Latest News, Blog & Videos
2024 Naish Pivot NVision Review
The 2024 Naish Pivot NVsion is here. What's special about this version of the Pivot? Pat and Dustin got some water time with it and are ready to share some insights.
Dustin: We got the all new Naish NVision Pivot, and it's pretty sick. It's the Ferrari of the Pivots.
Pat: Yeah, it's the Aluula version of the Pivot. It has slight tweaks to the same Pivot we've known and loved for last couple years, but has been brought to the next level with the Aluula material.
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29th Nov 2023
2024 Dakine Renegade Ultralight and Pyro Harnesses with Connect Spreader Bars
Aaron has caught up with Daniel Ware from Cabrinha at the King of the Great Lakes Test Fest to chat about some new harness offerings from Dakine.
Aaron: Daniel, what have you got for us, buddy? What are we talking about?
Daniel: I've got a new product from Dakine that we're really excited about. This is the all-new Connect bar. This is a brand new spreader bar system from Dakine for 2023. It's a fully modular system. The kite bar has a fully molded hook with no welds, so it's supe
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27th Oct 2023
Slingshot Sentry V2 and Joystick V1 Control Bars, with Fred Hope
Pat is at King of the Great Lakes with Fred Hope from Slingshot, checking out the new bars for 2024.
Fred: Thanks for having me! This year we brought out a whole new bar, and we changed from the white lines to the new SK99 lines. They're a little thinner and a bit stronger. You can really notice it in the air because they have a lot less drag through the air and you don't have that wobbling from side to side feeling like you have with the square lines. These are perfectly round, so
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25th Oct 2023
2024 Slingshot Ghost V3 with Fred Hope
Pat is at King of the Great Lakes with Fred Hope from Slingshot. They're checking out the new 2024 Ghost V3.
Fred: The Ghost is our one-strut kite for the new year. You tried it today, right?
Pat: Yeah, I got out and had a nice foil session on it today. It's a pretty grunty kite, actually, with good sheet-and-go power. It's really quite fast-turning, and the relaunch on the thing was amazing. I was in really crappy, gusty offshore wind, and the kite just wouldn't stay on the water
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24th Oct 2023
Why the Slingshot UFO V3 is Fred Hope's Favorite for Kite Foiling
MACkite's Pat Taylor is at KoGL with Fred Hope of Slingshot, checking out the new 2024 Slingshot foiling lineup.
Fred: We've got the brand new UFO for this year. This is my baby: the no-strut kite. It's the weirdest-looking kite on the beach because it just sits flat against the ground, but it's the best-looking kite in the air because of how different it looks when you're flying. There's no skeleton to the frame other than the leading edge, so it makes it really light and responsiv
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24th Oct 2023
Cabrinha Fusion X-Series Vs. H-Series Foils | Versatility and Performance
Cabrinha Fusion X-Series | The All-RounderThe X-Series MkII hydrofoil offers enhanced maneuverability with refined profiles, a moderate aspect ratio, and a redesigned wingtip shape, making it suitable for various board sports. While maintaining its forgiving low-end performance, the all-around lean profile now provides an extended speed range. The new tip design allows for freeing the tips during turns without worrying about cavitation, a result of research conducted at the SINTEF facility.
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18th Oct 2023
2024 Eleveight RS V7 Overview with Kevin Wade
Pat from MACkite catches up with Kevin Wade at the King of the Great Lakes Test Fest to chat about the new 2024 V7 RS kite from Eleveight Kites.
Kevin: It's so good to be here. It's always a good time. It almost looks like the Caribbean out there with the water color. It kind of tricks you into thinking it's tropical, but it's a little colder. It's great weather and I'm stoked to be here and tell you about the lineup.
Pat: So you've got the new RS for this year- the V7, right?
K
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13th Oct 2023
Reedin Space Agency with Nick and Pat
Pat Taylor from MACkite is with Nick Baines of Reedin at the 2023 King of the Great Lakes Test Fest checking out the new Space Agency. What is it? Who's it for?Nick: We're really excited to launch this board this year. In the past, we've only had two twintips: the Kev Pro and the Super E. The Kev Pro is for those guys that like to ride fast and boost huge, and then the Super E is for your more beginner/intermediate rider. It has a softer ride and cruises through chop easily.But now we h
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12th Oct 2023
2024 Naish Kiteboarding Lineup with Derek Sproul
Derek Sproul from Naish takes a few minutes to chat about the 2024 kiteboarding lineup with MACkite's Jake Mitchell at King of the Great Lakes Test Fest. What's new? Is there a must-have coming for your quiver?Jake: We're super stoked to have you all the way here in Michigan.Derek: The sun is shining and it's just so beautiful here in late September. There's nowhere I'd rather be. It's awesome.Jake: Amen to that. So you brought some new gear?PivotDerek: Yeah, we've got a bit of everythin
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11th Oct 2023
2024 Reedin DreamStick X V2 Control Bar | Overview With Nick Baines
Pat and Nick Baines from Reedin are at King of the Great Lakes Test Fest, and they're taking a few minutes to chat about the new 2024 Dreamstick X V2 control bar. What's new? Is it the right bar for you?Quick Release
Nick: The Dreamstick X V2 is by far our best-selling product worldwide, and we have some good improvements for this year. We're sticking with the same seat belt quick release since it works extremely well.Autoswivel Solution
Nick: I think we have one of the best sel
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28th Sep 2023
Airush's Latest Innovations | An Exclusive Interview with Sam Medysky
Jake Mitchell from MACkite is with Sam Medysky of Airush at the 2023 King of the Great Lakes Test Fest. Sam's been a name in the kiteboarding world for many years and has some insights into the Airush lineup and wind sports in general to share.
Jake: We've got the man, the myth, the legend, Sam with Airush here. Sam, how long have you been working with Airush?
Sam: I've been with Airush since 2017. I've been kiting since 1998, 25 years, and I've been coming to this event since 200
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28th Sep 2023
What Makes the 2024 Duotone Neo SLS Stand Out? A Detailed Look
Revolutionary Design Upgrades for 2024
This year, the Neo SLS is not just another kite—it has undergone significant transformations:
Wider and Squared-Off Wingtip: This allows the kite to flex and open up instantly when backline steering pressure is applied. The result? Lightning-speed and reactive steering initiation.
Straighter Hybrid Flex Tip Struts: Coupled with a reduced angle of attack, they strike the perfect balance between sheeting force and steering
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25th Sep 2023
Choosing the Best | Overview of the 2024 North Kite Surfboards Line
Performance Surf | 2024 North Charge Pro
Design Philosophy: The Charge Pro is crafted for riders aiming for peak performance in prime wave conditions. It thrives in down-the-line riding and handles big surf with finesse, offering a high-performance ride for those truly wanting to charge.
Key Features:
Rocker and Outline: The forward part of the board ensures drive and speed, while the curve through the tail allows tight turning, enabling the board to generate speed off the bottom
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21st Sep 2023
2024 North Scoop and Scoop Mini Foilboard Overview
Introduction
The world of foil boarding is ever-evolving, and with the introduction of "The Scoop" for 2024, the game has changed yet again. This direct and responsive performance foil board is a testament to innovation and design.
Let's dive into what makes "The Scoop" the ultimate choice for foil board enthusiasts.Who is The North Scoop Designed For?
Jamie Scott, the designer, sheds light on the versatility of The Scoop. It's crafted for:
Kite foiling
Tow-in foiling
Bo
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20th Sep 2023
2024 North Code Zero Overview
The world of kiteboarding is constantly evolving, and with the 2024 North Code Zero, we're witnessing a new era of performance. This one-strut performer is not just a kite—it's a testament to the innovation and heritage of North.
Let's dive into what makes the Code Zero a standout in the 2024 North Kiteboarding lineup.
Inspired by North's Sailing Heritage
The name "Code Zero" is borrowed from North's rich sailing legacy. In sailing, Code Zero refers to a sail designed to excel
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20th Sep 2023