So I recently received my 2019 Eleveight RS kites and I wanted to share with you my thoughts and first impressions.  To date I have only tried the 14m of the 2019 kites.  Having sold my 2018 14 m demo I was anxious to replace this size and model in my quiver, but I had to wait as I offered my kite to others looking to demo the kite before I had a chance to fly it for myself.   Then last week I was one of the last people at Lagoon City on Lake Simcoe and by the time I got out on the water the wind dropped to below 10 knots.  Further out in the lake it was 11 knots but near shore it was between 7 and 9 knots so I had a big range to test the kite in.

I immediately jumped on my surf board and had a blast.  I was literally singing while flying this kite as I was having so much fun!  Within minutes of flying it I felt this was the best all round free ride kite I had ever flown, period.

The 2018 model was impressive.  For a first year brand and model I thought it was every bit as good as the Cabrinha Switchblade which has been around for over 15 years and has long been one of my favorite kites, but this 2019 kite blew the Switchblade, the 2018 RS and every other freeride kite I have ever flown out of the water.  

The new model turns faster than last year and almost as fast as a freestyle kite.  The bar pressure was something out of a fairy tale being neither too light nor too strong and feeling just right.  You always knew where this kite was in the sky and what it was doing.  You could feel the kite as if you had a sixth sense and were psychically tuned to its every movement.  This kite is going to let beginners and advanced riders alike take their riding to a new level.

Alot of effort has been made touting this new techno force x4 rip stop fabric and until this day part of me couldn't help but wonder if it was mostly marketing hype ... but when i got the kite in the sky i understood what they were raving about.  This fabric isn't just about 4 threads to prevent tears ... its about 4 threads that prevent stretching and fluttering of the canopy ... and WOW does it work.  This canopy was so stable both in flight and when parked in the sky.  It felt like the kite was more like a rigid airplane wind than a piece of fabric.  It allowed the kite to move so smoothly, quickly and predictably through the sky that I simply could not keep from singing - I was having so much fun!

I didn't even fully pump up the kite and it was performing better than I could have imagined.  The added benefit of the new fabric and coatings is that the material will not lose shape and performance for many years of wonderfully satisfying usage.  I now understand why this fabric is being so heavily touted.

The 2019 RS still retained all of its boosting, lift and hang time splendor but with the added turning speed, improved feel, stability and predictability this kite is sure to become a boosters dream.  Last years kite was impressive and became my defacto free ride kite of choice ... but this year its like i found the love of my life and wanted o marry her!

The 2018 RS had one of the biggest wind ranges I have ever seen but I did notice at the very high end of the spectrum the kite would exhibit some minor instability and at the very low end could be tricky to relaunch.  This was never a big deal or serious flaw and in fact most people wouldn't even notice but when you kite and teach for a living you do notice some minor qualities and characteristics ...  so I was anxious to see how the 2019 RS stacked up.

I loved my 2018s so much that I was hesitant to sell them.  What of the new kites were not as good? I feared I would lose my favorite gear.  I would ride my 14m on my trusty Wing board in winds with no one else other than foilers.  I had heard from some trusted sources that the 2019s were better but does one ever truly know until you experience it for yourself?

Let me tell you, and as the video can attest, this kite flies in even less wind and relaunches even easier than before.  In the video I say 8 or 9 knots but I wouldn't be surprised if it was down to 7 and I was able to relaunch the 14m effortlessly.  I haven't had a chance to test the high end stability yet because frankly i haven't had this kite out in high enough wind to push it to the limit yet.  This past weekend i flew it in up to 20 knot gusts and clearly that was no where near the upper limit of what this kite can handle so yes I believe the wind range somehow is even better than last year.

In fact I have yet to find a single flaw with this kite.  The new carry bag unzips along three sides whereas last year did two so its easier to put back in the bag even.  And the new bag is a backpack style, and while i didn't mind last years messenger bag style alot of people prefer backpack style.

In terms of looks the kite is a stunner.  I wanted grey because i felt it looked best in the pictures but after seeing the other colors in person they all look spectacular.  I love the simple and elegant design of these kites... they are not filled with useless over designed patches and swaths of colors graphics and remind me of an elegant Italian sports car.  

I cant wait to try the 2019 FS and the other sizes of the RS but I believe a round of applause is in order.  Somehow the team at Eleveight have done the improbable ... They followed up the best release of a kite company with the best release of a kite ever ... I don't know how these kites are going to stay in stock once word gets out about how good these are ... and this time I'm not selling my demos until I actually fly something better which does not seem likely ... unless they invent anti-gravity for the 2020 models!

Eleveight has officially launched their 2019 kites.  We have a bunch of 2019 models in stock but there is high demand for these amazing new kites so be sure to get your order in before they are gone.  We also still have a very small number of 2018 new and demo kites on sale but they are going fast also.  Here are some videos of our friend Kevin Wade from Eleveight as he reviews and summarizes the features of the new models.  Take it away Kevin:

Photo By: 
https://www.instagram.com/oficina23kitesurf/
https://www.instagram.com/wilsonalmeidan/

2019 Eleveight GEAR is HERE!

​Well Almost & Sort Of ... The official release date is early July but we've got the lowdown on all the new gear straight from the testers in Tarifa and it looks amazing.  Eleveight is continuing to tear up the industry by setting a new standard for quality and performance.  Never before has a new company had such an impact since Horacio Pagani shook up the Super Car industry or since Ferruccio Lamborghini told Ferrari to F-Off and built his own car.

As many of you know, some of the brightest minds from Best Kiteboarding left to start their own brand ... but this isn't Best 2.0 - Eleveight is something completely new.  The problem with existing brands is you can't change too much form year to year or you run the risk of pissing off your existing customer base.  The result is they end up with kites that are behind the design curve in terms of both performance and handling characteristics.  So they try and innovate by introducing all these additional product lines but those too are handicapped because they don't want to cannibalize their existing lines - what a mess.

Apple, in its Steve Jobs era heydey was an example of a company that didn't care about cannibalizing itself and they pushed the limits of design resulting in things like the iPhone, the iPad and the multi-touch interface ... imagine if Apple had been afraid to cannibalize the scroll wheel ipod and never released multi-touch?

Do you also remember when Apple bought NEXT and not long thereafter released OS-X ... that was the start of something completely new.  Now imagine being able to start fresh in the kiteboarding industry with all new designs using the best ideas form some of the brightest minds and not having to hold onto any outdated legacy product lines - well that's what Eleveight has done - they built a new brand incorporating all the best ideas without any limitations.  And oh what a brand it is...

If you haven't tried an Eleveight kite yet you don't know what you are missing.  This is perhaps the fastest growing brand in Kiteboarding history and for good reason.  The line up is clean and un-cluttered and their products are exceptional in both performance and quality.  Now they are entering their 2nd year with only subtle refinements. These include the use of what is widely considered to be the best material in the in the industry: Teijin Techno Force X4, for their canopies which will help prevent tears and reduce canopy stretch and trailing edge flutter to unprecedented levels.

They have also made subtle refinements to wind range and turning characteristics without loosing any of the incredible boosting and stability of the current line up.  Their bar has retained the amazing click to reconnect safety system and added the ability to adjust bar width among a few other refinements.  In fact Ozone has already copied their quick re-connect chicken loop system - when was the last time you saw one of the oldest brands in the industry copying one of the newest?  (Ask Lamborghini, Pagani, Tesla, Koenigsegg and McLaren about that.)  But let's face it, click to re-connect is a great idea and I wish all brands used this same system, that way fewer riders would fear pulling their safety knowing it is one click away from re-connecting.  I've discussed this same issue with other kiteboarding instructors and we all feel that too many riders are afraid to use their safety and I think this system would help remedy that.

Eleveight's excellence is not just limited to the kites ... have you tried the Process board? OK while I love the naming convention Eleveight has adopted for it's other products, I think this board deserves a better name than that, but name aside it is the best all rounder I have ridden to date... and Ive had the pleasure of riding some great boards over the years.  The Process board in my opinion is like the Heinz of Ketchup. 

What do I mean by that?

Well, have you ever read Malcolm Gladwell's piece on why we have so many brands and types of Mustard yet Heinz nearly completely dominates the ketchup industry?  It's a brilliant piece which you can read here:  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/09/06/the-ketchup-conundrum.  Or you can watch the TED talk here:  www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_on_spaghetti_sauce.

One of the possible reasons Gladwell attributes to this "ketchup conundrum" is that perhaps Heinz has created the perfect product with just the right ratios of ingredients to make the ultimate universally loved ketchup?

Well my kiteboarding compatriots -- I tell you this in all sincerity:  Perhaps Eleveight has created the Heinz ketchup of kiteboards - the perfect all round board in what I wish was better named; the Process.  It is such an exquisite all rounder that does everything well and has no weaknesses.  It doesn't have the best pop, but it is very, very good.  It points super high and carves really well ... but best of all it is exceptionally smooth and comfortable and eats chop like a kid pouring Heinz ketchup on their fries.

Never before have I felt a board so easy on these old knees and spine that I don't think I will ever get rid of this old philly.  It was love at first ride and she's with me for life ... and thankfully, Eleveight has made no change to the dimensions, construction or characteristics of this board whatsoever ... they've just given her a fresh coat of paint and she looks great in the new shade of blue which I have to say is a step up from the previously unassuming grey.  Ok so maybe i'll get the blue one instead ;)

Now don't get me wrong - I'm not proposing you only own one board ... changing your board changes the complete feel of kiting and I think its great to have a quiver of different boards to keep things fresh and interesting.   But if you could own a Ferrari AND a Lamborghini AND a Pagani, wouldn't you?  So why not own a few boards?  After all it's not like you can have several wives (unless you live in Utah) or several super cars (unless you are RIchard Branson - that private Island owning, super model riding on his back, son of a bitch who has never once invited me to hang out with him like he did with Barrack Obama) ... but ... you can own several different kiteboards - so why not.

Anyways, we are so stoked to try the new gear ourselves but at the same time we don't want to give up any of our existing gear we love so much.  What a dilemma... But in the end we have to make some room for what's coming so this is your chance to get some existing demo gear at great prices.  To Shop our demo department click here:
​https://www.mysticpointwatersports.com/store/c98/Kiteboarding%3A_Demo_Gear.html
 
And stay tuned for the upcoming big launch of Eleveight's 2nd generation kites and boards and be the first to know by liking us on facebook, following us on Instagram, signing up to our mail list and subscribing to our YouTube Channel.  And when the new gear does arrive you can get it shipped right to you just by clicking here:
https://www.mysticpointwatersports.com/store/c105/Eleveight%3A_2019_Kites.html

In the meantime, we still have some very limited quantities of new 2018 gear so hurry and place your order because the remaining inventory is going fast.  Shop for 2018 gear by clicking here:
https://www.mysticpointwatersports.com/store/c99/Eleveight%3A_2018_Kites.html

And if you see me at your local spot don't be shy, come by and say hi, and take some demo Eleveight's out for a  fly.... trust me, you will not regret it and you will want to get it.  If you have any questions about the new gear and what's coming down the pipeline feel free to CONTACT US. but until then thanks for reading and remember to:

We are stoked to be the only dealer in Eastern Canada to offer the hottest new kiteboarding brand; Eleveight.  Eleveight was founded by passionate watersports professionals who had worked in the industry since its beginning and wanted to bring all the skills and experience they had into making the most advanced kites and kiteboarding products in the market today.  The result is a super clean line with kites that are suited for a variety of riding styles and conditions that offer effortless steering, incredible boosting, and stable drifting.  Another example of their innovation is with regards to their CS Control bar that let's you click in the chicken loop and go without priming or fussing with the release mechanism.  

As a welcome special, we are offering a free CS Control bar when you purchase any FS Kite and a Process twin tip board, but hurry, supplies are limited and going fast and the promotion ends Nov.04.2017.

Click HERE to shop for Eleveight gear in our on-line store.

We are happy to announce that we now carry HQ PowerKites.  HQ is one of the original names in foil kites and they have been around since before Kiteboarding was a thing.  Ironically HQ was late to the game to make Kiteboarding specific kites but they have since made up for lost time with some great models.  We are in the process of updating our site with their full product range but for now we wanted to get their trainer kites up in our store HERE.  Summer is in full swing and if you want to get into kiteboarding or are just looking for a fun kite to fly at the beach or the park, HQ makes arguably the best trainer kites out there.  Read on for a quick INTRO TO KITES and KITING and how to select the perfect TRAINER KITE for you.  HQ Kites are fun on their own and not just for kiting, and you probably have seen them at your local beach.

What are TRAINER KITES:

• The term "TRAINER KITE" was coined when kiteboarding became a reality.  Kiteboarding is all about harnessing the wind as a means of propulsion through which you could ride a board, buggy boat, anything really through land, snow, sea and air.  Trainer kites were simply smaller steerable kites that let you gradually learn the skills needed to control bigger kites that could be used for kiteboarding.  As the sport evolved kiteboarding branched off into kitesurfing, snow kiting, kite buggy, kite sailing, etc... and is still evolving.  But what hasn't changed is still the need to start small and gradually learn the skills necessary to ride the wind.
• Kites come in many SHAPES, STYLES and CONFIGURATIONS.  You might be most familiar with triangular or "delta" shaped kites which are often mounted on a light weight frame of wood or plastic and flown using a single line.  If the wind is heavy they fly on their own no problem but on lighter days you might need to build some artificial wind to get the kite up in the sky where the wind is usually a little stronger.  Imagine the iconic image of children running through a field holding a line to get the kite in the air.  This idyllic type of kiting is fun yet serene and tranquil as they lack steering control and offer a passive experience.  Single Line kites can take many shapes, "box kites" being among them and are sometimes adorned with beautiful yet functional tails.  They have been around for thousands of years and you still see them gracefully adorning the sky at beaches and parks around the world and putting smiles on the faces of young and old alike.
• Active kites have 2 or more lines and let you dynamically steer the kite through the sky making them a much more engaging experience.  Steering the kites can actually make them fly faster and is accompanied by the swoosh of air over these beautiful objects.  These also come in a variety of shapes but are a little less diverse than single line kites.
• 2 Line models let you steer left and right.  3 line models are essentially 2 line kites but with a safety line so if the kite gets pulled out of your hand it will safely fall from the sky and not get blown away.  4 Line kites offer multiple axis of movement and control and can be used to steer the kite left and right as well as changing their "angle" which allows for backwards movement or pausing and holding in place.  Before kiteboarding was invented 4 line kite shows and competitions were quite common.  They still exist today but have been upstaged in popularity by kiteboarding.
• Kites used for recreational flying rather than as a means of propulsion are often termed "Power Kites", "Traction Kites" or "Trainer Kites".  If your goal is to kiteboarding you need to start small and learn to steer and control the kite and work your way up to bigger kites, hence the term "Trainer".
• Power/Traction/Trainer kites also refer to their shape which is also known as a "foil" kite.  Foil kites do not use a frame and use the wind passing through them to hold their shape.  Open foil will get water logged and not be able to relaunch, closed cell offer some water relaunching ability.  Most kites used for kiteboarding or kitesurfing have an inflatable component (edge or struts) and are referred to as LEI's (Leading Edge Inflatable) and by their shape (Bow, C, Hybrid... more on that another time) 
• When wind doubles, force quadruples.  Also, when the size of the kite, sail or wing doubles, the force quadruples.  The science behind this is known as Bernoulli's principle and is the same bit of physics that allows planes to fly.  What it means is kites can be powerful.  You need to start small, use the right size for the conditions, and gradually learn the skills, techniques and muscle memory needed to handle kite sports.
• Kiteboarding kites use 4 or 5 lines.  The "front" lines pass through a control bar and attach to a harness which is mounted to the user/rider.  This is where the weight is supported.  If kiteboarding relied on arm strength you couldn't ride for more than a few minutes.  What this means is that anyone can learn to kiteboard as it does not require upper body strength.  The control bar is where the rear lines attach and is only used for steering and control.  In fact kiteboarding kites tout the lack of bar pressure as one of their features.  But to learn to use 4 or 5 line kites you need to start with 2 line kites.
• 2 Line kites are often on a bar and let you steer the kite through the sky providing a much more dynamic experience.  They come in a variety of sizes and when the wind picks up you can really feel the pull.  These types of kites are most often referred to as "TRAINER KITES" because they allow you to begin your journey towards learning to kiteboarding.  Starting with a 2 line kite is essential.  2 Line kites can also be used just for fun and recreational flying on days where there isn't enough wind to kiteboarding or by your partner while you are out kiting provided they do not kite themselves ;)
• Also, ALWYAS get a 2 line kite with a safety leash or a 3 line kite so that if the kite ever gets pulled out of your hands it will not fly off and get lost or hurt someone and it will fall safely out of the sky.
• Once you learn the skills needed to a 2 line kite, you can then progress to a 4 or 5 line kite but at that point you will need a harness.
• A Note About SIZE:
• You want the sweet spot.  Too small and you will be limited in what days you can fly your trainer and you will not get a lot of "feel" even on the windy days.  Too big and you may not be able to hold the kite on windier days.  The best is to have 2 or more which covers you for a variety of wind ranges - this is called a "quiver".
• If you only have a budget for 1 trainer kite then I recommend a 2.5 or 3m size as this is right in the middle and suitable for most people and most conditions.
• Bigger sizes are better for light to moderate winds and can offer a great kiting experience on days when its too light to actually kiteboard but they may be a little too powerful for those you may leave on the beach to fly the trainer while you are out on the water.  They are also a lot more expensive.
• One of the reasons people take lessons is so that they do not have to buy a series of 2 and 4 line trainer/progression kites to learn the sport.  The lessons take them to the point where they can ride on their own and then they buy their kiteboarding kites and boards.  However, most people get a trainer anyways as its fun to play with when you can't kiteboard and its great to do with friends and family.  Trainers are small and just a neat thing to have.

HQ makes arguably the BEST trainers in the world.  They come in a diverse line up so I thought I'd summarize the range to help you select.

• FLUXX:  The entry level trainer, a cost effective way to begin your journey.  Be sure to add the safety strap, an essential tool to build muscle memory and learning to simply "let go" when you need to.
• RUSH V:  A more modern design with fewer/cleaner bridles and a refined feel closer to that of a kiteboarding kite.  S step above the Fluxx.
• RUSH V PRO:  The quintessential kiteboarding trainer kite.  This is the perfect 2/3 line kite to learn steering and control basics.  It comes with a safety line which is essential to build emergency response technique and ensure your kite doesn't fly away when released.  This is the kite we recommend most for starters.
• RUSH V PRO SCHOOL:  Similar to the RUSH V PRO but with 4 lines instead of two.  4 line kites mirror all the axis of movement of a full bore kiteboarding kite in a package small enough to be safe for beginners in moderate wind conditions.  It's best to start with 2 lines and then move up to 4.  4 also requires the use of a harness which is sold separately.
• HYDRA II:  This is a very refined and very powerful 2/3 line trainer that is capable of water relaunching.  2 lines refers to the steering control and the 3rd line being the safety line.  If price is no object then this is a level above the RUSH V PRO.
• SQOUT 3:  A powerful, tuneable 2/3 line kite that comes in bigger sizes than our other trainers.  Tune ability comes at a price.  If you like flying power kites for their own sake and not just for "training" then this kite will offer years of enjoyment.

80% of the time I recommend the RUSH V PRO as the initial 2 line trainer for land use.  If you live near a giant shallow water area then using a trainer in the water is fun, in which case I would then recommend the Hydra II which is the same as the RUSH V PRO but closed cell.  These are both 2/3 line models and are the place to start.

The next step in your progression is a small 4 line LEI or FOIL trainer.  BUT this adds a lot of power and technique and means you are now physically strapped into your kite ... so I recommend taking lessons at this point and not trying it on your own first.  At the end of the lessons you will not even need to purchase a 4 line trainer.  Also, many people have been hurt skipping steps on their journey towards learning to kiteboard, If you want to kite safely do it the right way, start with a 2 line trainer and take lessons.

My name is Ivano, I am a certified Kiteboarding instructor and have been flying and designing kites since 1989 and Sailing, Windsurfing and Kiteboarding since 2003.  Contact me HERE if you have any questions.  Thanks for reading.

Aloha

We carry the entire line of RRD Harnesses.  Renowned for their comfort, support, durability and value, RRD Kiteboarding harnesses come in a few models to suit your specific needs and riding style.  Have a look...

Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.  The first real prototype kites used to pull riders on the water started to appear in the late nineties.  Development was fast and furious as manufacturers and testers tried to figure out what worked while surviving those early halcyon days.     Those early prototypes were much like the Apple 1, really for hobbyists and risk takers.  In fact those early days were not very dissimilar to the early days of cracking the supersonic jet barrier, a lot of people got hurt.

Prototypes gave way to the "C-Kite" which was a giant leap forward but still had many problems - primarily in terms of safety and relaunch.  Then the biggest evolutionary step forward to make this a consumer friendly market was the introduction of "bow Kites" in roughly 2004.  These kites featured much better relaunchability to get the kite back in the air after it hit the water.  But more importantly it featured "full" de power.  Now you could let go of the bar and the kite would simply fall out of the sky as opposed to C-Kites which would stay powered up and required a second movement to trigger the safety release in order to achieve "full" depower.

Since the bow kite was released the evolution of kite designs slowed and each year saw subtle refinements as opposed to massive leaps forward.  In some cases kite companies even back-tracked to earlier designs having realized they may have gone down the wrong road.  Not to blame them, this is a very tricky sport and riding the wind is no easy feat.  Wind is not steady, it gusts and changes directions and intensity.  One kite does not work in all wind ranges, and kiteboarder quickly realized that to maximize the days they can rise on the water they needed a diverse quiver of kites and boards.

One of the most challenging of times was the low wind days.  Even though manufacturers could make kites bigger so they could generate more power in lighter winds, they also got heavier and clunkier, turning was slow and arduous if you could even get the kites into the air in the first place.  And if the kite should crash into the water chances are there was not enough wind energy to get the kite off the water and back in the air.  The problem was one of weight and relaunchability.

Foil kites showed a lot of promise but open cell foils were useless if they got wet.  Closed cell foil kites emerged to slow down the rate at which they would get water logged but there were other challenges, especially f the kite lost its shape.

What makes LEI (Leading Edge Inflatable) Kites so appealing to water sports is that the inflated struts give the kite a semi rigid shape that allows for optimal air flow while making the kite easily relaunchable should it hit the water.  Early kites had a large leading edge and 5 struts which resulted in a lot of weight and did not perform well i light wind despite the wind range claims on many manufacturers web sites.

Over time, kites were designed to be light wind specialists by using less struts and refining their shape.  But for serious winds most other kites still used 5 struts.  Refinement continued until now we have the next leap forward:  The strut less kite.

Strutless kites are super light allowing you to use less kite for the same wind ranges, as well as providing a feasible light wind kite that gets you down to 5/6 knots.  This is achieved through a higher pressure, better shaped leading edge and laughter trailing edge that keeps the kites shape and promotes laminar air flow in light wind conditions.

I dont know who made the first strut less but I can tell you RRD makes arguably the best.  The Emotion MkII is the 2nd generation consumer model of RRD's strut less kite.  It's trailing edge is quiet unlike many other strut less kites on the market.  It flies with very light bar pressure yet feedback is there and steering is precise and turning is fast.

Keep an eye on strut less, this is the next growth area of kites!  And if you would like to test an Emotion RRD or become an RRD convert or ambassador just drop us a line and we will see what we can do.

We are confident that you will love the RRD Emotion and that these strut less kites will become an essential part of your quiver.

​Neptune approved.

Shop for RRD Emotion Kites HERE.  Quote this post and get a 10% off RRD Emotion Coupon.