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The Brazilian Brothers love big air kites, but they also know that they're not all created equal. They'll all boost you high enough to pull some impressive moves or just enjoy the view from up there, but each kite has its own personality. In their Versus series, the Brothers break down the differences between two kites to help you find the perfect match. Up this time are the 2026 Duotone Evo D/LAB and the Harlem Thrive, and testing day brought 25-30 knot winds, perfect for a big air sess …

The YES Kite is the first freeride model from the Jacobsen Project, Nick Jacobsen's own brand. Known for sending himself off cranes, buildings, and just about anything tall, Nick has spent decades pushing kites to their limits. His experience shows in the clean, straightforward design of the YES. The Brazilian Brothers recently spent time putting this kite into their sessions, and they've shared their honest first impressions. YES Kite Design Characteristics The YES Kite is a three-strut, …

Appletree Surfboards continues to lead the way in premium board technology, and one of their most overlooked yet powerful features is the NFC tag embedded directly into every board. Located at the leash plug, this tiny chip connects the physical board to its digital identity—giving riders ownership protection, transferability, and peace of mind. In a recent update, Mik from Appletree Surfboards reminded riders why scanning and registering their boards is an essential step. Whether you& …

Jeff's got four decades of experience on the water but has only recently decided to begin wearing a helmet, and his pick is the Surf Convertible helmet from Gath. So far he's had two sessions with it, and he hasn't looked back. So why did it take him so long to start protecting his noggin, and how has the Gath SFC helmet overcome those objections? Do I Really Need a Helmet? Ultimately, it is up to you whether you want to wear a helmet. We know that they can feel heavy, especially if they …

At first glance, the 2025 F-One Trigger and Harlem Thrive seem pretty similar. Both are big air kites designed by Ralf Groesel and made at his Brainchild facility, have amazing digitally printed graphics, and use Proweld construction to make them extremely lightweight. But that's where the similarity ends, and one will probably meet your needs better than the other. The Brazilian Brothers have spent a lot of time on both and have some observations to help you sort out which one is right f …

Whether you're new to the kiteboarding scene or are an old-timer who learned on a C-kite, chances are you've heard of the Cabrinha Switchblade and perhaps have even owned one or two. The Brazilian Brothers have been putting an early release of the 2026 version through its paces and are ready to share their thoughts now that it's available to the public. What is the Cabrinha Switchblade? It's been two decades since Pat Goodman designed the first Switchblade for Cabrinha. It introduced mas …

Confidence at Your Fingertips The Cabrinha Unify Control System represents the next evolution in kite control technology—a streamlined, high-performance bar that blends safety, comfort, and precision into one cohesive system. Designed for riders who demand both simplicity and innovation, the Unify marks Cabrinha’s most refined bar to date, setting a new standard for intuitive control and long-term reliability. A Legacy of Innovation For years, Cabrinha has been at the forefront …

The Brazilian Brothers have been using the Cabrinha Nitro in their kite clinics since it was released in 2023, so they're very familiar with it. Now they've got a fresh 2026 Nitro. What's new, how does it stack up to past versions, and who is it for? What is the Cabrinha Nitro? The Nitro is a 5-strut big air kite developed by Pat Goodman, who also designed kites like the Switchblade and North Orbit. The Brothers love it for its ability to perform heli-loops and help students up their big …

You've heard that you "should" wear an impact vest, but do you really need one? And if so, what's a good one that won't get in your way? The Brazilian Brothers think they have the answer to both questions in the Ride Engine Empax V2. What's an Impact Vest For? Protection Buoyancy Warmth Harness Positioning An impact vest has a few benefits, not just the obvious protection from impact. You get some buoyancy, which is very helpful when you're in the water trying to relaunch your kite. Yo …

We've been seeing some exceptional kites coming from brands collaborating with Brainchild, so the Harlem Thrive has got the Brazilian Brothers excited to do a review on it. It excels at freeride, wave and the Brothers' favorite, big air, so they took it out to test its jumping and looping ability, as well as to figure out just who this kite is right for. What Is the Thrive? Like other kites made in Brainchild's facilities, the Thrive takes advantage of Proweld technology, which ultrasoni …

The Brazilian Brothers covered an exciting strapless big air competition in Prea, Brazil. It was organized by strapless pioneer and 2008 World Champion Mitu Monteiro. The weather could hardly have been better, with the wind pumping at 25-30 knots. The brothers were especially stoked that their friend Baby Shark would be participating in his first strapless competition, and they felt he had a good shot at placing, if not outright winning. Ready... Set... Go! First up was the racing compet …

Jeff had a chance to catch up with Kevin Langeree at the Reedin tent at KoGL to chat about the brand new 2026 MasterModel big air kite. Damien had been wanting to design a 5-strut kite, but they were just too heavy to achieve the turning speed, lift, and hangtime he was looking for. Now, with the weight-reducing technologies developed by Brainchild, that vision has finally become a reality. Who Is the MasterModel For? Before you write this off as a high-performance kite that's just for t …

The Brazilian Brothers had a chance to hook up with big air legend Baby Shark (Josue San) and see what he thought about the 2026 North Orbit. The wind there in Prea was 30 knots and the kite's purple colorway matched Baby Shark's Astra board perfectly, so Baby Shark was pretty stoked as he headed into the water. What's New with the 2026 Orbit? The Orbit and Orbit Pro have been combined into a single offering, and the shape has been refined into a higher-aspect design that sits further fo …

Helmets are for kooks, right? Real kiteboarders ride with the wind blowing through their hair. Yep, tell that to an increasing number of pros and everyday riders who swear by the benefits of protecting their noggin from a knockin'. There are enough people out there with helmets that you won't look out of place, and it may just save you from a painful concussion or worse. Do I Really Need a Helmet? If you do freestyle or big air, a helmet can protect your head from a hard impact with the …

Choosing the right kite is important, but how you interact with that kite can make a big difference too. The Brazilian Brothers took the North Navigator Pro bar for a spin, and it's got some features they really appreciated, but a couple they wished it had as well. Overall, is it still a bar they'd recommend, or should you keep looking? Get a Grip The brothers feel that the Navigator Pro Bar has one of the most comfortable grips on the market. When they get in the water, they're out ther …