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At MACkite, we're grateful to be part of the amazing watersports community. Sometimes we learn about a customer that we think other watersports enthusiasts might be interested in hearing about. Tyler and Valentina are a perfect example. They're living the dream, and they're making it possible for others to experience it as well.We asked Tyler and Valentina to tell us a little bit about themselves and their company, Vive L'Amour (Long Live Love), and how they can take your watersports adventure t …

In this interview:   Kevin, who grew up in St. Martin, got introduced to watersports like sailing and kiteboarding at a young age. He discovered kiteboarding after moving back to the Netherlands and was thrilled by the combination of surfing and flying kites. He became part of the competitive kiteboarding scene during the PKRA era, alongside notable names like Aaron and Sam. The competitive side of the sport has since declined in terms of prize money and support from orga …

Why Choose Carbon? The Sonar foil system comes in a full carbon version in addition to the full alloy setup. North is one of the few brands that has a full carbon fuselage, not just a carbon mast. Carbon masts are relatively easy to produce, but saving the weight off of the fuselage is actually more important. Think about yourself holding a five-pound weight in close. You can hold it there all day, but you know how heavy it gets if you hold it out. The same thing applies at the end o …

In this interview, Pat speaks with Phil Sobolev, the Product Test Manager at Cabrinha, who oversees the testing of all the company's products. Phil explains that he works with the design team and the R&D team to come up with ideas and develop prototypes. He then tests the products, including 3D printed or board samples or kite prototypes, in real-world conditions. Phil also oversees the team of riders who help him test the products. He has been with Cabrinha for almost 10 years …

Jaime Herraiz is a seasoned kiteboarding professional, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the sport. With years of experience under his belt, Jaime has become a household name in the kiteboarding community, thanks to his exceptional skills and innovative approach to the sport.  As a longstanding team rider for Duotone Kiteboarding, Jaime has designed his own pro model kiteboard, which has become a best-seller in the industry.  Beyond his success as an athlete, Jaime …

Aaron: Hey guys, welcome back. We are live on the island with Blake. Blake, where are you at buddy? What are you up to today? Blake: It's been a busy day. I'm in the BVI right now on Moskito Island, which is one of Sir Richard Branson's islands. Behind me is Necker Island, where he lives. He just got in today, actually. It's incredible here; he's got quite a quite a thing going on. Aaron: So what have you been up to? I understand there's some confidential things that you can't d …

Pat: I'm Pat with MACkiteboarding, and I'm talking with Derek from Naish. Derek: What's up, guys? Pat: So Derek, you've been with Naish now for 10 years? Derek: Yeah, I came on board in February 2014, so I'll be pushing 10 years now. Pat: That's a long time with any company, really. I feel like very few people have stayed with one brand for that long, as far as the reps I know. There are a select few, but not a ton. Derek: For sure for the reps, but I'm not even close …

Pat: This is Pat with MACkiteboarding.com here with Nick Baines.Nick: Hey guys. I'm Nick Baines here with Reedin USA in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.Pat: So Nick, how did you end up getting into kiteboarding?Nick: I got into kiteboarding when I was 13 years old. My uncle, who is based in Saint Croix, sent me a trainer kite. I flew that thing religiously for a full year and then purchased my first kite, a 2002 Slingshot Fuel. I took it out to the beach and learned how to fly the kite …

Fred Hope is among the most talented kite foilers we've ever seen. He's also a Product Test Administrator for Slingshot Sports, in Hood River, Oregon.  This offseason, he'll be traveling between Barbuda, in the Caribbean and the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. Along with kite foiling, Fred is an amazing freeride kiteboarder, kitesurfer, and wing foiler. The Fred Hope Interview - Kite Foiling, Wing Foiling and Traveling Pat: This is Pat with MACkiteboarding.com, here with Fred Ho …