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june 2011

INSIDER: Daryl Drown

After an injury took me out of the ski industry, I moved to Florida with my now wife to finish her schooling. There I began my involvement in kite-powered sports. At that point there were no stores specializing in kiteboarding.... Read More...

6 Tips to Make Your Kite Last Longer

With over 10 years in the kite repair business, we at FixMyKite.com have seen it all. We’re often asked about what can be done to prolong the life of kites. With this in mind we’ve made a quick list below to help you keep your kite in your hands and not in ours!... Read More...

INTERVIEW: Design by Julien Fillion

Your first impression of Julien Fillion might be that he’s a quiet guy. He always has a thoughtful look on his face, like he’s trying to work out some problem in his head. Get him talking about kiteboarding gear and you’ll quickly realize that not only is Julien not a quiet guy, but his head is so full of ideas that sometimes he has a hard time getting them all out.... Read More...

PROFILED: Brian Smith AKA BCS

Brian Smith grew up in Arlington, VA, and used to work at a marina on the Potomac River where he would spend his summers working, sailing, kayaking, and wakeboarding. After learning to kiteboard on a family vacation to Cabarete, he was hooked. ... Read More...

June 2011

*SPECIAL: 2011 TKB Instructional Guide *INTERVIEW: Liquid Force Designer Julien Fillion *Launch: Help the Coast Guard Help Kiters ... Read More...

PROFILED: Maika Monroe Buckley

At just 17 years old, Maika Buckley has decided to finish her senior year of high school online so she can move to Cabarete to train. Maika said, “I love Cabarete. All of my friends do not understand how I could leave high school my senior year and go live in a third world country. I think how could I not?”... Read More...

Help the Coast Guard Help Kiteboarders

Just as a great Central California session was wrapping up earlier this spring, a few of us on the beach noticed a kite tumbling downwind outside the surf line. The kite's owner decided it would be too difficult to get the kite back and it continued its tumble downwind out of sight. A few hours later, I received a call from Coast Guard Lieutenant Ana Thorsson, who was coordinating the search for a kiteboarder they assumed was missing.... Read More...

Northern Colombia: Still Undiscovered

After a quick two and a half hour flight, I was picked up and we headed to the coast. Wladamir is excitedly telling me how you can ride flat water on one side with perfect side-onshore conditions for freestyle or racing while the other side, a short five minute walk away, serves up perfect long peeling waves formed by sandbars with side-offshore winds.... Read More...

Reasons to Plug your Ears

Outside of a great fitting harness, helmet, and untangled kite lines, a pair of earplugs is a must for any kiter. The reason is that ear injuries occur frequently, are very painful, and are easily preventable. ... Read More...

Best 2011 Nemesis HP V3 Analyze This Kite Review

The Nemesis HP is back in Best’s kite line after a year-long hiatus and it shares the same unique Best-exclusive Cuben Fiber leading edge with the previous Nemesis. About half of the leading edge is made of the strong material and the leading edge of the Nemesis is very skinny compared to other kites.... Read More...

Slingshot 2011 Turbine Analyze This Kite Review

The Turbine is Slingshot’s new light wind specific kite and it looks very similar to Slingshot’s popular Rally. The Turbine features Splitstrut, which means that the ribs are built into the canopy as opposed to being attached to the underside of it.... Read More...