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Growing With Kiteboarding It's time to get back into the water. As we begin to approach the kiteboarding season here in the Midwest, I start to get excited about returning to the water. Yes - others have been kiteboarding for months now (Marc Hoeksema has over 25 sessions so far!) while I've yet to dip a toe into Lake Michigan. This is actually a first for me in years, not rushing to get back into the water as soon as the ice clears. I'm taking advantage of the mild weather with some of my other …

First Impressions with the 2016 Best Roca Rygo's Riding Conditions & Gear It was a cold 40-degree morning, with the water ranking in at a not so balmy 30 degrees. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a quality session. Of course, this is a reality for most of us during the winter months. A quick session before work, in frigid water. Whatever it takes to get it in right? Rider weight: 179 lbs. Wind Speed: 16-17 mph Kiteboard: Cabrinha Custom CBL - 144 cm with Rad Bindings K …

The Cape Town Effect - Hannah Whiteley Let's go through the history of kiteboarding. Kiteboarding has been known as far back as the 13th century, but we know much of the current kitesurfing style from the Legaingnoux brothers, Dominique and Bruno from France. Many people still view the kiting industry as how it was when it first started: dangerous, extreme, and full of adrenaline-filled water junkies. As generations have come and gone, the sport has changed and is now developing into a spo …

ACQUA: A Kiteboarding Film Slingshot's teaser for their new kiteboarding film, "ACQUA," will have you questioning everything. Why do you not own a sailboat? When will your professional kiteboarding career take off? The film follows two Slingshot riders, Alex Fox and Sam Light, as they sail around the British Virgin Islands in search of their own treasure: the perfect kiteboarding spot. Kind of like "Pirates of the Caribbean," minus Johnny Depp, but not the Rum.   With s …

Women of Kiteboarding Girl Power We loved watching these chicks hit the water and lay down their sick tricks. This video follows 6 female kiteboarding athletes as they tear up the town, including Cynthia Brown, Gisela Pulido, Dioneia Vieira, Kirsty Jones, Sabrina Lutz, and Bruna Kajiya. Join them in their early 2015 season highlights. And who ever said girls couldn’t shred? I’m a poet and I don’t even know it! Watch out boys, the Women of Kiteboarding are coming! Music: "Visio …

Youri Zoon on the 2016 Slingshot RPM The Slingshot RPM has been the powerhouse and championship kite since 2009. Youri Zoon, recent competitor in the IKA World Championships, gave his two cents in this latest #RPMisWHAT video.  “For me, to come back to Slingshot is like returning home from a travel,” Zoon said. “We have a lot of history together and I’m very excited to add more to it. Slingshot is the ruler of quality, innovation and performance. I’m …

A Strapless Afternoon Located on the white, sandy shores of the Dominican Republic, Encuentro beach makes for a prime secret kitesurfing spot. Kiteboard rider, Alexis Pierret, claims these waves as his own. The late-December conditions give him the perfect opportunity to test out strapless kitesurfing. Pierret is able to ride wave after wave, without the tireless paddling that accompanies a regular afternoon of surfing. With no attachment to the board, Pierret is granted the creative freedom to …

STRU at Giant Nazare Nazare, Portugal is known for their tremendously huge waves. Many people have braved the Nazare waves; while many people are successful, some aren't. The gigantic Nazare waves loom over Portugal, creating a frightening but awesome display of the power of nature, and surfers think, "I am on that like peanut butter on toast". Nuno Figueiredo takes it to the next level and decides to be the first kitesurfer to take on the Nazare waves. With his Best Cabo and not …

The FX Man ( A Cabrinha Kiteboarding Short Film) Nick Jacobsen's videos have always been eclectic. This time around, I found myself practically rolling around on the floor with his latest video, "The FX Man". Jacobsen poses as a hero, transformed by extraterrestrial forms, in order to save the Earth from gigantic shellfish. Will Nick save the day? Will he ever enjoy consuming lobster ever again? Some questions may be answered in this video; even so, it will leave you wanting more.  Video …

Four years ago, I moved from Michigan in search of endless summer. I found a piece of paradise in Key West, Florida where you can Kiteboard in gorgeous, neon-blue water, ride with board shorts in January, and explore the southernmost islands of the Florida Keys. This winter was unusually windy and cool due to El Nino; as a result, temperatures stayed around the 70’s and the average wind speeds clocked in at around 15-25 mph. Locals who have lived in Key West for over 30 years said they ha …

Jessie Richman Joins Ride Engine Photo credit: Ride Engine Here's the latest from Ride Engine's email blast... Few fits in the kiteboarding industry could be more appropriate and well-suited than Jesse Richman joining the ranks of  Ride Engine. As an innovative new brand, Ride Engine is focused on challenging the status quo and setting ourselves apart from the standards set by the industry. Jesse has been doing the same thing over his decade-long career as a professional athlete, and nothi …

2016/17 Naish Kite Collection Naish has unleashed their kite collection for this year and color us impressed. Subtle changes grace these kites, with an emphasis of creating the perfect balance. What's new? Let's break it down: Naish Ride The Naish Ride is considered a favorite for a majority of riders. There's no specified level of riding necessary for this all-around freeride kite. The ride offers easy water relaunch and a flattened arc for slightly more lift and easy jumping. New to this …

So I have been asked by several of our staff, “Why the Roca?” Well, it is basically quite simple. I have flown the Best TS 17 almost exclusively for the past 3 years and while I liked, more like loved, the 17 TS, I was always riding the 12m on the wakestyle setting to slow the kite down. The Roca was said to be a little slower and more stable. And since I am really just a freerider who rides to relieve stress and be on the water with friends rather than trying to throw down handle p …

Best Sessions Taiba from Sam Medysky on Vimeo. Best Kiteboarding - Session in Taiba We love when team riders band together to create something awesome. Not only are they showing off their stuff, but they are kind enough to let others shine as well. Kiteboarding offers a special type of comradery that is only found in sunny, windy, and sandy conditions (sometimes snowy as well). Watch as Sam Medysky, Rita Arnaus, Hannah Whiteley, and Val Garat remind us that good times are ahead and that th …

Also check out Jake V's take on switching to the new 2016 Roca Rider Weight:179lbs Wind Speed: 16-17mph Board: 144 Cabrinha Custom CBL with RAD Bindings It was a cold 40-degree morning, with the water ranking in at a not-so-balmy 30 degrees. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a quality session. Of course, this is a reality for most of us during the winter months. A quick session before work, in frigid water. Whatever it takes to get it in, right?  The first thing that struck …