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The third and final stop of the GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup tour in 2024 could hardly have been more exciting. Maxime Chabloz from Switzerland was leading the rankings, but not by much and faced stiff competition from the other board leaders. Adding to the uncertainty was a less-than-perfect wind forecast for the normally reliably steady spot. The finals were held at Fuwairit Kite Beach on a lagoon that opens to the Arabian Sea in Qatar. Typical conditions offer mirror-flat waters an …

Have you ever tried what seems like a million of something, only to find they all fall short in one way or another? And then you finally find THE ONE, and it's the greatest feeling, knowing that your search is over and you can enjoy using that perfect thing. For Kristen, that perfect thing may well be the AK Durable Supply Co. Method RS harness.The Ratchet SystemThe standout feature of the Method is the ratchet system, which is what RS stands for. With more of an hourglass shape, Kristen fo …

How far back can we throw for Throwback Thursday? How about November 2012? Check out Tucker as he goes over MACkite's lineup of boards for 2013. If you've been riding a while, do you recognize any of this gear? Maybe one was even in your quiver?Oh, and be sure to watch to the end (or skip ahead) to see the outtakes!2013 Cabrinha SubwooferThe 2013 Cabrinha Subwoofer was a complete kite surfboard, with Aircore Quad fins, front and back pads, and footstraps if you like to use them. The board' …

In the world of kiteboarding, innovation and performance are essential to meet the ever-evolving needs of riders. Reedin Kites, known for creating products that enable users to progress with ease, has partnered with Brainchild to push the boundaries even further. This collaboration introduces groundbreaking technologies, notably with their high-performance Hypermodel, designed to deliver unmatched responsiveness and ease of use. The Brainchild partnership enhances Reedin's ability to cre …

MACkite's Dave has been spending some time in Brazil working on one of his favorite transition tricks, the Front Roll Hand Drag. It's a slide type trick that's a play on the Back Roll Hand Drag. While nearly identical to that in terms of the kite movement and steering, it's very different when it comes to body movement and positioning, so he's put together a guide to walk you through nailing your own Front Roll Hand Drags.Prerequisites You'll want to have your Back Roll Hand Drags d …

Reedin has always done things a little differently, so it's no surprise that they've embraced the emerging technologies offered by Brainchild. This exciting collaboration is going to benefit kiteboarders, wingers, and even the environment.What Is Brainchild?Brainchild is a development lab and production facility that has recently launched in North Macedonia, Europe, not far from Greece. Founded by kite designer Ralf Groesel, Brainchild is focused on revolutionizing the water sports indus …

David is in Prea, Brazil, where he's had a chance to get a couple sessions on the new 2025 Orbit Pro from North. How does it fly, and how is it different from the 2024 Orbit Pro?Which Sizes Did He Test? David got out on both a 10m and the 8.1m, thanks to North Team Rider Josue San Ferreira, aka "Baby Shark" (named after his dad "Shark", not the epic song). Dave has been flying the 2024 Orbit Pro in an 8 and 10m for the past year, so he could feel the differences right away. What …

The Slingshot One Lock Hydrofoil System represents a major step forward in hydrofoil design, engineered to make it easier for riders to select the right equipment for their level and style. Fred Hope from Slingshot shares insights into the new system, highlighting the changes made to ensure seamless progression and improved performance across various disciplines, including kite foiling, wing foiling, and wake foiling. Three Years of Development | The Slingshot One Lock Hydrofoil System …

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a thin strip of sand stretching out into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Living in such a unique environment brings a lifestyle deeply connected to the sea and an understanding of the delicate nature of life on this barrier island. The history, the surf culture, and the resilience of its residents make the Outer Banks a special place. This blog dives into the life, the waves, and the challenges faced by those who call the Outer Banks home. A Changing L …

Jimmy and Aaron from MACkite are here with a guide on how to replace a valve on a Cabrinha Wing or kite. It's not a difficult process so long as you know the steps and how to do them correctly.What You'll Need 1. A cutting board or a piece of stiff corrugated cardboard about 6x8 in. 2. Some painter's masking tape or duct tape, or clamps with soft jaws 3. A sharp X-acto or utility knife 4. Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and a clean, soft cloth 5. The replacement valve Wha …

Big air kiteboards deserve a big review, and no one is more up to the task than guest vlogger Jason Montreal. Although he's from New Zealand where it's notoriously difficult to get one's hands on a wide variety of gear, Jason has managed to beg, borrow, or steal a session on three viewer-requested boards: the Carved Imperator v7, Lieuwe Falcon, and Duotone Jaime SLS.Carved Imperator 7Jason has been wanting to try the Imperator for years, but it's a spendy board, especially to get in New …

Guest vlogger Jason Montreal is back with another big air kite review. He's going to cover two kites in this edition: the Slingshot Code v2 and the Code NXT. Even though they're both Codes and are quite similar in shape and flight characteristics, the Aluula in the NXT does add something extra, and many people are probably wondering if it's worth it for them to spring for the upgrade. Jason's been excited to try these kites, and especially the NXT since it was developed and ridde …

Dustin is here to share his thoughts about the new 2024 Slingshot Code NXT, along with... Jeff? As you may know, Jeff used to kite a lot, but now is primarily a wingfoiler. So what's so special about this kite that it was able to pull him away from his wing for a session?What is the Code NXT?The Code NXT is Slingshot's new school big air Aluula kite. What's so new about it? Big air is dominated by five-strut kites, but the use of Aluula allows the Code to move to just three struts. It's …

Kristen Cooper is back to share her thoughts on the Airush Team control bar. She's taken a lot of time to really get a feel for it and she found a lot to like about it. Is it the right bar for you as well?Overview The Airush Team control bar is a bar for any level rider. It's a great bar to start on, but you won't outgrow it, either. It's designed to withstand even the hardest riding, yet is customizable and doesn't sacrifice performance. Features Kristen's first impression of …

David is back with the sequel to his How to Do One-Footed Airs video. Here, you can learn some variations on your one-footers. Remember that you can add these into tricks like Frontrolls or other rotations!Standard One-FooterWith the standard one-footer, which we covered in the previous video, you're pointing your leg straight down. You're not going too wide, though you can tweak the board itself a bit to make it look a little nicer.For example, you can extend both legs, and then the b …