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2012 BUYER’S GUIDE:Underwave

Soft launched in North America in mid-2011, the full collection of Underwave apparel and water wear will be available at your local dealer in 2012. Underwave’s North American distributor Nicolas Ostermann explains why his distribution company is bringing the brand to the US market and highlights some of the key products he is most excited about.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Switch Kites

Having just launched in June of 2011, Switch is a new kite manufacturer that only sells kites directly to consumers. We talked to James Overington about Switch’s product line (including the upcoming Element kite) and about how they differ from other kiteboarding companies.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Slingshot Kiteboarding

For 2012, Slingshot is continuing the Fuel, RPM, Rally, and Turbine kites and also introducing a replacement for the Key HD, the Z. Slingshot’s board department also has some exciting things happening this year as they are now producing their twin tips locally in the Columbia River Gorge. Also, Slingshot is offering some of their surfboard in two constructions, a strapped and strapless version. ... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: RRD Kiteboarding

The 2012 RRD Kitesurfing line is more extensive than ever before. Roberto Ricci and the RRD team in Italy have developed unique products for specific riding styles and conditions. The 2012 RRD kite line up offers six kite models, 10 different twin tip kiteboards, seven different kite specific surfboards in 24 sizes, and two IKA registered course racing boards. RRD is confident that it has the right product for every level and type of rider out there.... Read More...

2012 Buyer’s Guide: Promotion Wetsuits

Dedicated to windsports for the past 30 years, ProMotion Wetsuits was founded by waterman Dana Love. In 1984, Dana moved his company to the Gorge which he said has proven to be an unbeatable location to design and test wetsuits with temperatures ranging from below freezing in the winter to above 100° in the summer.... Read More...

2012 Buyer’s Guide: Ozone Kiteboarding

Ozone released their first 2012 kite, the surf-specific REO, in June and is now releasing updated versions of the rest of their kite line. Among the kites returning for 2012 is the race-winning Edge. Ozone is also continuing to produce depowerable foil kites for snowkiting and now offers an Ultralight version of the Frenzy that weighs 30% less and packs up smaller. Steve Barrett from Ozone Kites USA answered our questions about the 2012 Ozone line.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: North Kiteboarding

For 2012 North is offering an extensive line of five kites, eight twin tips, five surfboards, and three specialty boards. Highlights for 2012 include new Adaptive Wingtips on the kites (except the Vegas), a track system on the twin tips, and new surfboard construction. North’s Dan Schwarz filled us in on the changes on the 2012 North line.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Nobile Kiteboarding

For 2012 Nobile will be introducing a new freestyle kite, a light wind/race kite, and a wave directional board as well as a new control bar while the rest of the line has been tweaked to improve construction and performance. Two new customer service reps were also brought onto the team who will handle all demos and US and Canadian customer and warranty inquiries. Nobile’s Maciej WacÅ‚awczyk answered our questions about what we can expect from the company’s 2012 product lineup. ... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Naish Kiteboarding

Naish has made a lot of changes for 2012 including all new shapes and construction for the twin tip line, a new line of strapless only surfboards, and refinements to the kites and existing directional boards. Designers Ian Ponting and Damien Girardin filled us in on what Naish has in store for the 2012 model year. ... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Mystic Kiteboarding

Mystic completely redesigned its 2012 collection of wetsuits which now come in front and back zip models and a multitude of other options to match your specific needs and budget. The harness line was fine tuned to make them even more comfortable and stylish and women will be especially stoked with their expanded options as well. New for 2012 is Mystic’s wake/cable line of wetsuits and vests as well as an entirely new line of clothing and board/travel bags. Mystic’s Evan Mavridoglou walked us through what we can expect from Mystic in 2012.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Liquid Force Kiteboarding

For 2012 Liquid Force has drastically updated its line of kites, with only the Envy continuing from last year. Liquid Force is also offering an extensive line of twin tips and an updated surfboard line that includes collaboration with Fletcher Chouinard of FCD. Gary Siskar and Julien Fillion answered our questions about the large offering of 2012 products from Liquid Force.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: FireWire Kitesurf

For 2012, FireWire has updated the construction of their kitesurf-specific line of surfboards and has introduced the Deviant Fin, a canting center fin to replace the trailing fin on any tri-fin surfboard. FireWire’s Brian Friedmann answered our questions about what’s new from FireWire and how riders should go about choosing the correct FireWire for their needs. ... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: F-One Kiteboarding

F-One has made some major changes to its 2012 product line. Returning for 2012 is the fifth generation of the Bandit Delta kite. US distributor Nicolas Ostermann walks us through their extensive lineup which now also includes SUP boards and paddles. ... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Epic Kites 3G

As opposed to referring to products by model year, Epic has decided to refer to products by generations. This is the year of the 3G (Third Generation) line of Epic products. New for this year are two brand new surfboards, the Judge C-Kite, and a 13m Limited Edition Renegade. Epic’s Dimitri Maramenides filled us in on what we can expect from the latest line of Epic gear.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: CrazyFly

A family owned company based out of Slovakia, Crazyfly has been producing full carbon boards for the past 10 years. Based on their years of experience and testing, they firmly believe that if you want the highest performance board, carbon is irreplaceable. The company added kites to its products in 2010. Tech rep Brent Reagan from PKS Distribution answered our questions about Crazyfly’s 2012 line up.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Core Kiteboarding

Core Kiteboarding is a subsidiary company of Hiss-Tec Fehmarn, which also owns Carved, a German custom board company. The complete Carved team along with input from some of Germany’s best riders help Core in the design and development of their kites. Now with distribution in the United States through 7 Sins Kiteboarding in California, Marketing Manager Philip Schinnage answered our questions about Core’s 2012 kites and new Sensor control bar.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Blade Kiteboarding

For 2012 Blade simplified their kite line by removing the Vertigo, which was possible because of two bridle configurations available on the 2012 Trigger. Blade is also offering the Fat Lady, a light wind-specific kite. Blade’s Yaron Barlev answered our questions about the latest Blade products.... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Best Kiteboarding

Best has made significant construction and design changes to its 2012 lineup of next generation products and has also added a few new products to the mix as well. The new GP C-kite features patent pending Reflex curve technology and Best will also be introducing a new freerace/fun board called the Kiaola. Marketing Manager Simon Clark answered our questions about what we can expect from Best for 2012. ... Read More...

2012 BUYER’S GUIDE: Airush

With an extensive line of seven kites, eight twin tips, four surfboards, and four specialty boards, Airush has a huge offering of products for 2012. New for this year is the Varial X, a combination of the 2011 Varial and Vapor X kites. Airush’s Marc Schmid answered our questions about what we can expect from the latest Airush products. ... Read More...

DESIGNER’S CORNER: 2011 Flexifoil ION

For 2011, Flexifoil focused on integrating new construction techniques and materials to produce a stronger, more refined product. Operations Manager Martyn Hogg helped us find out more about what you can expect from the 2011 ION.... Read More...

DESIGNER’S CORNER: 2011 Slingshot Rally

Slingshot’s 2011 LEI kite product line maintains is roots in the C-shape DNA. Each one of their kites has evolved from the original C-shape kite and then has been refined to meet the needs of various conditions and riding styles. Kite designers Amery Bernhart and Tony Logosz shed some light on their newest creation, the Rally, an open delta C-kite. ... Read More...

DESIGNER’S CORNER: F-One Bandit 4 and Bamboo Surfboards

For 2011, the Bandit 4 (B4) has changed considerably with a new shape and bar. For F-One’s 2011 surf program, several new sizes were added and the boards now all feature a double concave bottom. Founder Raphael Salles helps explain what we can expect from the new B4 and F-one’s 2011 surf line.... Read More...