Table of contents for Winter 2020/21 in Kiteworld Magazine

A complex period of build quality and ample customer availability of these products will now be monitored until the end of 2021 to ensure their final sign-off by the IKA and World Sailing, but more immediately all eyes focused in on the first real test results to come in from this season’s events in Poland and Austria that mirrored the Olympic relay format. All of this, of course, set against the trials and tribulations of training and travel in a summer plagued by Covid cancellations. The race to Paris 2024 has already opened a new and very exciting chapter for kite sports, themed by the fact that only a complete dedication will suffice on and off the track. Progress is always painful. But when the prize is Olympic gold at…

WORLDWIDE SCHOOLS & SHOPS EVEN MORE LISTINGS AT WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM SCHOOLS THE AMERICAS 1 ADVENTURE KITEBOARDING Muskego, Wisconsin sales@adventurekiteboarding.com +1 414-367-9283 www.adventurekiteboarding.com 2 KITTY HAWK KITES Cape Hatteras, NC kbschool@kittyhawk.com +1 252 987 2297 www.kittyhawk.com 3 OUTER BANKS KITING Avon, NC jay@outerbankskiting.com +1 252-305-6839 www.outerbankskiting.com 4 GOOD BREEZE KITEBOARDING Cocoa Beach, Florida info@GoodBreezeKiteboarding.com +1 (321) 252-5483 goodbreezekiteboarding.com 5 MIAMI KITEBOARDING Miami, Florida info@miamikiteboarding.com +1 305 345 9974 www.miamikiteboarding.com 6 PROKITE SOUTH PADRE South Padre Island TX +1 541-490-6872 +1 855-774-5483 info@prokitesouthpadre.com www.prokitesouthpadre.com 7 EXOTIKITE KITEBOARDING SCHOOL Baja, Sur Mexico info@exotikite.com +521 624 165 2612 www.exotikite.com 8 COME KITE WITH US El Cuyo, Yucatan, Mexico info@comekitewithus.com +1 347 4072 588 www.comekitewithus.com 9 KITESURF ROATAN Camp Bay, Honduras kitesurfroatan@gmail.com +50 432 525 891 (also WhatsApp) www.kitesurfroatan.com 10 SA BARRA Maceio, Brazil info@sabarra.it +39…

“I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay” I repeated to myself in between gasping breaths as I attempted to calm down. I had just pitched forward on my foil while winging and found myself treading water in an attempt to get my bearings. I held tightly to my wrist leash to stop the wing from yanking on my now-broken wrist. Sharp pain shot down my arm as the leash pulled and I quickly realised that no, I was not in fact, okay. I broke my wrist just as we were coming out of lockdown and right as the Hood River summer was getting into full swing. The wing I was using had a boom on it and as I fell forward I remember looking down and watching in horror as my…

“EVEN THOUGH I TRAVEL THE MAJORITY OF THE YEAR I’M A BIT OF A HOMEBODY. I LOVE WHERE I LIVE AND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED MAKING THE MOST OF THE RIDING THAT THE UK HAS TO OFFER.” Everybody kept saying, “I bet you’re not enjoying being stuck at home”, but I was actually loving it. The main photo on this page was taken at Hurst Castle, Hampshire during our Slingshot twin-tip photoshoot. I had never kited there before this summer, but when I realised how good it was I bought a small sailing boat so I could sail there with a few mates and camp for days on end! As the crow flies (over water), Hurst Castle is just 20 miles from my house, but actually 50 miles away if I…

POSITIONING GUY BRIDGE: (Rider closest to the camera) This is the last day of the event and the wind was probably the strongest it had been. It was also the most consistent and steady breeze we had ridden over the week, so there wasn’t any area of the course that was particularly paying off in terms of wind shift. I probably start around 80% of races mid to pin end of the line, aiming for max VMG, which can be a risky tactic, especially on a course as short as this one in Austria as you don’t spend much time riding up the beat before you have to tack. If I’m not able to tack on the layline and cross the other riders before they reach me I would be…

Here’s a guide to what the scores mean for each kite / board. TEST SCORE KEY: KITE BALANCE POINT SCORES / 10: BUILD QUALITY: 1 = Sew it yourself / 10 = IndestructibleFULL PACKAGE: 1 = Pigtails sold separately / 10 = Comes with its own windLOW END: 1 = More power in a handkerchief / 10 = Like a raging bullTOP END: 1 = Force 3 feels like gale force 8 / 10 = Feels manageable in a hurricane.STEERING SPEED: 1 = Barely turns / 10 = Blink and you’ll miss itTURNING CIRCLE: 1 = Most pivotal / 10 = Likes to scrape the waterPOWER THROUGH TURN: 1 = You won’t notice it turning / 10 = Could move a houseBAR PRESSURE: 1 = Light as a feather /…

HOW HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE CREATE WINDS FOR KITEBOARDING As kiteboarders we closely watch the weather for signs of where and when winds will occur. This article is about understanding the basic elements of high and low pressure interactions and how, when and where it will be windy. Low pressure is when the pressure drops below average and the air steers inwards towards its centre. We call this ‘convergence’; the wind is horizontal and eventually rises. High pressure is when the pressure is higher than average and the air steers away from its centre (AKA dome). We call this ‘divergence’; the wind is sinking at a downward angle. Generally speaking, the air moving into an area of low pressure or a cold front, is warmer and more moist, which gives…

As a travelling photographer the Corona crisis suddenly brought my work to a staggering halt. My girlfriend Marije and I were in Cape Town and intended staying a few more weeks to enjoy the late season chill. The Dutch government was meanwhile advising anyone who didn’t need to stay overseas to return home as soon as possible. We hesitated, thinking that maybe we were better off in South Africa as there still wasn’t much Coronavirus news in Cape Town. We finally decided to head home when KLM announced that their last flight would take-off before the end of the week. Things seemed much more serious at home but, because it was hard to get a grip on what was actually going on, we didn’t enter survival mode until rumours started…

“I’VE REALISED I REALLY LOVE WHERE I LIVE, BUT THAT I ALSO KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT IT.” 01: Creating the new direction for the North brand was all about being in the right place at the right time. I spent 18 years working for the Pryde Group, inspired on a daily basis by Mr Neil Pryde’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. He was able to run a business and inspire a team to deliver exciting, high performance products. When the North Technology Group contacted me in 2018, we created a business plan in record time and set ourselves a goal to deliver a product range in just 12 months. To accomplish this I needed an incredible team to support that dream and it was only possible because of them. 02: Covid-19…

I would normally be reluctant to write about a year gone by until it’s actually over. The eternal optimist, I’d always advocate that, no matter how bad progress has been, while there is time there’s still a chance to turn things around. I’m penning this on October 23rd. Given the way things are still progressing, it’s fairly safe to say 2020 will be a year to be remembered. Personally, I refuse to look at it from an entirely negative perspective, however. Of course, Covid-19 has massively affected us all, but from a kiteboarding perspective it hasn’t been a bad year at all. It’s not a great secret that I travel a lot and have done for many years. This is the first year since the millennium that I’ve spent weeks…

MYSTIC This year Mystic are using the more durable and eco-friendly Yamamoto #39 limestone neoprene in their Voltt, Majestic and Diva wetsuits. Softer, lighter and more durable than petroleum based neoprene, Yamamoto is excavated in Osaka’s quarries and processed on site with the waste energy used to power local eel farms. Expect high stretch and excellent insulation. The 2mm neoprene beanie features flat lock seams and an attachment loop wetsuit connection. Good for just before the weather becomes really cold and you need an integrated hood, or for when rigging up. The Voltt hooded front zip suit is all new and uses a three thickness 6/4/3 design. You get a warmer suit with a lot more stretch. The Women’s Diva 5/3 full suit double front zip now delivers improved stretch…

THE EXPONENTIAL CURVE You probably don’t want to read another ‘be safe in winter article’. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before; check your gear and the weather blah, blah, blah. Many of you may not usually be so concerned about logging hours kiting in the cold as you’ll usually be planning to jump on a plane soon to escape the grip of winter. This year, of course, will be very different, so why not adapt and evolve to enjoy thick neoprene clad, sociable, fun and safe winter sessions on our amazing coastlines. I’ve taught beginners and also trained instructors for 20 years in a few watersports. In my role at the British Kitesports Association, I also look at trends, accident assessments and the culture of safety in our sport…

01 > AEROPRESS We have long been fans of the Aeropress here at Kiteworld HQ and take one with us on all our trips. Now there’s the Aeropress Go, which is even more compact, light weight and durable. Conveniently create superb American, espresso or cold brew style coffee anywhere. Includes mug with lid, 350 micro-filters in a storage carton, filter cap, filter holder, stirrer and scoop. PRICE GUIDE: £31.99 / $31.95 / €35.99 www.aeropress.co.uk 02 > AK DURABLES SUPPLY CO The AK six foot Coil Leash avoids interference with the foil when paddling or sitting on your board. The calf connection keeps the leash up out of the water when foiling. The Method harness has been designed using years of composite experience combined with a polymer supporting structure for a…