Latest News, Blog & Videos

Are you debating whether the 2017 North Rebel is the kite for you? No doubt, this kite is designed for a certain type of rider. Fortunately, we've put it to the test, particularly Aaron.Aaron has been riding North for years and knows the line up intimately. He has put a lot of time and thought into this kite. If you're researching your next kite or even your first kite. You've come to the right place. Have a seat and take a listen. And yes, he does actually compare the 2017 North Rebel to the b …

Reflection with Aaron Hadlow It's healthy to step back and take a look at where you've been, where you are now, and where you want to go. What better place than on the water, where reflections are abound?  So, where will you go? We're coming close to the end of 2016, but there is still plenty of time to figure out where 2017 will take you. Video Synopsis Every living person in our world has to find the time to pause and look at its reflection in order to continue with the right way. For …

North Kiteboarding - Tom's Kitchen V Guess who's back (back, back), back again? Tom Herbert's back, tell a friend!  If you've been keeping up on Tom's videos, you'll know that they're an eclectic, fun, mash-up of kiteboarding in epic proportions.  Tom harvests, preps, and cooks up some amazing freestyle and freeride tricks using the  North Evo and North Jaime for us to enjoy.  Each piece is a tribute to the old and new flavors of kiting. So, sit back, enjoy, and savor …

The head honcho himself took the new 2017 Cabrinha Fireball system for a spin the other day and has deigned to pass along his insight. I first flew a Wipika 2-line 5 meter kite back in October of 1999. Over the years, kiteboarding gear keeps improving by leaps and bounds, but there have been very few moments when I have seen a new system or product that I feel will really change a complete segment of gear. The Crossbow / Switchblade release in 2006 was definitely one of those moments. Slingshot …

One of our good customers recently took the time to review his Fireball/Apollo 14m setup and give us his first impressions.  First Impressions with 2017 Cabrinha Apollo 14M and Fireball by Shawn Ewing I've been kiting for 16 years. My first session with the 2017 Cabrinha Apollo 14M and the 2017 Cabrinha Fireball Control Bar w/ Trimlite was amazing. My friends and I spent the weekend at Sherman Island Beach Park in the California Delta. The usual strong winds at Sherman didn't happen. I'm gl …

Modern kiteboarding equipment has come a long way in terms of durability, but it never hurts to have a quick refresher on how to properly take care of your gear and/or get a quick refurbishing in. We're going to help make sure you enjoy every moment on the water rather than worrying about your gear. Kite - Rather than just tossing your kite into its bag after every session, you'll want to make sure you've taken care of a few key things. First off, sand is terrible for your kite during storage. S …

2017 Naish Kites Unleashed Like kids in a candy store, the MACkite crew clings to the windows of the latest kiteboarding gear. This year, we're impressed with Naish and their ability to transcend the industry.  Innovations abound, Naish has been able to introduce Quad-Tex, the strongest canopy available on the market.  Not only that, but we've also become intrigued with the new Torque control system that are filled with function. If you're looking for some new gear, perhaps it's tim …

Benefits of Adding A Surf-Specific Harness to Your Quiver Up until this last week, I was a firm believer that one harness was sufficient for any and all conditions. Having homed in on the Apex Select, that was my do-all harness. Leisurely cruise? Apex Select. Freestyle session? Apex Select. Slashing it up it the waves? Apex Select, although a little looser so it could rotate around my body. Hardcore wakestyle sesh? In my dreams I’m wearing the Apex Select.  But then came last wee …

Relaunching Your North Trust 5L Element Control Bar In this new season, North introduced the 2017 5th Element Trust Bar, a product where safety and control meet performance and reliability. Not only is the 5th Element easy to use, but is also durable with its EVA construction and safe due to the Iron Heart IV safety release. When it comes to the 5th Element, you'll want to know a thing or two before going out and trying to relaunch. Our main North-tweaker, Aaron Johnson, gives the skinny on t …

Adjusting Your 2017 North Click Bar Back Lines (Using Pig Tails) Because the back lines of your kite are subjected to less power than the front lines, it can happen that the back lines can shrink more than the front. North was kind enough to add three supplement back pigtails (20cm, 30cm, and 35cm), just for when you need them to trim your back lines. Replacing your pig tails is simple on the  2017 North Click Bar. Follow the steps below if you need a pig tail refresher. To take off your o …

Replacing Your Push Button on the 2017 North Click Bar Your Push Button is your lifeline when it comes to depowering your kite on  the all-new Click Bar. Replacing this mechanism is as easy as pie, with whipped cream on top. Take a look at our sweet steps below to get started on replacing your push button. Take your Allen Key, and insert it into the screw on the click button, located on the right side of your bar. Unscrew your push button completely until it slides out from the end of t …

Replacing The 2017 North Click Bar Chicken Loop and Dig North is back with another installment on replacing your Chicken Loop and Dig. A relatively simple process, which we've outlined below: First, you want to open your Iron Heart safety system and see that your safety pin is across to hold your safety system open.  Use your Allen Key to undo the screw to the left of the Iron Heart. Slide your Chicken Loop away from the Iron Heart (also, you can slide your Dip off of the loop as well) …

Adjusting Your Stopper on the 2017 Click Bar The Sliding Bar Stopper keeps your bar in place and close to you, so that you can always be in control. The new North Click Bar comes equipped with a stopper that can be quickly and easily adjusted on the fly to suit different rider's preferences.  Simply press down on the black portion of your stopper, and the slider will move up or down.  Additionally, you can also permanently fix the sliding stopper by tightening the slider screw wi …

The 2017 North Click Bar...The "Game Changer"?  There have been a lot of new innovations coming out in the past couple years in the kiteboarding industry. And to tell you the truth, at first we were skeptical  when we first got word of the Click Bar. After seeing how simple, clean, and functional it is, however, we are absolutely sold. Of all the latest innovations, this might be our favorite to date. With 6 years of development and testing in secret, North is bringing an insanely ref …

2017 North Click Bar Overview Sky Solbach engages audiences globally with the latest in North Kiteboarding technology. This time, he's introduced what can be described as the "game changer",  properly known as the Click Bar. Is it truly a revolutionary control bar? Let's break down the big differences that makes the Click Bar stand out. Trim Unit Only control bar available on the market that allows you to trim your lines from the back lines, not the front. This technology is integrated in …