A password will be e-mailed to you.

Iconic, Original Kite Journalism

The Kiteboarder is committed to long form, literary journalism for its insightful and artistic exploration of the people and events that make enthusiasts so passionate about the sport. The large format of the magazine allows us the space to pursue our topics in depth and everything about our magazine is intended to present kite narratives in the most compelling and visually stunning way possible. It’s more than a magazine it’s about being immersed in the journey of kite pioneers, innovators and travelers with captivating stories to tell. Designed to explore the people, culture, travel and art of kitesurfing, The Kiteboarder Magazine is released four times each year and brings together some of the finest stories of kiteboarding history, tech, exploration and adventure. From the athletes in the water to the designers behind their computers, we present tales from a global group of adventurers, industry insiders, writers and photographers all looking to share the kiteboarding lifestyle.

The Kiteboarder Magazine is dedicated to authentic, long-form storytelling.

Tkb also publishes supplemental digital magazines focusing on gear, instruction, and seasonal travel so that kiteboarders can readily can get this type of information all in one place rather than little tidbits disbursed in magazines throughout the year. Combined with our special events and other electronic efforts, we offer multiple ways for riders to get their kiteboarding news and entertainment.

BRENDAN RICHARDS, Editor in Chief

BCR-HEADSHOT-2Brendan started windsports at an early age with competitive small boat racing throughout his youth in Northern California. Brendan began windsurfing during his freshman year at University of Hawaii, but he completed his first jibes and his business degree in Boston.

Originally a skeptic of kiting, Brendan hesitantly packed a quiver of unused kites on a windsurfing trip to Tarifa, Spain, in 2001, making what he regards as a haphazard choice that has proven to be the most influential decision of his life. Upon his return to the Central Coast of California, Brendan became a fixture of the Santa Cruz kitesurfing community as well as a team rider and later head of marketing for Santa Cruz-based Caution Kites. In those years Brendan contributed to The Kiteboarder Magazine as both a photographer and a writer.

Brendan enjoys any kind of surf, freestyle if the water is warm, and will travel even if it involves sleeping in board bags, small uncomfortable rental cars, or the cold hard ground.

INDIA STEPHENSON, Graphic Design, Digital Editor

No stranger to boardsports, India spent her teenage years snowboarding competitively and then traveling and training in Europe on the British National Snowboard Team. After spending a week learning to kite on a family vacation in Hatteras, India was hooked and traded in her snowboard career for a kite and a surfboard. Her mountains turned into waves while she attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL and graduated with a BA in Strategic Communication. Always on the move and in search of her next adventure, India is currently based in Santa Cruz, CA and brings a fresh perspective to the graphics, digital and social media of Tkb.

GARY MARTIN, Tkb Ambassador

Gary is a true “wind and waterman.” He started surfing and sailing as a young boy, then got hooked on windsurfing in his twenties. In 1998 he taught himself to kitesurf with a Wipika 2-line kite and a 7’ directional that Jimmy Lewis shaped for him. The kite had no depower or safety systems and yet he was instantly hooked and has never looked back.

Gary is one of the founding fathers of TKB. He has been our Technical Editor and a senior staff writer from the beginning. With his vast experiences and knowledge of wind and watersports. An original OG still charging waves, chasing the wind, and enjoying life, Gary is proud to be a husband, father, and grandfather. When you first meet him don’t let that stern, focused look fool you. If you want to talk kiting he’s all smiles. 

ALEXIS ROVIRA, Editor-at-Large

Having lived a large portion of his early life in the Caribbean and South America, Alexis’s passion for watersports developed at an early age. A keen surfer since his youth along with his love of sailing led him into being a competitive windsurfer for a time. Alexis saw kiteboarding as the next evolution in windsports and quickly made the transition.

Alexis has filled the roll of Editor-at-Large position since TKB’s inception. He brings over two decades of surf industry experience and knowledge. Alexis has been a positive force in progressing the magazine into what it is today. You will most likely see him unhooked and strapless playing in the waves unless there’s a feature in the water and then the boots come on. 

MARINA CHANG, Publisher Emeritus

After working various marketing management positions for 12 years and avidly paragliding for 10, Marina was looking for a new challenge and traveled to the Dominican Republic in 2000 where she learned to kiteboard on Windtools Mosquito kites and old windsurf boards. One year later, she became a partner at Kitexcite in Cabarete and helped build the business from one instructor and one location to 18 instructors and two locations before moving back to the US in 2004.

Not sure if she wanted to put on suits again, she took a leap of faith and became a partner in The Kiteboarder when it had just one issue under its belt. Today, her suits are board shorts and neoprene and she couldn’t be any happier.