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The relaunch is one of the most important steps in learning how to kiteboard. After all, if you can't get your kite out of the water you're not going to get very far in the sport. One of the biggest concerns people face in the early stages is the fear of the unknown.  What happens if I crash?  How do I get back in if I drop my kite? Will the kite keep pulling me if I drop it?  To counter these fears, I recommend starting small. You need to practice your relaunch on the beach, …

How to Jump Higher Kiteboarding - Ride with Blake: Vlog 17 So you can jump, that's great! Now, you're wondering how to get more air. In this episode, Blake has 5 tips that will take you to the moon and back! So here it is, five steps for you on how to jump higher with your kiteboard. Step one: Have good board speed, a lot of people think that being overpowered will make the jump higher but that’s a common misconception. If you have to much power, you will get a lot of lateral jumps but no …

Frances Osorio Rivera is many things. In the mosh-pit of life, she’s one of those people right smack dab in the middle of it. Screaming, yelling, laughing her ass off—and making sure you do too. She will not take one ounce of crap from anyone. Ever. And I would advise against crossing her—she’ll cut ya. Ha! Only kidding. Mostly. Frances is positive and determined. When you first meet her, you can see a depth in her eyes that suggest she can do absolutely whatever she put …

New kiteboarding locations can be intimidating. In this Vlog I'll be covering how to assess a new spot, as well as a few important reminders. These tips will be especially helpful if you're traveling to a location like Hood River, OR. A busy month  Speaking of the Hood, I've spent the last few weeks wrapping up some work in the Pacific North West. From Seattle to Squamish back down to Hood River. It's been eventful to say the least. Fortunately, I was able to get some time on the water my …

The Mystic Majestic X Wave Harness - A Review There’s a lot of hype in the market about hard-shell kiteboarding harnesses. And for good reason—they work amazingly well. This morning I had a go on the 2017 Mystic Majestic X Wave Harness while kiteboarding. Normally, I wouldn’t have strayed from my previously favorite harness brand, but one of the guys here at the shop talked me into it. I wear a size 34 in pants and shorts and would have normally opted for a size large har …

How to Ride Upwind in Light Wind - Ride with Blake: Vlog 16 For some, riding in light winds can be a little challenging. How can you ride upwind? Blake goes through the "Blake Necessities" on how to ride in lighter winds. 1. Get a big board or a foil Look for something flatter with little rocker. Good suggestions are the North Spike, Cabrinha Stylus, or Liquid Force Overdrive. 2. Shorten the wind window in strong winds - keep within the power zone 3. Perform S-turns with the kit …

In this Vlog, we’re going to be covering how to pack your kiteboarding bag. The first thing to talk about when packing a kite bag is what kind of bag do you have or do you want. Why a golf bag?  A lot of people who are kiting will go with a golf bag or a bag that can be disguised as a golf bag. Namely, because airlines don't charge for those. Some airlines charge $200 for kiteboarding equipment, which seems very unreasonable. So the bag I chose is pretty simple,  …

We've all been there. You've just learned how to kiteboard or you are in the research phase. You find yourself asking a lot of questions. How much wind is too much? What are the safe wind directions? Is it too cold to go kiteboarding? What size kite do I need for my weight? There really is a lot to take in. Fear not, this episode I break down almost everything you need to know about kiteboarding riding conditions.   Last week I was working in San Fransisco and I payed a visit to Crissy fie …

Cable parks have been around since 1959. Since their inception in Germany. They have been popping up all over the world. In fact, there's a good chance you’re just a short drive from one yourself. The cross over from cable to kite is undeniable. Whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned rider working on that next trick. Here at MACkite, we have been doing lessons almost as long as the sport of kiteboarding has been around. In 2010, the first 2.0 cable wake boarding system opene …

Amazing Kiteboarding Video Shots This is quite a gorgeous compilation of kitesurfing shots from the past few years. All shot by drones, we're seeing videos from Cabrinha, North, and other brands in the kiteboarding industry.  From ice caps to sunny shorelines, tranquil water abounds, making it perfect for kiting.  If you're in the mood for a relaxing video to take you away from the woes of the real world, this is it. Enjoy! Video Synopsis: The best video compilation of ki …

You've take a kiteboarding lesson and mastered the Waterstart that's awesome! However, there is one little problem... How do you go back the other way? Fear not, I've broken down the kiteboarding transition into five easy steps. The next time you hit the water give these a try and see if they help! Step one Practice on the beach with a trainer kite. Visualization goes a long way with learning anything. If you can get your hands on it that's even better. I recommend taking a day or two m …

Spring is here and we all know what that means. Warm weather, wind and good times with good friends. We’re officially kicking off our kiteboarding lesson season for 2017. This marks our 16th year teaching kiteboarding. In that time the gear, as well as the sport have changed drastically. With all that change there still remains one universal truth for new kiteboarders. That is the thirty hour rule. Ten hours on the kite, ten hours on the board and ten hours to put it all together. Now, we …

In this episode we're going to be talking about what kiteboarding is, how you can get started, and how learning to kiteboard will impact your life and your travels.  What is kiteboarding  Kiting brings together a lot of different sports. From board sports, to watersports, to knowledge of wind. So if you're a snowboarder, a wakeboarder, a sailer, a para sailer, a surfer or even a skateboarder, you absolutely have what it takes to become a kite boarder. Even if you are none of those th …

My name is Crystal Veness, and I’m living the dream. I’ve been traveling full time for more than two years, with no home base and nothing but a kite bag, a carry-on suitcase, and a backpack in tow. This journey has spanned 5 continents, 19 countries, and created more than 1,000,000 memories, and the journey continues today. I’ll be honest, my bank account isn’t exactly growing, but I have accumulated an indescribable wealth of experiences, wonderful connections, and sk …

Get your pump on The WMFG is the largest pump we've ever seen. Chances are if you need this pump, you need everything to be fast!  Well, I have great news. Every Monday morning you can catch brief, cheeky and fun gear reviews from our very own Jake M.