April 2009 - The Kiteboarder Magazine

Welcome to The Kiteboarder’s Online Experience.1TIPS FOR VIEWINGSTOP! Make sure you SAVE the PDF to your desktop. This will allow you to open videos, exclusivevideocast interviews, podcasts and product links in a separate browser and enhance the experience.(File>Save from the top menu bar)Thank you for downloading The Kiteboarder-Themost widely read kiteboarding magazine in the world!2 3CheckOpen The Kiteboarder PDF file from your desktop and turn your speakers upLook for the following icons throughout the magazineClick on the Videocast links forexclusive interviews and videoout the most recent videosfrom the web and brandsListen in depth podcast interviewswith designers, pros and personalities andaudio clips for the story behind the images.NEW THISELECTRONIC ISSUE:More interactive than ever with links to audioclips, in-depth podcast interviews, easy-to-followinstructional sequences and videos on all the newgear tested, just look for the icon links!Featured this issue:The Man Behind the Scenes of Naish Pg 30Below the Surface: What Materials are Used inYour Gear and Why Pg 38A South Pacific Adventure Pg 46Kiting in the Surf: Top 10 Things You Needto Know Pg 78PLUS:The IKA: Deal or No Deal? Pg 14Close Up Profiles F-One’s Brian FriedmannGlobe Kites Christine Sleichter. Pg 32Analyze This: Six New Products Reviewed,Tested and Videoed. Pg 58Designer’s Corner: New Sneak Peak and sevennew products Pg 64Workbench: How to fix a fly line. Pg 84Go directly to the source for moreproduct info and updatesSee what other riders have to say onforums around the worldYou can also click on the URL links in the news sections and features for more info on places, people, events and gear.Location: Marshall Islands| Photo: Jim Stringfellow

Rider: Felix Pivec | | Photo: John BilderbackLive interviews with designers,pro-riders, industry leaders andkite personalities.Featured Video:Mitu Monteiro in hisbackyard of Cabo VerdeCLICK BOX BELOWPodcast #142:Mark Doyle talks about theSouth Padre Island Roundup,the first event of its kind.Tech out with the R&D team is theyroll out new gear.Podcast #141Felix Pivec and DimitriMaramenides about Felixjoining the team and what hebrings to the new company.Ask questions real-time duringthe show or post them on yourlocal forum.Showcasing F-One’s new Bandit Dos kite and Bamboo directional boards,pro rider Mitu Monteiro shows why he is the 2008 KPWT Tour Wave RidingChampion. Shot at Punta Preta in Cabo Verde, enough said! Click on thescreen and be prepared to be awed with Mitu’s explosive style!Podcast #143:The state of racing andthoughts on the IKA.Got a suggestion for a podcast?We’d love to hear from you!Email info@theringmedia.com

Rider: Youri Zoon | Location: Florida Keys | Photo: Lance KoudeleNew atThe KiteboarderWebsite and Store!TKB T-shirts now in!Super comfy, get your new TKB t-shirt with or without the slogan.$24.99 including shipping US/Canada$39.99 with Annual Subscription!Wind Cult Now at the TKB Store!Did kiteboarding ruin or save your life? Check out the new line of coolkite-specific t-shirts from Wind Cult, including the Japanese wind god,Fujin, kiting!DVD’s and More!We have tons of DVDs for a great price that gets even better whencombined with an annual subscription to the mag. Beginner?Seasoned and want to push your freestyle or skills in the surf?Interested in snowkiting? We’ve got the video for you!$39.99 DVD with annual subscription:Subscribe:2009 TKB Calendar Blow Out Sale!The Kiteboarder 2009 13-month wall calendar is now on saleCalendar only: $12.00Two calendars: $20.00Calendar with annual subscription: $34.99Two calendars with annual subscription: $39.99Choose a DVD, Calendar and AnnualSubscription for just $52.99DVD choices include Something Stronger (snowkite), Dimensions(snowkite) The Unknown Road (surf), My Session (beginner instructional)or PKRA (2008 comp action with bonus footage from 2007 events: choosefrom Mexico or Venezuela).See www.thekiteboarder.com/catalog for complete selection. Offersgood in the US/Canada only. See International Subscriptions foroffers outside North America or email marina@thekiteboarder.comfor int’l inquiries with full address info for pricing.

THEKITEBOARDER.COMEasy, BreezyVentanaNaish Roots:The Man Behind the Scenes10ThingsAbout Kiting the SurfTopBelow the Surface Gear Tech

-EVFSURFBOARDSMAURICIOABREU“EVF technology is 21st century! Vacuum bag technology has been around for many years,but the EVF and LF RnD team have taken it to a new level with specially cut layers, giving amore hand-lam feeling regarding overall board flex. These boards also have exotic, knock outpaintjobs designed to look great, and block out harmful UV rays. The paintjob and the extracloth layers tend to keep this board in the lineup with its increased strength and longer lifetime.”-Pat RawsonPREMIUM STYLE, PREMIUM RIDE2009 SESSION GENERATION 2 KiteAll Around Freeride SLEWave, Wake Style, SnowSizes: 4:6:9:12:16photoS: Kraft/ROMAISRELENTLESSPROGRESSIONRELENTLESSIMPROVEMENTSESSION2 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 3

CROSSOVER COLLECTION2 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 3

6 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 7

the StoRy of NAiSh KiteboARdiNGhen most people hear thename Naish Kiteboarding, theyimmediately think of Robby Naish,the man who basically put windsurfing on themap and has been killing it as a kiteboardersince the beginning of the sport. Most peoplehave never heard of Andy Church, the brawnon the business side of the company, who hasbeen working behind the scenes at Naish foryears. As the General Manager, Andy overseesevery aspect of the company and has beeninvolved in Naish since its creation. Andy wasaround for the birth of kiteboarding and haswatched the sport grow from those brutalfirst days of 2-line kites and giant directionalboards to the Sigma-shaped Naish kites andtechnical boards that we see today.Andy has had an integral role at Naish for along time and is a large part of the company’ssuccess. We decided to interview him forour ongoing series about the roots of thedifferent kiteboarding companies to give youa different perspective on one of the foundingcompanies in our sport.A unIquE InvITATIonAbouT ThE ISLAndThE JouRnEYFInAL ThoughTSMaterials that Make kiteboarding PossibleWhen asked What properties materials used forkiteboarding equipment should have, tony logoszfrom slingshot replied, “The materials have to be light,strong, UV resistant, impermeable, permeable, durable,compactable, low stretch, elastic, stiff, soft, airtight, breathable,inflexible, flexible, supple, watertight, waterproof, tough, stable,and so on.” That is a long list of demands for the materials thatmake up the seemingly simple equipment we use. Without themodern materials that can provide the traits above, the sport ofkiteboarding wouldn’t be able to exist. Kites and boards must giveus the performance we want, while being strong enough to standup to the abuse that the average rider puts their gear through. Amix of materials that includes polyester, carbon fiber, epoxy, andvarious foams and woods gives designers the tools they need tocreate gear that works for riders of all levels.or kiteboarders who had already been surfing for years before they picked up a kite, theprogression into the surf is a natural and relatively easy one. However, not every new kiteboarderis an experienced waterman. For some riders, kiteboarding is their first ocean sport. The surf canbe an intimidating place for those who do not have any experience there, but the fun that can be hadis well worth the effort. We pulled together the top 10 questions asked by kiters who do not have anyocean experience. If you are thinking about heading to the surf for your first time, remember to startsmall and work your way up from there.When am i ready for the surf?What can i do to get moreexperience in the surf?do i have to ride a directionalin the surf?What size board should i ride?should i Wear a leash?should i ride With or Without straps?hoW do you get out When ridingstrapless?What do you do if the kite crashes in thesurf?What conditions are good forlearning to ride Waves?What do i need to knoW aboutsurf etiquette?Rocky Chatwell has dropped off the radar. Rumor has it he stilltakes sessions at Wildcat when the wind is cranking. We managedto get this photo from an insider who tells us Rocky still has plentyof game. I think this photo speaks for itself. | Photo Jeff HowardFeaturesthe Manbehindwthe scenesWhat are Kites Made Of?The lagoon in Cumbuco,Brazil, is one of thebest freestyle spots inthe world. Cauipe issurrounded by a smallvillage and sand dunesare taking over thenortheast coast. But thereare also small oaseswhere nature is takingback its rights. JeremieTronet actually laid in themud to frame this uniqueshot of Linn Svendsoncruising by. The best partabout this story is thatDepartments14 LaunchThe IKA: Deal or No Deal?THEKITEBOARDER.COMeAs y ,breezyVentanaNaish Roots:The1Man0behind the scenesThingsAbouT KiTing in The surfBelow the suRface GeaR techTopJeremie almost dropped his camera in the mud while takingthis shot. Location: Cauipe Lagoon, Cumbuco Brazil.Photo: Jeremie Tronet/www.jeremietronet.com30 The Man Behind the Scenes.Naish’s Andy Church.38 Below the Surface.What materials are used in gear and why.INSTRUCTIONAL33 Close UpF-one’s Brian Friedmann and GK’s Christine Sleichter profiled.42 BackwoodsSpotlight on San Carlos, Sonora, and Manta, Ecuador.ASouTh ACIFIC P AdventureFACT FILE:Top 10 QuesTionsabouT KITIng In THe SurFF1234567891058 Analyze ThisSix of the latest products reviewed by the TKB test team.64 Designer’s CornerWhat went in the design of seven new products and new“Sneak Peak” section.46 A South Pacific Adventure.Cruising the Marshall Islands.78 Kiting in the Surf.Top 10 things you need to know.84 WorkbenchHow to fix a fly line with a handy new tool.8 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 9

THINKIndulge YourselfEvery time I turn on the television or check a news blog, I see story after storyof how the economy is screwed. “The Sky is Falling” emanates in every report,yet if you go outside the world seems to be the same. The sun comes up everymorning, the wind keeps blowing, and people seem to be out and about goingabout their business. Personally, I have bought into some of the hysteria as I havewatched my tiny little 401k get even tinier.Photo by Gilles Calvet“The Best of Baja”La Ventana • MexicoAWESOME KITINGON THE BEACHCOZY CASITASINCREDIBLE FOODAlso AvailableInternet, Massage, Fishing,Restaurant and Bar, Kayaking,SUP, Snorkeling, Spearfishing,SCUBA Diving and CertificationThese are crazy times, but the one thing that is clear is that people are stillkiteboarding and lessons have not stopped. After thinking about this awhile, itoccurred to me that now is a better time than ever to get back on the water. If youhave invested in gear or are looking for something new to do, kiteboarding is oneof the best forms of physical escapism out there. Once you leave the beach, thereal world goes on pause.I will be the first one to say that lately I have not been taking sessions like I should.I have been making excuses about work, cold weather and personal issues. I haveseen my stress levels rise and my mood effected. It hit me as I was doing theusual editorial all nighters during this production cycle that I need to go ride more.Sadly, I am totally serious in writing this. I know some of you will relate to what Iam saying. I have been neglecting the one thing that balances me. The good thingis that spring is almost here. The weather is getting warmer and the season isabout to kick off.As I sit here finalizing this magazine and writing this editorial, I realize howtherapeutic kiteboarding is. Every time I bury myself in our production cycle, Ican’t help but get fired up to go ride. There is nothing we can do about the world’sproblems other than take life day by day and focus on the things that bring ustrue happiness. For most of you kite junkies out there, kiteboarding is not onlysomething you do but it is a way of life. The friends we ride with and the escape ofa session can turn a bad day into a great one.For Reservations or InformationCall: 310-594-3483 (USA)Skype: palapasventanaEmail:contact@palapasventana.comwww.palapasventana.comWith that said, I bought myself a new board today. I probably shouldn’t have, butwhatever! I will figure out how to cover it. The idea of riding that new board hasalready put me in a better mood, and I know it’s going to motivate me to take moresessions. Many of you are feeling the effects of this recession. I encourage all ofyou to cut back elsewhere and increase your kiteboarding budget. If you just lost$50,000 in stock, what’s another $500 for a new board? The money you end upspending will be well worth the end result. Stressing about the money you lost inyour mutual fund or 401k is not going to change things or make you feel better. Gotake a session and I promise you the world will seem like a better place.10 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 11

EDITORRYAN RICCITELLIryan@thekiteboarder.comCONTENT EDITOR/PUBLISHERMARINA CHANGmarina@thekiteboarder.comASSISTANT EDITORPaul LangART DIRECTORSHANA GORONDYTECHNICAL EDITORGARY MARTINWHEN THE NEXTBATTLE BEGINS,THERE IS NEEDFOR NEW WARRIORSEDITOR AT LARGEALEXIS ROVIRADIGITAL EDITORZACH KLEPPESTAFF PHOTOGRAPHYDALLAS MCSENIOR WRITERSMarina Chang, Paul Lang, James Brown, Gary MartinEDITORIAL CONSULTANTSNeil Hutchinson, Joe Bidawid, Paul Menta, Kevin “Top Hat” Senn, HenryDupont IV, Bill Lee, Paul Lang, Stefan Ruether, Ruca Chang, Mira Kwon, RickIossi,Toby Brauer, Jeff Howard, Dave LoopCONTRIBUTORSWells Preston, Jeremy Green, Lia Ferianek, Lydia Snider, Steve Benaron,Michael Percy/XLKites, Kinsley ThomasWong, Jim Stringfellow, Paul Menta/www.thekitehouse.com, Peter Stiewe, Peter Schiebel, Raphael Salles, MatPendle, Juien Fillion, Greg Drexler, Terence Wang, John Doyle, Roberto RicciSENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERSPaul Lang, Dallas McMahon, Kim Kern, Carol Bolstad, Nikki RiccitelliPHOTOGRAPHYJeff Howard, F-One, IKA, Carlos Delicado/KPWT, Robert Foresti/PKRA, DannyOjito, Gavin Butler, Greg Meintjes, Rick Iossi, Kitecycle.org, Mystic Boarding,Hege Holt, Gregg Gnecco, Wells Preston, Phil Mann/XLKites, Rob O’Neil, ArtGimble, Dustin Sleichter, John Smith, Jon Malmberg, Ceasar Portas, EllenAtkin, Jeff Kafka, Jill Meyer, Tony Bolstad, Mike Brown, Greg Taverez,Linn Svendsen, www.Dukebrouwer.com, Tom Leeman, Best, Cabrinha,Caution, Naish, Litewave, Teijin, Slingshot, www.xtremebigair.com,www.jimstringfellow.com, Eric Sindone, Lance Koudele, Bryan Elkus,Ian Alldredge, John Bilderback, Litewave Dave, Shark Eye, Erik Aeder, BillWerme, www.benwilsonsurf.com, Vlora Xhaferi/RRD, Pedro “Cobi” Hernandez,Cindy Woodyard, Jay Waltman, Amber Platowski, Ryan Lamb, Greg Kaasmann,www.windoverwater.com, Rachel Hastilow, Damien Leroy, Stephen Whitesell,Richard Boudia, Jorge “Chilango” Diaz Leyva, Gilles CalvetThanks to all editorial and photography contributorsfor supporting this magazine!Visit us on:www.thekiteboarder.comwww.asnews.netwww.theringmedia.comwww.fubar.com/asnewswww.myspace.com/theringmediaADMINISTRATIVE/ADVERTISING OFFICE1356 16th StreetLos Osos CA 93402(805) 459-2373EDITORIAL OFFICEThe Kiteboarder Compound14610 Villa Maria IsabelCorpus Christi, Texas 78418SUBSCRIPTIONSsubscriptions@thekiteboarder.comwww.thekiteboarder.com/catalog(805) 459-2373The story continues.......................................The Kiteboarder Magazine is a subsidiary of The Ring Media Inc. Copyright2009 by The Ring Media Inc. All rights reserved.PRINTED IN USAWWWMYSTICBOARDINGCOM12 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 13

launchAaron Hadlow has dominated the PKRA tour for the last five years. Photo Richard BoudiaTHE IKA: Deal or No Deal?By Paul Langn November of 2008, the ISAF (International Sailing Federation) officially recognized kiteboarding as a sailing class. The kiteboardingclass is organized by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), which is run by Markus Schwendtner, who was almost completelyunknown in our sport before this announcement. The ISAF began as the International Yacht Racing Union in 1907 when racing sailorsdecided that there was a need to have a uniform set of rules and measurement standards. Recognized as the worldwide governing authorityfor sailing by the International Olympic Committee, the ISAF is responsible for internationally promoting the sport, managing sailingieventsat the Olympic Games, developing racing rules, training judges, and representing sailors in all matters concerning the sport. There arecurrently 87 ISAF classes, of which kiteboarding is now one. What exactly does all of this mean for the sport of kiteboarding? We decided toask Markus a few questions about the formation of the IKA and kiteboarding’s acceptance as a class of sailing.Markus in action.Courtesy IKA14 thekiteboarder.comWhat do you hope the IKA will be able to accomplish for thesport of kiteboarding? The main focus of the IKA is to unitekiteboarding. Since 2001 there have been two rivaling privateorganizations claiming world champions and this makes thesport not look as serious as it should. Another focus is to startup communication between all affected parties, which are theriders, the organizers, the national associations, and the industry.The scope of work is immense, starting with education, beachaccess, insurance, and other issues.Why was acceptance of kiteboarding by the ISAF important?What can an association with that organization do forkiters? We definitely see kiteboarding as sailing. It mainlyhappens on the water and is powered by the wind, thus it fitsinto the definition of sailing. The logical step was to go to ISAFto start getting things organized. The main reason is that theISAF is a very powerful organization with a lot of influence. Forexample, when you try to organize an event as a kiteboardingcompetition, you have to jump through a lot of hoops and are andmost likely to end up with no permission to do it. Now you saythat you are organizing a sailing regatta, kiteboarding class. Done,permission granted. With getting kiteboarding into the Olympics,it will definitely be easier through the ISAF. The ISAF is interestedin pushing kiteboarding, as it is attracting young blood and themedia attention of the sport is appealing.What is your history in the sport and how did you getinvolved with starting the IKA? I came from sailing andwindsurfing originally, but I have been involved in theorganization of kiteboarding events since 2005. The IKA projectstarted with competition riders who where unhappy with theorganization of the racing events, and they asked us as raceofficers if we could do something to make things better. As wehave a very close connection to the speed kiting scene, at firstit was a spin off from there, mainly focusing on speed kitingand racing, but it quickly became an all-discipline approach.We started working with ISAF, developed class rules and racingrules, and applied for ISAF class status.“The ISAF is interested in pushing kiteboarding,as it is attracting young blood and the mediaattention of the sport is appealing.PKRA World ChampionKristin Boese switchedto the KPWT tour in 2008for something different.Photo Carlos DelicadoKPWT riders ham it up for thecamera. Photo Carlos DelicadoKPWT kite race, French stop.Photo Carlos DelicadoWill there be an IKA tour or IKA organized events? The IKA will not run events ourselves. We hopeto include the events from both major tours, the national championships, regional tours, and someindividual events in one unified ranking. The role that IKA plays is focused on the administrative andpolitical side of the sport. Many people do not like to hear it, but it is already a reality that the sportis organized, administered, and full of politics. The IKA with ISAF can also help to make the qualityof the events better, as ISAF race officials with years of experience are there to help, and there arehundreds of them around the world.What can the IKA do for the average rider? The IKA mainly focuses on competition riders, but theaverage rider will benefit though IKA influence on beach access. Also, we are already working withthe national associations and the big manufacturers on improving safety systems.Shortly after the acceptance of kiteboarding as an ISAF class, the KPWT and the IKA entered intoa partnership, announcing that KPWT events would officially be a part of the IKA world ranking.“At press time, no agreement could be foundbetween the PKRA and IKA. Courtesy PKRAFrederic Gravoille from the KPWT said, “It’s great for the KPWTto be linked with IKA under the well respected umbrella of theISAF. It’s a new challenge for us and for our riders, partners, andsponsors after running the tour for 10 years.” However, talkswith the PKRA have not gone as smooth. Mauricio Toscano fromthe PKRA said, “I believe the PKRA is an organization with ahigh reputation in the kiteboarding world. There is much to riskin joining forces with a new organization with no track record,therefore we are taking the matter very seriously and are beingvery careful about the merger. We just want to make sure thatany merger won’t affect the PKRA and our high standards, andthat we can continue to offer the best professional kiteboardingevents in the world.” In January, a letter was sent out to theriders of the PKRA, explaining the pros and cons of the PKRAeither joining the IKA rankings or going its own way by petitioningfor special event status under the ISAF. The letter listed severalconcerns the PKRA felt needed to be addressed before they couldfeel comfortable joining the IKA. Concerns included how the IKAranking system, judging criteria and freestyle rules word work forthe different tours being brought together under the organization.Among other issues facing the IKA, some kiteboarders firmlybelieve that kiteboarding is its own sport, not simply a class ofsailing. Now that kiteboarding has been declared to be a formof sailing by the body that oversees sailing for the Olympics,any attempt to bring kiteboarding to the Olympics will haveto go through the ISAF. Remember, it was the ISAF that fora few weeks refused to recognize the fact that kiteboardersowned the outright speed record, even after they created thekiteboarding class. While there is no doubt that ISAF officialsand judges have a great deal of experience in running sailingraces, it remains to be seen how that experience can transferover to freestyle and surf competitions.In late January, the points of contention between the IKA and thePKRA seemed to have been solved when they released a jointpress release announcing that they had come to an agreement.However, in early February, Mauricio Toscano informed us thatthere were still issues to be worked out and no final agreementhad yet been reached. In fact, just before this magazine wentto press, the IKA sent out a press release announcing thatthere would be no cooperation between the IKA and PKRAfor the 2009 season. Despite the creation of an InternationalKiteboarding Association and the involvement of the ISAF,the competition aspect of kiteboarding is just as divided as itwas before, with two separate tours and two separate worldchampions. Stay tuned to the websites below to see how thissituation develops for the upcoming contest season.More Info:ISAF: www.sailing.orgIKA: www.internationalkiteboarding.orgKPWT: www.kiteboardpro.comPKRA: www.kiteworldtour.comthekiteboarder.com 15

16 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 17

Author Mark Ribkoff now has something to smile about.Smack411By Marina ChangFor more than 10 years, kiteboarding pioneer Neil Hutchinson has beenthe “kiteboard lifeguard” in Fort Lauderdale and has learned a lot aboutprocedures and the do’s and don’ts when assisting kiteboarders in needof help and rescue. Two years ago the local lifeguards asked Neil to offerthem informal training on kiteboarding rescues. Two years later, he wasapproached by one of the heads of the United States Lifeguard Associationand asked, “We see kiteboarding growing and understand that it is notgoing away, can you please educate us?”Over 100 top lifeguards from Oregon to Puerto Rico attended a fourdaynational seminar for all regional lieutenants, sponsored by theUnited States Lifesaving Association. Held in January in Cocoa Beach,Florida, Neil, safety guru Rick Iossi and Lieutenant Geo Serrano of theFort Lauderdale Beach Patrol put together and conducted a three-hourseminar with some practical beach training. Topics included wave runnerprocedures, how to recognize a kiteboarder in need of help or rescue, howto effectively help an individual without making the situation worse, alongwith other common dangers and injuries within our sport. One importanttopic that Neil emphasized was the fact that kiteboarders respect the jobsthat lifeguards do and do not want to make their job any harder than italready is. He wanted the lifeguard community to know that in most areas, aschool or respected local will work with them to resolve any issues. Whilekiteboarders are being accepted by lifeguards and they are reaching outto understand our sport better, Neil would like to remind everyone thatwhat we do is a privilege, not a right. If you are interested in conductingyour own seminar or having Neil provide training in your area, please emailnhukusa@aol.comCocoa Beach, Florida, served up miles of white sandy beach for the training. | Photo Danny OjitoUnited States LifesavingGets SchooledNeil shows the group the correct way to grab or carry a kite. | Photo Danny OjitoTraining included Jet-ski assisted rescue. | Photo Rick IossiKitecyle.OrgGranted Non-Profit StatusBy Lydia Snider | Photo kitecycle.orgKitecyle is looking to establish other regionalcollection/recycling centers in windy areas.Kitecycle.org has been granted non-profit status and all donations to Kitecycle.org arenow tax deductible. Make room in your garage and turn in your old kiteboarding kites,paragliders or hangliding sails to help the planet. While there are many options availablefor reusable grocery bags, many are injecting newly produced raw plastic bags into ourenvironment. For every pound of zooplankton there are 6 pounds of plastic in our oceansand animals are starving to death because their digestive tracts are blocked with plastic.Kitecycle is currently centered in Santa Cruz, CA, and is interested in establishing regionalcollection/recycling centers wherever the wind meets the water. They are also seekingworking sewing machines and sewing materials such as scissors, thread and pins. Formore information or to help out, see www.kitecycle.orgBest team rider Jake Buzianis gets a bird’s eye view of the mountain.FREE SNOWKITE CLINICSAND MORE AT POWDER MOUNTAINBy Lia Feriancek | Photo Gavin ButlerThe second annual SuperFly Open sponsored by Best Kiteboarding and Utah Urban SurfKiteboarding will bring some of the world’s best snowkiters to Powder Mountain, UT, March13 - 15, 2009. The event will include three categories of competition as well as a Best Girlcontest and free snowkite clinics that are open to the public. SuperFly celebrations andaward parties will be held during the evening hours at Ogden’s entertainment district, Historic25th Street. Last year the event attracted more than 50 of the world’s best snowkiters withcompetitors traveling as far as Norway. With the success of last year, organizers anticipate asubstantial growth in competitors and spectators. For additional information and up-to-datedetails visit www.superflyopen.com For a full listing of snowkite events in North America forthe remaining season, check out www.snowkite.comPhoto courtesy MysticPhoto Greg MeintjesNew for 2009, Mystic Boarding introduces itslargest apparel collection to date with over200 products ranging from board shorts totechnical jackets to cargo pants. Signatureclothing from Ruben Lenten and other Mysticteam riders round out the line. The boardshorts alone account for one fourth of theline and come in 18 styles in three differentcolors. See www.mysticboarding.com forthe full line.The Florida Keys offers a multitude ofriding spots in Caribbean-like water andsurroundings, but most are accessible onlyby boat. Besides offering personalized andcertified instruction, Key West Kiteboardingnow also offers rides to the backcountry ordownwind trips for as little as $30 per person.With knee to waist deep water and where‘rough conditions’ are when the chop gets oversix inches, leave your wetsuit at home andcheck at www.keywestkiteboarding.comKite Club Maui is stoked to open their doorsto local and visiting kiteboarders from aroundthe world. Located just down the road fromKite Beach Maui, the new club is in theKanaha Kai building, the big red warehouseon the road to Kanaha Beach. Owners Susanand David Dorn invite you to stop by for acoffee, find out the best spots to kite, reada magazine, watch the latest kiteboardingDVDs, or just relax between kite sessions.The club offers wireless internet and anoutdoor lounge area. Kite Club Maui is aproject of Action Sports Maui which is a fulllesson center offering kiteboard, windsurf,surf, and stand up paddle board lessons toall levels from beginner to advanced.www.kiteclubmaui.com18 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 19

ask the mdSmackMost people do not want to see a doctor,nor do they have time. Following is achecklist to follow for wound care, as wellas tips to determine if you should see adoctor or can treat the area yourself.Abrasions are typically wounds that injurethe first layers of skin and are relatively clean,requiring limited care. Simply rinse and washthe wound with fresh water and soap. Thenapply a thin layer of your favorite antibioticcream. Highly contaminated ones such asthose that occur on sand, rocks or coral, needto be aggressively irrigated with clean water, any debris must beremoved from the wounds, and any skin that is separated fromthe underlying skin should be cut away. The wound should becoated with antibiotic cream and an absorbent bandage or bandaid should be applied. The wound should be reviewed daily withrepeat washings and bandages until it crusts over.Lacerations are deeper wounds inflicted by sharp objectcuts or when a blunt object breaks the skin in either a linear orexplosive (stelate) fashion. Cutting type lacerations do best whenthey are cleansed and closed. If you can see underlying fattytissue or deeper structures, chances are good you need stitches.If it is not so obvious, then the wound will probably heal fine.Stitches provide certain benefits like smaller scars and fasterhealing time. However closing wounds with stitches also havesome increased risk of infection. Wounds that expose the deepertissues, such as muscle and tendons, should be closed to protectthose structures.If you are days away from medical care, all wounds should beirrigated with clean water and all debris removed. This is themost important method of protecting wounds from infection. Thewound should then be covered with a clean bandage and checkedand irrigated with fresh water daily. Explosive wounds areworrisome because the underlying tissues are usually involved.These wounds are treated in a similar fashion as lacerations, butoften require more aggressive pain control.Wound infection:A break in the skin or a sutured wound shows signs ofinfection, such as:• Pus or cloudy fluid is draining from the wound A pimple oryellow crust has formed on the wound• The scab has increased in size• Increasing redness occurs around the wound• A red streak is spreading from the wound toward the heart• The wound has become extremely tender• Pain or swelling has increased 48 hours after thewound occurred• The lymph node draining that area of skin may becomelarge and tender• A fever occurs• The wound hasn’t healed within 10 days after the injurySuggestions for Wound Infections:1. Warm Soaks or Local Heat: For open cuts or scrapes,soak it in warm water or put a warm wet cloth on the woundfor 20 minutes, three times per day. Use a warm saltwatersolution containing 2 teaspoons of table salt per quart ofwater, soak off and remove all crusts. For closed or suturedcuts, apply a heating pad or warm, moist washcloth to thereddened area for 20 minutes, three times per day (Caution:Avoid any moisture to sutured wound for first 24 hours.Avoid soaking the wound until all sutures are removed).Wound CareDoc or Not?By Dr. Steve Benaron, Emergency Medicine SpecialistTopicPhoto Greg GneccoAttempt to remove any debris, dead skinand crusts. If a sutured wound becomesinfected, particularly if there is drainagefrom the wound and if you suspect fluid inthe wound, then the sutures may need to beremoved. The wound should be opened toencourage drainage, and should be irrigatedwith fresh water.2. Antibiotic Ointment: Apply an antibioticointment three times a day. If the area couldbecome dirty, cover with a Band-Aid.3. Pain Medicine: For pain relief, giveacetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen.4. Expected Course: Pain and swellingnormally peak on day two. Any rednessshould go away by day three or four.Complete healing should occur by day 10.5. Call Your Doctor if the wound becomesmore pain, redness starts to spread or ofpus, or fever occurs.Suggestions of antibiotics tobring on remote excursions:(For wound infections as well as otherinfections.) The use of these antibioticsshould be clearly discussed with yourdoctor beforehand. Suggested antibioticsinclude: Bactrim DS orf Septra DS, Keflex,and or Doxycycline.Treatment for infected puncture woundsand coral scrapes and lacerations should betreated as above. Of importance: When coralwounds get infected, or appear to be delayedin healing, you will need to stay out of thetropical waters until the wound is healed.Remember that self treating wounds andwound infections can be very risky, howeverwith good education from your health careprovider proper care can be accomplished.Dr. Steve Benaron is an avid surferand kiteboarder on the Central Coastof California. He is a specialist inEmergency Medicine and has beenin active practice since 1984. Hisentire family of four kiteboards andcan be found on any given daytearing it up in Pismo Beach, CA.Photo Hege HoltAir Padre Kiteboarding and XLKites haveteamed up with the city of South Padre Islandto round up kiters from across the nation tobe a part of the first annual SPI Kite Round-Up. The 10-day mega kiteboarding eventwill be held from May 1 through May 10on South Padre Island, Texas. The purposeof the Round-Up is to spread the sport ofkiteboarding by providing clinics and demosfor all levels of kiters. There will be both Menand Women specific clinics, ranging frombeginning to intermediate levels. In addition,the event will host an array of amateurcompetitions inter-mixed with professionalexhibitions, including demos of 2009 gear.Competitions include:: long jump, speed trials,slider-fest, maxi-spin, boarder cross, and aTexas Hold-’em poker night. In addition, therewill be various organized nightlife events. Toget the whole scoop and pre-register to savemoney, visit www.SPIKiteRoundUp.comNew on the kiteboarding scene are threestylish and durable Men’s kiteboardingwatches from DonkeyDick Kiteboarding.Waterproof up to 3 atm/100 meters, thesewatches boast a heavy all stainless steelcasing and a durable all weather wristbandwith cool kiteboarding graphics. The polishedstainless steel case is beveled and fluidlyintegrates into the wristband, which iscontoured and detailed. The watch fitscomfortably under or on top of your wetsuitand the wristband sports a handy wind chartprinted on the reverse side for referenceand easy conversion from Beaufort’s to knotsto mph. Sure to please the style consciouskiter, these quality constructed timepiecesare very competitively priced. Look forthese watches in your local shop, or visitwww.DonkeyDickKiteboarding.com to orderyour DonkeyDick Kiteboarding watch directly.20 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 21

competitionsThe event ran over 30 heats in one day – that’s dedication!cNew to the comp scene, Joe Rustico has been killing it.CollegiateKiteboarding Heats UpWords/Photo by Wells PrestonThe Collegiate Kiteboarding Association’s SoutheastRegional Tour is booming after just four events. CKATour Stop# 3 was held in Delray Beach, FL, during thefirst weekend in December. Hosted by Lynn Universityin conjunction with Wekite.com, the event went offwithout a hitch despite meager forecasts. With the beachpacked with spectators, event organizers held a freestylecompetition. Joe Ruscito of FIT took home first place,Kevin O’Neil of FAU took home second and Matt Sexton ofEckerd College rounded out the top three.The CKA’s first event of the New Year, CKA Tour Stop #4,was in Lauderdale by the Sea in mid-January. It was aprivate event, sponsored by Greenpeace and hosted byFAU Kiteboarding Club and Liquid Surf and Sail Shop. Thecompetition, despite being the largest attended event inCKA history with over 50 competitors, was only missingone thing – the wind itself. Event organizers responding bythrowing a SUP board race and renting out Ski Rixen CablePark for the second day of the competition. To set up yourown college association or for further updates of the tour,see www.collegiatekiteboarding.comcompsJupiter Delivers windfor Sixth YearBy Jeremy Green | Photo Rick IossiFlorida can be tricky for wind but the Jupiter Kite Invasiondelivered for the sixth straight year. This year attendees traveledfrom across the globe with 66 registered riders displaying highlytechnical riding including huge strapless airs, down the linewave rides and massive kite loops. The event kicked off on Friday,January 30, but winds were super gusty and unstable, so emceeNeil Hutchinson put the heats on hold for the day. Saturdaymorning started out with a head high swell with slightly offshorewinds. By about 11 am the wind came in strong side shore, 20 to25 knots from the north. By mid-day, Jupiter was picture perfectwith wind and waves, allowing for over 30 nonstop actionpackedheats. Jon Modica and Hamish MacDonald impressedthe judges with their aerial surfing style in the pro wave division.Sam Medysky, Damien Leroy and Evan Netch were stickingmad handlepasses in the freestyle pro. Dan Floyd got the bestwave ride for amateurs and won himself a new Jimmy Lewis 6’3”Chamber board. Kevin O’Neil and Justice Bentz were throwingmassive wakestyle moves in the amateur comp. Tommy Fieldsfrom Michigan was spotted stomping a double handlepass inone of the early heats. Melissa Gil was killing the waves in thewomen’s heats. Sunday morning started out with a breeze and aswell, but after about one hour of kiteboarding the wind taperedoff slowly and the day turned into a paddleboarding invasion.Jupiter CompResultsPro - Freestyle1. Sam Medysky (Naish)2. Damien Leroy (Cabrinha)3. Evan NetschPro - Wave1. Jon Modica (Cabrinha)2. Hamish MacDonald (Slingshot)3. Nick BowersAmateur - Freestyle1. Kevin O’Neil2. Tommy Fields3. Justice BentzAmateur - Wave1. Bryce Davies2. Dan Floyd - Best Wave3. Rick DunnWomen - Freestyle1. Mellisa Gil (Cabrinha)2. Stacey Fonas (Best)3. Jessica SickingerWomen - Wave1. Mellisa Gil (Cabrinha)2. Stacey Fonas (Best)3. Randi Iverson / Helga Goebelretail update22 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 23

shop talkThe Houston Levee in Dallas, TX, provides ample space for set up and riding.SmackXLKITES.comOwners: Michael Percy and Phil MidlerNicknames: Some call us Mike and Phil,others call us Phil and MikeAGE: 33 averageLOCATION: Fort Walton Beach, FL; Houston TX;South Padre Island TX; and Dallas TXRIDING FOR HOW LONG: 14 years combinedFAVORITE CONDITIONS: WavesAnswered by Michael Percy | Photos XLKites.comWhen did you first get exposed to kiteboardingand when did you start? In 1997 I saw a pictureof kiteboarding in a magazine. I had been intowakeboarding, windsurfing, sailing, and flying, so thepicture made total sense to me. I went to Surf Expoin 1998 and met with Keith and Karen Baxter, LouWainman and Elliot Leboe and got going with Wipika.What motivated you to get into the kiteboardingretail business and lessons? As the first person ridingaround the northern Gulf Coast, it was just natural tooffer lessons and equipment to go with it. I love to teachand share the fun.What did you do prior to entering the kiteboardingbusiness? Phil and I were in the Air Force, flying planesand designing missiles. Phil is a physicist and I’m amechanical engineer so we’re probably not as dumb aswe look.What is the kiteboarding scene like at XLKite’svarious locations? What makes it special in yourview? It’s probably the friendliest, most laid-back, inclusivescene around. No ‘locals only’ or smack-talking competitiveego going around. That’s just not our way.Do you teach year round or seasonally? All yeararound. We put our students in drysuits on the cold daysso they are warm and comfortable.What brands do you represent and why? With fourseparate shops, it gives us the ability to carry all the majorbrands, and most of the smaller ones too. But the corebrands like Slingshot and Cabrinha are the ones we havewell represented in all the shops. Along with North andNaish, those are the brands that have been there from thebeginning and that we count on for the long haul.Do you require your instructors to havecertification? Why and what kind, orwhy not? We do require our instructors to becertified, but the most important qualification fora new hire is to meet the XLKITES standard—they need to be able to teach a student with thesame care as Phil and I would provide.What kind of insurance do you have andhow do you handle lessons if there is nowind/a student can’t complete their lessonpackage? We have teaching liability insurancethat covers both our kiteboarding and flight trainingoperations. Besides kiteboarding, we teach people to flyairplanes and powered hang glider trikes. We even havesome amphibious ones that fly off the water.Any issue or everything all good? All good becausewe work so darn hard to make sure our locals andvisitors understand the need to be safe and respectful atour launch sites.How does your shop support the kiteboardingcommunity? Are you involved in helping the localcommunity in general? We do beach cleanups andcontinually work with the authorities to assure access.We sponsor www.gckiteboarders.com which worksto maintain access to launches along the Gulf Coast andties together the riders from the many smaller townsalong the Gulf Coast.What tips can you offer kiteboarders who want tolearn your area? What is the best time of the year tolearn and what kind of conditions do you teach in?Spring is the best time to learn. The wind is great, and itgives you all summer to enjoy the sport. But we teach allyear round and put students (and us!) in drysuits when itgets cold. Our main teaching locations have shallow flatwater, protected from the waves, and big grass and/or sandlaunching and landing areas. The areas we have selectedfor our shops have the best teaching conditions in thecountry. And even though you can learn in flat water, all ourshops except Dallas have good wave riding nearby.Where do you draw riders from? What tips can youoffer experienced kiters who want to come kiteyour area? We draw riders from all over the country. Ourlocations are within a day’s drive of most of the easternand central US.What tips can you offer visiting kiteboarders whowant to hook up with local riders and kite in yourarea? Just call us, and we’ll hook you up with who’sriding where.What is the best way for people to check theforecast and current conditions in your area?Ikitesurf.com usually gives a good forecast, but ifyou’re not sure, call our shops for some local knowledge.Between our kiteboarding, powered paragliding, andairplane flying, we have a good feel for our local weather.Flying is Phil (front) and Mike’sother passion and business.Photo Rick IossiJimmy Lewis is pleased to announce a newdistributor for North America. Fuacata Sports,owned by industry veterans Gary Menkand Ken Russell, now has the entire 2009 lineof JL SUP boards and kiteboards in stock.New for 2009, the SUP boards come with ahandy handle and deck pad this year. As partof their kickoff, Fuacata recently presenteda brand new JL Chamber board to Dan Floyd,amateur class best wave winner at the recentJupiter Kite Invasion comp in Florida. JimmyLewis’ years of shaping experience has puthim at the forefront of standup paddleboarddesign, with clean, efficient shapes that arestable, responsive and just plain fun to ride!For more info, see www.jimmylewis.com oremail info@fuacatasports.comwww.Kiters4christ.com has establisheda crisis fund for kiters and their familiesthat provide monetary assistance in kiterelated injuries or death. Local shops inthe USA only need to contact Kiters4Christwith the individuals’ information to get help.Kiters4Christ is an xtremesports outreachministry, which uses kiteboarding, snowkiting,kite landboarding, and mountainboardingto bring Christianity to inner-city kids. Theorganization is also seeking sponsors anddonations to help their cause and build upthe fund. Email david@kiters4christ.com formore info.Want an all expense trip to Indo?BenWilsonSurf is giving one lucky BWSmember (free, just register!) a trip of alifetime to kite, surf and hang out with thecrew as they shoot on location somewherein Indo for their next film. The one week tripwill be in July and the winner will be drawnMarch 31. For a chance to win, see www.benwilsonsurf.com/winatripwithben.htm24 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 25

What Our ReadersHave To SayRider: Paul Menta | Location: Florida Keys | Photo: Rob O’NeilViva La VentanaDear Editor:This year’s La Ventana Classic and Expo was a greatexperience! The event delivered plenty of action, windor no wind. Each kite company brought out their latestgear, literally hooking everyone up and putting a boardunder their feet. Now this is the ultimate test drive forme. I know the wind did not cooperate like we wished,but the sideshow of events kept it entertaining. By far thespectacle of the event had to be the Old School Big Aircontest. The beach was howling with every dangle! Thiswas a very fun and soulful experience. I was hesitantabout coming down, but was really happy I did. I can’twait for next year. Please post the dates as soon aspossible so some of us working folk can schedule ahead.Thanks,Eric FornelWe are happy to hear you enjoyed the event. The teamthat put the event together really deserves the true credit.Next year’s event is scheduled for Jan 21-24, with somepotential surprises planned for earlier in the week! In themeantime, check out the photo gallery for more shots fromevent at www.thekiteboarder.com–Ed.lettersWe Love Your FeedbackDear Editor:I have been kiteboarding for a long time and havesubscribed to various magazines over the years. I wantto commend you for doing an honest and fair job on yourgear section. I realize you cannot talk bad about brands,but I feel your information is straightforward and gives anexcellent overview. I also listen to some of your podcastsand have asked questions on the forums not thinkingyou would really ask them. I was surprised to hear PeteCabrinha address my question directly. I would like to hearmore instructional and travel oriented podcasts. Also, thearea I feel that could be improved in the magazine is doingbigger features. I wanted to send you a quick email andlet you know I will be renewing my subscription. One morething. I think you should put a list of podcasts available inyour magazine. I look forward to the next issue.Good WindsPaul DunbarYour feedback is great and we appreciate the support.Our gear reviews are meant to give a general overviewof the equipment. The proof is really in the pudding. Wecan talk all day long about tech, but there is nothinglike riding the gear yourself. Be sure to check outwww.asnews.net or www.thekiteboarder.com for afull listing of our podcasts.–Ed.Letter Of The Monthcry babyDear Editor:I read your article on Nassau and wasnot really happy to see it published in amagazine. I have been kiting down therefor awhile and since your magazinepublished the story, it has become morecrowded. You should think about thisbefore publishing articles. Some of uswant to keep our secret spots secret. Youwill do what you are going to do no matterwhat I say.EC KiterWe printed your letter because we getone of these maybe once a year. We are apublication dedicated to helping peopleenjoy new spots as well as preservingaccess. Quite honestly, we take this letteras a compliment that we are doing our joband people are reading our mag–EdSend your banter, happiness, rants, ravesto editor@thekiteboarder.com26 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 27

14 61291316142 65 7send it10173811 15181. Jeff Kafka and the windoverwater crew show off theirarsenal of fireworks on a recent trip to Baja. Photo Art Gimble2. CJ Borges and friend make the best of a no wind day.Photo Dustin Sleichter3. Mathew Keys pumped up for a frigid (35° F water) session atSandy Hook Bay in New Jersey. Photo Greg Kaasmann4. Naish Kiteboarding’s Andy Church takes a moment to signautographs and take a photo with some of his fans.Photo Anonymous5. Kiteforum.com owner Toby Brauer snuggles up to one of his girlfriends. Photo John Smith6. The infamous “Grom” Gormley and staff photographer Dallas McMahon up to no good at theLa Ventana KiteXpo. Photo Jorge Diaz Leyva7. Naish team rider Sjoukje Brendenkamp—enough said! Photo Jon Malmberg8. Caesar Portas books it through the airport between World Tour stops. Photo Portas9. Crazy Fly team rider Jeff De La Garza shows the hidden potential in their new board bags.Photo Jeff Howard10. The Bolstad dog entertains the SPI crew on a light wind afternoon. Photo Carol Bolstad11.Cynthia “Cynbad” Brown, Mary LeClerc and PaulaSonnenberg celebrate on the podium at the La Ventana Classicand KiteXpo. Photo Ellen Atkin12. Windoverwater crew at burning bush in Baja. It looks likethe tequila came out this night. Photo Jeff Kafka13. Ben Meyer passing down the family secrets.Photo Jill Meyer14. El Mirador owners doing their best Mexican wrestlerimpressions. Photo Tony Bolstad15. Caution kite designer Peter Schiebel goes glam. Photo Mike Brown16. Robert Selfridge kitefishing in Costa Rica—60m hand line, mono filament leader, shiny lureand a safety release. Photo Greg Tavarez17. Kevin “Irie Dog” Murray, Marina Chang and Neil Hutchinson blowing off some steam after along day at the La Ventana KiteXpo. Photo Dallas McMahon18. To keep a girl as beautiful as Linn Svendsen, Jeremie Tronet is no stranger to chefing up agourmet meal after a long day of kiting. Photo Linn SvendsenIf you have a photo that you would like featured in The Kiteboarder Magazine,please email ryan@thekiteboarder.com28 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 29

On top of his game for over three decades, Robby Naish can still compete with the best. | Photo Erik Aederthe Manbehindthe scenesthe story of Naish KiteboardingBy Paul LangMention Naish Kiteboarding and mostpeople immediately think of RobbyNaish, the man who basically putwindsurfing on the map and has been killingit as a kiteboarder since the beginning ofthe sport. Most have never heard of AndyChurch, the brawn on the business side ofthe company, who has been working behindthe scenes at Naish for years. As the GeneralManager, Andy oversees every aspect of thecompany and has been involved in Naishsince its creation. Andy was around for thebirth of kiteboarding and has watched thesport grow from those brutal first days of2-line kites and giant directional boards tothe Sigma-shaped Naish kites and technicalboards that we see today.Gretta Kruesi, Sjoukje Bredenkampand Jo Wilson are making theirmarks on the speed and competitionscenes. | Photo Jon MalmbergSUP is Naish’s next area for growth. | Photo Stephen WhitesellAndy has had an integral role at Naish for along time and is a large part of the company’ssuccess. We decided to interview him forour ongoing series about the roots of thedifferent kiteboarding companies to give youa different perspective on one of the foundingcompanies in our sport.International team at the Naish Training House, Maui.Photo Stephen WhitesellKnown for big kite loops, team rider Cyril Coste is an integral part of theNaish R&D team. | Photo Jon Malmberg30 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 31

How did you become involved with Naish? I first startedworking with Robby in more of a sports marketing role about 18years ago when I was with Mistral. In ‘94, Mistral merged withNorth Sails, and Naish Sails was created during that acquisition.At that point, I began managing windsurfing sales efforts for bothNaish and Mistral in North America. After a bit of a rough start,I ended up doing really well with the Naish brand. It was coolto watch the brand grow from nothing into something big. In‘98, Robby asked me to move to Maui and join the internationalteam. When I arrived here in early ‘99, the company consisted ofonly four guys: Robby, Don Montague, Pete Cabrinha, and DanKaseler. Ten years later, the company employs over 30 peoplelocated in four offices in three states, and is still growing.Cyril throws a big kite loop handlepass at Kite Beach, Maui. | Photo Jon MalmbergDes Walsh, Kite TechnicianJon Malmberg, Design Engineer.Greg Drexler, Kiteboard Product Manager.Damien Giradin,Kite Designer.The backbone of Naish International’s business, Andy moonlights asa bass player for the Faux Pas at night. | Photo Jon MalmbergEuropean importers will call just before going to sleep, and it willbe mid-work day for our North American distributor. I’ll spendmost of my mornings meeting with the various departments,answering questions and making decisions with them. Aroundnoon, when the Maui trade winds pick up, the volume in our officewill cut in half as the R&D guys head to the beach to test. By earlyafternoon, our Asian factories will open for business, as well as ourimporters in the Southern Hemisphere. Maui is a unique locationfor international business because it’s so centrally located withinthe time zones of our global business network. If it’s the primarydevelopment season, I’ll join the kite R&D guys on the beach bylate afternoon depending on my work load. They’re always stokedto see me out of the office, and all the new gear will be rigged andready to ride. I just grab a kite and a board and go.How would you describe your current role with NaishKiteboarding? As the General Manager, I’m involved in somecapacity with every single department including internationaldistribution and sales; the kiteboarding, windsurfing, stand-uppaddle R&D departments; the creative department; our NorthAmerican distribution, and our Maui retail store. You couldsay Robby is more focused on the brand image and productperformance, where I’m more focused on the nuts and bolts ofthe company. He and I are a healthy balance for one another,and the synergy definitely works. Over the years, we’ve builtan incredible team of very cool and talented people who areawesome to work with. It’s a great company.How did you become involved in kiteboarding? Thathappened here at Naish. Don Montague gave me a bodydragging lesson at Sprecksville beach shortly after I movedto Maui. It was on a 2-line prototype kite called the AR 3.5.We hadn’t launched the kiteboarding business yet, but I hadto learn it fast. I’m not sure how many cans of Red Bull Donwas on that day, but I do remember his instructions werevocally very loud. I had a good time, but that was my first andlast lesson from Don. He had a baptism by fire mentality, soit was trial and error from that point forward. Staying upwindwas always a challenge, until Don gave me a prototype 4-linekite called the AR 5, which was an industry first. After that,everything changed. Once the AR 5 went into production, wewatched the sport explode.When was the decision made to manufacture and sellkiteboarding gear at Naish? I believe the decision wasofficially made in early ‘99 to further develop a business plan,and commercially launch the AR 3.5 and AR 5 kites later thatyear. However, Don and Robby had been working on prototypesa year or two before that. In June of ‘99, I remember writing thefirst press release announcing our venture into kiteboarding.It was titled “It’s Time to Fly! Naish Sails Hawaii expands intoKitesurfing.” Looking back, the title was really corny, but, thecontent of that press release and the quotes from Robby, Don,and Pete are still very relevant today.Was it hard to convince others at the company to branchinto kiteboarding? Not really. By the middle of ‘99, therewas definitely a feeling within the group that we were ontosomething big. Very big. Don was always a believer, but forobvious reasons, Robby was a bit more cautious. After all, itwas his company, his name, and ultimately his ass on the line.Clearly, there was going to be a lot of R&D expense, brandinvestment, and exposure to consider. Fortunately, the risk paidoff big time.Where did the skull logo come from? The original Naish skulllogo was actually drawn by Robby himself. Most people don’tknow that he’s quite an amazing artist. Over the years, thatparticular logo has gone through a few subtle transformationsfor various applications, but the basic artwork remainsunchanged from Robby’s original drawing. It’s a great logo, andvery popular commercially. In fact, I’ve even seen it permanentlytattooed on a few people around the world. That’s hardcore.Our first kiteboard was called the Sky Pirate and it was onlyavailable in two sizes the first year: 7’0” and 7’6”. Canyou imagine?In the early days of the sport, what did you think the future of the sport would be like? Hasthe growth of kiteboarding lived up to your expectations? Back then, the brand was growingworldwide at a blistering speed. The whole experience was mind blowing, and sort of like hangingonto a runaway train. We had hit a moment, so you didn’t really know what to expect. At the sametime, we always understood kiteboarding was an extreme sport, and that the physics of the sport(i.e. line lengths and beach access) would limit its exposure to the general public. Therefore,I don’t think there were any preconceptions that it would become as big as something likesnowboarding or skateboarding. It has lived up to my personal expectations, but it’s still growingat a healthy pace for us. Fortunately, the growth is more manageable now, and we’re much betterorganized with the right team of people to deal with it and adapt.Which is a larger: Naish Windsurfing or Naish Kiteboarding? Naish Kiteboarding is largest interms of gross sales, followed by Naish Windsurfing, and then Naish Stand-up Paddling, which isnow growing very fast.Who did you work with in the beginning of Naish Kiteboarding? Back in the early days, itwas a small core group. Don Montague was the Kite Designer, Pete Cabrinha was doing graphicdesign, Harold Iggy was shaping the kiteboards, Dan Kaseler was taking over as Sail Designer, DuduMazzacato developed our design program, Uli Montague created our websites, and the wonderfulDee Reed was our accountant (and still is to this day). There were others involved with testing andinput as well, such as Chris Gilbert and Flash Austin to name a few. Somehow, Robby managed tostay involved with all aspects while traveling and doing the Windsurfing World Tour. Amazingly, henever took a laptop on the road with him. To this day, his travel schedule still blows my mind, but atleast he has a Blackberry now.In the early 2000s, Naish (and some other companies) were rumored to be paying someteam riders salaries that went into six figures. Was this true? What has changed now sothat team riders are not being offered nearly as much money as back then? Rumors arealways exaggerated. Back then, and even now, a top rider with decent clothing, energy drink,and kite sponsors could collectively earn a decent salary. Having said that, it was probably easierfor a rider to get a financial contract back in the early 2000’s, because there were less talentedriders around with a lot of new brands entering the business. It was simply a matter of supply anddemand. It went from two kite companies to something like 30 within a three year period. I evenremember some brands offering money to riders who had been kiting for less than a year. It madeno sense, and many of them are no longer around.What is a typical day at the office like for you? My day usually starts with a wake up call fromMichi Schweiger, our stand-up paddle product manager, with a surf report. If it’s big, Robby and DaveKalama will be there as well. After a morning sesh, I’ll head into the office in a t-shirt, shorts, and wethair. There is always a lot of action in our office in the morning. All the R&D guys will be there firedup, along with the creative department, sales department, and inevitably a few team riders. SomeAre there any mistakes that stand out in your mind in thehistory of Naish Kiteboarding? Not really. We always had longterm vision, which got us through a lot of highs and lows. After all,we’re still here and we’re stronger than ever. If I had any regrets,it would probably be our lack of experience in the patent world.There may have been some missed opportunities there. But, asJoe Strummer once said, “You have to have some regrets.”What direction do you think kite design is headed? WillNaish be sticking with the Sigma Shape? If the SigmaShape works so well, why haven’t any other companiescopied it yet? We are sticking with the Sigma outline.Absolutely! In fact, we are further evolving it. Damien Girardin,our Kite Designer, is also exploring Geo Tech canopy tensiontechnology with various profiling more in depth. We’re havingincredible results with the Sigma and Geo Tech technologies,and both will definitely be part of our future. As you can assume,Sigma and Geo Tech are difficult designs to master, and hardto copy. Damien and our R&D team spent months and monthson painstaking design work and prototype testing. Furthermore,Sigma is now so closely associated with and unique to the Naishbrand, so for another brand to copy it would be far too obvious tothe end consumer.What gear do you ride personally? I fly the Helix and ride theHaze 136 or Naish Custom Fish 5’7”. I wear the Naish Elite WaistHarness, Naish Loose-fit Short Sleeve Rashguard, and Quiksilverboardshorts, because Naish doesn’t make them.What do you think about the current state of kiteboardingcompetitions? How do the events in kiteboarding compareto the windsurfing competitions you used to be involved it?To be honest, I am not impressed by either of the professionalkiteboarding tours, the PKRA or the KPWT. Nor am I impressedby the coverage that either tour receives in the magazines.Neither the PKRA or the KPWT comes close in comparison to theprofessional windsurfing world tour back in the late 80’s, whenit was at its height. The prize money, sponsorship money, andtelevision exposure are remarkably less than in the big days ofpro windsurfing. Yet kiteboarding product retail sales are strongerand healthier for us than windsurfing, so I don’t think our successhas anything to do with the pro circuit. I find the growth of waveriding and course racing is interesting because it appeals to abroader audience. Freestyle has gotten too specialized, and I’mconcerned that the ISAF’s recent ruling to create two separatefreestyle categories is going to make it even more complicated.And whatever happened to Big Air? One of the main reasons I gotinto kiteboarding was to boost.Where do you think the sport of kiteboarding is heading?What will the sport be like five or ten years from now? Ibelieve that kiteboarding will experience a slower, but morestable and healthier growth than in the past. The top brandsare more experienced and established now, and will most likelybe around for awhile. The smaller under financed brands willcontinue to come and go, and hopefully not kill anyone in theprocess. The market is much wiser now and the room for error,by any brand, is much less. I strongly believe in the future ofkiteboarding schools. This is one area where I know Naish willcontinue to watch and invest. Without question, professionalkiteboarding schools will play a valuable role in the futuregrowth of our sport.32 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 33

Brian checks out the scene at Waddell.Age: 44 Height: 5’10” Weight: 160 lbs. Years kiting: 3Favorite Spots: Numerous spots around central California; Lobitos, PeruFavorite Conditions: Consistent side on. Anything above 12mph works,but smaller kites are always more fun. Favorite Moves: Backside(heel side) air/table top off a solid head high wave. Finding a nice hollowpocket for a stall/cover up is a bonus. Sponsors: F-One, Bay Area Kitesurfclose-upGEAR SET-UP55 cm bar on size kites. SideWinder spreader bar replacement Boards: F-One Surf 6.0 forstrapless and Signature 5’6” for strapped Bindings: Strapless or strapped depending on conditionsKites: F-One Bandit DOS kites 5.5m, 7m and 10m Lines: 24m or 22m Harness: Mystic waistBy Marina Chang | Photos by www.dukebrouwer.comA late starter by California standards, Brian grewup in San Luis Obispo County and started surfingwhen he was 15 years old. Competitive by nature,he toured on a pro-am level in his high schoolyears, traveling throughout the state while fuelinghis passion for adventure with trips to Hawaii,Mexico and Costa Rica. Brian had dreams of surfingprofessionally, but came to realize that unless hegot into the top 20, it would be pretty hard for him tomake a living in the sport. He got into electronicsand computers early on, which is now his currentprofession. An admitted ‘slave to the wind,’ Briannow lives in Santa Cruz. Like many of us, his biggestchallenge is balancing work and family with thewindy days on the Northern California coast.When, where and why did you start kiteboarding?My buddy convinced me to give kiting a go at theend of the 2005 season. He took a lesson at Alamedaand then we learned by taking our time and gettingtips from others.Have any other sports or disciplines helpedinfluence your kiteboarding? Certainly surfingplays a role. Seeing what the top guys are doing insurfing is amazing. If you think about kiting in thesurf in the coming years, it’s going to be insane. Thekite can give you such an advantage and opens upmany new possibilities.What riders influence you the most/inspire you?The Caution crew and locals on the coast areconstantly killing it. So many of these guys rip, youcan’t help but to get amped. Drew Beavis has agreat vertical attack on the wave. Ian Aldridge, TopHat and Felix Pivec are doing some crazy strapless1. Book a trip to a place that’s warm andgood for learning. You will excel thatmuch quicker since kiting will be the mainobjective of your trip.2. Always observe, know the conditions andguidelines and show respect when going outat a new location.stuff. And then just seeing people out having funwith a big old smile across their face is inspiring.What standout features do you most appreciateabout your current gear? The kites turn quicklyand generate good power that allows the use ofsmaller sizes in most conditions. This year’s BanditDos comes with line extensions (to make them24m) so removing the extensions vs. having tocarry a separate short line bar setup is convenient.The bamboo boards for the surf are great. I wentthrough several boards from various manufacturersthat broke before getting on the Bamboo ST F-Oneboards which are really durable. The bamboo lookssweet and is a renewable resource, which is a plus.What do you do off the water to help you on thewater? Hit the gym on occasion and then stretchingregularly. Surfing some and more recently gettinginto standup paddling for core strength andbalance. When you’re a 44-year-old grommet, youhave to do a little work to stay in shape for kiting.What trick or style are you currently working onand what is the challenge? I’d like to get straplessbackside aerial re-entries down. For me it will bea tough nut to crack, as with most strapless tricks.And then ollies — not the little chop hop ones butthe kind where you stick the board into the windand keep it there 15 feet up. Cornfed does these.It’s sick seeing a guy flying above you straplessthat high, doing a back roll and landing it. The boy’sgot skills.What is your favorite style of riding and why? Surfstyle connects me to my roots. Starting out on a twin3. Mix and match your gearwith different boards or anextra bar with short lines forchanging conditions.4. Know your limits in the surf.A kite can get you into wavesbut it’s up to you to get back tothe beach safely if somethinggoes wrong.tip, I rode it in the surf for about half a season. Thenone day I tried a directional board and it felt so right.I was kicking myself for spending that much time ona twin tip when I could have been out there gettingwaves on a surfboard.Do you have any plans to compete? Sure if the eventis wave related. The flat-water technical tricks areinsane, but not my cup of tea.What is something about you that you do outside ofkiteboarding that most people wouldn’t know? Mostof the guys I know had no idea I did computer work.But really it’s just to fund the kiting lifestyle!What is your worst wipe out/scariest kiteboardingexperience? Nothing of real consequence but weput six stitches in the bottom of my foot this last tripto Peru. The most painful part was watching the restof the guys getting perfect Lobitos waves while Itook two days off to heal.Where is your favorite place to kite and why?Waddell is great and other various spots around thecentral coast. Lobitos in Peru is an amazing setup. I’dsurfed several spots in Peru when I was younger, butkiting it was just incredible with getting so many epicrides. Plus, being a goofy foot (I ride backside/heelside at home), it was like unleashing years of pent upfrustration on those long lefts.What is your most memorable kiteboardingexperience? Probably Lobitos as it was my mostrecent trip. But several other summer sessions alsocome to mind with wind, waves, warm sun and sand.Kiting is simply the best way to end a day.34 thekiteboarder.com

close-upAge: 36 Height: 5’ 7” Weight: 135 lbs Years kiting: 4 stance: RegularFavorite Spots: Cumbuco/Brazil; Florida Keys; Fort Pierce (South Jetty), FL; and Maui.Favorite Conditions: 20 to 25 knots steady wind with in both flat conditions or waves in the warmCaribbean sun. Favorite Moves: I am just breaking out of my shell and unhooking, trying differenttransitions every session just trying to push it further than the last. I have been getting pretty worked outthere but its more fun than not trying at all. Sponsors: Globe Kites and Litewave boardsGEAR SET-UPBoards: Litewave Tsunami 130 Bindings: Straps for now Kites: GKTrix’s, the 9m is my favorite!bars: GK Harness: Dakine Wahine waist harnessPhoto Tom LeemanChristine boosting in Costa Rica. Photo Dustin Sleichter1. Respect the locals and the rules ofeach kite spot. Even if you think youare above them, you’re not.2. Know how to self rescue. Younever know when you may needto do it.3. Don’t learn to kite from yoursignificant other. It is better to get acertified instructor and keeps yourlesson more objective.4. When kiting at a new spot, alwaysknow where your “outs” are in casesomething goes wrong.5. Learn how to tune your ownkite. Don’t rely on someone else tohelp you. When conditions change,sometimes just changing the settingscan make a world of difference onhow good your session will be.By Ryan RiccitelliRaised as a military ‘brat’, CJ lived all over the USand Europe as a kid. At 18 years old, she movedto South Florida, attracted by the warm water,sunshine and year round weather conditions.Recently, CJ married the man of her dreamsand relocated from Miami to St. Petersburg. Aphysical therapist for more than 10 years, CJsqueezes in every opportunity she can get toenjoy all the great riding spots on the west coastof Florida.When, where and why did you start kiteboarding?I started kiteboarding in 2005 in South Florida. Myfriend Irma took me under her wing and helped megain the skills and confidence that I needed to rideat any spot and in some pretty gnarly conditions.What other sports helped influence yourkiteboarding, and what is your training regiment?My favorite place to be when the wind isn’tblowing is the cable park. I try to ride there twotimes a week, and love hitting up the sliders andkickers. Stand up paddling is also fun and keepsme smiling from ear to ear.Who are your biggest heroes in the sport ofkiteboarding? Gotta love Billy Parker here in St.Pete. He is a true athlete and mentor to manyriders. I feel have progressed in my riding justriding alongside him and listening to his advice.Melissa Gil and Clarrisa Hempel are also twoawesome riders and a true inspiration to me.They both have a very positive attitude andenergy about them.What do you do off the water to help you on thewater? I try and eat healthy and keep my mind andbody in sync. If I am not at the kiteboarding or atthe cable, I hit the gym /stretch /Yoga.What do you think about the Florida competitionscene and do you ever want to compete? Thereare a lot of local competitions here in SouthFlorida and they are a ton of fun! I have entered afew in the past but the wind has mostly been toolight to hold the heats. I hope to race in the nextTampa Bay Kitemasters here in St. Pete.What is your scariest kiteboarding experience?Recently, I was riding in Ft. Pierce. There werea good number of riders out as well as plentyof fisherman fishing off the Jetty. We all had apattern of rotating inside and outside and stayedclear of the fishing lines, or so I thought! Therewere a couple of jokers that decided to toss theirfishing lure right at me and it tangled up in my hair( my braid, two inches from my jugular), whichthen yanked me back from riding to a stop. I kepttrying to signal to them I was caught and to openthe barrel and cut the line, but it took them justunder 5 minutes to finally set me free. During thattime I was being yanked by my pigtail into theopposite direction the wind was blowing, tryingto bite the line or find anything on my bar to useto cut me loose. Two lessons learned. Have aknife on your harness, and stay far away fromfisherman!What do you have to say to any women lookingto get into kiteboarding? Go for it. Don’t give up.It will open up so many doors for you and be apositive event in your life!What is something about you outsidekiteboarding that most people wouldn’t know?My first passion in life is my career. I have adegree in physical therapy and love treatingpatients. The rewards you get from rehabbing apatient into a better quality of life is well worth amissed session if it has to be missed.How do you think your life has changed since youstarted kiteboarding? When I am kiteboarding,it forces me to live in the “now” and not let mymind wonder and think about the past or future.Just being out on the water has awakened mystate of consciousness and has made me realizewhat is really important in life. There is a spiritualfulfillment I get from riding, it’s my “me” time.Relax and Enjoy the flight.Corpus Christi has over 100 miles of relaxing beaches and our warm gulfbreeze will help you soar. Adrenaline seekers - enjoy our fresh seafood,the historic USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium’sDolphin Bay. Look around when you catch someair ... the San Diego Audubon Society has declaredCorpus Christi the “Birdiest City in America.”Our feathered friends may teach you atrick or two. Corpus Christi is theNational Beach of Texas.NORTHPADRE ISLAND1.800.766.BEACH + www.CorpusChristiCVB.com36 thekiteboarder.com

Alvaro Onieva puts the materials that make up his kiteboardinggear to the test. Courtesy PKRAMaterials that Make Kiteboarding PossibleBy Paul LangWhen asked what properties materials used forkiteboarding equipment should have, Tony Logoszfrom Slingshot replied, “The materials have to be light,strong, UV resistant, impermeable, permeable, durable,compactable, low stretch, elastic, stiff, soft, airtight, breathable,inflexible, flexible, supple, watertight, waterproof, tough, stable,and so on.” That is a long list of demands for the materials thatmake up the seemingly simple equipment we use. Without themodern materials that can provide the traits above, the sport ofkiteboarding wouldn’t be able to exist. Kites and boards must giveus the performance we want, while being strong enough to standup to the abuse that the average rider puts their gear through. Amix of materials that includes polyester, carbon fiber, epoxy, andvarious foams and woods gives designers the tools they need tocreate gear that works for riders of all levels.What are Kites Made Of?What are designers looking for in materials for kites? “I am always chasingmaterials which are stable, lightweight, and durable. There is a fine linehere. Kites really need to be light to perform well, but they are exposedto an incredible amount of abuse by your average consumer. The lighterthe material, in most cases the less durable and stable they are. Thisnot only creates potential durability issues, but this also makes the kitedesign challenging as well,” said Pat Goodman from Cabrinha. DamienGiradin from Naish said, “For the canopy there are a few parameters thatare really important: rigidity, porosity, resistance to abrasion, and themost important is the ability to keep these characteristics over time andwhen wet. For the leading edge and ribs, rigidity and stability are the twomost important.” Julien Fillion at Liquid Force looks for “Resistance toabrasion, stiffness, good UV resistance, and, most importantly, a consistentporosity.” Caution’s Poul Schiebel said, “Overall, you try to avoid toomuch stretch,” and Raphael Salles from F-One looks for materials that are“Light, strong, and durable. Light because a kite has to fly so the weightis important and strong because the kites are under so much stress. Theyhit the water hard, they fall in waves, and they wait for you on the beachin full wind, sun, and sand. They also have inflated parts that are trying toexplode!” With all of those demands, there is currently just one materialthat is almost exclusively used to build kites.LEFT: Peter Stiewe checks out a newly built prototype kiteat the Best factory. Courtesy BestMIDDLE: Pat Goodman checks LE samples. Photo CabrinhaRIGHT: The Caution factory, where rolls of polyester areconverted into kites. Courtesy Caution38 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 39

At the Slingshot factory, workers assemble materials that have been carefully chosen todeliver the desired characteristics in the finished products. Courtesy SlingshotAt Naish, Damien Girardin told us, “Finding new and bettermaterial is a relentless quest for us. We have tried all kindsof materials and we have rejected a lot of them so far.Polyester is the main material used to make kiteboardingkites. The creation of polyester is a multi-step process:First is the polymerization of terephthalic acid andethylene glycol to make a polymer chip, which is thenmelted, spun, drawn, and wound into a fiber. Both theleading edge and canopy are made from this material(some refer to the leading edge fabric as Dacron, whichis a trade name for polyester). The polyester fibers arewoven into a cloth and then stabilized with a resin. Thisresin makes the fabric more water resistant, less porous(so air doesn’t easily pass through), and helps to controlthe bias elongation, which is the stretch you get whenyou pull on a cloth at a 45º angle to the thread orientation.Teijin Fibers, based in Japan, supplies many of thekiteboarding manufacturers with the polyester cloth tobuild kites. Many riders mistakenly believe that theirkite’s canopy is made from rip-stop nylon. According toShuhei Sonekatsu of Teijin, polyester is a much bettermaterial for kiteboarding because it has much higherUV resistance and less stretch than nylon. However,polyester is easily torn when compared with nylon.Teijin’s canopy fabric, known as T9600, has become verypopular with kiteboarding manufacturers because theyhave been able to overcome this weakness by developinga special type of high tenacity polyester yarn.The kite companies are very secretive about whatother products they have been testing, but some werewilling to talk about what they’ve tried. While manymanufacturers admitted that they have experimentedwith other fabrics for kite construction, Best is the onlycompany currently using something significantly differentfrom the rest. Best uses Cuben Fiber for the leading edgeand ribs on some of its kites. Cuben fiber is a lightweightDacron weave 4-directional laminate, as opposed toa woven fabric. According to designer Peter Stiewe,“Cuben Fiber provides much higher structural stability.40 thekiteboarder.comLeft: These rolls of Teijin T9600 are ready to be shipped to many various kite manufacturers. Courtesy TeijinFibers Right: This flat sheet of fabric is being converted into kite panels by a computer-controlled laserplotter. Courtesy CautionDue to that, a reduced leading edge diameter is possible.” Other companies have triedfabrics other than polyester, but so far do not feel there are materials available thatare more suited for kites. Raphael Salles from F-One said, “We once tried a reinforcedMylar, but it didn’t last for more than three months.” On the subject of more exoticfabrics, Liquid Force’s Julien Fillion said, “So far nothing has been brought up from thefactories yet that can compete with the materials we currently use.” At Naish, DamienGirardin told us, “Finding new and better material is a relentless quest for us. We havetried all kinds of materials and we have rejected a lot of them so far.” Amery Bernardfrom Slingshot told us that companies tried a lot of different materials in the early days,but now the materials are fairly standardized: “Now that we know what kind of qualitieswe need out of the materials, we can look at a material’s specs and decide if its worthpursuing or not. A large part of deciding whether or not to try a material has to do withcost and performance gain. The materials have to be cost effective, and if they’re not,they have to provide an even larger performance gain. The materials on the marketnow have become somewhat standard because of this, even though there are differentgrades of the same material that change performance dramatically.”What Are Boards Made Of?While the majority of kites are made mostly out of one material (polyester), the materials thatgo into making boards are much more varied. “Each of the different materials gets used indifferent quantities to achieve flex, stiffness, balance, and strength. Wood increases stiffnessand strength and carbon increases stiffness and reduces weight. All of these ingredients getused together to create the right flex, response, weight, and strength,” said Slingshot shaperJohn Doyle.For twin tips, some manufacturers use foam cores while others use wood. “Wood coresare about the same weight as foam, but are less prone to heel dents. Also the wood hasbetter memory and gives more pop,” said Dave Turner of Litewave Designs. Some Litewaveboards are using Kopok wood for a core, which comes from a fast growing tree. On mostof its boards, Cabrinha is using a Paulownia wood core, which is also a fast growing andsustainable wood. Whatever the core is, the board is then covered in fiberglass and/orcarbon. Carbon and fiberglass are both available as either unidirectional or multi-directionalcloths. Unidirectional cloths have the structural elements oriented in a single direction.“Strategic placement of unidirectional glass and carbon can give you stiffness in onedirection,” said Dave Turner. By carefully choosing the type and thickness of the core andthe placement of fiberglass and carbon, shapers can fine tune a board to have just thecharacteristics they are after. Twin tips also use a denser material along the rails, most oftenABS plastic, to protect the rail from damage. Usually, all of these materials are placed inpress that applies pressure so that all of the layers bond properly to each other.Surfboards have just as many choices for construction as twin tips and the materialsused vary widely. Some manufacturers are using more traditional surfboard constructionmethods, except using EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam and epoxy resins as opposed topolyurethane foam and polyethylene resins. These boards are shaped by a CNC machineand then hand finished. Other surfboards use EPS foam and a layer of high density foamjust under the fiberglass. Most surfboards use fiberglass, but carbon fiber surfboardsare available as well. F-One is using a layer of bamboo in their boards: “Bamboo is anincredible material regarding strength, good looks, and price, and is also environmentallyresponsible,” san Raphael Salles.Liquid Force is offering a construction method known as EVF (Epoxy Vacuum Fusion) ontheir surfboards this year. EVF uses fiberglass cloth cut on a bias that is vacuum baggedto the foam as the epoxy cures. “It has good flex like a polyurethane board, but it’s gota much more user-friendly type of flex for kiteboarding than a molded board,” said PatRawson from Liquid Force.With all of these choices available in board construction, what is the best way to build aboard? That is an impossible question to answer. It all boils down to how you like how aboard rides. The different materials work together to create a product that works as theLEFT: Litewave Dave checks out a CNC-shaped Kopok wood core. Courtesy LitewaveMiddle: This is where the majority of kite canopy fabric is made: The Teijin T9600factory. Courtesy Teijinright: After the core is shaped, the edges are trimmed and the core is coated withepoxy and unidirectional fiberglass to create a kiteboard. Courtesy Litewavedesigner intended. Also, the shape of the board still plays asignificant part in how the board rides, regardless of whatthe thing is made of.What Can We Expect to Seein the Future?Kite materials may currently be fairly standardizedacross the industry, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’tany room for improvement in the raw material itself. Teijinis currently developing a higher tenacity and finer polyesteryarn and also working on a new special finishing processto get better rip-stop performance. “Our target is doublestrength compared to the current quality,” said SantoshiAsaoka of Teijin. Teijin is also working on introducingrecycled materials into their kite fabrics, which will lead tokites that have less of an impact on the environment whileretaining all of the performance characteristics of a productthat does not contain recycled materials. Also, manycompanies that we talked to would not tell us about whatother materials they have been testing, so it’s possible thatwe could see new materials being used for kites.In the near future, you can expect new materials to beintroduced, but most of the development will be in howthe materials will be put together. Cabrinha’s Ian Pontingtold us, “We have been experimenting with many differentmaterials and how they are applied to the boards. One ofthe key focal points has been to evolve the manufacturingprocess to better apply our shaping theories.” Bydeveloping different manufacturing methods, designers canremove some of the limitations they have on building massproduced boards, giving them more freedom to design theexact shape they want.Whether in kites, boards, the raw materials themselves,or the processes used to put the materials together, onething is for sure. We will continue to see new and differentmaterials and construction techniques being used inkiteboarding gear as designers push the envelope to makethe gear lighter, stronger, and higher performance than thelast generation of equipment.thekiteboarder.com 41

Need CaptionbackwoodsOmar T. Going big in the kiddie pool.Jamie ThomasWong packs upfor the day.By Kinsley Thomas Wong | Photos xtremebigair.comSan Carlos, SonoraNot to be confused with San Carlos in Baja Mexico, San Carlos, Sonora, is nestled betweenthe mountains of the Sonoran desert and the Sea of Cortez. The area boasts an exceptionaland unique landscape of cacti and red desert rock mountains towering over a deep bluelagoon. The main kiting area is approximately six miles from the town of San Carlos. It liesamidst natural beauty and has over two miles of shoreline with fine, soft sand and a sideshore breeze which blows during most of the year. The northwesterly wind begins in earlyOctober and continues through May, with the best month traditionally being February. Twobays are available just north of town: La Manga Beach and Catch-22 Beach, also known asLos Algodones Beach, ideal for intermediate flat-water riding.What is the official site name? San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.What is the best time of the year to hit this spot? October throughMay is the season, with the best wind in February.What is the best internet site to check the wind/conditions?www.buoyweather.com, Baja Mexico forecast (search marine forecast 28.0ºN/111.5ºW)How do I get there? By car, San Carlos is approximately four hours southof the border at Nogales, AZ. The town is strategically located within the free transit,unrestricted driving zone for vehicles coming from the US. If you are driving within thestate of Sonora for seven days or less, you don’t need a permit for your personal vehicle,provided you can produce a valid drivers license or ID upon request. The route is MexicoFederal Highway 15, which is a four-lane road. This route will take you through Imuris,Magdalena, Santa Anna and Hermosillo.If you are flying down to San Carlos, try to use the Guaymas Airport (GYM). It is a mucheasier airport to deal with as it is has a small terminal and you are minutes from SanCarlos. Driving through Hermosillo can be intimidating, confusing or a hassle.Air Service: San Carlos is served by the commercial airport at Guaymas (GYM),approximately 15 miles away. Guaymas is served by AeroMexico. America West,AeroMexico, Mexicana, and Aero California. If you fly to Hermosillo (HMO), you will needto drive or take a bus (approximately a hour to hour and a half drive).By Bus: TBC Bus Lines has a new service to Guaymas,departing from Phoenix, Tucson, or Nogales, Sonora. If youneed to get a tourist card, be sure to tell the driver and theywill stop at the 21 Km checkpoint. If you forget, this cardcan also be obtained at the Immigration office in Guaymas.What is the usual wind direction? Normalwind direction is northwest - starboard (blows from rightto left).What gear should I be sure to pack? Kites -7m to 15m; wetsuit - 4/3m full suit during November throughMarch; leave your surfboards at home!What conditions should I avoid? Offshore windfrom the east.What is the launch/landing like? The mainkiting launch and landing area at the point near ParadisoResort HaxHai Kite Shop is really nice.What are some of the best places to eatnearby? The Soggy Peso Bar right at the Algodoneskiting beach is a local favorite. El Mirador in La Manga alsoA great place to chill out after yourkiting session.Jamie works on her unhooked raleys.Kinsley enjoys a cool one, south ofthe border style.The Sonoran desert and mountains provide apicture-perfect backdrop to the riding.has really good seafood. Rosa Cantina in San Carlos’downtown area is great for breakfast or dinner. Theyhave some of the best chimichangas and tamales we’veever tasted!Who are the local schools and shops?Thank you very much to our friend, Omar, for helping set upour trip and showing us the lay of the land. He has a greatkite shop and school: Paradiso HaxHai Kite School, locatedat the Paradiso Resort, with both kiting and diving equipment(website in progress). He knows the best kiting spots in thestate of Sonora and would be of great help to any kiter whois looking for a great time kiting in the area. There is alsoanother watersports center run by a local who has been inthe area for years called Sonoran Sports Center.Where should I stay? Paradiso Resort offers232 guestrooms with a lagoon or ocean view. Decor is acomfortable Mexican style with red tile floors and woodfurnishings. Just a few steps from your room and you willbe kiting in La Manga Bay. Room rates are around $100/night for an ocean view room. Google the web and you canrent houses along the Algodones Beach or in town, withvarying levels of comfort and rates from $34 to $250/night.What is the nightlife like? Blackie’s, Toro’s,Taquila, and Captain’s Club are all recommended by thelocals. For live music, check out Froggy’s and General’s.What else is there to do if I getskunked? The San Carlos coast is dotted with breathtakingsea caves, cliffs, and small offshore islands that makethis area a kayakers or flat water SUPer’s dream cometrue. Mountain biking, hiking, sunset cruises, scuba diving,snorkeling and fishing are just a few of the other activities youcan enjoy here.Is there anything else I need to knowabout riding this spot? Watching the sunset andhaving a cold beer at the Soggy Peso Bar after kiting is a must!Are there any safety issues or rules Ineed to know about? Watch out for the windshadows behind the rock at the point. You will know what I’mtalking about when you’re there!Are there any interesting bits of triviaabout this spot? The hotel used to be Club MedSonora Bay. Kiteboarding pioneer Manu Bertin taught here inthe early years.San Carlos RESOURCES:www.paradisoresortmexico.comwww.kiteboard-mexico.blogspot.comwww.XtremeBigAir.com/SanCarlos2009.cfmwww.sailsancarlos.comwww.gotosonora.com/san-carlos-son-mx.htm42 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 43

ackwoodsEveryone uses the wind in Manta! Paul pulls alongside a local fisherman.Edison, a local sponsored rider,has a smile for everyone.Downwinders are a daily event.Windy CountryBy Paul Menta | Photos by Eric SindoneSanta Marianita, EcuadorSince my first time kiting in the late 90’s in Ecuador, the areas have become a little moremodern but the conditions and the people are still as good as ever. The culture of the areahelps you unwind and remember how simple things should be .When you arrive in the kitingspot ”Brisas Vieijas,” meaning old wind in Spanish, you’ll see wide beaches, palapas,waves upwind, calm areas out front and the occasional spray from a migrating whale. Longdownwinders, and waves to learn on and also to challenge even the best pro make Ecuadora great wave riding destination for all levels. My hosts Wladimir, Nicole and Davo took uskiting in spots till our arms hurt and then led us on tours of history and tradition that are rareto still find in this world. One thing’s for sure – you will make many unique memories andhave great stories to tell about your adventures once you leave this incredibly culturally richand windy country.What is the official site name? Santa Marianita, otherwise known asBrisas Veijas.What is the best time of the year to hit this spot? High seasonis June through November, which is also the best season for waves. Winds average 15to 25 knots.What is the best internet site to check the wind/conditions?Humboldt Kites or The Kite House Ecuador as Wind Guru is not accurate for the area.How do I get there? You can fly into Guyaquil airport and get a three hour ride toManta, but the better way is to fly into Quito, then catch a flight into Manta for around $50each way. This year, American Airlines has plans to offer direct flights from Miami to Manta.What is the usual wind direction? West northwest, side shore from the left.What gear should I be sure to pack? In season, 9 and 12 meter kitesand 133 to 139 cm twin tip boards are the most used sizes. The schools have surfboardsthat you can rent if you don’t feel like packing yours. Shorty’s or neoprene tops for kitingduring the day and hoodies and long sleeves for at night are recommended. Rememberit’s winter there in season so while it is often in the 80’sduring the day, at night it can dip into the high 60’s whichcan feel cool.What conditions should I avoid? Point breaksand unmarked places. Humbolt Kites and The Kite HouseEcuador serve as guides in the area and you are better offwith them. You’ll save time and also know when and whereto go.What is the launch/landing like? The beachis four miles long and is very wide so it has a very easy andforgiving launch and land area.What are some of the best places to eatnearby? At the beach there is Playa Bonita’s and TheKite House does pizza on the weekends. In town you wantto go to Alcatraz (Davo’s Mom’s place) for unreal seafoodand more. Los 3 Platos and Fugo’s Pizza are also popularand for chicken and beef, Juventud on 24th Street. Mealstypically run from $4 to $7 a meal including drinks!Paul and Davo share a$5 feast.A multitude of riding spots are withineasy access of Manta.Wladmir, owner of Humboldt Kites, rips a section.Who are the local schools and shops?Humboldt Kites and The Kite House.Is there a local association? One is beingformed as we speak!Where should I stay? The only and best placeto stay for kiters is Davo’s Kite House Ecuador. Breakfastis included and they have private, beautiful rooms. Youcan opt to get dinner, they have some nightly socials andbest of all, you’ll get transport to the best spots every day.Davo’s place also has wireless internet, a pool, bbq pit andmore. Prices start at just $20 USD a day.What is the nightlife like? Santa Marianita is asmall fishing village, so you need to go about 20 minutes tothe north to the city of Manta for nightlife. Manta has openair bars and it’s fun walking around, or you can party orhang out at the house and talk kiting.What else is there to do if I getskunked? Stand up paddle board, surf, snorkel, day tripsto Isla Plata (the poor man’s Galapagos), walking aroundMonte Cristi town and whale watching.Is there anything else I need to knowabout riding this spot? They have rules for eachbeach and spot for the times of year, so check withHumboldt Kites.Are there any safety issues or rules Ineed to know about? The areas are very cleanand safe. People are friendly and can usually managesome English to guide you along. The town is very modern,so you have all supplies you need as well as decentpharmacies. The riding spots are more rural, so you shouldbring whatever is needed. There are no mosquitos!Are there any interesting bits of triviaabout this spot? Panama hats are actually madein Monte Cristi, Ecuador, not Panama and the localEcuadorian delicacy is Guinea Pig on a stick. Humpbackwhales can be seen regularly from June throughlate August.ecuador RESOURCES:www.thekitehouse.comwww.humboldtkites.comwww.kitebeaches.com/beach/santa_marianita.htmlwww.kiteboarding.com.ec/portalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manta44 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 45

Joaquin and Jim get some riding time in at one of the atolls in the Marshall Islands.ASouthWords and Photos by James StringfellowPacificA Unique InvitationMention the Marshall Islands to most people and chances are you’ll be met witha blank stare. This was my initial reaction when my friend Joaquin Hubbard, anEMT and the relief Captain for the Best Odyssey’s Discovery Catamaran, askedme to join him for a trip. Joaquin needed another crew member to help him deliverthe boat 2000 miles from Tonga to The Marshall Islands for her next adventure.Other than spending time on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, I had never been on theopen ocean before, let alone on a boat that doesn’t take ten minutes to get from oneend to the other. Stoked but a little intimidated by the prospect of the trip, Joaquinassured me that he would show me the ropes and that I was in good hands.Having heard so many stories aboard the Odyssey, I really couldn’t believe thatI was going to take part in this adventure and sail as a crew member. All I couldthink about was how much we were going to kite and how extraordinary it wasgoing to be. Little did I understand the concept of sailing 2000 miles in twoweeks. Considering the average sailing speed was 10 knots, this equated to arequired sailing time of 24 hours for just about 14 days straight. That didn’t leavemuch time to kiteboard.A local Marshallese fisherman.AdventureJoaquin takes a break from hiscaptain’s duties.FACT FILE:The vibrant water near the Marshall’s is mind blowing.The crew takes a breather.A taste of what could be.Air Transportation-Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) offers three flightsper week to and from Guam and three flights per week to and from Honolulu.Best Season for wind- Although trade winds blow year-round, favorableconditions, including good swell, are experienced from October through May.Water Temps- Leave the wetsuit at home, but bring lots of SPF and your sunglasses.The sun is pretty extreme with little or no shade on these low lying atolls.About the IslandI vaguely remembered from history class that the Marshalls were somewherebetween Hawaii and Japan. I kept thinking of that famous video with themushroom cloud from when the U.S. was testing nuclear weapons there.Bikini Atoll, where the testing took place, is now a graveyard for many warshipsand is a popular dive, sport fishing and tourism destination. Rumor has it thatthe Bikini swimsuit was named after the island due to its timely introductioninto our culture. The Bikini, which was unveiled at just about the same time asthe nuclear testing took place, had the same “explosive impact” on our society.I would soon discover that The Marshalls encompassed much more than justBikini Atoll with 29 coral atolls and five isolated islands. The islands are lessthan 70 square miles and are scattered over 750 million square miles of thePacific Ocean. Two-thirds of the nation’s population lives on Majuro, thecapital, and Ebeye. The outer islands are sparsely populated due to lack ofemployment opportunities and economic development.THE JOURNEYAfter traveling close to 15 hours to get from Seattle to Tonga, we departedTonga on a northwest heading and managed stopovers in Wallis (France), Tuvaluand Onatoa (Kiribati), then Milli and Aur (Marshalls). These island atolls wereoriginally land masses created by volcanic activity, which sunk back into the oceanafter millions of years. Coral reefs remain around the rim of the islands, protectingthem from further erosion. Surf breaks can be found on the outer side of the atolls,while buttery flat water is abundant on the inside.The first three days were out on the open ocean with no hint of land to be seen.Beautiful blue waters surrounded our sailboat. Never have I experienced theocean as such a vibrant color. To pass the time between watches, we would amuseourselves by fishing for tuna and watching for ocean birds. At night, we wouldwatch the phosphorescence in the water. This was like nothing else I had everwitnessed and kept me mesmerized for hours.Our first opportunity for kiteboarding turned out to be on Onotoa, a small islandlocated in the South Gilbert Islands. Launching from the boat was a challengeand proved to be harder than I had imagined. I had always wondered how thoselittle Turbo Launchers worked. They are pretty much a necessity to have whenboat launching.Our final sailing took place at the small but inhabited island of Aur. We spent twodays here and kited the whole time. Darren Olshefsky, one of our crew memberswho earned the nickname McGyver, proved to be popular with the islanders whenhe helped the locals fix a broken generator. He became even more popular when helater repaired a karaoke machine. When we went ashore to bring it back, we weregreeting with lots of smiles and hugs from the community. It’s moments like thisthat are burned into my memory forever.Final ThoughtsNot much information exists on the Marshall Islands and even less exists on thekiteboarding opportunities there. Besides the Best Odyssey trips to the area, Ihave found only one other blog so far that talks about kiting on Marujo.Speaking from first hand experience, I thoroughly believe the only way toexperience this style of kiteboarding is by boat. Whether you get onboard withan operation like the Best Odyssey or charter a boat for a day or more to exploreon your own, no other means of travel can get you to such remote spots, whichare often uninhabited and offer no services.Typically on a sailing adventure of this magnitude, one can expect days of littleor no wind. After I flew back to the states, Joaquin continued his stay aboard theDiscovery for another two weeks. Once he got home he told me he kited justabout every day after I left. Even though we had only kited three days, I was goodwith that. I had already experienced my trip of a lifetime.Hazards- White sandy beaches can be pictured, but once onshore you canexpect crushed coral between your toes. Sandals or booties are recommended.Due to the underwater terrain around the atolls, caution must be used whenkiting in the shallow waters above the razor sharp reefs.RESOURCES: www.offshoreodysseys.com; www.visitmarshallislands.com;http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCKitesurfers/message/19755;www.jimstringfellow.com46 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 47

Coming to AmericaYouri Zoon has come onto thekiteboarding scene strong andhas earned himself a spot onthe Slingshot Internationalteam. Youri visited the Keysa few months ago and bleweveryone’s mind with moveslike this. It will be interestingto see if he can take it to thelevel of fellow team rider RubenLenten. Photo Lance Koudele48 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 49

Another Day DoneTowards the end of a classicHatteras Kite Point Poolsunset session, BrandonScheid steals JasonSlezak’s new pro-modelboard for a joy ride.Photo Bryan ElkusKickin’ It Old SchoolWith the Baja village of LaVentana in the background,local Oswaldo “Ozzie” Ramirezbreaks out the one-footer duringthe Ventana Classic’s OldSchool competition.Photo Dallas McMahon50 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 51

Multi Taskin’Jeremie Tronet is notonly a great kiter, but hisphotography skills aretop shelf. Jeremie travelsthe world with girlfriend,photographer, and fellowkiter Linn Svendsen tospots that most of us willnever have the luxury toexperience. Jeremie shotthis month’s cover as wellas managed to get himself ina few shots.Photo Linn SvendsenOn BoardIan Alldredge strappeda waterproof GoProcamera to the nose ofhis surfboard just to seewhat the pictures wouldlook like. Ian’s self portraitspeaks for itself.Photo Ian Alldredge52 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 53

FREE AGENTFelix Pivec remains a diehardproponent of riding wavesunhooked and strapless. Herecently became the newestEclipse team rider afterhaving been with Airush forso long that the two seemedinseparable. Felix has been onthe water everyday workingclosely with the R&D teammaking sure the new Eclipsekites are precision waveriding tools.Photo John Bilderback54 thekiteboarder.com

product watch 09Advance 09 kaimanInspired by an inflatable hang glider designedby the Advance R & D team, the Kaiman’s unique Delta-Lambda profile contributes to the kite’s shocking boostingperformance, razor-sharp turning and solid stability.Refined this year to have a more open canopy andemphasized Lambda shape, Advance has been a leadinginternational paragliding company for 20 years. Designingkites since 1996, the Kaiman is their prize jewel.SIZES: 4.8, 7, 8.5 and 12m MSRP: $1562.95www.advance-kites.comFCS PONCHOTired of doing the beachsidestrip tease? Check out the newchanging Poncho from FCS. A plushtowel poncho equipped with an innerstash pocket, makes changing inpublic places cozy and easy.SIZES: one size fits allColors: Cool Grey and BlackMSRP: $45www.surffcs.comcautionTrespass 5’ 5”The 5’ 5” Trespass features a newhigher density foam core (blank) withCaution’s kitesurf specific polyesterfiberglass “bombproof” construction.This single to double convave highperformance stick is perfect forsnapping off the lips, floaters, and allaround ripping the surf. Stock setupincludes three Future fins, Cautiontraction pads, high grade threadedinserts strategically placed to providethree choices for strap placement,and a set of adjustable directional footstraps. Ride it strapped or strapless.Sizes: 5’ 5” x 17.25” Colors: RedMSRP: $775 completewww.cautionkites.combest kiteboarding09 WAROO EZ-PUMPA new external EZ-Pump system makes the2009 Waroo easier to rig and ride. With gooddepower, upwind ability, and fast turning, ridersof all skill levels will progress faster, further,and simply have more fun kiteboarding with thenew EZ-Pump equipped Waroo.Sizes: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17mMSRP: Starting from $778 completewww.bestkiteboarding.com/waroo12 NewProductsto check outDAKINE SONIC HARNESSNew for ’09, Dakine revolutionizes kiteboardingharness design with the first ever seat/waist hybrid. Combiningwaist comfort and maneuverability with seat support, the Soniccomes without the bulkiness of leg straps.SIZE: XS, S, M, L, and XL MSRP: $120Colors: Cyan Chop Shop and Black/Goldwww.dakine.comF - One SURF BAMBOO STThe new F-One Surf featuresBamboo Sandwiched Technology andpartnered with Firewire to produce avery polyvalent board that can be usedstrapless and in pure surf. Showing thesame qualities as the Signature, it fears nowaves. Its length and width allow you touse minimal kite input in the surf. It’s also agreat light wind board for strapless cruisingand its overall volume makejibing effortless.SIZES: 6’0”, 6’2” and 6’4”Colors: Bamboo Sandwiched TechnologyMSRP: $899www.bayareakitesurf.com/boardsLITEWAVEDESIGNSHybrid-Lace-UpSandalAn industry design breakthrough,Litewave introduces the Hybrid-Lace-Up to market. The 6” wide lace-upupper covers more of yourfoot and uniquely attaches to thefootpad independently of the screwholding it down to the board, makingit super easy to attach and remove.The soft pad superbly contoursto keep your heel locked in andform-fit your arch, and a toe-shelfreally helps lock in your toes. Shoptechs and travelers will especiallyappreciate these!SIZES: Womens 6-10, Mens 9-13Colors: Black, White, GrayMSRP: $139www.litewavedesigns.comLIQUID FORCE KITEBOARDINGCONCEPT LTDLF shaper and co-founder JimmyRedmon and team rider MauricioAbreu collaborated to design a boardthat would excel in all different typesof conditions. The 2009 Concept LTDpresents the perfect lightweight balancebetween pop and speed by integratingthe first true single to double concavebottom on a kiteboard. The result isan ultimate freeride kiteboard perfectfor wakestyle as well slashing the topsoff of waves. The 2009 Concept LTDfeatures a lighter, livelier PVC core, athinner abs sidewall, and a subtle butdetailed deck graphic that featuresgloss screen treatments on top of aclean matte finish.SIZES: 135 x 41, 139 x 42cmColors: WhiteMSRP: $749.99www.liquidforcekites.comNAISH KITEBOARDINGKEVIN LANGEREE PRO HARNESSThis year Naish is proud to introduce the entirely new Kevin LangereePro Harness. Based on Kevin’s input, this harness has been designedto give the freestyle kiter all the performance aspects they need. Softbut still supportive, the harness comes with a bar pad designed toallow the hook point to move freely.SIZES: XS. S, M, L and XLMSRP: $159www.naishkites.comMYSTIC Force Impact Vest D3oPush yourself with confidence with the new Force ImpactVest D3o from Mystic. Featuring D3o material which reactsdifferently depending on the severity of the impact, the new vestoffers maximum comfort and protection positioned on the chest,back and sides of the ribcage. The ultra-thin skin is made completelyout of soft glide skin neoprene with an easy zipperless entry/exit andworks equally well with waist and seat harnesses. Offering excellentmaneveurability that even the pros are wearing it, check out moreabout D3o Tech at www.d3o.comSIZES: XS to XXLMSRP: $139.95www.mysticboarding.comPRO KITESURFThe PKS Micro-Hook Tool KitHave you ever thought that a broken fly line is only fixed by replacing it? ThePKS Micro-Hook Tool Kit allows you to repair yourspectra braided line by simply inter-braiding the flyline for a clean and very effective repair to get youback on the water in no time. This process is soclean that you can hardly see where the fix was.Included in the kit: one Micro-Hook Tool, one pigtailextension and instructions (Micro-Tool featured inWorkbench on page 84).MSRP: $10www.pksdistribution.com (how-to video)SLINGSHOT SPORTSRUBEN LENTEN CONTROL BARThe Ruben Lenten Pro Model Control Bar is the first bar that emphasizesperformance and simplicity over that of safety and convenience. This baris only to be ridden by freestyle experts! The bar comes in 4-line only(20m/800 lb). Features include a Clip-N-Ride Quick Release System, ClamCleat trim system, Center Line Swivel, Dual Oh-sh*t Handles, AdjustableStopper Ball, and Lifetime Rider Hotline Membership.SIZES: 17”Colors: white and gold comboMSRP: $399www.slingshotsports.com56 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 57

designer’s corner cont.analyze thisBest KahoonaTested: 11.5m TYPE OF KITE: Delta Bow SIZES: 7.5, 9.5, 11.5 & 13.5mFrom the ManufacturerThe new Kahoona is the perfect choice for every rider looking for asuper stable, easy-to-rig, easy- to-fly kite. A reduced aspect-ratio andswept leading edge make the Kahoona Best’s quickest relaunching kite:it is the perfect kite choice for beginners and intermediate riders lookingto maximize their progress every session. A new Redline Safety Systemdelivers instant safety-depower whenever you push the QR or drop the bar.With short bridles and only four flying lines there is nothing to wrap aroundthe kite should you roll it while relaunching. The Redline Safety Systemallows you to forget about the kite and concentrate on your riding.THE KITEBOARDER REPORTUpon setting up the Kahoona our first attraction to its design was its lowerstrut count (4) and lower aspect ratio shape. The inflation system of the kiterequires traditional individual pumping of the struts and leading edge. TheKahoona is designed with a little bigger paneling throughout the canopy,unlike some of the more high performance kites Best has come out with.The leading and trailing edges are reinforced with extra material fromeach wingtip to the center of the kite. The control bar is designed with newislander graphics that are color coded on the grip while below the bar Besthas incorporated their new Big-Black molded chicken loop quick release.Along with the new quick release the control system comes with a belowthe bar leash connection point and a removable donkey dick. The controlsystem still incorporates the two outside line safety leash connection pointsfor emergencies and self landings. The Depower strap is still located at thetop of the chicken loop line with their traditional stopper that’s adjustable onthe fly. Unlike before, the bridle system is color coded with either all blue orall red, indicating the right lines from the left lines. The stability of the kite isconsistent and predictable with its lower aspect ratio. We didn’t notice if thelack of a center strut helping the stability of the kite but that feature did standout on the Kahoona. The transition of power between the chicken loop andthe bar is quick so be ready to lose power quickly if you push the bar out fast.With solid low end grunt, riders will feel moderate bar pressure when ridingpowered up. This gives the kite a real direct feel and overall good sense ofcontrol when jumping. Those in lighter wind areas will appreciate the powerthis kite creates on those marginal days. The Kahoona is a great kite for anyrider looking to jump big – this kite definitely gave us some of the biggestjumps of the day. The kite holds consistent power all the way through thejumps and with its lower aspect ratio, it’s able to drift downwind withoutfalling out of the sky when landing fast downwind. The bridle is compactand Best eliminated two pulleys from it, replacing them with rings that slidealong the bridle to eliminate any wear and tear on the lines. The leading edgeis swept back from the center of the kite to the wingtips eliminating any flatspots in the center of the leading edge. This makes water relaunching muchmore effective as the kite naturally wants to roll to one side of the wind orthe other. The Kahoona was designed to be easy to rig up and go with nosecond guessing and the kite delivers exactly that. This kite is aimed forriders looking for a good basic kite that performs well in all conditions and istargeted more at beginner to intermediate level kiters.3D moldedergonomic gripControlSystemTips:Tips:REPORT CARDInflation System: Traditional inflation system with one way valvesCONTROL BAR: Color coded and comfortable gripCONTROL BAR ACCESSORIES: Below the bar quick release and moreSAFETY SYSTEM: Easy and efficient.BRIDLE: Compact and works well with the kiteSTABILITY: Doesn’t like to be oversheetedPOWER: Great for big lofty jumpsTURNING: Not a super fast kite but it’s still quickPOP: Creates a lot of lift when poweredBAR PRESSURE: Enough to feel where the kite is while ridingDEPOWER: Couldn’t wish for moreRELAUNCH: Reliable launching every time with little issuesDURABILITY: Vulnerable points are reinforcedKITE BAG: Great looking bag with a good amount of storagePUMP: N/A no pump included with this kite8 For a better upwind tack, keep the kite a little depowered.8 By keeping the kite powered up when jumping, you will get betterhang time.Above AverageAbove AverageExcellentExcellentAbove AverageAbove AverageExcellentExcellentExcellentModerateExcellentAbove AverageAbove AverageExcellentCONSUMER FEEDBACK: amartwww.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2354430&p=576643This was my first kite setup and I found it all to be a very good value. Everythingwas very simple and straight forward, no confusing BS. Best feature I can everask for is simplicity and durability, which both come through very strongly onthese products. If I had to put in more time or money to only get less i couldbarely afford to continue to kite. Best has allowed me to work less and get upkiting faster and longer. Overall this kite can work for anyone just as hard as youwant it to. Whether you are just starting or you are a seasoned kiter this will notdisappoint. This kite will give you more bang for your buck than anything else outthere and you will lose nothing by choosing this kite“Big Black” push torelease QR cuffkahoona WingtipControlSystemREPORT CARDInflation System: Standard Eclipse Quick Pump InflationExcellentCONTROL BAR: Ergonomic grip and color codedExcellentCONTROL BAR ACCESSORIES: Incorporates everything from thequick release to the elastic bar end covers adding style to its lookExcellentSAFETY SYSTEM: Effective with three different connection points for the riders leash ExcellentBRIDLE: Color coded, basic and efficient for anyone who flies this kite Above AverageSTABILITY: Super stable with no worries in steady wind conditionsAbove AveragePOWER: Plenty of low end power with it’s low aspect ratioAbove AverageTURNING: Fast and tends to pivot through the turns a little moreAbove AveragePOP: This kite offers great lift and hang time while stillholding good low end pull for freestyleExcellentBAR PRESSURE: Easy to turn with great feedback given back through the bar Light to ModerateDEPOWER: Smooth range with tons of depowerAbove AverageRELAUNCH: Easy and efficient with its swept back leading edge and compact bridle ExcellentDURABILITY: Solid construction and reinforced in the morecritical areas of the kiteAbove AverageKITE BAG: Big and easy to pack a kite up in a hurry with plenty of room for accessories ExcellentPUMP: N/ATips:8 For better performance, make sure to inflate the leading edge with plentyof pressure.8 Be sure to keep a little more back line tension on the kite for moreperformance when practicing freestyle maneuvers.CONSUMER FEEDBACK: Joel Theodorewww.extremekites.com.au/product-watch/kites/eclipse-thruster-2009-20080913441/Finally photos and news of the 2009 Eclipse Thruster. As of lately, Eclipse has spenta lot of time marketing the new Nano and Kima kites for 2009, while questions onthe Thruster were put in the queue. Last year Eclipse had success with the 2008Thruster. In 2009 the changes seem subtle reflecting a more refined Thruster thisyear. To accompany the new Eclipse Thruster is the Morph bar which now featuresbelow the bar depower and color coding Green and Red bar ends.thruster WingtipBIG ROOMY BAGEclipse thrusterTested: 12m TYPE OF KITE: Bow Kite SIZES: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16mFrom the ManufacturerThe 2009 Eclipse Thruster has once again set the bar, which all high performancekites are judged. The Thruster’s legendary freestyle excellence earned it the reputationas the definitive kite for riders that want it all. If you’re interested in jumping higher,riding faster, riding longer or just escalating every level of your kite surfing experience,then the Thruster is your companion. This is the kite for riders that will accept nothingless then perfection. The experienced seasoned rider will enjoy the free-style trickerythe Thruster gives access too. For 2009 Eclipse has tweaked the legend with superfast re-launch, more pop, more stability, low-end power and blazing faster turningthroughout all the sizes.THE KITEBOARDER REPORTRight when we got the 12m Thruster out of the bag we saw Eclipse had beefed upthe canopy reinforcements along the leading edge and trailing edge. Eclipse sent usthe Thruster stock with their new Morph Control bar that comes with an ergonomicgrip allowing little to no slippage while also color coded to help prevent from handlingthe bar backwards. For advanced riders throwing handle passes, the bar is equippedwith a below the bar leash connection point that makes for an easy recovery whenthe bar flies out of reach. This is not a safety leash that kills the kite. There are twoleash connection points on both outside lines, close to the rider, for riders wanting thisfeature. When practicing freestyle and unhooked maneuvers, the metal depower cleatbelow the bar may trip up your grip a little but with a little time it’s easy to get used to.Below the bar Eclipse has added a detachable donkey dick, a quick release, depowercleat and emergency quick release making everything effortless to reach for the rider.The Thruster comes with the Eclipse Micro Bridle system that helps the kite depowerefficiently when needed. Also with the bridle being compact we had no issues with itgetting caught up around the wingtips or tangling on any of the crashes. The bridledoes have pulleys incorporated into it which will last longer if rinsed out off betweensessions. For the riders in this sport that like freestyle and jumping big, this kite willperform to your liking. Although the kite does pivot a little through turns it had a verydistinct turning style with super smooth and consistent power all the way throughthe turns. While jumping the Thruster, prepare for solid lift and glide as this kite likesto boost high jumps. When powered up and throwing tricks, be careful not to landwhile riding straight to the kite with the kite high or the kite can stall, due to its highaspect ratio. This is easy to prevent by steering the kite a little faster in the directionyou are landing, which gives the kite more power to keep up with your speed. Thebar pressure was light to moderate and gave good feedback to us as to what the kitewas doing while flying. The Thruster is quick so when going for any grabs or trickswhere you will drop one hand off the bar, try to anticipate what the kite will do on thelanding before you actually leave the water for the trick. You may need to down loop iton landings or send it a little higher in the wind window right before you pop into themove. For being one of the younger companies in this sport Eclipse, deserves respectfor the 2009 Thruster. This is a kite that can be taken right out of the bag and riddenwith no need for any tuning or adjusting. For beginners needing a comfortable kitethat performs and will progress them into a more advanced riding level, the Thrusteris a kite to look into. More advanced riders will like the kite’s ability to jump well forthose windy days that make you test how high you can really go.2009 custom grip withsoft bar ends58 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 59

designer’s corner cont.analyze thisliquidforceHiFi CompTested: 12m TYPE OF KITE: 5th line Hybrid Kite SIZES: 7, 9 & 12mFrom the ManufacturerThe HiFi Comp is LF’s new flat water, wave, competition-orientedkite. If kite looping and new school wake style is what you areinto, then this is the kite for you. It is a 5th line hybrid, giving thekite the depower of a SLE with the direct feeling of a 5th line kite.The HiFi Comp also features a two option 5th line riding system inwhich you can ether ride with the 5th line above the bar, free frombar obstruction, or below the bar for the classic 5th line set up.THE KITEBOARDER REPORTWe received a 12m HiFi Comp and right from the start, we couldsee that the Axis 5 control bar had one significant change from theoriginal SLE control system. The 5th line doesn’t come down throughthe bar. Instead, it’s attached at the top of the chicken loop wherethe two front lines split. This means you will need a long leash ifyou want a 5th line safety system. There’s a substitute quick releasedown closer to the bar on the right fly line for riders to hook up toif their leash is too short. The HiFi Comp comes with the traditionalUnion Inflation System where the struts and the leading edge strutsinflate separately (two pump system). The outline of the kite is stillalmost identical to last year’s HiFi, while the trailing edge is a littlemore defined in the way its cut. This is a 5th line kite blending thecharacteristics of bow with a C-kite. The chicken loop has a smoothtransition from powered up to full depower. On the water the kiteheld consistent power and offered our test team a very stable feel inthe bar while riding. Liquid Force has equipped the kite with multipleadjustment points on the kite for different riding styles. When the kitesetup is flown for freestyle the turning is accelerated whereas whenthe kite is setup for wakestyle the turning slows slightly. Because ofthis it is good to make sure the kite is setup for your liking before youmake your way onto the water. The kite has moderate bar pressureand gave us good feedback at all times and in all settings. The HiFiComp has more low end pull than the average kite and creates a lotof power when first getting up on the board. Jumping on the kitewas easy and the landings were smooth as the kite had no problemsholding power while riding towards it. While the HiFi comp offersgood floating jumps, it doesn’t launch you super high unless you’rewell powered up. Relaunching the kite was simple and quick with theuse of the 5th line. In all, the Liquid Force HiFi Comp is a kite that’sdesigned for more advanced kiteboarders who are in tune with whatthey like and don’t, and are focused more on the freestyle/wakestylestyles of riding.Liquid Force bar floatREPORT CARDTips:ControlSystemInflation System: Traditional Union Inflation SystemExcellentCONTROL BAR: Small diameter and easy to hold ontoAbove AverageCONTROL BAR ACCESSORIES: From the bottom up, this bar incorporates everything ExcellentSAFETY SYSTEM: basic, clean and simple safety systemExcellentBRIDLE: N/A just has a 5th line connection pointSTABILITY: Very predictable and easy to flyAbove AveragePOWER: Solid low end power and easy to adjust on the flyExcellentTURNING: Fast turning kite with little loss of power through the turnsExcellentPOP: Great lift and pop for freestyle ridersAbove AverageBAR PRESSURE: A little heavier than anticipatedModerateDEPOWER: Efficient and easy to control the power rangeExcellentRELAUNCH: Quick with the help of the 5th lineExcellentDURABILITY: Solid build with beefed up leading edge skid guardsExcellentKITE BAG: Simple bag with what you need to hold your accessoriesAbove AveragePUMP: your standard kite pump with kite tetherAverage8 Connecting the back lines to the knot closest to the kite will make the kiteperform better.8 Make sure to keep the safety system and release clean from sand and test regularly.CONSUMER FEEDBACK: murfwww.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=43737The first thing you notice when you take the kite out of the bag is the size of theleading edge and struts; they are about 20% smaller than the original HiFi. Thereare three settings for the front lines ranging from freestyle to wakestyle and twosetting on the rear lines, fast and slow. There is also a new 5th line bridle whichsupports the leading edge. The construction of the kite seems very nicely done.When I got the kite in the air the first thing I noticed is that it has a slightly higheraspect ratio. The bar pressure is super light on the freestyle setting and this kiteturns fast. The only downside I found with it is the water relaunch in light wind.Because it is a little higher aspect ratio, it takes more technique.Liquid force wingtipAxis Control Systemchicken loopREPORT CARDTips:ControlSystemInflation System: Old school with no one way valvesCONTROL BAR: Great comfortable grip that’s easy to hold ontoCONTROL BAR ACCESSORIES: Efficiently engineered control systemwithout being overwhelmingSAFETY SYSTEM: Clean effective and simpleBRIDLE: N/A – This was a C-kite with a 5th line attachmentSTABILITY: Even in gusty conditions the kite flew stablePOWER: Solid power with great controlTURNING: Efficient and easy to control with one handPOP: Good lift and low end for freestyleBAR PRESSURE: Light to moderate bar pressure with little stress on ones elbowsDEPOWER: great range for a C-kite with complete depower through the 5th lineRELAUNCH: Easy with use of the 5th line to roll the kite overDURABILITY: Indestructible and enduring quality in the buildKITE BAG: Clean big bag with plenty of storagePUMP: N/A – No pump was included with our kite8 Rinse off all metal parts on the control system to help the longevityof the equipment.8 When setting up this kite for the first time, connect all four lines to the secondknot to help become more comfortable with the setup.CONSUMER FEEDBACK: xraywww.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2350683&start=10&st=0&sk=t&sd=aNice work Naish! Bar is great, functional to the bone and very comfortable -- greatfeedback, very smooth kite, no fluttering, smooth loops and surprisingly good jumping.Power is predictable and still direct. The kite drifts nicely when riding towards it whileriding a wave, one of the better kites I’ve ridden so far. For me to be perfect they mighteven turn a notch faster. This means in no way that the kites are slow, just that I likereally fast kites. The Torch is not too much different other than it’s a perfect C-kite with asuperb feel to it. Surprisingly good depower too but not as easy to use it as the Cult.wingtip torchSmart loop release anddepower systemAverageExcellentExcellentExcellentAbove AverageAbove AverageAbove AverageExcellentExcellentExcellentAbove AverageExcellentAbove AverageNaish torchTested: 12m TYPE OF KITE: C-Kite SIZES: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 mFrom the ManufacturerDon’t mess with success. The 2009 Torch is built on the hugely successful 2008design, which has been praised by magazines and riders around the world as thebest C-kite ever made. The new Smart Paneling in the wing tips increases thecontrol of turn completion and improves depower smoothness. This provides allthe advantages of a power C-kite with the depower range approaching that of aSLE. The flying characteristics are unmatched. Never before has a kite had thisamazing combination of fast turning and perfect pull during turns, while maintaininga very friendly overall riding overall riding feel. The 2009 Torch targets intermediateto professional kiters who demand the greatest possible hooked-in and unhookedperformance from a power C-kite. Combined with the 2009 Shift System, the Torchreturns to defend its worldwide test winning status and remains the most technicallyperfect performance C-kite in existence.THE KITEBOARDER REPORTThe Torch is targeted at the advanced kiter with its solid C-kite construction andoverall performance. Upon inflating the kite, we noticed that it did not come withNaish’s Octopus inflation system. Instead, the struts and LE need to be pumpedindividually and did not have one way valves, although the leading edge did havea large dump valve for quick deflation. The bar was equipped with an ergonomicgrip for a Also comfortable available feel with at little the slippage. TKB store Below – the Check bar you out will the find the sub 5th offers!line leash connection, depower strap, www.thekiteboarder.coma removable donkey dick and quick releasesystem. The control system doesn’t come with an adjustable stopper ball and thechicken loop line is long so riders with a shorter reach may need to modify it.Naish incorporated a stopper ball on the fly line to prevent the bar from flying allthe way up to the kite on release, also preventing a possible mess of spaghettiline. The outline of the Torch is one of a true C-kite. The trailing edge holds anaggressive cut from wingtip to wingtip. The leading edge is lined with MoldedEVA/PU Bumpers along with Aramid patches to protect the seams, making it readyto handle abuse on the water or ground. We were able to test the Torch in a steady20 to 22 mph breeze. The Torch produced a solid feel of power throughout thewind window that was easy to control and adjust when needed. It offered a goodamount of low end pull with light to moderate bar pressure. The Torch was easyto get back upwind with when powered and recovered well from any jumps thatwere over flown. One of the riders commented on how he could drop a handoff the bar in the middle of a trick and not have to worry about getting it backon the bar immediately on the landing. For advanced riders into kite loops, theturning speed is easy to control. This is a kite that can be trusted to come all theway through the loop without stalling halfway and leaving you flying toward thewater at mach 3 speeds. The Torch also offers great hang time and power forthose riders looking for a true freestyle kite. It was easy to relaunch with its 5thline, which also acts as a kill switch if needed when in sketchy situations or selfrescuing. The wingtips offer some adjustment points for riders wanting a customfeel in their kite. Overall, the 2009 Naish Torch is a kite that performs well inthe hands of intermediate to advanced kiteboarders looking for a kite with solidC-kite performance for more aggressive riding and tricks.2009 TorchKite Bag60 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 61

analyze thisslingshot misfitTESTED: 130cm AVAILABLE SIZES: 130, 132, 136 and 146cmTHE KITEBOARDER REPORTWe were able to ride the 130x38cm Slingshot Misfit in flat water conditions with light chop. TheMisfit came stock with four aggressive 2” fins that really catch and help the board drive upwind.The footstraps and pads are asymmetrical with an ergonomic toe grip, while the straps canbe easily taken apart and mounted to the board in minutes. Slingshot’s straps are the same aslast year and have great adjustment for riders who have smaller feet. At first glance, the mostnoticeable feature on the board was the step down sidewall construction. This feature also givesthe board a thin rail, allowing it to create a lot of speed and power. Along with its flat rocker, theMisfit has a slight concave in it that helps the board ride upwind efficiently when powered up,as well as pop and release from the water fast and effectively. Because the board has the abilityto flex and adjust quickly to different conditions due to SS’s proprietary FRT technology andconstruction, the Misfit can easily handle harder landings, making them feel softer and easier.When going into a fast, powerful transition, be sure to keep a little more weight on your backfoot as the board skipped out a few times on us if we didn’t pay attention to this. Additionally,it’s essential that this board be powered up when riding for best performance. This Misfit is bestsuited for intermediate to advanced riders looking for a stick that will help them progress theirfreestyle skills due to it’s solid pop, drive and power.REPORT CARDDurability: Durable construction with FRT construction ExcellentWeight: Straps and pads add weightAbove AverageTurning: Fast, quick and responsiveExcellentPop: Quick and powerfulExcellentUpwind Ability: Definitely helps to be powered up Above AverageStraps and Pads: Easy to mount and take off in minutes ExcellentFins: Comes stock with aggressive 2” finsAbove AverageTips:8 Keep a little more weight on your bag leg in poweredtransitions to really help the board drive through turnsmore effectively.8 When transitioning from your heel side rail to your toe side rail,be sure to break the fins free before going to your new rail.CONSUMER FEEDBACK: lozzwww.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?whichpage=-1&TOPIC_ID=43022&REPLY_ID=303944Tried the Slingshot Misfit 130 on the weekend! At first I wasa bit reluctant as it felt a bit too heavy! It was the best boardI have ever ridden! It was smooth even in choppy conditions.It had a huge amount of pop. It’s hard to explain it! Anyways, Iordered mine today and am praying it will get here before thenext sea breeze!crazy fly raptor proTESTED: 132x43CM SIZES: 127x38, 127x40, 132x39, 132x41, 132x43, 137x39, 137x41 & 137x43cmTHE KITEBOARDER REPORTThe Crazyfly Raptor Pro is marketed as a board that can handle choppy conditions and performfast powerful carves or transitions. We had a chance to ride the 132x43 which is a wide boardbut that was quick and efficient when under powered. The boards’ rocker is small but with itsability to flex in the tips, the Raptor Pro creates good pop for low powered freestyle tricks. Crazyflyincorporates carbon fiber into the overall design of their boards and it shows throughout thegraphics. The graphics of the board are vibrant with contrasting colors that really help to identifywhere your board is after you take a hard crash. The outline is squarer towards the center of theboard while the tips have a rounder outline in the rail. This helps the center of the board hold asolid line in the water for upwind performance while the tips are still able to release from thewater easier due to this design. The Raptor Pro comes with a three-dimensional ABS rail thatallows it to hold to the water a little better and resist any tendencies to skip out. Our test boardwas the widest out of the 130 sized boards so it did skip out a little when going through a reallyfast and powerful transition. The Raptor isn’t a stiff board but it doesn’t carry a lot of flex either.Crazyfly has kept the same pads and straps from last year on their board line. The Dual DensityPro Pads offer good cushioning on the harder landings while still giving the rider a solid feel of theboard and its riding characteristics. Overall, we tested the wide boy in the Raptor series which isnot as fast or performance oriented as the other sizes in the line. The 132x43 board tested is bestsuited for a bigger rider looking for something they can jump into and can throw down with thatwill perform well in light (due to width) to moderately strong conditions (due to length). It wouldalso work well for lighter riders looking for a manageable light wind board.REPORT CARDDurability: Built with a carbon fiber lay up Above AverageWeight: Weighs 2.6 kg without hardware Light to mediumTurning: Smooth easy with plenty of controlExcellentPop: Good pop with its wide outline from tip to tip Above AverageUpwind Ability: Cruises upwind with ease,even with little powerExcellentStraps and Pads: Comfortable Dual Density Pro Pads ExcellentFins: Comes with four aggressive 5.0cm G10 fins Above AverageTips:8 Be sure to keep up good board speed to help theboard pop better for freestyle tricks.8 Keep a little extra weight on your front leg to helpforce the board into a more aggressive upwind tackwhen underpowered.CONSUMER FEEDBACK: Peter and Hannahwww.crazy-fly.ch/cf2009/n_04_tenerife.phThe first thing you notice is the quality construction of all theseboards with the full carbon core clearly visible and nice graphicswith a two-tone reflective Crazyfly logo. The board worksexceptionally well in light and strong winds, getting up on theplane early and cutting its way upwind in light winds. The popis excellent and lands incredibly easy due to the extra rocker inthe ends and fin size, despite landing off balance in any directionthis board just never lets you down. All round, an excellent firstchoice board for intermediate to well advanced riders.62 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 63

estdesigner’scornerThe Kahoona is a delta/hybrid which features excellent relaunch andBest’s new Red Line Control Bar. | Photo Gavin Butler.designer’scornerThe Caution crew spent a lot of energy prototyping theMayhem X to offer breakout C-kite steering in a highperformance SLE kite. | Photo Jim StringfellowCAUTIONProduct name: KahoonaProduct category:Delta/HybridSizes available: 7.5, 9.5, 11.5and 13.5mRelease DAte: Early MarchDesigner Profile:Name: Peter StieweAge: 38 Location: Wherever there’swind and wavesJob Title: Managing Director R&D,Kite DesignDesigning: Kiteboarding products 8 yearsKiteboarding: 9 yearsTony Bolstad, Team Rider:Is this a new design or a nextgeneration on an existing design? Thegoals for the Kahoona were simple. Wewanted to make a kite that any rider couldjump on straight away and have fun, akite that has equal appeal to newer riders,big wave surfers and the freestyle crowd.Absolutely anyone can ride the Kahoona.What was your biggest challengeduring the prototype phase?Starting a new blank sheet design like theKahoona is really sailing in uncharted waters.I know what design constraints I have to workwith: a moderate aspect ratio C-shape layout,wide swept back wingtips for relaunch, and fastturning and a short bridle set up for stabilityand added depower. I know what designfeatures give which characteristics. The trickis to blend them seamlessly to offer the mixof performance and ease of use that riders arecrying out for.If you could choose one standoutperformance or new construction featureto highlight, what would it be? It’s veryhard to try and distill everything that’s goodabout the new kite into one answer. Betweenthe easy handling, auto-relaunch and great bigwave ability, I think most riders will choosetestedI got a chance to test fly the new Best Kahoona after the La Ventana Classicin Baja last month. This kite is a new Delta-shape for Best and was the firstopportunity I got to try a kite of this type. The kite felt super stable, hadmoderate bar pressure, and while it’s not the highest jumper in Best’s lineup, it had a nice lofty and floaty feel to it with very gentle landings. The mostoutstanding feature of the kite was how incredibly easy it was to relaunch, even from a leadingedge down position. I also took an unhooked surf board run through the foot high shorebreakand was impressed with how the kite hung back in the pocket and how easy it was to fly onehanded while going down the line. I might have to get one for my wave sessions!the relaunch — but it’s the kite’s wave riding ability that puts thesmile on my face.What is the biggest advantage of your control bar? The newRedline bar shares a lot of features with the standard Best Bar: dualrear line OSR handles, all carbon construction, 700 lb. flying lines andof course the Big Black QR. Where it differs is that is uses a singlefront line safety system. The Redline Bar safety depowers the kiteby dropping the Kahoona onto the front bridle, killing virtually all thepower. Riders who are used to 5th line systems or having to flip theirkite onto its back to relaunch are going to find the Kahoona so easy!What are some of the other key product features andperformance characteristics? The Kahoona is a moderate tolow aspect ratio kite, so it develops very good low end power andis naturally very stable due to the influence of kite shape and themini-VP2 bridle. The swept back LE and wide wingtips allow for plentyof control surface so the Kahoona turns tight and fast. It’s a 4-strutdesign, so not only is there less drag under the canopy when you turnthe kite, but it is also lighter, and it handles really well in light winds.All around, it’s a very simple and rewarding kite to fly.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product and inwhat conditions? I love it for the way it handles in the surf. There’snowhere else I’d rather ride than in overhead waves, down the line orside shore — I’m in heaven in those conditions. I think intermediateriders who are already progressing will get the most out of theKahoona. It’s going to appeal to riders who want ease of use andsolid performance.What performance gains do you think the average consumerwill achieve if they get this product? Riders are going to spendless time looking at the kite and worrying about crashing it and moretime pushing themselves.Is this a new design or a next generation on an existing design?The Mx can be characterized as a new design, but at the heart of theMx is our short bridle and C-style steering technology, which has seen ageneral evolution through all of our kites over the last couple years.If this is an extension of an existing design, what were the maingoals in developing the next generation product? This last summerwe spent a lot of energy on developing the Zombie, a super stablefreeride kite designed to offer predictable handling and smooth flyingcharacteristics. At the end of that process we were getting feedbackfrom our core riders for more performance tweaks on the Mayhem lineof kites, so we set off to replace the Mayhem series with a pure highperformance C-style-hybrid, that makes no compromises on performance.What was your biggest challenge during the prototype phase?We tried to achieve quick flying and swift turning characteristics whileoptimizing the bar pressure, back flying and overall stability. After goingthrough a number of prototypes and tweaks, we were able to dial in theair frames and attachment points to achieve a solid balance.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? The standoutperformance feature that I would point out is the Mx’s snappyperformance, with breakout C-style steering characteristics. There’s alot of talk about C-kite style steering lately, and this has been one ofour key design goals since the beginning of high depower kites — wehave put a lot of energy into prototyping around this.What is the biggest advantage of your control bar? We are reallyahead of the curve on the design and functionality of our bar, with afocus on lightweight, simple yet highly functional bar features. Our trimloop line is maintenance free and will last well beyond the life of thekite. Our quick release is lightweight, easy to grab and was designedwith the unhooked rider in mind.What style/level of rider will most enjoy thisproduct and in what conditions? The Mxis stable enough for all levels of riders, butintermediate and advanced riders will thrive onthe Mx’s high performance characteristics.What performance gains do you think theaverage consumer will achieve if they getthis product? The average consumer flyingthe Mx will experience our vision for what ahigh performance kite should feel like and willbe impressed by the responsiveness and precisionin the Mx’s flying characteristics. The Mx will workgreat in the waves, will offer really solid boost forfreestyle and can be tuned for new school freestyle.What is your warranty policy on this product?We are very lucky in the sense that we have tightcontrol over the manufacturing and inspectionprocess which ensures the quality of all theproduct that leaves the factory. The heart of ourtesting is based in Santa Cruz and the nature ofour team has helped us in building bombproofkites since the beginning of kiting, and as a resultwe stand behind our kites with a 100% warrantyin the event of any defects in workmanship.What differentiates your product from yourcompetitors? We build functional, highperformanceproducts backed by a team of solidriders, with the expectation that what we dospeaks for itself, without all the hype.Keegan Mayo, Team Rider:What is your warranty policy on this product? We offer our FairWhat are some of the other key product features andand Reasonable Timeframe Warranty on all ‘09 products. Rather thanperformance characteristics? The Mx features our tried and testedcharge you for an extended warranty or mess about with third partyone pump system featuring bomber connections, with simple hardwarerepairs, we consider all warranty requests regardless of kite age. If it’sand a layout that is built for longevity and hassle-free inflation. We did‘our bad’ we’ll make you happy.a lot of experimenting with our wingtips to optimize the Mx’s flying andsheeting characteristics while building the design around a five strutWhat differentiates your product from your competitors? Thisairframe to create improvements in drag and weight for responsive andsounds like a question for the marketing department! I just design kitesfast performance. As always, we spent a lot of time focused on our airthat do what our customers tell us they want: great performing kites atframe and panel layout to get a really solid wing without having to usecompetitive prices. I’m confident the Kahoona ticks those boxes.battens to compensate for poor shaping.64 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 65testedDesigner Profile:Name: Peter SchiebelAge: 35 Location: Santa Cruz, CAJob Title: Part Owner /Head of Kite DesignDesigning: 20+ yearsKiteboarding: Since the beginningProduct name: 2009 Mayhem XProduct category: SLESizes available: 7, 9, 11, 14 and 18mRelease date: Spring 2009The 2009 Mx is the kite Peter has been talking about making for a couple years.It works really well for powered wave riding, with super fast turning responseand flies lightning fast so you can put it exactly where you want it. Peter did anawesome job blending low end pull, turning speed and upwind ability in the 11and 14m kites, making these kites great for light wind, glassy sessions. The Mx’slightweight bar and precision steering make the Mx handle like no other kite I have ridden. Withradical boost for freestyle and stable flying in gusty conditions, the Mx is my favorite kite yet tocome out of the Caution family.

F-ONEdesigner’scornerThe Revolt 2 is based on F-One’s delta Bandit design and was developed for schoolswith beginner to intermediate rider needs in mind. | Photo Shark EyeThe VSonic’s unique shape combines the advantages of a high and medium aspect ratio kite into one design. | Photo Litewave Davedesigner’scornerGLOBE66 thekiteboarder.comDesigner Profile:Name: Raphael SallesAge: 46Location: Montpellier, FranceJob Title: Boss – R&D ManagerDesigning: 32 years kite and windsurfKiteboarding: 12 yearsProduct name: Revolt 2Product category: DeltaSizes available: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13mRelease date: March 2009Frank Witke, Team Rider:Is this a new design or a nextgeneration on an existing design?The Revolt 2 is the next generation of anexisting product, the Revolt.If this is an extension of an existingdesign, what were the main goalsin developing the next generationproduct? The Revolt first generation madein 2008 was a pilot program in Europe.We wanted to offer a kite based on theBandit, for the schools as well as primarilyto beginners and intermediate riders. Someaccessories such as the kite bag were madea lot simpler so that the pricing was alsosignificantly lowered. It was a success,even with advanced riders (to complete aquiver) so this year, we wanted to extendthe program worldwide and improve theRevolt without making any drastic changes.Feedback from our schools and customerswas: Do not change it, we love it as is!What was your biggest challenge duringthe prototype phase? The ‘08 Revolt wasan easy base to start from, one that gave usplenty satisfaction last year, so we focusedon all those little things that can improvethe rider experience without making any bigchanges. The Revolt 2 has sizes that rangefrom 3 to 13m so it’s always a bit difficult totestedJust had a session on a Revolt 2 9m in 15 to 30 knots and it feels very similar tolast year’s Bandit, which is a great thing! The kite has incredible range and atno time was I under or overpowered. Like the 2009 Bandit Dos, it is reinforcedon the struts and in the wingtips, so no problem roughing it up a little on thebeach on solo launching or landing. I love the new colors, and the simple bagis cool too with the new net to cover the inflated struts. The bar is on the simple but functionalside, with two colored straps for power and depower, and the length of the chicken loop linehas been shortened for those with shorter arms! It is marketed for schools and intermediateriders, but it works for me and I can save some money for a new bamboo surfboard!find the right wind conditions to develop all these different sizes.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? We have madesome significant improvements in the way the struts are designed and intheir overall durability. These modifications improve the overall stabilityof the profile, especially in strong wind conditions.What is the biggest advantage of your control bar? Our control bar is asimple 4-line depower system with a 4m safety lifeline, featuring a V-shapedbridle (EVO) with a pulley system on each of the front lines. For the Revolt 2,we have improved the bridle system and its pulley. When the quick release isactivated, the kite lands safely on its back with an immediate and total powerkill. For ‘09, we have longer floats on the leader lines, a new grip with analuminum center on the bar itself, a new color coded strap (red for less powerand black for more), and a shorter chicken loop and leash.What are some of the other key product features andperformance characteristics? The auto-relaunch is truly a featurethat school instructors (and students) love. Same is true for unhookedriders that often have the kite on the water. We have also added a net tothe basic kite bag so that you can keep your struts inflated when packingyour gear and be ready for the next day.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product and in whatconditions? The Revolt 2 was designed with schools, beginners andintermediates in mind. But we have a lot of advanced riders who are alsolooking at the Revolt 2 to complete a quiver.What performance gains do you think the average consumer willachieve if they get this product? The Delta has proved itself a gooddesign, one that improves on the more traditional designs by bridgingtogether stability, depower and safety with performance, hangtime andquickness. I would say that the Revolt 2 has probably the best ratioperformance/price we could offer. If I had to learn how to kitesurf today, Iwould recommend a pack like the Revolt 2 + our ‘09 Fluid.What is your warranty policy on this product? One year.What differentiates your product from your competitors? The DeltaC-Shape along with the EVO bride system. Since last year and the launchof our Delta concept (now patented) with the Bandit, we are confidentwe have a winning formula that pleases a large number of riders, fromthe beginner/intermediate (stability, depower, auto-relaunch) to the moreadvanced riders (power, hangtime, quickness with C-profile).Is this a new design or a next generation on an existing design?This is an evolution of the 2008 VSonic.If this is an extension of an existing design, what were the maingoals in developing the next generation product? The VSonic hasa small nose in the center of its LE, and a small tail on its TE. By doingthis it has a lower aspect ratio in the center and is higher on the sides,which helps stabilize the kite in its low wind range end and add to itsperformance. This also makes the kite turn more on its center, givingthe feeling of a medium aspect ratio kite, but with the upwind and hangtime performance of a high aspect ratio kite. The V-shape additionallyhelps lessen the shock to the LE when crashing as it no longer hit itsfull length, which puts tremendous pressure on the tube. The V-shapealso digs in the water and prevents the kite from drifting downwind andmakes it pivot on its back for a near effortless relaunch.What was your biggest challenge during the prototype phase?Adjusting the bridle can sometimes be complicated!If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? I found a verygood way to close the LE. The thread isn’t stitched directly to the Dacron,but on webbing I added to the edge of it. The needle holes weakened theDacron but the webbing can support them without damage.What is the biggest advantage of your control bar? The depowersystem and Quick Release have been totally reworked. First, the QR isan improved push away pin system. Also, reengaging is very fast, even ifyour kite is pulling. The depower strap is very simple and easy to adjust.You can change the distance from the strap to the bar in a few secondswithout undoing any knot or changing the length of the front lines.What are some of the other key product features andperformance characteristics? Turning speed and bar pressure istotally controlled by the rider. I put new attachment points on the LEto adjust my patented A-KPO bridle in a few seconds. Unfortunatelynobody is really familiar with adjusting their kite, but this is a key point.There are great advantages to adjusting the center of balance of thekite by adjusting the bridle. Just like with sailboat or windsurf sails, it isnatural to adjust your gear to fit what you want.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product and in whatconditions? The VSonic is good for fast cruising, with excellent upwindand hang time performance. If you ride in unstable conditions, you willbe able to cover a large wind range because on the edge of the window,it does not pull too much so you can ridein strong winds, but if the wind drops,you can compensate by flying acrossthe window and building a lot of powerthrough the kite’s high flying speed.What performance gains do you thinkthe average consumer will achieveif they get this product? In general, highaspect ratio kites like the VSonic are lessstable on the edge of the window in unstablewinds. By putting a lower aspect ratio in thecenter, I stabilized the kite in difficult conditions,thus combining the advantages of a high andmedium aspect ratio kite in the same design.What is your warranty policy on thisproduct? We cover all manufacturing defects.I personally follow up on each warrantyrequest as I need to see what is going on andI speak directly with the kite owner to resolveany issues. I also launched globespirit.comwhere all GK riders can communicate and helpeach other. I am around most of the time, andeveryone can send me a message.What differentiates your product from yourcompetitors? The VSonic is a progressionof my experience from designing the WipikaAirblast and Free Air in 2000, the Skoop in2001, then starting GK a few years later. Iintroduced the Sonic in September 2005 withthe KPO pulley bridle. Today many of the kiteson the water could not fly without KPO. GlobeKites now use the A-KPO, which I believe isanother step forward.testedDesigner Profile:Name: Mat PendleAge: 41Location: MauritiusJob Title: DesignerDesigning: Kite design for 10 yearsKiteboarding: 11 yearsProduct name: VSonicProduct category: SLE / HybridSizes available: 6, 8, 11, 14 and 17mRelease date: Available NowIrma Harris, Team Rider:The upwind ability on the 2009 VSonic is excellent. It’s super easy to relaunch andmade it less scary for me to try new tricks and drop my kite! It’s perfect for gettingway upwind and throwing big, long hang time jumps – it’s like an anti-gravity machine.The 8m is my main kite and has a lot of range, so I can almost have a one-kite quiver.thekiteboarder.com 67

Liquid Forcedesigner’scornerA new design for 2009, the HiFi Comp is a high performance new school competitionkite with the depower and safety of today’s SLEs. | Photo John BilderbackEach model in Naish’s fish line has a quad fin configuration and distinctlydifferent performance characteristics. | Photo Erik Aederdesigner’scornerNaishDesigner Profile:Name: Julien FillionAge: 27Location: US East CoastJob Title: LF Designer and AthleteDesigning: 6 yearsKiteboarding: 5 yearsProduct name: HiFi CompProduct category: Hybrid 5th line(not a C-kite)Sizes available: 5, 7, 9 and 12mRelease date: Available NowThomas Alsbirk, Team Rider:Is this a new design or a next generationon an existing design? The HiFi Comp is acompletely new design for 2009.What was your biggest challenge duringthe prototype phase? Create the best highperformance new school competition kite,without losing the easiness of use.If you could choose one standoutperformance or new construction featureto highlight, what would it be? The HiFiComp is a kiteloop machine. With the differentwingtip adjustments you can control therotation radius of your kiteloops; and at thesame time the depower and safety system isup to the SLE kites standards.What is the biggest advantage of yourcontrol bar? It’s simple and safe. The Axis 5control system that comes stock with the 2009HiFi Comp is unique in that the 5th line doesnot come all the way down to the chickenloop or through the bar. This design innovationgives the rider the simplicity of riding a 4-linecontrol bar, with many of the advantages anddirect feel of the 5th line system. The HiFitestedThe HiFi Comp is my favorite kite for freestyle and wakestyle. The complexLE construction and panel layout combined with the new cascading 5th linebridle has allowed a super thin LE. This, in combination with the new fast andpowerful high performance profile, gives impressive acceleration, massivepower and huge pop once you get going. Yet the Comp is still predictable andeasy to control hooked in and out, and stays where you want it to during tricks. The exaggeratedtip width allows for powerful non-pivot turns, giving you a super direct feeling with instantresponse from bar input, making the Comp the ultimate megaloop machine. However high andhorizontal you go, this kite will always catch you for a perfect landing. For pop tricks, the Compdelivers a perfect moment of slack to stick any passes.Comp has light bar pressure while also giving the rider a veryresponsive, direct and consistent feel.What are some of the other key product featuresand performance characteristics? With the multiplereinforcements, the construction of the HiFi Comp is outstanding.With double layer LE construction, you can crash your kite allday long learning new tricks without any worry or doubt of itsstrength. The controlled lift and pop is amazing on the Comp,and it comes with pre-installed ready to use front line pigtailadjustment for both wake and freestyle riding, which does notrequire any adjustment of the front lines or 5th line length.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product andin what conditions? The Pros, only the pros! Really, the HiFiComp is for anybody who’s looking for the top end of hybrid kiteperformance, safety and fun. The controlled lift will help you getmassive air, and the very forward flight of the Comp will help youpop, grab and pass. Pro riders from other companies have triedthe Comp and love it – we think that’s says it all.What performance gains do you think the averageconsumer will achieve if they get this product? The abilityto ride a high performance kite, yet the feeling that they are safeand always in full control. Riders will also have more confidenceto try new moves because of the safety system and super easyrelaunch of the Comp, but most importantly, we think the biggestbenefit will be no more wasted energy due to the consistent pullof the kite resulting in more time on the water.What is your warranty policy on this product? Liquid Forcestands behind all of it’s products 100%. Kites carry a one yearwarranty from the date of purchase.What differentiates your product from your competitors?The HiFi Comp came to life after listening to rider’s needs –riders who already used the HiFi and also others enjoying otherbrands. It’s simply the perfect mix of high performance, comfortand safety.Is this a new design or a next generation on an existing design?It’s a next generation.If this is an extension of an existing design, what were themain goals in developing the next generation product? The maingoals with the Fish range were to offer specific riding characteristicsnot found in our other ranges. In 2008, our largest Fish was a 6’6” x20”, single bump, small swallow tail thruster. It was a great board,with or without footstraps, at its best at the lower board speeds ofsmaller surf and lighter wind. We updated this board for 2009 with amore compact design at 6’2” x 20” to be more responsive under yourfeet and with the performance benefits of a quad fin configuration.The 2008 Fish 5’5” got completely reworked. The 5’5” was super looseand fun. For the 2009 5’7” we developed greatly improved stabilityand light wind performance. The 5’7” makes an excellent board forbeginners that find looser wave boards hard to control, as well asadvanced riders looking for a recreational race board due to its upwinddrive. We also added for 2009 the 5’2” x 17.5” It really is an insanelyfun board that does everything. Don’t let its short length fool you.What was your biggest challenge during the prototype phase?Construction development. Construction is a massive component ofperformance, probably as influential as any other aspect of boarddesign. Board weight is easy to determine. Durability is also easy toascertain. What is much more subtle to see or feel, but has as muchor more influence on riding performance is a construction’s flex andresponse. With all these characteristics of construction performance inmind, we developed an entirely new construction for 2009. In sumary, itis an EPS core with a wood stringer, with full wraps of inner and outerlaminates over a full PVC shell. Naish has been developing sandwichconstructions for windsurf, surf, SUP and kiteboards for many years, butthis one is unique in that that these boards are not mold pop-outs wherethe seam in the core materials and laminates is an inherent weak spot.Molded boards also suffer from the potential for excess resin or dryspots in the laminates. Our boards are hand-made so that the corematerials and laminates overlap and fully wrap the rails. Hand-makingboards assures the lightest, strongest construction possible.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? Furtherdevelopment utilizing quad fin configurations has been a performancebreak-through. The rider has so many more performance options bymoving the location of their back foot placement. Riding with your backfoot further forward makes the board ride stable and powerful. Ridingwith your back foot closer to the tail of the board makes the board superloose. Quad fins are so good we’ve designedall seven Global and Fish models with them.Only the one Gun model is a thruster and this isbecause the Gun has an entirely different outlineand tail design which is well suited for thethruster fin configuration.What are some of the other key productfeatures and performance characteristics?Killer board, sick performance, awesomecomponents — what more could you ask for?What style/level of rider will most enjoy thisproduct and in what conditions? Each model inthe Fish range has distinctly different performance,as described previously. Your best choice isn’tdetermined by riding level, but is a matterof personal preference for the performancecharacteristics you’d like from your board.What performance gains do you think theaverage consumer will achieve if theyget this product? Totally depends on whatboard they’re coming from, but regardless,they’ll be totally stoked on the 2009 Fish.What is your warranty policy on thisproduct? The Custom Fish boards offer theoptimal balance of strength to weight. They aredurable yet breakable under excess abuse. Seeyour local dealer if you have any questions.What differentiates your product from yourcompetitors? Performance.Kevin Langeree, Team Rider:After last year’s success with the Fish, we decided to extend the range. TheFish boards are really fun to ride in nearly any kind of conditions. If you live in aplace with light wind and small waves, the 6’2” is the board to have. It’s also thebest all-arounder to bring on a surf trip. The 5’7” is a true surf design so you canbasically bring your surfing style back to your wave riding. Don’t get fooled bythe 5’3”. It’s a really fast and snappy board but it doesn’t feel really small. I loveto ride this board in strong wind and overhead waves!68 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 69testedDesigner Profile:Name: Greg DrexlerAge: 36 Location: Maui, HawaiiJob Title: Kiteboard Product ManagerDesigning: 8 yearsKiteboarding: 12 yearsProduct name:2009 Naish Custom FishProduct category:Wave boardSizes available:5’2”, 5’7” and 6’2”Release date:Available Now

npxdesigner’scornerThe Zealot is NPX’s high end wetsuit which features special neoprene to keep youtoastier and one-way Aqua Flush leg panels. | Photo Bill WermeDesigned to perform best in shoulder high to double overhead waves, intermediate to expert levelkitesufers will most appreciate the performance of the Ben Wilson Pro. | Photo BenWilsonSurf.comdesigner’scornerSlingshotDesigner Profile:Name: Terence WangAge: 34 Location: CaliforniaJob Title: NPX Product ManagerDesigning: Watersports apparelfor over 8 yearsKiteboarding: 4 yearsProduct name: The ZealotProduct category:Kite-Specific WetsuitSizes available: Small to XXLincluding tall sizes. Available in a4/3, 5/4/3, and 6/5/4 Hooded.Release date: Already AvailableEric Sharp/Kitty Hawk KitesWaves Resort Manager:Is this a new design or a next generationon an existing design? The Zealot has beenavailable since 2007, but we’ve been tweakingthe materials and cut every year to make it evenwarmer. That being said, it’s a continuation onan existing design.If this is an extension of an existingdesign, what were the main goals indeveloping the next generation product?The main goal of the Zealot from the start wasto create a wetsuit that addresses many of theissues we kiters have with traditional surf suitssuch as water buildup in the legs, flush throughthe neck, and wind chill from traditional neoprene.We use whatever are the best materials available,regardless of the cost. The Zealot is NPX’s mosthigh-end wetsuit. For 2009, we made somekey adjustments to the fitting under the arms,shoulders, back, and legs, the placement of P-skinseam taping, and improved on the hugely popularAqua Vents.What was your biggest challenge duringthe prototype phase? This year, we were reallyfocused on perfecting the fit of the suits which canbe tough given all the sizes we offer. Luckily, wehave a team of kiters of all shapes and sizes whoare more than willing to get on the water and testprototypes for us. With help from our riders, we’reable to study the natural curvature a kiter has whileriding and change the stretch and fit of certaincritical areas to provide a super comfortable suit.testedI have had the pleasure of using the new NPX Zealot this winter. Even in midwinterwith water temps in the 30s and 40s and air temps below 50 - this suit isamazingly warm and comfortable. I love the extended heat-lock lining and thenew aqua vents to release water from your legs. This suit was definitely designedwith the kiteboarder in mind. It is a perfect match for our high end users who willbe kiting in cold water and cold weather conditions. Thank You NPX!If you could choose one standout performance or new constructionfeature to highlight, what would it be? The warmth that the suit providesbecause of our special neoprene. On the chest and back panels we use ourS5 limestone based neoprene from Yamamoto Corporation, Japan. Thesmooth closed cell neoprene has a unique coating that makes it 95% waterimpermeable compare to 70% of the normal petroleum based neoprene,therefore it sheds off more water faster. Also, compared to the standardpetroleum based neoprene, S5 has a 23% higher closed cell ratio that keepsyou warmer by providing the maximum wind chill protection. Basically, thismeans the Zealot stays drier than a normal suit, keeping you warmer.What are some of the other key product features and performancecharacteristics? The Zealot is equipped with Aqua Vents on the anklesthat flushes out any water that is built up in the calves caused by spray fromthe board. These Aqua Vents are special one-way neoprene pockets whichquickly drain water out of the suit, but prevent it from entering through fromthe outside. On the inside of the suit, we use a waffle grid insulation madeof polypropylene. Polypropylene was chosen because it is more comfortable,lighter, dries quicker, and retains body heat very well. The US Air Force evenuses this material for their cold-weather gear! The Zealot’s seams are gluedand blind stitched, then lined with a composite P-skin tape that is thinner andsmoother than traditional liquid tape. The “E3” neck closure on the Zealot isa two layer pullover system that prevents water flush through the neck duringthose inevitable head-first drags through the water.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product and in whatconditions? Any level or style of rider will enjoy the Zealot. It keeps youwarm and comfy whether you’re just learning or the next Damien Leroy.What performance gains do you think the average consumer willachieve if they get this product? Your body has to work harder when it’scolder or when it’s hindered by a less-than-stretchy wetsuit. One of the bestcomments we get on the Zealot is that people forget they’re wearing it, eventhe 5/4/3! It’s also nice to have a suit that doesn’t build up water in the ankles.What is your warranty policy on this product? There is a one yearwarranty on any issues with materials or workmanship.What differentiates your product from your competitors? Weunderstand the needs for kiters in terms of warmth, wind protection and fit.We have a team that works well together. Our team riders and internationaltesters all contributed to the end product. The Zealot was tested vigorously invarious conditions from US to northern Europe to South Africa and Japan inorder to come up with the most advanced and innovative kite-specific suit wehave produced to date!Is this a new design or a next generation on an existingdesign? This board was designed by Ben Wilson to work well ingood waves that are chest high up to double overhead. It is fastand has a ton of drive with or without kite power. The board hasour new proprietary Wood Veneer Sandwich construction and itis the closest feeling to the construction of a custom polyesterboard. It doesn’t have that stiff epoxy feeling like the standardproduction boards we have made in the past. Ben rides strapless99% of the time so a smooth ride is very important. We achievedthis with shape and construction. The board has very good speeddue to its deep concave between the feet. This gives a fast smoothrocker down the centerline with greater rocker on the rail line. Thisalso gives the board maximum down the line speed and drive plusprojection off the bottom with a tight radius turn in the pocket.What was your biggest challenge during the prototypephase? We were working on solving several things at once. Thebiggest challenge was to get a board that had the performancethat Ben wanted. Ben likes a certain feel that only comes froman ultra-light polyurethane blank with polyester resin and glass.The goal was to make his pro boards feel closer to a hand-builtpolyurethane (“PU”) foam core board that would hold up to thedemands of kiteboarding. We are as close as we can be in overallfeel while still making it strong and durable.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? WoodVeener Sandwich, It’s Slingshot’s proprietary surf core technologygiving it the utmost strength to weight ratio.What are some of the other key product features andperformance characteristics? The board is very strong, hashigh-end fins, a strong fin box system and great graphics.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product andin what conditions? It would best suited for advanced andpro level surfers and kiters that like the way a thruster turnsin the pocket. It performs best in shoulder to double overheadconditions. The more you give, the more it gives back.What performance gains do you thinkthe average consumer will achieveif they get this product? The first thingthey will notice when they ride this boardis how stable it is. This is due to the WVSconstruction. They will also realize how muchfun riding in the waves really is on a boardlike this. It’s fast, tight, powerful and hastons of shock absorption.What is your warranty policy on thisproduct? All Slingshot products are backedwith a solid warranty and dedicated RiderService Hotline providing attentive andresponsive customer service.What differentiates your product fromyour competitors? This is a Ben Wilson promodel, which he designed, developed, andtested all around the world. The way thisboard rides is how he wants to see the sportprogress in the surf. He put a lot of thoughtand time into the shape to make a magicalboard that he could travel with to enjoy everycondition. It is also engineered and supportedby one of the most developed R&D teams inthe world, all backed by Slingshot’s legendaryconstruction and lifetime customer service.testedDesigner Profile:Name: John DoyleAge: 52Location: White Salmon, WAJob Title: Board DesignerDesigning: Building anddesigning boards for over 25 yearsKiteboarding: 9 YearsProduct name:Ben Wilson ProProduct category: SurfSizes available:6’2” (18.5 “x 14”x 2.25”)Release date: Spring 2009Ben Wilson, Team Rider:I have always struggled really feeling production boards, but the new wood veneersandwich construction is the closest feeling construction to a polyester board thatI have experienced yet. It doesn’t have that chatter feeling like the standard popout boards and feels alive in the water through all turns. The thing I like most aboutthis board strapped or strapless is how fast it is and how mush drive I get out of myturns, plus it draws a line in any situation, even in choppy water because of it’s soft rails up near thefront foot. I feel like I spend my whole year working on finding that magic shape and I knew whenTony, John and I came up with this shape it was the one, I have been riding it for the past year nowas I wanted to test it in every condition possible so the crew would be stoked on my pro model.70 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 71

designer’scornerSneak PeakrrdWith a solid background in windsurf race board design for leading World Cup sailors, Roberto isexcited to bring his passion for racing to the kiteboarding world. | Photo Vlora Xhaferi/RRDThe race board design team: RobertoRicco, Ovidio Ferrari and Abel Lago.72 thekiteboarder.comDesigner Profile:Name: Roberto RicciAge: 44Location: Grosseto, ItalyJob Title: Owner/DesignerDesigning: 22Kiteboarding: 12Product name:K-Race Productcategory:Racing kiteboardSizes available: TBDRelease date:May 15th, 2009Abel Lago, Team Rider:Is this a new design or a next generationon an existing design? Racing has alwaysbeen my passion. I have been designingwindsurfing boards for leading world cupsailors and with them have won many worldcup races through the years. Now thatkiteboarding has reached a more maturestage of product development and has a wideraudience, it is time to think about how todevelop this very challenging and fun side ofthe sport. With racing, you complete the circleof performance and fun, having the possibilityto present the sport to a completely newgroup of kiteboarders. The K-Race will be thefirst racing kiteboard in our board line. Weare looking at the racing market with lots ofinterest and are confident that this segment ofthe market will grow soon.If this is a new design, what were themain goals in designing this product?The K-Race is a specific board for kite racing.The goal is to make an unbeatable board forthe racing course, both upwind and downwind.What is your biggest challenge in thedeveloping this product? To design a boardthat is easy to control in any conditions.Control for a race board means to be fast andcompetitive at any moment of the race.testedWhen I did the first test on the 2010 protos, what impressed me most was thatthe board was planing in 6 knots and going upwind in 8 knots. For me this wasthe signal that we were on the right track. All the boards that I have tested sofar come with two big twin fins, but the RRD K-Race board will come with four.This will make the board more powerful and enable it to edge harder. Robertohas lots of experience in windsurf race boards and he knows what to do. I onlygive some feedback from the protos but these guys in Italy know what it takes to make an easy,fast and good course race board.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? The K-Raceis a great mix of top end technology of construction and efficientdesign proven in the water coming from 22 years of experience inrace courses all over the world. No need to say much more!What are some of the other key product features andperformance characteristics you are working on? The newrace fin design and their accurate positioning onto the hull. Wehave tested an enormous amount of different foils and trim on theboard. The K-Race fins will be a result of many hours in the waterin all kind of conditions.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product and inwhat conditions? Any rider that is serious about race winning.This is a very specific board for racing but it extremely easy to useand therefore we expect that a lot of kiteboarders that live in lightwind places will think about this type of board to enjoy the lightbreezes and start racing with their friends.What performance gains do you think the averageconsumer will achieve if they get this product? Users willsimply start going upwind seriously, with a 5-10° higher angle tothe wind than with a conventional directional board. The thrill ofracing is irresistible.Race board tech is developing quickly with many seriouscompetitors often changing out fins and shapes throughoutthe year as they seek the ultimate blend. Do you think it’stoo soon to launch a production race board as six monthsfrom now, the tech may be surpassed? It’s maybe a little tooearly, but I believe that having a reliable, well-tested race boardand fins to be used by a large group of racers around the world willbe a strong point for someone looking for consistent performanceon the water. There will surely be new and better shapes as timegoes by, but the security of a well-tested board against a new“proto” that might be good or not is a point in our favor whenchoosing a board with proven performance!What will the warranty policy be on this product? Undernormal non-commercial use, 12 months for manufacturing defaults.What differentiates your product from your competitors?There are not so many kite race boards on the market today, sotime will tell during the 2009 season.

The beach scene as crossing finishers battled it out for placement.Shawn Richman put on a show inthe Big Air comp.Easy, BreezyVentanaBy Marina Chang, with input from Tim Hatler | Photos by Dallas McMahonThere’s something uniquely special about La Ventana in Baja Sur, Mexico.Although a windsports destination for more than 25 years, tourism has notexploded in this sleepy little fishing village of less than 1000 people. With onepaved main road peppered with taco stands, small tiendas and boutique-typeproperties having no more than 15 rooms, life is simple in this part of theworld where nobody cares about your age, profession or what kind of car yourdrive. Down here, people are more interested in how great your last sessionwas or if you saw the whales passing through the channel in the morning.The La Ventana Classic & Kite ExpoFor the fourth year in a row, La Ventana hosted the La Ventana Classic and KiteXpo from January22 through the 25. Sponsored by The Kiteboarder Magazine and Palapas Ventana, riders from thewestern United States, Canada and beyond traveled south to take part in this unique fundraiserand demo event.US Sailing rules were emphasized as 119 competitors packed into Palapas Ventana’s restaurantWednesday evening to get briefed on the forecast, competition formats and week’s schedule. AsSaturday was the best forecasted day for wind, the crossing, a 10.75 mile long course startingacross the bay on Isla Cerralvo and the highlight of the event, was pushed back.Kick OffOn Thursday, competitors were met with blue skies but no wind. Participants made the best ofthe conditions, trying out SUP boards from Isle Surfboards, Baja Joe’s and Ventana Windpsports.Riders also took the opportunity to check out the KiteXpo featuring 16 companies offering freedemos of their 2009 gear and accessories. Participating companies included Advance, Best,Caution, Eclipse, F-One, Freak Dog, Isle Surfboards, Liquid Force, Mystic, Naish (Sol Kiteboarding,CA), North, Ocean Rodeo, Royal, RRD, Slingshot and Wainman Hawaii (Kite Naked, CA).Even when the forecast is light, there is always achance in La Ventana that the wind will kick in if thesun is shining. This was not the case today so emceeNeil Hutchinson and co-organizer Tim Hatler of PalapasVentana sprung into action encouraging the crowd toparticipate in some no wind fun and games. Over thenext few days, a frozen wetsuit relay, wakeboard showdown,beer guzzle pole spin, “cowabunga” kayak challenge and fullcontact SUP smackdown were held until the wind filled in toget things rolling. Daily entertainment and food from the localschools filled the gaps in time and hungry bellies. The kick-offday ended with live reggae on the beach from KL Reggae anda BBQ sponsored by El Cardon Restaurant. It was a prettycool site to see “rancheros,” groms, seasonwed veterans andeverybody in between all getting down under the starryBaja sky.Big Air Old School ShowdownFriday greeted us with a mind blowing sunrise and blueskies, but a downgraded forecast. The day started out with anexciting addition to this year’s event, the SUP race, sponsoredby Isle Surfboards/Paddlesurf.net. A long distance qualifierconsisting of a 2.4 mile sprint put 20 men and women to thetest. Kiwi Field stomped the comp for the men and Cynthia“Cynbad” Brown took it for the women. The final was a two lapshowdown, with Kiwi and Cynbad again coming out on top.The wind kicked in and kiters took the demo gear to the water.Shortly after, the Big Air Old School Showdown went off mid-afternoon. Kiters, windsurfers andlocals packed the beach in both directions as 30 men and eight women prepared to battle it out.Pro riders Dimitri Maramenides (Eclipse), Jesse Richman (Cabrinha), Shawn Richman (WainmanHI) and Etienne Lhote (F-One) threw down to the cheers of the crowd while locals Nat Lincoln,Jim Bison and Ozzie Ramirez also impressed the crowds with their big board-offs, one-footersand multiple spins. The women were only able to get off one heat in dying conditions, so thecompetition was called. Due to timing constraints, we were unable to finish this event. The prizemoney was given back to the schools and two awards were given away to all-star volunteerKevin “Irie Dog” Murray and the Bolstad family from Stevenson, WA, for their great energy andkiteboarding spirit.Treasure Hunt & CrossingThe forecast came through on Saturday and the crossing was on. Ventana Windsportssponsored 18 pangas (boats) to get riders across the bay for the start. As the competitors waitedfor the wind to fill in, a treasure hunt was held with 30 great prizes donated by the participatingdemo brands, including the grand prize of a 2009 Naish kite and size of the winner’s choice,from Sol Kiteboarding. Nobody found the kite so it went back into the raffle on the last day of theevent, contributing to the record breaking amount raised.Three windsurfers swept the top crossing places while kiters on race boards and directionalsfollowed close behind. First place finisher Macrae Wylde took the top spot for the second year in arow, crossing finish in a mere 25 minutes and 10 seconds, followed by Lyn Preuit and Mark Dix. Thefastest kiter was Sean Farley, coming in just 35 seconds after Wylde, followed by Shawn Richman(Wainman HI), Jim Bison of New Wind Kiteboarding, French pro Etienne Lhote of F-One, Maui proJesse Richman of Cabrinha and Brendan Richards of Caution from Santa Cruz. In the Women’sDivision, Mary LeClerc of Baja Joe’s and Elevation Kiteboarding reclaimed her title as reigningchampion with a finishing time of 28:35, followed by Cynbad Brown and Paula Sonnenberg.The crossing winners, Mary LeClerc and Macrae Wylde.Short Course Buoy RacesSunday started off early with tree planting and painting at theVincente Guerrereo Primary School in El Sargento. Over 40volunteers showed up at 7:30 am, ready to plant and paint.Volunteers were treated to an authentic Mexican lunch put on by theparents of the students.The wind was marginal but organizers decided to run the shortcourse buoy races consisting of the top 25 men and 10 womenfinishers from the crossing. Three races were held mid-afternoon in12 to 16 knot winds, which often proved challenging for participants.In the first race, windsurfer Macrae Wylde edged out Sean Farleyby pumping the last 100 yards to the finish line. For the women,Freak Dog’s Paula Sonnenberg beat out friend and rival CynbadBrown. Race two was won by Jesse Richman who squeaked by thecompetition by pinching so hard to make the windward mark that hedid a board off, rolled around the buoy, and then replaced his boardto keep going downwind, clearly understanding the rule that buoycontact without grabbing was permitted. When it was time for thewomen, Cynthia took the top spot after Paula was taken down by acollision between her lines and a windsurfer.Conditions started to lighten further for the final heat and racethree saw Jesse Richman and Sean Farley pump through the deadspots to take first and second. By the end of the race, conditionswere so light that very few kiters could even finish. Jesse Richmanended up taking the overall victory followed by Macrae Wylde andSean Farley. The women’s winners were Cynbad Brown, beatingout Paula Sonnenberg by two points, followed by Brittney Toddfrom the Gorge.74 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 75

Look for an increased presence and longer SUP race next year!Shane declares victory over her mom.Panga drivers and volunteers of the crossing.LF’s women’sclinic rafflewinner.TKB info central.David Webb and his little furry friend.Short course buoy races.The school mural project.Fire dancer on reggae night.Michelle Koff goes wild about her SUP win.KL Reggae will be back for sure!Kent “Kuna’ Forrest proves he’s still sober.The girls of La Ventana.The crossing start.LF’s Gregg Gnecco and Tonia Farman.The mayor of La Paz welcomes the crowd.This post-holiday show wasa crowd pleaser.Justin Menasco danceshis team’s way to thefrozen wetsuit relay win.Neil and crew indulge in a little tequila,the first of many!Final ResultsThe awards ceremony was held at the Palapas Ventana restaurant. Crossingwinner Macrae Wylde commented how cool it was to participate in such a feelgood event where kiteboarders and windsurfers competed together. The highlightof the evening was when Hank Sanchez of Sol Kiteboarding surprised Tim with aNaish Cult, Helix and board to upgrade his four-year-old quiver. The look on Tim’sface was priceless. The hope is that Tim can now spend more time working onother skills than relaunching.Every day of the event, a raffle with prizes generously donated by participatingbrands was held which helped organizers raise a record breaking grand total of$18,302, $6,000 over 2008. Thanks to Kite Naked, Liquid Force, Best, Royal, OceanRodeo and Mystic Boarding for providing the grand raffle and treasure hunt prizes.Funds raised went toward purchasing $1,000 in trees for the school project. Theremaining monies will be used toward getting medical tools and exam tables forthe Health Center and the constructional of an outdoor shaded patio with benchseats for the La Ventana Primary School. As more money was raised than expected,stay tuned for the committee decision on how the extra funds will be used. Look formore SUP racing, stronger wind and more fun at next year’s event, scheduled forJanuary 21 through the 24. A special thanks to all the volunteers, local businesses,Pelican Reef, Ventana Windsports, Full Throttle and Baja Joe’s for all your support!See www.thekiteboarder.com for full picture gallery/results.The Bolstad’s pose fortheir surprise award.76 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 77

INSTRUCTIONALRider: F-One’s Mitu Monteiro. | Location: Cabo Verde | Photo Gilles CalvetTop 10 Questionsabout Kiting in the SurfBy Paul LangFor kiteboarders who have already been surfing for years before they picked up a kite, theprogression into the surf is a natural and relatively easy one. However, not every new kiteboarderis an experienced waterman. For some riders, kiteboarding is their first ocean sport. The surf canbe an intimidating place for those who do not have any experience there, but the fun that can be hadis well worth the effort. We pulled together the top 10 questions asked by kiters who do not have anyocean experience. If you are thinking about heading to the surf for your first time, remember to startsmall and work your way up from there.1When am I ready for the surf?In general, if you cannot handle yourself inflat water, things are not going to go any betterfor you in the waves. You should be able to ridecomfortably in both directions and be able toquickly change directions before you tackle thesurf. Pick a day with small waves for your firstsession in the surf and take baby steps from there.2What can I do to get moreexperience in the surf? If you arenew to being in the ocean, kiteboarding in the surfcan be very intimidating. If you have never beenin the waves before, give paddle surfing or evenjust swimming in the surf a try. The only way toget experience in the surf is to spend time in thewater, and being comfortable in the waves is veryimportant if you want to kite there.3Do I have to ride a directionalin the surf? Despite the fact that almosteveryone shows up at the beach with directionalboards, you can still ride a twin tip in the surf. Iffact, if you are beginning, sticking with your twintip removes the factor of having to learn how tojibe while getting used to kiting in the waves. Witha directional, you can ride a smaller kite and really get into the pocket and ridethe wave, but twin tips can still be a blast in the waves.4What size board should I ride? This depends a lot on how youride. For your first sessions in the surf, you should just ride the same twin tipthat you ride in flat water. If you want to ride a surfboard, the general consensusis that you should ride a board that is similar in size to a board you would paddlesurf on if you want to really surf the wave. For the average size rider with little orno surf experience, a board in the 6’ range is a good starting point.5Should I wear a leash? No, you should not wear a leash in thesurf as they can be very dangerous. Many people have been seriouslyinjured when their board leash caused the board to slingshot back at them.If you cannot manage without a board leash, your skills are not yet ready forthe surf. That being said, some riders do wear leashes under certain specialcircumstances, such as when the shore is rocky, which would cause a lostboard to quickly become a broken board. If you ever use a board leash, thenyou absolutely need to wear a helmet, but we strongly recommend that ridersdo not use board leashes.6Should I ride with or without straps? Most ridersusually ride with straps, but it’s best to stay flexible and change it upbased on the conditions. Kitsurfing strapless can be a lot of fun, or it canbe incredibly frustrating. When the surf is relatively clean and smaller thanchest high, go ahead and take the straps off. When the surf is choppy, you’llusually have more fun with straps.7How do you get out when ridingstrapless? The first trick to getting out past the surfwithout straps is to pay close attention to the waves as you aresetting up. At most locations, you will be able to see channelsbetween the waves where the waves break less often andmuch smaller. Kite out through these channels and you canquickly find yourself on the outside without much effort. If youdo need to go over a wave, slow down and keep your kite high.As you hit the whitewater, suck your knees up and try to belight on your feet. Keep more pressure on your back foot andguide your board up and over the whitewater while most of yourweight is supported by your kite.8What do you do if the kite crashes in thesurf? If your kite goes down in the surf, get it back upas quickly as possible. A kite that gets sucked into a wave hasa good chance of coming out broken. If you cannot get your kiteup before the next wave hits it, swim towards the kite as it is hitto take the pressure off the kite.9What conditions are good forlearning to ride waves? When you arejust starting out kiting in the waves, you want smallwaves to learn on. Knee high waves with 15 knots ofside to side on wind make just about ideal conditionsfor getting down the basics in the surf.10What do I need to know aboutsurf etiquette? In the surf, you have togive considerations to surf etiquette, which basicallymeans that you should not get in the way of anyonewho is surfing, whether that person is a kitesurfer,windsurfer, or regular paddle surfer. Always yield tothe rider on the wave regardless of who is on port orstarboard. Avoid riding near surfers and never spraythem. Stay outside of the surf until you are ready to ridea wave. Don’t try to catch every wave out there. Theocean is not going to run out anytime soon.78 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 79

Ron Woodyard representing in the freezing conditions in Colombus, Ohio.Photo Cindy WoodyardJay Waltman boosts big off the coast of Alabama.Photo Jay WaltmanLocal homiesLocal Homies is all about everyday, local riderssharing the stoke at their home kiting spots.Mark Barnes took this photo of himself with a GoPro andwins this issue’s top photo. Photo Mark Barneswinning photoSubmit your photos of ‘localhomies’ riding at your homespot and you could win akiller t-shirt from TranscendKiteboarding! Emailryan@thekiteboarder.comThe Collegiate Ktieboarding crewshows off their strapless skills.Photo Amber PlatowskiBrian Friedmann charges down the line in Peru. Photo Ryan LambPuerto Rican ripper Danny Alvarez smacks the lipwith perfect style. Photo Pedro “Cobi” HernandezExotiKite Instructor Mac Skaggs busting a huge raley infront of the KiteSchool Shack. Photo Ben SkaggsDon Witkowski and John Keenan kiting in the frigid 35degree waters of Sandy Hook Bay, NJ, icebergs and all.Photo Greg KaasmannJeff Kafka south of the border. Photo Windoverwater.com80 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 81

accident reportBy Rick IossiAdvances in kiteboarding technology continue to makeour sport more fun and safe but nobody can teach youcommon sense. Good judgment and kiting responsibilityis just as important as knowing your gear and thebasics of the sport. The TKB Accident Report is notmeant to sensationalize kitemares. The KiteboarderMagazine has called on the expertise of safety guru RickIossi to help you learn from the mistakes of others. Passon the lessons learned and never be afraid to speak upin a respectful and helpful way—TKB StaffUSE CARE IF SOLO LANDINGSite/ConditionsA kiter with 10 years experience had taken three months off fromriding to heal kiting-related torn ligaments and tendons in both wrists.After slow restoration of function over months of physical therapy,he returned to evaluate a new 12m flat kite. He waited for afternoonwinds to drop 11 to 16 knots, side onshore. He was uneasy aboutoverloading or straining his wrists, wanting to avoid excess powerand carefully setup, launched and rode for an hour and a half, thencame in to land. He proceeded to solo land the kite using a techniquethat worked well with other flat kites over the last year and that hehad used about an hour and half earlier with this same kite. This time,the kite behaved opposite of what he expected of sitting nicely on theground at the side of the wind window. Instead, it drifted downwinda short distance and then started looping. The kiter was unhookedand so dropped the bar assuming the kite would Emergency (fully)Depower. Instead, the looping kite dragged him about 100 feetinland by the kite leash and through the dunes until it was caughtby a tree. He was uncertain why the kite didn’t Emergency Depower,perhaps a wingtip bridle wrap? He was dragged on top of his leashattachment. By the time he thought to try to release the kite severalseconds later, things had stopped. Fortunately, he didn’t hit anythingparticularly hard and was wearing a helmet and impact vest whichmay have helped. He got up, concluded he was very lucky to be inone piece and not unconscious or worse. He then noticed his anklewas the size of a softball. Following evaluation it was determinedhe had herniated a spinal disc, compressed three others, pinchedtwo nerves, and had sprained both his ankles, neck and shoulder. Allthis from just sand in fairly light wind! The kiter could have utilized anew Emergency Depowering/Solo Landing feature of the kite insteadof the method that had worked over the last year on a large varietyof flat kites. Had he used the new landing approach, none of thislikely would have happened.Lessons Learned1. Don’t assume new kite systems will behave like similar kites,even those with the same name, from year to year. Even moreimportant, less obvious aspects like flight behavior can and havechanged at times.2. Kites are released with new technology and procedures on aregular basis. Thoroughly acquaint yourself with and use manufacturersuggested, proven procedures.3. Solo landing with many flat kites can be both complex anddangerous. Many current methods (“spin the kite,” use of anchors, etc.)can have shortcomings under certain conditions. Competent assistedlandings are preferred.4. Be practiced and ready to Emergency Depower your kite without delay. Accept, as with anymechanism, it may not always work for a variety of reasons. Work to avoid the emergency in thefirst place.5. Don’t make the mistake of coming back to kiting too soon after an injury. Untoward distractionabout new injury, discomfort and impaired function may pose significant but less obvious risks.More time off the water can easily result. Warm up and down carefully and pick mellow conditionsfor shorter sessions initially.KNOW LAND/WIND AFFECTSSite/ConditionsA kiter reportedly with several months experience, perhaps self-trained, had just launcheda flat kite. He was located in the lee or downwind of a landmass that extended 100 feetor more above the water and two miles upwind. The site is located outside of the USA.Winds passing over and along the edge of this land mass would be very turbulent due towind shadow. As a result, the wind would have pronounced gusts and lulls making kiteflying difficult and even hazardous. Given that this land mass was about 1/3 mile away, theintervening water would have been fairly calm. This may have prompted the kiter to setup here while less than a ¼ mile away, there was no land mass to windward and far morestable winds. A cold front was forecast to pass over the area that day. At times, cold frontsin this area have severe squall lines at the leading edge as they approach from the south.These squall lines can generate 30 to 60 knot gusts and drop temperatures 20 to 30° F. Asthe kiter’s view to the south was obscured he likely never saw approaching white waterand clouds commonly associated with these systems and gust fronts in general. The manwas standing on the beach, kite in the air when winds rose to approximately 40 knots. Hewas lofted approximately 40 feet high and 190 feet horizontally over the sand dune strikingan object by a roadway. He reportedly never made an attempt to Emergency Depowerand may not have even known how to do it. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, severefacial lacerations, fractured pelvis, ribs and entered into a coma, which he is nowrecovering from.Lessons Learned1. Take adequate, quality professional kiteboarding instruction. Carefully develop skill withexperienced kiteboarders afterward.2. Learn and regularly practice Emergency Depowering and if needed, do so early. Do notassume you will necessarily be able to “punchout” in a high wind emergency. Sometimes, onceyou understand what has happened and how to react, you have no time left to act.3. Always do proper weather planning and monitoring for each kiting session. Understandweather hazards, prediction and appearance in your area.4. All kiters should have a basic understanding of land-wind effects. Land masses particularlyhigh ones upwind can disturb the quality of the wind, sometimes dangerously so. Upwind landmasses cause wind rotor or turbulence and resulting lull-gust cycles. Your kite will see windsdrop below stall speed potentially alternating with overpowering gusts. Location selection forfavorable winds is critical, many launches are not suitable in all winds. Sometimes moving ashort distance can make all the difference for a safer, fun session.82 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 83

have you ever had one or more of your flylines break and thought the only wayfix the problem was to replace them?Not true! A handy gizmo called the Micro-Hook braiding tool can save your lines andyour pocket book.Most all kiteboarding fly linesare made out of non-core braidedspectra. There are only a few brandsor types of lines that this method doesnot work on. Braids that are too tightmake it very hard or near possible to splice,or a brand such as Q-Power, which has aninternal core. To find out if your lines areable to be fixed using this method, grab yourfly line with your hands about 1” apart. Nowpush your hands together so that the braidseparates slightly. The more it separates, theeasier it will be to use the Micro-Hook to fixyour line.213materials1. Micro-Hook tool 2. Ruler ortape measure 3. Marker or pen1-23-41. Start off by laying out your lines so youhave slack to work with. With the ends laidtogether where the line is broken, put marksat 5” and 9” on both sides of the break.2. To make it easier to put your tool into thebraid, loosen the braid between the 5” and 9”marks by again pushing the line against itself.3. Insert your Micro-Hook tool into the braidat the 9” mark in the direction of the break.Once your tool is in about 1”, bring your toolback out for about ¼” then back into thebraid for another 1”, out for another ¼” andback in, then out at your 5” mark.4. Now hook the other broken line end intothe hook and slowly work it into the braidfollowing your tools path. Don’t use brutestrength to get the line through the braid;simply twisting or working the braid willget the line through. Again some are tighterthen other lines so keep persevering!workbenchHow to Fix aBroken Fly LineBy Jeff Howard | Photo Carol Bolstad7. If all is correct, you should have about 1”of extra tips hanging out on both sides.Using your tool again, go back a smallbit along the line, so that when you pullthese final ends into the braid they will beinside the braid.8. Voila! Your line is fixed! Now the onlydifference is that this line will end up about12” shorter than your others. Layout yourlines and check the length difference. Onmost systems, you can simply add a smalllink into the system at the bar end and allis good. But if you’re on a trip somewhere,the easiest and quickest way is to add theextra length to the correct pigtail on thekite end. This piece of line is supplied inour splicing kit, so that you can be back onthe water in no time.8KitepagesCaliforniaAction Watersports(318) 827-2233 CAAirtime Kiteboarding(818) 554-7573 CAAquan Watersport(650)593-6060 CABay Area Kitesurf(415) 573-2619 CABoard Sports(510) THE-WAVE CABoard Sports(415) 929-SURF CACaliKites(619) 522-9575 CACaptain Kirk’s(310) 833-3397 CADelta Windsurf Company(831) 429-6051 CAHelm Sports(650 )344-2711 CAInflight Surf and Sail(562) 493-3661 CAKite Country(619) 226-4421 CAKitesurfari(562) 596-6451 CAKiteWindSurf(510) 522-WIND CALive2Kite(415) 722-7884 CALong Beach Windsurf Center(562) 433-1014 CAMako Surf Skate Snow(949) 367-1300 CAMalibu Kitesurfing(310) 430-KITE CAManta Wind & Water Sports(858) 270-7222 CAMonkey Air(310) 457-6896 CAMurrays(800) 786-7245 x23 CAOffshore Surf Co(760) 729-4934 CAKite School(650) 960-1721 CASolutions(805) 773-5991 CASoul Performance(310) 370-1428 CASky Kitesurfing School(925) 455-4008 CAVELA(800) 223-5443 CAWind over Water Kiteboarding(650) 218-6023 CAWindsport(619) 488-4642 CAKite Island(925) 212-2915 CAXdream Sportz(858)481-9283 CAXstreamline Sports(310) 518-1972 CAXtreme Big Air(805) 773-9200 CAColoradoColorado Kite Force(970)4853300 COGAYLAN’S(720) 887-0900 COGG Wind Kiteboarding(970) 389-0683 COInto the Wind(303) 449-5906 COLarson’s Ski and Sport(303) 423-0654 COFuze Kiteboarding(303) 683-5033 COPKS(970) 376-3159 COSnowkite Steamboat970 819 2997 COConnecticutOrbit Marine Sports(203) 333-3483 CTTri State Kites(800) 510-0865 CTFlorida7 Kiteboarding(305) 664-4055 FLAce Performer(239) 489-3513 FLBloodline Boardshop(321) 254-4668 FLBig Kite Miami(305) 303- 4107 FLEast Coast Kiteboarding(954) 295-5778 FLEmerald Coast Kiteboarding(850) 235-2444 FLExtreme Kites(904) 461-9415 FLExtreme Sports(321) 779-4228 FLJupiter Kiteboarding(561) 373-4445 FLKey West Kiteboarding(305) 407-6748 FLKiteboarding Tampa Bay(813) 389-3683 FLFt. Lauderdale Kitesurfing Co.(954) 410-5419 FLIsland Style Wind & Watersports(941) 954-1009 FLIsland Surf and Sail(954) 927-7002 FLKiteboarding Tampa Bay(813) 389-3683 FLHOW SAFE IS YOUR INSTRUCTOR?Is your instructor or schoolinsured? Have they been throughan internationally recognized,certified instruction program?While insurance and certificationdon’t guarantee you quality, safeinstruction, they can help you betterqualify your choices. Introducing theTKB Certified Schools program.Look for the symbols by the listings!For complete info or to berecognized as a TKBCertified School, seewww.thekiteboarder.comand click on the TKB CertifiedSchool graphic.The KiteboarderCertified SchoolsCertifiedTKB CertifiedIKOPasaLEGENDInsurance0THEROTHER56-75. Once you have the line through, repeat themethod for the other side, pulling each lineend back through the other.6. Now that both ends are through each otherand the ends hanging out each side, pull onthese ends till they lock into each other atthe center point. Then with your fingers, rubthe area from the center out, tightening thebraid on each side.Got an innovative modification? Share the stokeand contact ryan@thekiteboarder.com with youridea and you could win some great swag!WWW.OCEANEXTREMESPORTS.COM1-866-790-SURF84 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 85

KitepagesKite Surf the Earth(888) 819-5483 FLKite World(321) 725-8336 FLKGB Kiteboarding(904) 434-8987 FL1st Coast Kiting(904) 424-2721 FLLearn 2 Fly(386) 986-9637 FLLiquid Surf & Sail(850) 664-5731 FLKiteMare(877) 829-0015 FLMiami Kiteboarding Inc.(305) 345-9974 FLOtherside Boardsports(305) 853-9728 FLThe Kite Shop(305) 3610168 FLSandy Point Progressive Sports(386) 756-7564 FLSki Rixen(954) 429-0215 FLTampa Bay Kiteboarding(727) 798-2484 FLTriton Kiteboarding(727) 453 9577 FLWatersports West(888) 401-5080 FLXL Kites(850) 582-0259 FLXrated Kiteboarding(888) 401-5080 FLGeorgiaHigh Tide Surf Shop(912) 786-6556 GALocus Kiteboarding(404) 509-4229 GAHanag20 Kiteboarding(912) 223-7856 GAHawaiiAction Sports Maui(808) 242-8015 HIAloha Kiteboarding Academy(808) 637-5483 HICaveman Kitesurfing(808) 389-4004 HIExtreme Sports Maui(808) 871-7954 HIHawaiian Island Surf and Sport(808) 871-4981 HIHawaiian Watersports(808) 262-KITE HIHawaiian Surf & Sail(808) 637-5373 HIKailua Sailboards(808) 262-2555 HIKite High(808) 637-5483 HIKiteboard Maui(808) 870-2554 HIHawaiian Ocean Sports(866) 488-5483 HIKitesurf Maui(808) 873-0015 HIMaui Kiteboarding Lessons(808) 242-8015 HINaish Maui Pro Center(808) 871 1500 HINaish Hawaii(808) 262-6068 HIOff Da Lip(808) 255-6255 HISecond Wind(808) 877-7467 HIVela Maui(800) 223-5443 HIIdahoGroud Zero(208) 265-6714 IDFly Sun Valley(208) 726-3332 IDIllinoisWindward Sports(773) 472-6868 ILChicago Kiteboarder(312) 804-5482 ILMassachusettsAir Support Kiteboarding(866) Kite-Cod MAKitesite.net(508) 398-1333 MASkyhigh Kiteboarding School(508) 259-2728 MAMarylandH2AIR Productions(302) 227-1105 MDMichiganBroneah Kiteboarding(231) 392-2212 MIDetroit Kiteboarding(248) 245-5016 MIGrand Bay Kite Co(231) 929-0607 MIGreat Lakes Kiteboarding(586) 822-6511 MIMacInaw Kite Co.(800) 622-4655 MITawas Board Riders(989) 362-9906 MIMotor City Kiteboarding(586) 943-5172 MISharkless Kiteboarding(269) 639-SURF MIUncle Doug’s Kiteboarding(810) 985-3732 MIMinnesotaScuba Center Wind/Kite(612) 925-4818 MNUS Snowkite School(612) 940-6639 MNMidwest Mountaineering(612) 3393433 MNLAKAWA Kiteboarding(651) 428-4121 MNMississippiGet Air(228) 209-1204 MSGulfport Winds(228) 864-7517 MSMontanaUnderground Kitesports(406) 546-2709 MTNorth CarolinaBlowing in the Wind(910) 763-1730 NCCape Fear Kiteboarding(910) 201-4002 NCKiteboarding Hatteras(252) 995-5000 NCKitty Hawk Kiteboarding Centers(877) FLY-THIS NCReal Kiteboarding(866) 732-5548 NCWind Toys USA(910) 328-5483 NCWind Toys II(252) 393-1300 NCNew HampshirePowerline Sports(888) 987-WIND NHNew JerseyExtreme Windsurfing(610) 807-9493 NJGreen Hat Kiteboarding(718) 577-1256 NJHeritage Surf & Sport(609) 263-3033 NJIsland Surf and Sail(609) 494-5553 NJNevadaKitesurf Vegas(702) 493-9245 NVWindsports(702) 220-4340 NVNew YorkBest Kiteboarding Center(631) 691-0793 NYCurtis Sport Connection(716) 627-2247 NYIsland Riders(631) 583-3019 NYMain Beach Surf & Sports(631) 537-2716 NYMyers(716) 751-6511 NYSkywalk Kiteboarding(631) 324-4450 NYWindsurfing Hamptons(613) 283-9463 NYRick’s Surf Shop(631)581-9424 NYOhioRed Sky Surf And Snow(419) 536-3204 OHRiver Sports(440) 333-8138 OHOklahomaThomasons Sports Kites(580) 796-2359 OKOregon2nd Wind Sports(541) 386-4464 ORAir-Time(541) 387 3910 ORAlll Surf Industries(503) 239-8973 ORBig Winds(888) 509-4210 ORBrian’s Windsurfing/Kitesurfing(541) 386-1423 ORCleanline Surf(888) 546-6176 ORFloras Lake Windsurfing(541) 348-9912 ORGorge Surf Shop(800) 957-4978 ORHood River Waterplay(541) 386-WIND ORKite-Line(888) 714-9849 ORKite the Gorge(541) 490-4926 ORLincoln City Surf Shop(541) 996-7433 ORNew Wind(541) 387-2440 ORPacific Wave(503) 861-0866 ORStorm Warning(800) 492-6309 ORPuerto RicoKitesurfing Puerto Rico(787) 728-8716 PRKitesurfing(787) 374-5329 PRRhode IslandNorthwind Sports(401) 254-4295 RISouth CarolinaHalf Moon Outfitters(843) 881-9472 SCCatch Some Air(843) 388-9300 SCSouth DakotaPro Peak Sports(605) 341-5445 SDTexasAir Padre Kiteboarding(956) 299-WIND TXPro Kitesurf(361) 883-1473 TXSouth Coast Kiteboarding(361) 949-3278 TXS. Padre Island Kiteboarding(956) 245-8343 TXS. Padre Kiteboarding(956) 761-1434 TXWarming Hut Ski & Board(972) 234-6088 TXXL Kites, Dallas(817) 676-7842 TXXLKites, Houston(877) 955-4837TXXL Kites, Padre Island(866) 957-2373 TXZero Gravity Kiteboarding(361) 949-0266 TXUtahCloud 9 Soaring Ctr(801) 576-6460 UTVirginiaSoutheast Expeditions(877) 943-8548 VAWashingtonNorth by Northwest Surf Co.(360) 452-5144 WASeattle Kiteboarding Center(206) 779-3272 WAUrban Surf(206) 545-9463 WAWiley’s Water Ski Shop(206) 762-1300 WAWind Flow(877) 211-3524 WAEvo(206) 973-4470 WABellingham Kiteboarding(360) 441-7577 WAWisconsinAdventure Kiteboarding WI(414) 760-1493Coontail Watersports(715) 385-0250 WIKite-Riders(608) 273-1817 WISouthport Rigging Company(262) 652-5434 WIThe Board Shop(262) 248-1703 WIWyomingHoback Sports(307) 733-5335 WYYardsaleShawn Richman made quite a splash at the La VentanaKiteXpo with big airs and crazy wipeouts.Photo Dallas McMahonJon Modica better hope he doesn’t land on his board.Photo Damien LeroyDavid Hastilow goes over the handlebars in a bad way. Photo Rachel Hastilow“Cynbad” Brown prepares for impact just like her favorite team, thePatriots. Photo Carol BolstadTHEGot a great wipe out shot?Email: ryan@thekiteboarder.comDominican local, Ariel Corniel, stays cool and collected before impact. Photo Carol BolstadDiego Tron doing a new school one footer kite loop.Photo courtesy Diego TronTOPCRASHESLENSIN FRONT OF THEEtienne Lhote takes a beating after coming up short on a kite loop in Baja.Photo Dallas McMahon86 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 87

90 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 91USA: Bay Area Kitesurf - San Francisco - info@f-onekites.us - www.f-onekites.us - Toll Free: 877.548.3731Canada: Kitebroker - Quebec - info@kitebroker.ca - www.kitebroker.ca - Toll Free: 888.502.0512