Latest News, Blog & Videos

Today Tucker has something a bit different from his usual wing or hydrofoil review. Whether you're a winger or enjoy any other watersport, you may find this product interesting. The Drydor dry suit is made in Switzerland, and the quality is just what you'd expect. It's lightweight and feels like a high-end ski or snowboard parka.Although Tucker prefers wetsuits, he has tested a number of dry suits over the years. So far, none have changed his mind. After testing the Drydor suit for a coupl …

This is Pat with MACkiteboarding.com here to talk about the Manera Magma 5.4.3 wetsuit. I'm going to review the warmth of the wetsuit, the fit, the conditions I was out in, and my first impressions of it.FITI'd say the fit of this wetsuit does run a bit on the small side. I'm about 190lbs and 6'3"; I wore the XL and it was a perfect fit for me. Typically I'm an LT or even an MT depending of the brand of wetsuit, so it can vary quite a bit, but the XL definitely was the right fit for me on …

Welcome back to MACkiteboarding. This is Tucker, and today we're going to talk about some tips that we have for you if you're riding in frigid temperatures. We're up here in the Great White North, so when we talk to people about riding in the winter, they're always like, "What? You guys are crazy! Why would you do that? You must get frostbitten every time you go out. I could never do that." But in reality, it's not too bad. A lot of times, I'm actually just as warm when it's cold out as I a …

Hey guys, Jake here from MACkite. Today I'm here to talk to you guys about packages. Next: wetsuit, booty, gloves, beanie, hood, etc. When you're kiting in cooler environments, these are really, really important. Even when you're in a warm environment it can be nice to have a wetsuit. The big reason for that is when you're learning, you're spending the most amount of time that you're going to in the water. So you're learning how to body drag, you're learning how to boardstart... that's a l …

Choosing a wetsuit can be as easy or complicated as you like. Last fall I did a video on choosing one for a colder climate. I covered my strategy, the pros and cons of different thicknesses, and how to pick if you are on a budget. Having spent a winter living in Florida, I wanted to share my thoughts on the best way to stay warm and save a buck if you need to. Now, obviously, if you live somewhere very tropical, a Neo top is all you will need! If you're somewhere like Florida with some fluct …

Choosing a suit can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. There are a ton of options, including high end suits that are soft, warm, seal out water, drain any excess or even block the wind. Ultimately it comes down to your budget and your threshold of cold. If you get cold easily, it's worth it to invest in a high end suit. I've used budget suits in the cold and it's never worth it in my opinion. It's fine in warmer water but I've always regretted it in the winter. The first …

Welcome to our Cold Water Riding series. Today we will feature a comparison of our most popular drysuits. If you tuned into our last episode comparing wetsuits to drysuits, you know that there are some compelling reasons to check out a drysuit as a water-wear option. Our most popular drysuits for kiteboarding or wing foiling are the Ocean Rodeo Soul, Heat v3, and Ignite. There are some significant differences and a large price gap between these models. Let’s get into this so you can figure out w …

Riding in cold water requires some special knowledge and equipment to proceed with safety and comfort. In this new series, we will go over the required equipment, walk you through common gear choices, and provide the necessary knowledge and tricks we have learned to stay safe in that treacherous environment. In this video and blog, we will explore the base of your cold water riding protection, which is your wetsuit or drysuit. This is key because keeping your core warm is the number one priority …

If you live in or travel to a cold region and like to play in the water, you've probably considered getting a drysuit. There's plenty to love about them when you're getting a session that just wouldn't be possible in a wetsuit. But if you're a new or prospective drysuit owner, you probably have some questions about how to take care of your investment so it'll keep taking care of you for years to come. Thankfully, Ocean Rodeo has put together a great FAQ with lots of useful tips!Drysuit Maintenan …

A lot of you probably don’t know this but in Michigan, during the winter our beaches get a decent amount of shelf ice along the coast. This weekend, we had a bit of a thaw, some sunshine and some decent weather for kiteboarding. Some of our shop riders like Logan Armstrong and Marc Hoesksma  put some time in at our local slick. It got me thinking about how hardcore some riders can get just to get a session. Kiteboarding can seem overwhelming when it’s warm out but going out in the cold …

Let's Chat: Tucker's Explanation on How to Get Into A Front Zip Wetsuit Getting into front zip wetsuits is all about technique. I can get into my front zip 6mm just as quickly and easily as my 3mm back zip wetsuit (maybe faster since I can find the zipper easier). Even if it takes you a little longer until you get the hang of it, the benefits of front zip suit far outweigh the negatives. Back zips leach cold water in and warm water out, they also limit the stretch of the suit.&n …

Brandon Scheid - Below Zero Brandon Scheid in Quebec, Canada? That can only mean (cue the dramatic movie pause)...snowkiting. Of course, Scheid would have such an awesome adventure in Canada, who wouldn't? Our northerly brothers and sisters are having some snow, and they're willing to share its pleasures with us - how thoughtful! Enjoy as Brandon Scheid rides some Liquid Force gear and pounces on the crystallized waves.  Would you like to learn how to snowkite like Scheid?  Why …

Welcome to November. Up here in Michigan that means November gales, some 10'-12' wave days, cold water (50 degrees) and even colder air. Riding in cold weather takes a special mindset, but even more importantly, it demands the right gear. At MACkite we ride until Lake Michigan freezes over, with some days pushing a total temperature (water plus air) of only 75 degrees.Modern wetsuits with extra layers and a floatation vest will keep your core warm in just about any weather. Your head, feet and h …