Check this video of North Kiteboarding team rider Luke Whiteside’s trip down under.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

HR Sports Resorts and Pryde Group America announced that PGA has purchased the Vela Windsurf Resorts and Vela Kitesurf Resorts brands from HR Sports and will be expanding the number of destination resort facilities. The Pryde Group has served as the primary supplier of windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment for Vela resort centers for more than 20 years and the two companies have a long history of multi-faceted cooperation.  Vela now supports nine resort operations located throughout the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  Pryde Group Americas intends to rapidly expand the number of Vela operations, particularly Vela Kitesurf Resorts featuring its leading brand, Cabrinha Kitesurfing.

The acquisition was negotiated jointly by Kent Marinkovic, President of PGA, and Mr. Neil Pryde founder and Managing Director of the Hong Kong based Neil Pryde Ltd.  The deal is expected to have a positive impact on Pryde Group brands globally.

“I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to put together this deal with Vela.  Buck Lyons and Vela have been partners with Pryde Group for over 20 years and this new structure will make it easier for us to provide access to enthusiasts wishing to enter our sports and in the long term, this will have a positive influence on the development of both windsurfing and kitesurfing. Travel is an important part of the action sports scene today and the Pryde Group is now firmly invested in travel through Vela.” – Neil Pryde

HR Sports, under the direction of managing partner Karl Williams, will continue to administer the marketing and booking functions under contract with Pryde Group Americas.  Customers should find the transition seamless and will enjoy an expanding number of locations along with more Pryde Group clinics and other special events.   Vela resort centers will benefit from the expanding array of Pryde products including Cabrinha Kitesurfing, Neilpryde Windsurfing, Imagine Surf, JP Australia, and newly introduced NP including Water Wear, performance SUP paddles, and accessories.

Kent Marinkovic described the acquisition as “a connecting of the dots, it’s a natural evolution of our relationship with the Vela Resort operations and our partnership with HR Sports. We have the world’s most innovative and exciting brands for wind and wave sports, Vela is the premier wind and wave sports resort operator.  I can’t think of anything better than having the best gear available in the best locations world-wide.”

HR Sports owner and Vela founder Buck Lyons was also very positive about the changes.  “Neil and I envisioned this day 20 years ago.  I am very proud of creating Vela but it’s been many years since I was instrumental day to day.   Its Kent and Karl’s show and this new structure should allow them to maximize the strengths of their respective organizations.”

The Kiteboarder Magazine

La Ventana Classic Asociacion Civil Begins Summer Projects

Thanks to everyone who helped in the event this year – below are the first round of projects you helped raise money for -and there are more to come! For 2012, the Asociacion decided to help every school so this year’s projects are mostly small to medium sized versus the larger projects that have een tackled in past years.

• El Sargento Primary -paint job
• La Ventana Kindergarten -window and door protections and tile floor
• Health Center -get the defibrillator working
• El Sargento Telesecundaria -1 AC units in classroom
• Town Ambulance – medical supplies
• El Sargento Kindergarten -paint job (finished first half last weekend with volunteers)
• La Ventana Primary School -sporting equipment and AC maintenance
• Los Planes High School -1 AC unit
• Los Planes Primary School – paint job
• Science Center – funding for half of dolphin display and touch tank remodel
• BECA scholarship  fund -funded 3 high school students to stay in school for one year
• BAJA PAWS – paid to neuter and spay 8 animals with Dr Thomas Vet -
• Marineros Baseball team – set of bats, gloves, and balls
• Police station caseta – enough money to build the walls up 2 meters if the ejido can get the building permit, if no permit in 2 months funds will be reassigned to other school projects

If you would like to volunteer to help administer a project please contact tim@palapasventana.com – they need project managers!

The Kiteboarder Magazine

The basic frontside off the lip is every rider’s introduction to riding a wave with a kite. A good top turn involves a lot of timing between your kite, your board position, and the wave and it can take some time to pull it all together.

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Video summing up  North rider Stefan Spiessberger’s three months of winter training in Capetown, South Africa in the beginning of 2012.

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During the Red Bull Ragnarok 2012, professional kiter Ruben Lenten did a spectacular jump off a hundred meter high cliff on the Haugastøl plateau in Norway.

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Photo Clara Gudlielmi

Age: 26
Years Kiting: 3
Favorite Spots: Red Sea, Egypt; Paracas and Zárate, Peru
Sponsors: PeruKite and Slingshot Peru

GEAR

Boards: Klimax 5.6 and Crazy Fly Rocky Chatwell 130
Kites: Slingshot Rallys and RPMs
Harness: Mystic

TIPS:

•  Be patient when you are learning. If the conditions are not good for kiting, wait for them to be better.
• Don´t get obsessed and frustrated because you can’t seem to nail a certain trick. We all have good and bad days, so it’s more important to enjoy the ride.
• Learn from other riders, not only from kiteboarders but also from wakeboarders, surfers, and skaters.
• For girls: We can have the same level and style as the men, so think and act as an athlete and you will be respected as one.

Chelu grew up in Campana, about 50 miles from Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires. She got a degree in Advertising/Public Relations and worked various marketing jobs in the city for a few years but realized that being in an office was not what she wanted for her life.

When she discovered kiteboarding, she also discovered her calling.

How did you first get into kiteboarding?
In 2008, a friend was getting into kitesurfing and told me that I should learn too. I´d heard about it but didn´t really know what it was, so I started to search and came across Martin Vari´s video from the PKRA Chile and saw how girls were killing it on freestyle.

I knew right then that this is what I wanted to do. I took a course and loved it.

What first brought you to Peru? What made you want to stay?
Octavio, my boyfriend, and I first traveled to Peru for swell. We´d been working as kite instructors at different flat water spots and needed waves (we surf too).

When Jose Rosas from PeruKite offered us the opportunity to run his school, we jumped on it.

Your nickname is Chelu. Does it have any particular meaning?
In Argentina, a nickname for Cecilia is Chechu. As my name is Celina, my friends started to call me Chelu and I´ve had that nickname since I can remember.

You were involved with the KSP tour stop in Pacasmayo. What was that experience like?
I´d organized events before but it was my first time with a world tour. Kitesurfing in Peru is still young, so getting support from local sponsors was hard work.

As a competitor, riding with the best girls was a great way to start my competition career.

Photo John Bilderback

With one competition under your belt, do you plan on doing more?
Of course I want to keep competing, this is just the beginning! Competitions give you experience and you learn so much from other riders that motivate you to push yourself further.

You started offering Girls Camps last year which has grown into the launch of your new company Kite Sisters. Do you plan on expanding the concept into other countries?
After the Peru Kite and Yoga Camp last October I decided it was time to launch Kite Sisters Kite Trips for Girls (www.kite-sisters.com) and expand the program to different spots around the world.

The idea is that girls from all over and every riding level travel together to explore new spots while sharing experiences, progressing their riding abilities, and making new friends.

Our seven-day trips include meals and lodging, kiteboarding lessons, and extra activities depending on the destination.

What is your favorite style of riding?
Waves! I love feeling the power and energy of the waves. When I´m in the water, nothing else matters and I just enjoy what the sea has for me.

Where is your favorite place to ride?
Peru has an important quality: uncrowded beaches! For freestyle I choose Paracas which offers flat water, constant wind, and just a few other riders.

My favorite spot for waves is Zárate, which is in the National Reserve next to Paracas. It’s just you and the waves there.

Any words of wisdom you want to share?
If you want something, go for it. Don´t doubt because other people don’t believe in your dream. Whatever in life you do with passion and love, it´s going to work out one way or another.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

This is already in place and could affect access at your local beach. Don’t let this precedence be set for our sport and help out your fellow riders in New York! Please sign the petition and enlist the support of your other kiting friends to help out the cause.

http://www.change.org/petitions/new-york-state-parks-remove-the-ban-on-kitesurfing

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Photo Paul Lang

Today the International Sailing Federation voted to include kiteboarding in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Not only is kiteboarding in, but windsurfing is out as there are a limited number of medals that can be given to sailing sports.

Now the big question remains – what does this mean for the growth and the future of kiteboarding? What do you think about this decision?

The press release from ISAF:

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has confirmed the final event and equipment selections for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

The ISAF Council voted that Kiteboarding will replace windsurfing for the men’s and women’s board events and confirmed the equipment that will be used for the Women’s Skiff and Mixed Multihull Events.

The Mackay FX, referred to as the 49er FX, was selected yesterday as the two person women’s skiff and today the Nacra 17 joins the Olympic equipment family after being selected for the two person mixed multihull event.

The 49er FX received the majority of votes from the ISAF Council in the first round after the six evaluation trial entries were narrowed down to just three; the 29erXX, the RS900 and the 49er FX.

There was an equally animated debate on the final morning of the Council meeting at this year’s ISAF Mid-Year Meeting to decide the equipment to be selected for the mixed multihull event. After discussing the recommendations from the Evaluation Panel, the Equipment Committee and the Events Committee, Council voted between the Nacra 17 and the Viper with the Nacra 17 securing the majority.

The final discussion on the events and equipment for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition was about the men’s and women’s board events with Council voting in favor of kiteboarding.

In November 2011 an evaluation group was appointed to examine kiteboarding formats with the board events for Rio 2016 defined as ‘windsurfing and/or kiteboarding’. The Evaluation Group recommended that kiteboarding be included in the ISAF Event family including the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the ISAF Sailing World Championships but Council went one step further and selected Kiteboarding for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition as well.

The ISAF Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Committee will consider and make further recommendations to Council on the implementation of the inclusion of kiteboarding at their meeting in November 2012 at the ISAF Annual Conference.

ISAF President Göran Petersson said, “These announcements mark a new era for sailing and we welcome the new classes into the ISAF family. The equipment selections have fulfilled the criteria set out by the Evaluation Panel and we look forward to seeing the boats not only at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF Sailing World Championships.

“Kiteboarding has proven to us that it is ready to be included into the list of prestigious ISAF Events and it is a fantastic addition to the sailing program for the 2016 Olympic Games.”

The events to be contested at the 2016 Olympic Games are confirmed as:

Men’s Kiteboarding
Women’s Kiteboarding
Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Men’s One Person Dinghy (heavy) – Finn
Men’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Women’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s skiff – 49er FX
Mixed Two Person Multihull – Nacra 17

These ten events will be featured in the 2012-2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup which kicks off in Melbourne in December and will come together in Santander, Spain in 2014 for the ISAF Sailing World Championships.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

This is a short teaser of a scene in the movie HIDDEN LINES. Armed with custom designed neon light wetsuits, Youri Zoon, Kevin Langeree, and Nick Jacobsen launched their kites into the dark.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Festival del Viento is the biggest freestyle event in Mexico. It is held in Bucerias, Nayarit which is just 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. This year the dates will be May 18-20. There will be riders from every state like Colima, Baja, Merida, Sinaloa and Jalisco. The event is focused on freestyle but also there will be a downwind slalom from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Bucerias which is a 6 Km distance and a long distance race from Bucerias-La Cruz-Bucerias.

In its third year, May is the best month for kiteboarding and the water is warm. Conditions are  choppy with winds normally in the 20 knot range.

Sponsors: Miller, Proud, La Cevicheria, North, Liquid Force, Mystic, The Kiteboarder Magazine, Go Pro, Albera

Check out the riding conditions and area below!

 Festival del Viento Carrera Downwind La Cruz- Bucerias

Festival del Viento 2011 Finales Freestyle

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Ride with BEST Team rider Martina Santos D’Eustachio in Paracuru and Taiba, Brasil.

Filmed and edited by: Andre Magarao

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Video profile of US rider John Heineken, current World Champion kite racer. This profile has been shot during the PKRA 2012 in Mexico, Playa del Carmen, first tour stop of the PKRA World Tour.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Wrap up video of the 2012 PKRA event in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This is the first tour stop of the 2012 PKRA Course Racing season.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Congratulations to the Exotikite crew for pioneering what we all believe to be the first downwinder accomplished from La Ventana to Los Barriles! Below is a reprint of the adventure courtesy of Megan O’Leary of Exotikite in Los Barriles.

Ian, Mac, and Taylor all made it the 40+ miles from the Hot Springs in La Ventana to the ExotiKite School in Los Barriles. The day started at 6am when Mac and Ian met Josh, from Pursuit Anglers at the beach to help launch his boat. 

We decided early on, that since this downwinder, to our knowledge, had not been done before, we would need a chase boat.  Josh, graciously, volunteered for the job.  They got the boat in without any problems and Josh and Mac headed north to La Ventana. 

Ian picked up James (the shuttle driver), Seth Warren (internationally acclaimed documentary film maker and photographer), and Taylor (ExotiKite crew).

They made their way to La Ventana with a stop in San Bartolo for breakfast.  The car arrived at the Hot Springs around 9:20 am and the boat had not yet arrived.  It was an hour later when the chase boat pulled up to the beach making the trip upwind from Los Barriles just shy of 4 hours. 

The swell was big on the outside so they had to go very slowly, and almost flipped the boat motoring up a huge swell!   

The crew rigged (Ian 9m North Rebel and strapless 5’8″ Whip, Taylor 10m Evo and 5’6″ Whip, Mac 9m Evo and 5’5″ Whip)  and were on the water at 11am.  As they passed the point in La Ventana a whale breached 50 yards away from Mac and Ian. 

They rode the flat water on the downwind side of the point for a bit and then headed out to sea to make a diagonal reach from the point to Las Tinas.   This open water portion of the journey took almost 2 hours.  The wind was light and fluky and they were working the kites much of the time just to maintain a plane.

The best wind was from Punta Pescadero down to ExotiKite Kiteboarding.  The guys rode the swell and enjoyed that portion of the trip the best.  The were greeted with cheers from those that caught wind of the adventure when they hit the beach at 2:30pm. 

I asked Tay if he would do it again, to which he replied “from El Cardinal down, absolutely!”.  I didn’t notice it then, but when looking at the pictures I saw that all three of them were riding strapless for the entire 3.5 hours!  Pretty impressive (we agree!).

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Photo Paul Lang

Age: 31
Years Kiting: 8
Favorite Spots: Sherman Island, Camas Prairie, Ocean Beach
Sponsors: Live2kite, RRD, Mystic, Decosse Customs, Zeal Optics

GEAR

Boards: RRD Poison 133
Kites: RRD Obsessions
Harness: Mystic Warrior

Tips:

• Being safe is priceless. You should be able to trust your gear and look out for others out on the water.
• Master your current tricks before trying the next thing. This gives you a solid base and makes you more confident to try something new. It also helps define your style.
• Don’t forget that at the end of the day kiting is something that should make you happy. Try to be an ambassador and not just a user. Getting other people stoked might be more rewarding than landing a new trick.

Photo Paul Lang

One of the fixtures at Sherman Island, Slawek “Suave” Krauze is usually the easiest guy to pick out on the water due to the fact that he always seems to be able to find the brightest colored gear to ride. He’s also one of the friendliest guys on the island and has done more than his share of the work keeping the place going.

How did you get your nickname?
I used to kite buggy a lot on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. After landing a kiteloop in the buggy one of my friends told me, “from now on we will call you Suave.” It was probably easier for him to pronounce too.

Where did you first see kiteboarding?
I was introduced to power kiting in 2003 at the Berkeley Kite Festival. Soon after, I found myself doing 40 mph on rollerblades behind a 3m kite.

The next day I ordered my first kite and I’ve been hooked since then. I spent the first three years land kiting and then I started snowkiting. My first season in the water was in 2008.

What’s unique about the kiteboarding crowd at Sherman Island?
One weekend I pulled into Sherman and it just blew my mind. It reminded me of when I was windsurfing as a kid in Poland. Soon after I had more friends than I could ever imagine and decided to move in full time for the summer.

Sherman is a very special place not only because of the unique smooth warm thermal winds but also because of the people that keep the island vibe super chill. In a way we are all one big family of kiters there.

I was fortunate enough to make friends with the coolest people that were there for a long time before my arrival like Maui Mike, Nat, Chris; the list goes on and on. It’s hard to find a place you can kite all day and then hang out afterwards with your friends, camp, and do it all over again the next day.

What are some of the problems at Sherman?
We have quite a big crowd of people there every weekend during the summer and it can get a little dangerous with 40+ kites in the small launch area.

The launch is not big enough to fit everyone at once and it’s important that we all understand that putting our toys away leaves space for others. Staying safe and being polite are key to keeping this place as cool as it is. Let’s remember that it should be a community effort rather than one man’s good will to keep everything going.

Talk a little about your involvement in the snowkiting scene. When can we expect to see your snowkiting film?
A few months a year I ride with the some of the best snowkiters in the US. Snowkiting is just as addictive as riding on the water. It’s like riding frozen powder waves and hitting a park at the same time. Every year we go to a few events where we gather to compete and party.

Two years ago I started my company www.snowkitecinema.com and I’ve been working on my upcoming snowkite film Widerland that will be available this winter.

What’s your ideal day on the water like?
18-23 mph with my 9m Obsession, a strong ebb tide, and a few friends does the trick.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

This weekend, Frisco Woods Campgrounds is hosting WindFest 2012 April 27-29. Come join the fun, demo new gear, enjoy an awesome BBQ and win some great swag!

April 4-6, Kitty Hawk Kites will be hosting a demo where you can try all the latest gear from RRD, Litewave, Epic, Cabrinha, Ocean Rodeo, Ozone and more. Want to get into strapless riding or push it to another level?

Pro Rider Jon Modica /Cabrinha will be conducting strapless clinics daily starting at 3p. Cost is $50 and registration is required. see http://www.kittyhawk.com/kiteboarding/demodays.cfm for total info.

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Sometimes it feels like I'm getting this figured out.

By Paul Lang

I thought I’d be able to spend more time on this race board by now, but I’ve been distracted by some big swell days and the Pismo Kite Expo. I’ve been having fun learning to ride this thing, but not enough fun to pass up a good day in the surf.

In case you missed it, you can read about my first few race board sessions here.

Anxious to get a few more race board sessions, I tried going out in wind that was just too light. Not one to learn lessons quickly, I did this two days in a row, each day ending up getting to swim back in.

I’ve seen the top racers head out in 5-6 knots of wind, but my lack of skill and the fact that my largest kite is a 12m means that 9-10 knots seems to be my limit to avoid swimming.

Last week I was finally able to get back on the board for a few hours in 10-12 knots of wind. I installed some windsurfing-style foot straps that are a lot smaller than the previous straps I was using. Right away, the tighter straps made it feel like I had a lot more control over the board.

Getting up and going on a race board is an odd feeling as you can ride when it feels like there’s hardly any power in your kite. As you get up, the board feels really unstable until you flatten the board out and then accelerate on the fins.

Keeping the board flat is definitely key to riding fast, but I still can’t hold the board flat all the time. When I hit a big lull in the wind, I feel like the board comes off the fins and the windward rail sinks. As soon as that happens, it gets really unstable. Maybe I need to bear off in the lulls to stay on a plane?

I also need to start hitting the gym or something as my legs feel like they’re on fire when I ride this thing. It’s definitely way more of a workout than cruising on a twin tip or surfboard!

It feels like I’m getting the upwind part of riding a race board figured out and I can semi-successfully tack the board most of the time. I’m having trouble getting my feet back into the straps right away, but I’m sure I just need more practice.

Going downwind and jibing is a whole different animal. I feel like I have no clue what I’m doing. Every time I try to see how fast I go, I crash. Every time I attempt to jibe, I crash. I don’t even know why. One moment I’m up, the next moment I’m down. I’ve still got a lot to learn here.

I'm still doing a lot of this.

I’ve discovered I can ride through a few strands of kelp with no problem, but thick kelp makes this board come to a halt. Getting it back out of thick kelp is no fun so I need to just avoid the stuff.

Kelp! Stay Away!

Hopefully I’ll get a few more sessions on this board soon. I’ve still got a lot to learn!

What I’ve Learned:

• The smaller foot straps I put on made the board much easier to control.
• I can’t go out in wind that averages less than 10 knots. I’ll end up swimming.
• Getting constant power from the kite seems really important. I have trouble holding the board in the right position in gusty wind.
• It feels like I learn more if I have a goal in mind. Just going back and forth doesn’t really help me learn, but working upwind/downwind to a specific point (like a buoy) helps a lot.

What’s Next:

• Try to figure out how to jibe.
• Learn how to go fast without crashing.
• Try riding the thing in powered conditions on a smaller kite.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

US snowkiter Tyler Brown takes the 17m Best TS up into the hills of Utah for a light wind ridge soaring session. Check out his epic hang time.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

From Bertrand:

We decided to drive the long road down to the south of Morocco to go and visit an old friend Sebastian who runs Ocean Vagabond down there.

He hooked us up with a sick bungalow to stay and let us use his nice 4×4 vehicle to cruise around and check out the spots. We had one really fun session with two local guys in the water and some nice playful waves. Some really good memories! This is for sure a place to visit for some good wave riding.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

In this video, I spent two weeks traveling out to Peru and kiting up and down the coast. Starting at a spot called Paracas about 250km south of Lima and heading up northwards for about 1000km to a wave spot called Pacasmayo.

It was a great experience to see a new country, meet new people, and get the chance to explore and kite on some of the amazing spots that Peru has to offer…what an amazing country!

Thanks to everyone that made this trip possible!
Augusto for the invite and all the sponsors that helped along the way:

http://ripslix.co.uk/
http://www.tomcourt.com/
http://www.northkites.com/

The Kiteboarder Magazine

The final day played out somewhat as expected with considerably less wind than the previous days. Meeting at 10am, the racers arrived to a calm beach and a more serene atmosphere, with the hopes that the wind would shift and increase enough to hold racing or the remainder of the freestyle competition.

Unfortunately, these hopes never came to fruition, and by 2:00, it was decided that both the race and freestyle portions of this final day would be cancelled.

While waiting for wind, riders entertained themselves beachside, lounging around Mamita’s Beach Club, SUPing, and reading books. Katja Roose, the top female rider of this competition spent some quality time with her mother and father who accompanied her to this event.

When asked about her opinion concerning her performance in this event, she commented that she was really happy to have had great female competition, specifically mentioning Erica Heineken, who was often not far behind.

Roose went on to say that she’s very excited that more and more females are beginning to take part in the sport, revealing that while the equipment can still be expensive, it is becoming more accessible – as racers only require one board and just a few kites.

Making a huge mark on the event as well, Erica Heineken, in her first PKRA race competition ever, finished at an impressive 2nd place. While she may not be able to make it to other PKRA race events this year, Heineken said she hopes to make it to more in the future, and will be competing at Worlds in 2012 alongside many of the local races from her home spot – San Fransisco.

For the men, the U.S. dominated this event, with John Heineken, Bryan Lake, and Adam Koch taking the top three podium finishes. Koch explained earlier in the event how appreciative he is to be racing alongside such talented racers.

With a high level of respect between these riders, Koch revealed that they all challenge each other with every race, elevating the level of riding while still maintaining a healthy sense of camaraderie and admiration.

The SUP races commenced around 2:30 and provided a great source of entertainment for the otherwise laid back afternoon. The local Mexicans proved to be quite capable on their stand-up paddleboards; however, Sebastian Garat took the final win, just barely inching out Alberto Rondina after he tripped in the sand on the final run back to the finish line.

Finally, the closing ceremonies and awards signified the end of the MINI Kiteboard World Tour event. With a slight breeze and that ever-so-unique illumination of the “Mexican” sun, the top riders took their places on the podium, accepting with grace and pride their special gifts, champagne, and prizes.

Since the freestyle riders were unable to complete the single elimination ladder, the four finalists – Sean Farley (MEX) , Alberto Rondina (ITA), Noe Mixtli (MEX), and Miguel Manzanilla (MEX) gained equal recognition on stage for this event.

While this podium did not reflect a completed competition, it was most certainly exciting to see the local riders from Playa Del Carmen and Progreso shine at their home spot. Additionally, Paolo Rista (ITA), Andrzej Ozog (POL), and Luis Nuno Morais (POR) won top placements for the Master’s division.

The PKRA would like to thank MINI Kiteboarding, Sandos Hotels & Resorts, Kiteboardtrips.com, and Mamita’s Beach Club for making the first racing tour stop of 2012 so spectacular.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Forty. The number of team riders Liquid Force is happy to introduce in its 2012 season. With the introduction of three brand new kite models and unparalleled innovations in board and kite technology, Liquid announces a strong team of riders to support and test this gear.

Liquid Force believes in its riders and is happy to support such an incredibly talented list of men and women. Its participants determine the progression of kiteboarding and Liquid Force’s team isn’t afraid to advance. From dominating in grassroots competitions such the Triple S Invitational and Ro Sham Throw Down to chasing the PKRA World Titles to pumping out videos and photos, Liquid riders aren’t afraid to shed. Our level of stoke is high and apparent.

We strive to bring a line of gear that reflects the diversity of our riders across the world. From hard- core freestyle and wave riding to the precision needed for wake style, our brand has the kite that will exceed your needs and the riders whom demonstrate this.

Browse our Global and International Support teams at: www.liquidforcekites.com/team

About Liquid Force

Founded in 1995, Liquid Force quickly became the leader in wakeboard products and apparel. Soon after Liquid Force entered into kiteboarding and became the benchmark in design and product progression. Liquid Force is dedicated to relentless innovation, progressive design, maximum functionality and unparalleled quality.  For more information please visit www.liquidforcekites.com.

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Cabrinha Kiteboarding is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with Offshore Odysseys.

A mutual desire to seek out the world’s most remote and dynamic kitesurfing and surfing locations, while building awareness and inspiring solutions to the environmental crisis has culminated into a five year agreement between Cabrinha and Offshore Odysseys. The expedition is called the Cabrinha Quest.

Each segment of the Cabrinha Quest expedition is available to the public and can be booked through the www.offshoreodysseys.com website. The schedule and information can be found here.

Offshore Odyssey CEO and Founder Gavin McClurg explains, “Offshore Odysseys began from a simple need to see what was beyond the horizon. Circumnavigating the earth providing remote sailing, kitesufing, and surfing charters provides that opportunity. Exploration remains at the heart of why we continue to wander.

But over the past decade and a half of our travels, sailing every ocean and dozens of the worlds seas, it has become clear that our model is no longer sustainable. So, we are taking a “cradle to cradle” approach with every decision in our operation. Our goal to operate at a carbon neutral low impact mandaite is just the beggining of this quest.”

“I’m very excited to be a part of this journey. Ever since my first trip aboard Gavin’s Discovery 3 years ago, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of seeking out kitesurfing and surfing locations off the beaten path. The Cabrinha Quest will now provide an attainable way to satisfy this curiosity for anyone who has a drop of adventure in their blood. The fact that this can be done in complete luxury with minimal impact to the environment is a huge bonus” says Pete Cabrinha.

The Cabrinha Quest is a seafaring expedition to seek out the world’s most remote and dynamic kitesurfing and surfing locations. A quest to experience native cultures in their natural state. To consciously explore the Oceans of the world with passion, integrity, and sensitivity to the cultures and ecosystems we inhabit. To build awareness, global concern, and inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.

To learn more visit www.cabrinhakites.com or www.offshoreodysseys.com

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Offshore Odysseys’ Gavin McClurg joins us to talk about the recent article in The Kiteboarder Magazine about his 5-year circumnavigation with the Best Odyssey and also announces his next project, the Cabrinha Quest.

Visit http://offshoreodysseys.com for more info.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

The Kiteboarder Magazine

Thanks to everyone for making the 10th Annual Pismo Beach Kitexpo such a great time for all! We couldn’t have asked for better conditions or participation and are stoked that so many of you made it down (or up!) starting with the Winemaker Dinner Thursday night and ending with raffle on Sunday.

We’ll be posting the final fundraising total by this Friday to www.friendsofkinsley.com and thank everyone, both online and live, that helped out in our efforts including all the supporting vendors, volunteers, and winemaker Dan Tudor.

XTREME BIG AIR / THE KITEBOARDER PISMO BEACH KITEXPO RAFFLE WINNERS

Names below are Online ticket winners — numbers only are tickets purchased at the event. Unclaimed prizes must be claimed on or before Friday May 4, 2012, 5pm PST, after which time ticket will no longer be valid.  Ticket holder must email or fax copy of winning ticket to marina@thekiteboarder.com or 805.457.1539 before the May 4, 2012, deadline along with full contact info and allow up to 72 hours for processing.

The winner is responsible for shipping outside of San Luis Obispo County, however, we will do our best to deliver prizes to LIve2Kite in Northern California and Kitesurfari in Southern California in approximately 7-10 days for the convenience of our winners…….

• 673573: Airush Smart Bar
• 541886: DaKine Backpack (women’s)
• Thomas  Winkler: Radog Wine Pak and Mystic Shirt
• 674006: Cabrinha Blue Sweatshirt
• 376945: DaKine Hat, Mystic Shirt
• 674010: Manera Twin Tip Bag
• 673526: Liquid Force Backpack
• 376725: DaKine Hat and Wallet
• 377445: North Anniversary Book
• Carol Bolstad: North Anniversary Book / Mystic Shirt
• Paul McDowell: North Anniversary Book / Hyperflex AMP gloves/booties
• Jim Stringfellow: Hyperflex AMP Pkg: 3/2 front zip, gloves, booties, water shirt
• 377819: Hyperflex Wetsuit Jacket
• 377897: Hyperflex AMP gloves/booties, Radog Wine Pak
• 542945: DaKine wallet, t-shirt and Hyperflex AMP gloves/booties
• 378016: Hyperflex AMP gloves/booties, Radog Wine Pak
• 542768: Hyperflex AMP Pkg: 3/2 front zip, gloves, booties, water shirt
• 541895: Hyperflex AMP Pkg: 3/2 front zip, gloves, booties, water shirt
• WIV Burnside: Slingshot Joint Bindings
• 377916: Kurtis Surf Goggles
• 377847: Liquid Force Backpack with Wheels
• 674502: Gabriel Loyd  5’8″ Kite Rocket Directional Board

ABOUT THE PISMO BEACH KITEXPO:

The Pismo Beach Kitexpo started out as a birthday celebration with friends for founder Kinsley ThomasWong of Xtreme Big Air in 2001. Since then, it has grown into the largest kiteboarding event on the West Coast attracting hundreds of riders from up and down the state and beyond.

Kinsley was one of the early kiteboarders in the United States and in 1999 became the first IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) Certified Kiteboarding School in the nation with an Advanced Kiteboarding Instructor rating. In July of 2010, Kinsley was involved in a serious kiteboarding accident which fractured his spine.

His stoke for the sport and life has elevated so many lives in the past. As he works toward recovery, he hopes to also help inspire others with similar injuries stay focused and positive.  Thank you for helping us help Kinsley on his journey toward recovery. For more information see www.friendsofkinsley.com

The Kiteboarder Magazine

The 2012 Pismo Beach Kite Expo came to a close yesterday after three full days of excellent kiteboarding conditions.

Photo Scott Edwards

The final day of the event started early with light wind that built throughout the day. By early afternoon most riders were on 9-10m kites.

The 10 vendors on hand were kept very busy rigging, launching, and landing more kites this weekend than during any previous Pismo Kite Expo. During the height of activity on Sunday, more than 80 kites were counted on the water.

After a full day of riding, the event was capped off with a big raffle as the wind finally died down. We want to thanks everyone who came out to the 2012 Pismo Kite Expo for showing your support for this great cause!

We will be posting a final wrap up of the event tomorrow (Tuesday) including the list of unclaimed raffle prizes and the fundraising total of how much money we were able to raise for Kinsley Thomas Wong. Learn more about Kinsley at Friends of Kinsley.

We want to thank everyone who helps support this great event. The Pismo Kite Expo would not happen without you!

• North
• Mystic
• RRD
• Underground
• Live2Kite
• CaliKites
• Core Kiteboarding
• Dynabar
• 321 Kiteboarding
• Xenon Boards
• Kite Zombies
• Best Kiteboarding
• F-One Kiteboarding
• Manera
• F-One SUP
• Underwave
• Airush
• Liquid Force
• Cabrinha
• Epic Kites

Prize/Event Sponsors: Gabe Loyd Custom Surfboards/Kitesurf Boards, The Sea Venture Hotel, Red Bull, The Isla Vista Kiteboarding Club, the Pismo Beach CVB, DaKine, FSC, Carol Bolstad, Kurtis Surf Shades, Radog Wines, Giuseppe’s Restaurant,  and Hyperflex.

Special thanks to volunteers Maui Mike and the Lujan family, Peter Dohi, Scott Edwards, Berta Bartscherer, Kevin Winfield, Steve Nyswonger, Jens Hanke, Tom Reilly, Mrinda Brown, Kurt Friedmann, Ben Icard, and Andy Crafts.

The Kiteboarder Magazine

HIDDEN LINES,starring Youri Zoon, Kevin Langeree, and Nick Jacobsen

Two world champions and the craziest stuntman in kitesurfing set out to travel the destinations on top of their bucket list.

While re-discovering the essence of kitesurfing, the hidden stories behind their dreamlike lifestyle’s are told. Along the way they find themselves in unexpected situations and magical moments.

Hidden lines will take viewers on a kitesurfing adventure full of action, travel, stunts and fun.

After making ‘Cape Sessions’ with Kevin Langeree and the ‘RECORDED’ series with Youri Zoon, EyEFORcE productions decided it was time for something new, something unique. In the world of kitesurfing, the last few years viewers have been overwhelmed with webisodes of pro athletes. With ‘HIDDEN LINES’ EyEFORcE wanted to create a full length kitesurfing movie experience that would appeal to both kitesurfers and the general public.

Kevin and Youri are two longtime rivals, and they have been competing against each other for many years. After Kevin won the world championship in 2009, and Youri in 2011, shooting this movie together was something nobody expected to be possible. Maybe it would have never happend, if it wasn’t for their mutual friend Nick Jacobsen joining them on this trip. Nick became an instant legend in the kitesurfing world after jumping from a huge crane in Cape Town in 2011, and was geared up to bring some crazy stuff into this movie.

The riders could choose the destination that they had always dreamed of. Kevin was aiming to score some waves while road-tripping in Chile, while Youri wanted to go on a sailing trip, looking for Caribbean vibes and perfect freestyle conditions. Because Nick desired nothing but fun filled days, Nitro City proved to be his perfect playground.

HIDDEN LINES will premiere during the kitesurfing world cup (PKRA) in Scheveningen, after which it will play in venues around the globe.

The Kiteboarder Magazine