Watch Jon Van Malsen charge hard in Brazil from Caulpe Lagoon to Taiba Lagoon.  I had the chance to see some of the footage first hand as it was being filmed and he was absolutely killing it coming straight off an injury (which you can see some of the stitches in the video).

Hot off the press, check it out. 

[video:http://www.vimeo.com/12245493 650x400]

In Youri's third episode for RECORDED, kite action is seen on the Tabuba lagoon near Cumbuco, Brasil.  This is a pretty busy lagoon with some top level riding, so watch Youri kite his face off with loads of power and style. 

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vxCXymIcAQ 650x400]

New video from Hadlow's Project series showing him pushing the wakestyle movement in boots with some smooth style and kicker action. 

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cRzsqHpu2Q 650x400]

Why isn't kiteboarding this easy for any of us?  All I know is that I'm in Brazil and the video looks almost exactly the same as what I am experiencing down here day to day...with the small exception that my riding does not have any component of the steeze that Hadlow is pushing in this video.  The push for style in comp is definitely a positive direction for the sport and makes this sport more badass.  Stylish freestyle is what made skiing cool again.  Stylish kiteboarding is what is making this sport develop into something even cooler.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GMOluByEv0 650x400] 

Andre Phillip, Jason Stone and Kevin Steen shred in Maui.  Test footage of the RED ONE Camera from Elliot Leboe's ACL Productions.

 

[video:http://vimeo.com/7326487 650x400] 

Here's Cesar Portas killing it on the brand spankin' new2010 North Vegas.  Not a ton of footage of the kite, but they look sick!

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuPx-r4fqI0 650x350]

Slingshot team rider Eric Rienstra rocks the new 2010 Fuels on some slider action in Hood River, Oregon.  Booyakashire.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHmUR2Ent_c 650x400]

Review by Dan Sweeny in Barbados:  
Jesse Richman and the Nomad: 
Nomad with Damien LeRoy:Cabrinha's description of their new kite:
 
The Cabrinha Nomad 2010 is not a bow kite, has a more closed arc than our other kites, and it utilizes an IDS bridle and the same control system as the other kites.  The Nomad is a kite for an advanced rider looking for performance in freestyle and waves.  The kites turns off the wingtip and generates a lot of pull in kite loops.  The Cabrinha Nomad is ideal for anyone looking to do huge unhooked wakestyle tricks while still having the safety and depower of the IDS bridle and control system.  In the surf, the kite sits back in the pocket and pivots nicely so that it's always in the right place.  The Nomad absolutly floats as you rip down the line.   The Nomad has great depower and turns fast. The Nomad handles the task of unhooked riding by delivering a constant steady powerband. When unhooked the kite continues to fly forward, making the power predictable during your tricks. On the fly depower is extremely linear which means you’ll always have the correct amount of power for the job at hand.

 

Here's a video of Eric Rienstra charging hard, riding again on Slingshot gear.  The setup in the video includes him killing the wakestyle with the new 2009 Slingshot RPM kite and Reflex wakeboard.  Good to see some new footage of this stylish rider with his new sponsor.

[video: http://vimeo.com/4885474]

Armando Puerta presents the features of the new Ocean Rodeo freestyle gear for 2009: Ocean Rodeo Diablo 2009 and the Ocean Rodeo Zen 135x41cm. 

[video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9CMzQIPB2I]

http://www.hadlowpro.com/

 

[video: http://vimeo.com/3883237]

[video: http://vimeo.com/3709728]

 Check out this video of 2 time KPWT world chamption French rider Seb Garat.  Click HERE to see Seb's personal website if you want to read up more about him and follow his blog: 

Here's Ruben Lenten showing Hood River how its done, Dutch style.  Really cool scenic shots in this one while he goes huge!

[video: http://vimeo.com/3060102]

Take a look at the introduction to snowkiting given by the Al Jazeera network and Flysurfer!  They give some background on the sport, show some of the pros and even show what it takes to learn the sport.  Check it!

 [video: http://vimeo.com/3172748]

So was surfing the ole' interwebs when I came across some footy of Drizzle showing how time and time again, he's got the steeziest of steeze in the biz.  I'm sure many will agree he's smooth when he throws down and just makes it look effortless.

 Check the vid and get ready cause the summer is coming!

 

A few weeks ago, I had the luxury of test riding the new Wainman Hawaii 12m Boss from the Rabbit series of kites.   This was a weekend where for once, I went to the beach without any gear, so I had no choice but to ride other people’s gear.  What a great way to compare kites! 

Click the link below to read more of the review and see the pics of the gear and Shawn Richman riding in Canada.

Wow.

For wakestyle riding, this kid throws down hard.  Watch Aaron Hadlow kill it in the follow up to Invent.  In particular, I'm diggin' the move he pulls at 10:06. Watch the whole thing, but I love that part.

I'll be posting this to the videos section for your kiteboarding viewing pleasure.