2014 COMPSTICK

SUPERIOR CONTROL. UNMATCHED SIMPLICITY. TRUSTED SAFETY.

2014 COMPSTICK CONTROL BAR

W/ GUARDIAN SAFETY 

Today’s riders need to be at the center of control. Building on 4 consecutive World Championships, the new Compstick with Flight Control and our patented Rider Control Center, is the safest, most comprehensive andWe focused on the performance of three individual zones which work together to provide a world class rider-centric control system. This new approach takes into account 3 specific areas: Flight Control – Above the Bar, Compstick – At the Bar, Rider Control Center – Below the Bar. All three critical areas have been optimized to work in balanced harmony. As a complete system, the 2014 Compstick blends the critical elements of safety, kite control, de-power, and convenience into a rider experience that is tested, trusted, simple, smooth, and intuitive.

How to Ride in Light Winds

While kiteboarding already has a huge lightwind advantage over sports like windsurfing, everyone always wants to get the most riding time possible.  For most kiteboarders on a standard setup (12m Kite &140cm board for 175lb rider) rideable wind begins at about 15 mph.  This amount of wind is apparent because whitecaps become easily seen and prevalent on the water around 15 mph.  With this same setup jumping and powered riding will begin at around 17 mph.

2013 Cabrinha Crossbow LW Kiteboard Kite and Cabrinha Stylus kiteboard

One of the best things you can do to improve your lightwind riding is to become a better kite flyer.  Accomplished kite flyers can lose as much as 3 mph of wind and still be riding because they keep the kite moving in the power zone.  A good way to become a better kite flyer is simply flying in light-winds.  You can learn more in an hour of flying your kite in sub 12 winds than all your previous experience combined.  It is much more difficult to fly the kite in these winds and it is necessary to keep the kite moving.
Remember to pull in for more power when turning, then let the bar out to allow the kite to become more aerodynamic and rise in the sky.

How to Buy a Kiteboarding Kite

You were at the beach and this kiteboarder came riding by, floating on the water like magic. Then–pow!–he was 20 feet in the air flying through the sky. The kiteboarding bug bit you. “I have to go learn how to kiteboard!” you say to yourself.

This article will focus on a new rider looking for the proper kiteboarding kite for their first couple of years of riding. After you are an established rider, you will understand what style you are looking for and be able to pick a kite designed for your riding style whether that is waves, wake, free ride or freestyle.

MACkiteboarding first started teaching kiteboarding in 2000. Our first kiteboarding instructor, James Otis, actually went to the Wipika school (you have to look that up in ancient history books). So we have seen the incredible progress of gear, giving almost anyone who wants to learn to kiteboard the proper equipment to do so. Our take on buying gear is to get you, the new rider, successfully riding in as short a period as possible.

5 Ways to Make Kiteboarding Easier- From a Kiteboard Instructor

1. Get a wide/ flat board.

This will increase the planing ability and allow you to stay on top of the water with less power from the kite. It will also allow you to make better progress upwind. A bonus to going big to start is that you can keep this board for lightwind days after progressing to a high performance style of board.

2. Buy the right kite.

One of the greatest temptations of a beginner kiteboarder is to try out the sport “on the cheap” by buying old secondhand gear. While it is fine to have a budget, buying the wrong gear accomplishes nothing for you. If you are looking to “try it out” then take a lesson to help you decide if the investment is worth the reward (it always is in kiteboarding!).

The correct kite is one of the most important aspects of learning to kiteboard, so if you are not sure about what is right for you, call us at 1.800.622.4655 or speak with an instructor. Beginners are looking for a kite to cover winds under 20 knots. While the kite size varies for your weight, it will also vary depending on the kite design you choose.

As a beginner, your first kite should fit the following criteria…
– Sized for winds under 20 knots based on your weight
– Lots of depower in the bar throw
– At least 98% depower from the safety system. Most brands now have 100%
– Easy relaunch
– Stable flying- moves intentionally, not too responsive
– Move upwind easily