its predecessor. By incorporating new technologies and construction techniques, the Cabrinha team h
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23rd Jan 2024
Ride Engine Air Box Electric Pump for Kiteboarding and Wing Foiling
Jeff and Tucker are excited to share one of their favorite accessories: the Ride Engine Air Box, an electric pump.
...Wait. They're excited about an electric pump? Are they really that old?? Perhaps, but that's not why they're willing to forego the traditional pre-session warm-up. Here's what's great about this magic box and why you might want one, too.
Accessories
Let's first dive in to what you get with your pump. Tucker's favorite accessory that comes with the pump is the c
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18th Jan 2024
Big Air Kiteboarding Basics, Episode 1: Learning and Perfecting Your Kiteloop
David is kicking off a new series focusing on big air. He's not an expert in big air, but rather an experienced kiteboarder who's ready to progress his skills. If you're ready to delve into big air yourself, come along for the ride as David shares any tricks, tips, and lessons learned along the way.Kiteloops: The Foundation of Big AirBig air builds on your kiteloops. If you're just getting into kiteloops, Blake has a great intro. Here, I'm going to share what I've learned about kiteloo
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27th Dec 2023
2023 Cabrinha Moto X | Session Impression
This is Dustin and Cado here with the all new Cabrinha Moto X. We just got off the water with it, and we're going to do a quick session impression with beginner vs. advanced viewpoints on the kite.Dustin: It was a windy day, and I was out on the 12m. It was blowing a pretty sustained 25-ish knots. It's a super boosty, lofty kite with jumbo jumps. It feels like an old Vector, for the people who've been with Cabrinha forever. It's a tuned-up Moto, and an unbelievable advancement for Cabrin
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26th Dec 2023
Reedin HyperModel vs. Duotone Evo D/Lab
The Reedin HyperModel and Duotone Evo D/Lab are both freeride kites made with the premium Aluula material, but is one better for you? Pat and Dustin rode both 9m kites on the same day in order to see how they compare.
Dustin: As soon as we swapped kites, I immediately noticed that the Reedin bar pressure was so much lighter than the D/Lab.
Pat: I thought the exact same thing. When I got on the D/Lab, I thought the wind had ticked up because the bar pressure on the Evo was that muc
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19th Dec 2023
The Aluula Kites Breakthrough | Who Should Make the Switch?
Dustin and Pat take a look at some kites made with Aluula. What is it, and is it worth the hype? Is it right for you?What is Aluula?Dustin: Aluula is a step up from your normal kites. It's like the carbon bike of the kite world.Pat: Absolutely. It's that carbon fiber frame mountain bike in the kite industry. Is aluminum or steel good for most people out there? Yes. Do you need carbon? Probably not, but is it a nice upgrade and do you get some performance benefits from it? Absolutely.What
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29th Nov 2023