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David is in Brazil for the rest of the 2024 season, but that doesn't mean the trick tips are going to stop coming! Up today is an intro to One-Footed Airs. This is a great trick you can perform fairly early on, and it's worth learning because you can not only add on things like rotations or grabs to it, but you can also add it into other tricks to make them a bit more stylish.Prerequisites You will need to be comfortable doing some other things before you're ready to start practic …

Pat's back for a guest appearance! Now with North Kiteboarding, he's on the beach to chat with MACkite's Dustin about the new North Orbit Ultra Aluula big air kite. What's new, does the Aluula make that much of a difference for big air, and is it right for you? Pat: The North Orbit Ultra is our big jumper this year. We took the tried and true DNA of the Orbit, one of the bestselling big air kites over the last couple years, and added Aluula. Last year we added the Orbit Pro to the l …

Jake and Dustin had a chance to get out on a pre-release 2025 Moto X Design Works kite from Cabrinha, and it left them stoked. "Design Works" is the name Cabrinha has chosen for their premium line, and they started by giving the Moto X the Aluula treatment on both the leading edge and its three struts.Flight CharacteristicsThe Moto X Design Works is very user-friendly, even for beginners. Thanks to the Aluula being stiffer, it's going to have an incredible wind range on each size. It's …

Today we hear from guest blogger Philip Simons, owner of Kiteflip in Thailand. If you're looking for a unique kite or wing getaway on an island in paradise, this might just be the ticket.Introduction Hi, my name is Philip Simons and I am the owner of Kiteflip on Koh Phangan island in Thailand. I changed the grey weather and countryside of Belgium for the tropical sunny island vibes of Koh Phangan 12 years ago. I fell instantly in love with the place, the people and of course the lifestyle. I …

You can use a little creativity to switch up even the more basic tricks and add a little flair and style. David has a couple simple tips for your Backroll Hand Drag... and one involves your favorite beverage!The Backroll Hat Drag is a natural addition to the Backroll Hand Drag. You won't really change how you do the trick, but it'll look that much more impressive.First, make sure you've got your Backroll Hand Drag locked in. Next, wear a hat you can take off and put back on.As you come i …

The 2024 Qatar Airways GKA Big Air Kite World Championships, Gran Canaria, was met with 35-plus knots of wind, ready to help boost the women and men who were competing to impressive heights. Jamie Overbeek and Pippa van Iersel had just won the title in France... would they be able to find their way to the top again? They'd been training hard, but so had the other competitors.Jeremy Burlando, a local, set the tone with an impressive altitude of 15.3 meters. But it wasn't just about the big …

Crashing is an inevitable part of big air, but the good news is that there's a way to get back up in style after you find yourself floating on your belly in that scorpion position. Sure, you can simply send the kite up, sheet in, and pop up and out of the water, but why do that when you can add some flair and turn it into a trick? David has a tip on how to do exactly that. Add a Front Roll Rotation to Your Waterstart 1. You're in the water, on your belly, with your board attache …

Are you looking to add more style and more inversion to your front rolls? David is back with another guide on how to progress your kiteboarding skills, and here he presents two different ways for you to have a more stylish front roll to show off. Plus, it's just more fun this way! First, you'll need to already be able to do a front roll smoothly and consistently. Once you're ready to take it to the next step, try these methods:The Cartwheel Method 1. Come in with speed and th …

The Deck Pad Dilemma Deck pads are a great addition to your surfboard, providing extra grip and comfort. However, over time, you might find the need to remove or replace them. Whether it's because they're worn out, you're upgrading to a new design, or you simply don't like the fit, taking off a deck pad can be challenging. This guide will show you a few easy tricks to remove your deck pad in one piece without damaging your board. Tools You’ll Need A broomstick Thinners (be cautious with …

"UP THE COAST: A Must-See Kitesurf Movie!" Kiteboarding is not just a sport; it's a lifestyle, a passion, and a journey that takes enthusiasts to the most stunning and remote locations in the world. One such journey was recently embarked upon by Kevin Langeree and his team of Reedin riders. This blog takes you through their unforgettable road trip up the coast, filled with adventure, camaraderie, and, of course, epic kiteboarding sessions.The Dream Begins Kevin Langeree, a legend in the …

We've got a new board brand at the shop, and Jake took one of their twintip kiteboards, the Awesome, out for a spin. The brand is Lieuwe, pronounced "lee-wa". Admittedly, that's even a bit harder to get right than "Naysh", "Cabreenya", or "Dakeen". Lieuwe is a Dutch company, but we're finding that name tricky, even being located just one town north of Holland, Michigan. However, in terms of performance, the Awesome is a really fun board that lives up to its name.Overview of Lieuwe's L …

We've got a special appearance by Kristen Cooper today, and she's going to give us the scoop on the 2024 Lithium V13 and Lithium Team Series kites. What is the Lithium good at, how is the Team Series different, and who is each kite for? Lithium: A Legacy of Loft Airush has been part of the kiteboarding scene since 1999, and while a variety of kites have come and gone, the Lithium has long been a staple in their lineup. This year, the Lithium is in its 13th generation, and there ha …

Reedin has a fairly modest kite lineup with only 3 models, but they're essentially different versions of the same kite, so Dustin and Jake are here to explain what the differences are and which one might be right for you.Out with the Old, In with the New Although the Reedin kite range has been expanded for 2024, they did retire the original SuperModel in favor of the SuperModel HTF2. HTF stands for Hybrid Torsion Frame, and it's a significant upgrade to the leading edge that allows …

It's been a minute since we've heard from Jake. He's been busy getting some all-important daddy time with his two lovely daughters, but he recently got back on the water with the Harlem Force. It labels itself as a "game changer", but does it live up to that bold claim? What Makes the Force a Game Changer? While "game changer" may be a bit of a stretch, it is an interesting kite that's worth a look. Harlem is a European company with their own factory that's powered 100 percent by …

Dustin has been riding the new 2024 North Navigator Pro control bar, and he's super stoked on it. Is a control bar really something to get that excited about? What makes it so special?Auto-UnswivelThe auto-unswivel feature is absolutely amazing. The ceramic bearings are like butter, and nothing's going to get caught up there. There isn't going to be any wear and tear on it.Quick Release and LoopThe release is rock solid. It's got 20mm of travel before it releases, so you won't accidentally …