Recognized as Seattle’s Number one Skate shop, Motion Boardshop is growing Rapidly.
We want to find great people to join us along the way.
The Motion Boardshop Seattle Headquarters (our Seattle longboard store), our physical and digital Media Design Groups, Online Media (Facebook and Youtube etc.) Shipping Center, and Accounts Management teams are all expanding.
What do you need to play on the Team?
If you have a passion for your work (that means you like to do a really good job)
If you are coachable and trainable (that means you can follow directions)
If the average desk job is a little to Blaaah (that means you’re cool)
If you are ok with working for your pay (that means you know nothing is free)
If you Love promoting Fun and Everything Awesome (That means you are like Us)
…we would like to meet you! We have Full Time, Part Time, Interns, and Volunteer positions available.
Please send your resume* to ariel@motionboardshop.com (he is the acting manager and he has great hair).
* A resume is simply a brief history of what you have done. For the purposes of Motion Boardshop this can include your work history or just the things that you do, love, and are really good at. Our goal is to get a general Idea of what moves you and why we would be excited to see you everyday.
Tomorrow night at our Seattle longboard shop we’ll be kicking off a night of music at Motion Boardshop and we hope you all can make it! Yeah we know it’s last minute but don’t pretend like you have something better to do on a Wednesday night. : ) Our nephew, DJ Q, has put together this event for his senior project at Shorecrest High School. Ryan “Theory” Cutright has been helping to mentor him these past couple months as he has learned the art of spinning the wheels of steel. Theory will kick the night off with the first set starting at 7, then DJ Q at 8 and Noisemaker at 9 to finish the night up. For the big kids, we’ll have a VIP room upstairs with a keg courtesy of Redhook Brewery and some non-alcoholic beverages for the young ones. This is an all ages event and the whole family can come if you don’t mind the bass! We’ll be showing videos throughout the show and DJ Q has decided to have this event benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. RSVP for the event on our Facebook page.
Motion Boardshop and Best Kiteboarding have put together an afternoon at the Jetty featuring a free unhooked riding and slider clinic taught by International Best Pro rider Joe Ruscito. He’ll be offering tips to riders of every level, whether you are just learning to unhook or want to dial in your s-bend. Or if sliders are more your style, there will be a 2nd clinic dedicated to pressing it out. Joe was in Hood River last weekend for the RoShamBo event and we were lucky enough to convince him to hang around for a few extra days in the Pacific NW. If that wasn’t enough, local legend “Sick” Nick Ward will be teaching a strapless riding clinic so you can learn anything from duck jibes to shov-its.
All the hottest 2011 Best Kiteboarding Gear will be available for demo including the Taboos, Kahoonas and Nemesis. We’ll have some Best Profanity Kiteboards setup for unhooked load and pop, and some Best Short Stick surfboards waxes up for light wind fun. Hopefully there will be a little something for everyone! Remember, it’s all free and open to everyone no matter your skill level!
We know it’s a little last minute but it looks like this Friday will bring some warmer temps and hopefully some of that buttery smooth Jetty Island wind as well. We’ll plan to start as early as 2pm if the wind cooperates. But even if the wind doesn’t pan out, we’ll still do a Q&A style session where you can pick Joe and Nick’s brains about tips and tricks for finally nailing the latest move you’ve been working on. This is just an impromptu demo day & riding clinic to take advantage of having a world-renowned pro rider in town.
Afterwards, join us at the new Scuttlebutt Brewery next to the Jetty for some after-sesh pitchers and happy hour appetizers.
Best Kiteboarding is offering an amazing deal right now. You have the opportunity to win a Best Taboo kite, and all you have to do is demo one and write up a review about it. They really have to twist your arm, huh? Out of all the entries, Best will be picking one winner based on how well they expressed their love for the Taboo, and a second winner will be picked by random out of all the participants.
The sky is the limit when it comes to how you choose to present your review. You can use photos, video, or just make a nice write-up. As you may or may not already know, each Taboo size is dialed in to optimize performance specific wind-range and riding style that accompany it. At Motion, we’re really lucky to have a solid team of Best sponsored riders who have the Taboos available for demo, practically any windy day of the week. Joaquin, Eric V. and Nick Ward are all at your disposal so you can take advantage of their Taboo quivers. And if you ask extra nicely, you may be able to pry away one of the new Nemesis HP V3 kites away from them for a quick spin. : )
Click on this link for more info on submitting your review!
Also in line with the Armada V2 kiteboard is the Best KB Pro Kiteboard which comes in a 130x40cm. Most womens kiteboards are only offered in super tiny sizes, as if all women are 5’0 and 100lbs. But the sizing for this board is a little longer and wider making it a more realistic option for the majority of women who are serious about kiting. With the light winds we get here during the northwest summers, I think this size board will be perfect.
Best of all, pro rider and 9 time world champ Kirstin Boese had a ton of influence in the design so it has the features of a pro board that even a man can appreciate. And if it wasn’t for the polka dots and pink Best fish logo, I bet you’d see a lot of guys riding the KB Pro. It has a very similar flex pattern to the Armada kiteboard which makes for insane pop, cushy landings, and it plows through choppy water. It also features Best’s new super comfy foot straps and pads. If you’re a late beginner or intermediate rider, this board will let you advance all the way to the finish line.
We just got a shipment in of the 2011 Best Armada V2 kiteboard. Although we fell in love with last year’s version, this year has proven to up the ante even more. Though the shape of the Armada has basically stayed the same, it seems to be just a little stiffer which translates to higher performance and increased pop. While we haven’t compared the actual weight, the board feels a little lighter under your feet while riding. Overall, it handles the chop really well, has nice smooth landings thanks to it’s progressive flex pattern and features some sweet new graphics too.
If we had to compare the Armada to something else, it’s like the Best Kahoona V3 in the sense that they took something that was already really great, and found a way to make it even better. This year, Best upgraded their straps and pads so that they’re extremely comfortable. According to Best teamrider, Joaquin, they are some of the easiest to take off and on. The new design really lets you wedge your feet in to get a real locked in feel.
We just wanted to let you know about a screaming deal on a light-wind kite for the quickly arrive spring/summer Jetty Island kiteboarding season. We’re blowing out last year’s 2010 Slingshot Octane 13m kites for only $899. If you do the math, that’s almost $1000 off their original price. I’m no economist but I do know a good deal when I see one, and this is a darn good one. You can fly the SS Octane with any 4-line bar that features equal line lengths. So if you already have other SLE kites in your quiver, there’s a good chance that you can use your existing bar on the Octane. You will want a bar that’s around 23″ in length in order to get that snappy reaction time and quick turning.
However, for only $100, you can add on a 2010 Comp Stick Control Bar which was basically a $450 bar last year. Did I mention that the kite and bar are brand new too?!? So for a 2010 Slingshot Octane 13m complete with bar, lines, bag and pump, you’re only in $999 which is down from the original price of $1949. These kites are going fast and we don’t expect them to stay in stock long.
The 13m is an efficient light-wind machine that’s perfect for even a 200lb guy in the lightest winds. The bar itself is a feat of engineering featuring a center line swivel so you can backroll to your heart’s desire without having to untwist your lines manually. It also has a streamlined push away chicken loop safety release, 800lb lines and below the bar sheeting. See it in action for yourself…
**Note: We also have 1 2010 Slingshot Octane 9m complete left in stock for $899 total
Just last week we got our shipment of the 2011 Mystic Kiteboarding lineup. While Mystic is known for their kick ass kiteboarding harnesses, they have tons of other amazing accessories this year. We stocked up on everything from the Shadow and Warrior III harnesses to wetsuits, hook knives, layering jackets, impact vests, travel bags and even waterproof car seats.
The Mystic Shadow harness was first introduced last year and instantly became a bestseller. And if you ask me, it has everything to do with it’s ultra lightweight design that allows for mobility while still providing substantial back support. When you factor in the affordable price, it’s no surprise that this harness is a winner.
Thankfully Mystic saw how much everyone loved the Shadow last year so they stuck with the whole “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” attitude and didn’t over-tweak the design. They made the smart decision to stay with a proven product and managed to make it better than before. Instead, you’ll notice that the 2011 Mystic Shadow harness comes with the updated spreader bar pad and a beefed up covering for the spreader bar straps. It comes complete with the double-blade Mystic safety knife and back safety leash for clipping on your kite leash. The safety leash comes in particularly handy if you’re practicing handle passes. Come on in, try one on for size, and you’ll know what everyone has been raving about.
Despite the flurries of snow, we still hosted our first clinic at our new location. This clinic focused on a topic that has come up a lot lately on the Puget Sound Kiteboarding Forum. So we tried to answer this question: How do you perform maintenance on your bar and bridle system? AND How to you find and repair a hole in your bladder and then replace it back into your kite’s strut.
We had help from our amazing teamriders, Joaquin Hubbard, Eric Van Steen and Nick Ward, who are also representatives for Best Kiteboarding. Between them, they provide an astounding amount of knowledge and experience. When you combine that with Krispy Kreme donuts and fresh coffee, you have the perfect equation for an awesome clinic! We took video of the whole thing so you can either watch that, or join us at the next clinic! Here were the specifics we covered…
Sometimes, the leading edge bladder in your kitesurfing kite blows up so badly that you can’t avoid having to send it in to a professional repair place. But what about those smaller rips and tears in your canopy? Or what about a tiny pinhole leak in a strut bladder? There’s no point spending tons of dough just in shipping costs alone when you can fix many of those problems yourself.
We just stocked up on all the little gadgets from FixMyKite so that you can be a kiteboarding kite repair master. That includes their Tuff Bladder strut blanks, Tuff Leading Edge Bladders, and easy stick on valves. Their bladders are made out of a special top secret material that is twice as durable as any other bladder material on the market which means it can really hold up to a beating. Continue Reading →
I think I can safely say now that kiteboarding with boots is a trend that is here to stay. I think a lot of people are turned off initially by the fact that boots can be hard to get into. However, that’s the same thing that draws most people to boots in the first place: they’re hard to get out of so you lose your board less, allowing you to spend more time practicing tricks and less time body dragging upwind for your kiteboard. Kiteboarding magazine recently published this article which breaks down the pros and cons of riding with boots.
If you’re into wakestyle riding, boots will improve your style and performance. If you find a good pair of boots, they’re usually more comfortable than straps and they will allow your feet to connect with your board like none other. You don’t have to worry about having one or both of your feet some out of your straps while you’re mid-air. That fact also makes it safer for hitting sliders too. Since you can load up with a lot more power when you’re rocking boots, you can explode off the water for maximum wakestyle performance.
The downside, like I mentioned before, is that they can be hard to get in and out of. Most companies make an entry-level boot without laces but since they’re designed to be snug on your feet, you will have to work to get locked in. In the event that you have a really gnarly wipeout, there’s a chance that one or both of your feet may come out of the board. It’s even hard to get boots on in the water than it is on land because you don’t have a solid surface to push against. Since boots come up to your calf, it can restrict your mobility making it harder to do grabs.
At the end of the day, we love boots because they’re a whole new aspect to the sport of kiteboarding. Just like riding strapless, it’ll be a new challenge to reinvigorate your love of kitesurfing. If you want to get into wakestyle riding, we recommend a kitesurfing kite than can perform well unhooked, like the Best Taboo kite.
After 9 days of building walls, painting, polishing floors and moving in shipping containers (not to mention moving hundreds of longboard decks, wheels, trucks, kites, kiteboards, standup paddleboards, wetsuits, and a heavy-ass flat screen TV) we are finally moved into our new Seattle longboard shop! We tripled the size of our old building and the parking lot which will be a huge bonus for customers. Plus, we’re easily accessible from the 2 biggest arterials in Western Washington, the I-5 freeway and Aurora Avenue (aka Highway 99), along with being about 4 blocks from Greenlake.
We’re super excited to have the space to expand our inventory to offer our customers all the latest and greatest new products including skateboard decks and accessories. Plus, Black Dog Longboards will be manufactured at our shop which means if you want a custom Black Dog longboard with a specific wheelbase, width, or length, we have a direct source to getting you your ideal deck.
Our buddy just keeps ‘em coming with his instructional strapless kitesurfing series. I don’t know where he’s finding the time to edit these gems together. This particular one focuses on how to catch some air on a surfboard or skimboard. You’ll want to start by finding a nice piece of chop to launch off. Keep your kite at a 45 degree angle. As you hit the chop, keep a wide stance and press down on your back foot and. Try your best to point the board upwind so that the wind will push the board back towards you, essentially keeping it stuck to your feet. Then point the board downwind again as you land so you can ride away.
The first time I tried a strapless jump it was on a skimboard like the Slingshot Scud skimboard which is nice and wide making it easy to stay balanced on when you land. I’m pretty sure Nick was flying one of the Best Kiteboarding kites when he filmed this.
Even if a beginner can body drag upwind, it can take them a long time to get back to their board. It takes a lot of time and practice to master this technique. Picking up a loose board and delivering it back to the owner is much appreciated. Just make sure you pass along that good karma when you get a chance and you’re a more intermediate rider.
1. Approach the board from upwind. As you reach the board, slow down and sit in the water so you can fly your kite in neutral.
2. Pick up the board and put in your lap, so that you can use your knees to hold it while controlling your kite.
3. As you get up out of the water, use your backhand to hold a foot strap while still controlling your kite. Your knees will help steady the board as you start off.
4. As you ride away, you can then tuck the board under your arm
5. When delivering the board back to the rider, go past them downwind to prevent a kite tangle. Set the board down nicely where they can easily get to it.
On another note, always write your name on your board so that if you do lose it, the person who finds it knows how to get ahold of you. If you’re in the market for a new board, we urge you to stop by a demo a Best Spark kiteboard or the Cabrinha Custom kiteboard, both are favorites of ours.
To retrieve a loose Slingshot kiteboarding kite, make sure you have a plan and can predict where the kite will go. If the kite is tumbling, don’t try to grab it until it settles down. Wait until the kite seems to be staying on the water.
1. Go downwind of the kite as you approach so that you won’t get into any line behind the kite.
2. As you pass the kite, look for a place to grab where you can control it.
3. Stay a little upwind of the kite so that your kite is pulling you away. This will help to avoid getting wrapped up in the loose kite.
4. The nice thing about grabbing a bridle is that you don’t need to flip the kite over. Simply pull the kite with you, and the wind will lift the kite above the water.
If the kite doesn’t have a bridle, you can grab a wing tip to stop the kite and then drift away from the kite and begin to help it flip over before you start to ride on your board. Either way, make sure you approach, observe, plan, and then proceed to grab the Best Kiteboarding kite. If it doesn’t feel right, just trust your instincts and let go of the kite.
So you’ve made it through your series of kiteboarding lessons. After countless frustrating sessions of waking up the beach, you’ve mastered the waterstart. After that, you spend some time “mowing the grass” as we call it, or cruising back and forth. And finally, you’re able to make flawless transitions without dunking back into the water. At this point, you’re ready to do the thing that probably inspired you to learn how to kiteboard in the first place: JUMP! In order to get more than just 5 feet off the water’s surface, follow these steps from The Kiteboarder magazine.
1. Pick up some speed by veering slightly downwind.
2. Keep your kite at 10 o clock (if you’re on a port tack).
3. Start to turn the kite in the opposite direction, towards 12 o clock.
4. Edge the board harder and harder.
5. Stand up straight and release the board from the surface of the water as the kite reaches directly overhead at 12 o clock.
6. Once you’re in the air, pull your knees up and use your forward hand to redirect the kite back in the direction you’re traveling, back down to 10 o clock.
7. As you near the water, prepare your legs to absorb the shock of the landing.
8. Point your board slightly downwind and keep it flat as you land so you can ride away with speed.
If you don’t get much air but glide downwind a few feet, try again and edge the board harder next time.
If the board skids out on you when you land, remember to point the board downwind, not upwind as you land.
BONUS TIP: just before you land, pull the bar in towards you to power up the kite, it will create a little extra lift to feather your landing.
For beginners, our favorite kite for easy boostability: the Best Kahoona Kite
Here’s another step-by-step breakdown from the Best Kiteboarding video gallery. Andy Hurdman shows you how to do a Front Roll with four simple rules (click here to watch the video).
Four Rules to the Front Roll
1. Kite Position
Keep your kite at 45-60 degrees with good edge control. This will help initiate your pop and get you off the water to finish your rotation.
2. Take Off
To get good pop off the water, slightly bear downwind to get more board speed, then edge hard against the kite, pointing your board up wind. Pop out by throwing your head and shoulders forward, looking over the nose of your board. This will start a forward rotation. The key is to get a good pop and edge.
3. Body Position
Once you get good pop, turn your head and look toward your back shoulders as you leave the water, then bring in your legs to help your rotation. To help start the front roll, lead with your head and lean forward as you leave the water. As you leave the water, crunch your legs in. Tuck your legs, turn your head, and your body will follow.
4. Landing
Since you started your rotation by watching your back shoulder, you are able to spot your landing as you get half way through rotation. Spot your landing as you come around. Bring out your legs to slow your rotation and land smoothly. Keep your head turned until you finish your rotation, which will allow you spot your landing. If your rotating too fast, open your legs to slow your rotation and land smoothly.
Special Tip: Having trouble rotating? Taking off your lead hand will sometimes help finish your rotation.
Best Kiteboarding has a killer video gallery chock full of flicks focused on instruction, travel, and gear reviews. My favorites though are the instructional videos which show you a step-by-step breakdown of all the kiteboarding moves. The one that caught my attention today was Shannon Best showing you how to hit a slider (click here to watch the video).
1. You’ll need to learn how to load and pop effectively without sending the kite. Get really good at this.
2. Keep your kite nice and the whole time you slide the rail.
3. Square up and load and pop up onto the rail/slider.
4. Hit the rail with the board flat and side on so your deck is perpendicular to the rail. You might want to remove your fins to keep them from snapping off if you hit it wrong.
5. Focus on your balance. If you start to fall, try to fall towards the side with water!
6. As you get off the ramp, land with your board flat and pointed slightly downwind to ride away. (If you want to get really steezy, you can downloop the kite at this point or pop off the rail with a 180)
Photo Courtesy of Jim Stringfellow
If you want to start hitting sliders, you’ll need to get geared up. One of our favorite boards for the ultimate pop is the Cabrinha Custom kiteboard. For wakestyle tricks like riding rails, you can’t go wrong with the the Best Nemesis NXG kite.
It’s bound to happen, and nobody likes when it does. You’ve lost your board. Sigh, so sad! Too bad you didn’t have one of these babies to slap on there.
Reward if Found stickers are here again! For the locals, these tags are some great insurance that their board will be returned. Just last week we rescued a Slingshot kiteboard from Harborview Park in Everett. It had been washed up, torn apart and mauled by a boat propeller. None the less, it ended up safely in our arms.
Yes, we sell a lot of boards. But trust us, we remember all of them. You may just be the guy who bought the Earthwing Supermodel 8 ply (with Retro ZigZags, Paris trucks and some Venom Eliminators), but in our eyes, you are the new mama or papa of a precious little baby that we hope you will nurture.
We know that you love you board just as much as we do. It’s a huge deal when you’ve lost something so near and dear to the basis of your existence like a longboard deck. With one of these, you at least know who to call first.
There is still time to enter the Best Kiteboarding Driven By Wind Photo Contest! Get your photos in by August 31st for a chance to travel with four friends in the Cape Verde Islands on the Best Odyssey. It’s the kiteboarder’s trip of a lifetime!
To enter, simply purchase a Best kiteboarding kite, board or bar online at www.bestkiteboarding.com, or from your favorite local retailer ; ) and you’ll be eligible to submit your photos!
All submissions are available for viewing and voting, so tell you friends! Photos will also be judged by a professional panel on their originality/creativity, humor, and prominence of the Best Kiteboarding product. A winner will be picked on September 15,2010.
We’ve got tons of Best gear to get you started! Check out the Best Kahoona kite, Nemesis HP, and Bularoo V2 kites! Not to mention the Spark Twin Tip kiteboard, available in 124, 130, 135 and 140 sizes, or the Best Performance Redline Bar.
The trip will take place sometime between January 15 and March 15, 2011. Secure your spot! Participants can enter up to five photographs for each qualified purchase. It’s a winning combination—buy new kite, take picture with new kite, go on cruise with new kite. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Here’s a great video that one of our good friends Nick (aka Sick Nick) put together. He’s the Pacific Northwest guru when it comes to strapless riding and he was cool enough to share his expertise with the rest of us. If the internet where you are is too slow to load this up, here’s some of his tips…
Basic Waterstart: With the kite pulling you slightly, position the board in front of you with your back hand. Then position your feet flat on the board with the kite still pulling downwind slightly. Lean back and dive the kite.
Advanced Waterstart: Toss your board in the water and dive your kite as you step on the board. Be careful not to drag your fins across the rocks in the shallow water.
How to Switch Your Feet: Transition feet from your weak side to strong side. Bring your back foot up towards your front foot, keeping your kite at normal flying position. Then move your original front foot back in a shimmy movement.
How to Gybe: Now that you’re riding toeside, begin to send your kite in the opposite direction. Carve on your heel while sending your kite at the same time.
On another note we just got some new Best Kiteboarding Kites in stock including a demo of the soon-to-be-released Taboo in 8m and 12m sizes to try out. We also have tons of used kiteboarding kites in stock to choose from if you hope to save a little money.
Are you headed on kitesurfing vacation soon to somewhere isolated with not a strip mall (and unfortunately a local kite shop) for miles? If so, well lucky you! But there are a couple key essentials to take along with you if you have the extra space in your NSI deceiver golf bag. The last thing you want is to wind up with a broken line that ruins the rest of your kiteboarding trip.
1. 2 Extra Kite Lines- The chances of snapping one of your lines are actually pretty good. If you’ve owned your kite for awhile, your lines might have stretched over time in which case you’ll need to tie them to a post and stretch the shorter line until they are all the same length.
2. An Extra Chicken Bone- I know lots of people that have lost what’s also known as a “donkey d*ck” when the little screw comes loose. It can be a big pain to kite without it since you’ll come unhooked much more often.
3. A Repair Kit-The Airtime DIY Kite Repair Kit is one of our favorites because it comes complete with scissors, seam grip glue, 20ft of fiberglass tape, dacron repair tape, and lots of other helpful goodies.
4. An Extra Pump Hose-If you break or lose your pump hose, that could put the kabosh on the rest of your kite trip. If you think you can blow up your kite with your mouth, don’t bother, we’ve tried!
5. Extra screws and Fins for your Best or Slingshot kiteboard- In case you break off a fin while riding over the tropical reefs of Tahiti, these will be clutch.
I wanted to tackle one of the most frequently questions we get in the shop. “How does the 10 Best Kahoona V2 kite compare to the 09 Kahoona?” Since we teach on the Kahoonas almost exclusively in our school, these kites practically sell themselves. They have a great reputation among the kiteboarding community and if you do your research and scour the forums, you won’t find a bad word said about the kites. Pretty amazing since you can’t please everyone, and every other kite out there has its pros and cons.
Since a lot of people bought the original 09 Kahoona, they’re wondering why they should upgrade to the 2010 Kahoona. Here’s what we think…
The Kahoona V2 has the newly redesigned V2 bridle system which eliminates a main pulley and incorporates a unique stainless steel block that allows the bridle to move so you can trim the kite effortlessly. The old pulley had a tendency to build up with sand over time so it would glide as easily. Plus, it was a plastic piece that had a higher chance of breaking, compared to the metal ring.
The new Kahoona is made with a higher quality dacron on the beefed up leading edge. We estimate that it’s about twice the strength of last year’s so it’s more durable and resistant to abrasion. Here in the northwets we have to be careful of barnacles, mussles, driftwood, oyster shells and other sharp objects which can mangle our kites.
The new redline bar is a huge benefit too with it’s increased line strength, and other cool features which you can find more about on our Best Performance redline bar review.
It looks like there is a little bit more adjustment per size, especially in the trailing edge. The 13 and 11 have more lower end and are easier to relaunch in lighter wind conditions (the trailing edge is longer so it has more surface area to help catch the wind and relaunch).
In reality, it just does everything better-more depower, much more stable when fully depowered, relaunch is effortless even in light wind, turning speed is about the same which is plenty fast (even in the larger sizes).
If you’d like to try one out for yourself please contact us for a demo.
One of Motion’s biggest supporters, Christian Johnson, took the time to test out the brand-spankin’ new 2010 Best Redline Performance Bar that now comes with Best kiteboarding kites, both on the water and off. He documented the key features that set this bar apart from the rest and was nice enough to put it in a video we can all watch. I have to admit, my favorite part is watching him personally test the chicken loop release in the beginning. : ) He’ll always sacrifice his body for the sake of a good review. So here you have it, the unofficial 2010 Best Redline Performance Bar Review.
This is an unbiased opinion that doesn’t sugar-coat anything. Christian talks about both the good and the bad parts of this kiteboarding bar. He’s tried most all bars on the market so he can offer a great comparison.
PROS-smaller chicken loop (good for people with shorter arms), dependable chicken loop release, stopper ball works really well, above the bar sheeting (less likely to tangle with chicken loop), actual RED line has a bungee feature to decrease shock on your body when you engage safety system, OSR on both sides of the bar, line trim/adjustments under the floats,
CONS-smaller chicken loop (not as good for wakestyle riders), above the bar sheeting (harder to reach, more clutter)
Youth Empire: The Future Generation of Kiteboarding
Cabrinha Northwest Race Series features pro riders, youth enrichment
Lake Forest Park, Wash. – July 14, 2010 - Cabrinha kitesurfing brand will host “Youth Empire,” an event in conjunction with the 2010 Cabrinha Northwest Race Series kiteboarding competition on July 24 and 25 at Jetty Island.
Youth Empire aims to ignite the interest of younger kiteboarders. Youth under 18 years old are invited to learn about kiting, ride together, and gain tips from professional riders including Damien Leroy, Jesse Richman, Matt Collins, Andre Phillip, Brandon Bowe, Matt Elsasser and Kirsten Ulmer. The children and teens will learn how to fly kitesurfing kites during the day.
“We are excited to show kids the kite scene and see what the future generation of kiteboarding will be,” Ulmer, a team rider for Cabrinha, said.
Motion Boardshop will also host a “Meet the Riders” event at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 24 at Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant, 1620 West Marine View Drive, in Everett. Locals will get a chance to shake hands with Cabrinha’s professional kiteboarders. The event is free and open to the public.
Spectators are encouraged to view the kiteboarding races. Parking is available at the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park for $3. The Everett Yacht Club will provide free transportation from the boat launch to the island.
“Youth Empire is truly a once in a lifetime chance for kids and teens to come out to Jetty Island and try the sport of kiteboarding. The fact that they’ll be learning from the best riders in the world is an unbelievable opportunity for them,” Motion Boardshop co-owner, Katie Clack, said. “I wish something like this was around when I was learning how to kiteboard. We are so excited to be part of this organization.”
Youth Empire participants do not need to register in advance. For more information, go to www.motionboardshop.com or visit the Youth Empire Kiteboarding Facebook page. If you want to meet the pros behind some of the hottest products on the market like Andre Phillip’s Cabrinha Custom kiteboard, you can also come to the Meet and Greet later on Saturday night.
So you’ve already mastered kitesurfing in flatwater and choppy conditions so the next step, naturally, is venturing out into the waves. Whenever I talk to someone who has just ridden in waves for the first time, they’re practically glowing they’re so stoked to the brim. Wave riding with a kite is almost like a whole new sport, just like snowkiting is so different from water kiting. One of the biggest concerns for kiters in the waves is wondering what will happen if you drop your kite, but luckily I found this article from the Kiteboarder Magazine that gives some tips. The last thing you want to happen is to get a rip from your leading to trailing edge when the next set of waves pummels your kite.
If possible, you want to do whatever you can to relaunch the kite immediately. If it’s too late and a wave is already upon you, you may need to let the kite go, but only do so if no one is downwind of you. Once you pull your chicken loop and safety leash, swim as quick as you can into shore. You may even be able to catch the kite before it’s too late.
If you can’t release the kite, pull your chicken loop release to engage your safety system. If you don’t have one that will completely flag your kite, then grab one of the oh-$hit handles to depower one steering line and flag out the kite. Make sure you’re clear of the loose lines while you swim in the direction of the waves. You never want to pull in on your bar when a wave hits the kite otherwise there will be too much tension and either your lines will snap or the canopy on the kite will rip.
Good luck next time you hit the waves and in the meantime practice relaunching your kitesurfing kite until you can do it in no time. If you struggle with relaunching, consider taking an advanced Seattle kiteboarding lesson with us to hone your skills. The Best Kahoona kite is one of the best relaunching kites we’ve encountered so far.
The Cabrinha Custom Kiteboard is a new favorite at Motion Boardshop (particularly the 136 and 140 sizes), thanks to the demo we’ve had a chance to session on over the last two months. I’m guessing the fact that kiteboarding legend and wakestyle phenom, Andre Phillip, collaborating on the design may have had something to do with it. The new flex pattern gives ultimate pop for wakestyle tricks like hitting sliders and riding unhooked. But it also makes the board excel in choppy conditions too.
The unique 3D bottom shape with quad concave means you can rock this kiteboard finless for flatwater riding or for nailing sliders and ramps. The unconventional shape allows for maximum drive and speed. It also has concave that narrows around the middle of the deck which provides a lot of stability.
The Custom is made with a Paulownia wood core and is reinforced with carbon deck stringers. The wood core means that you’ll have a smooth ride but it will also stand the test of time with unparalelled durability. (Slingshot kiteboards are also wood-core which is why we’ve been big fans of their boards for a long time too)
Wanna get on the water and see if everything I said is true? With our choppy Pacific Northwest conditions, I guarantee you’ll love this board more than your mama’s apple pie. Give us a call to demo one on the next windy day.
I just wanted to share with you a sweet go pro video that one of MOBO’s friends, Christian Johnson, put together recently. He’s been rocking the Best Kahoona kite in the 7.5m and 9.5m sizes and he’s a huge fan of Best’s hottest selling kite, just like we are. The Kahoona is just one of those magical kitesurfing kites that you can’t help but have a great time flying. You’re guaranteed to have an awesome session on a Kahoona no matter how crappy the wind conditions are. This hybrid-delta style kite eats up the gusts like no other with a huge wind range and lots of throw in the chicken loop which translates to tons of depower.
We use the Kahoona’s to teach on in our school, the Seattle Kiteboarding Center, where we teach Seattle kiteboarding lessons on a daily basis. Since switching over to the Kahoonas, our students have seen tons of success. It’s now a regular occurrence to get fresh newbies the taste of getting up on the board during their very first lesson. With a price you can’t beat (the most expensive size, the 13.5 is still under $1300 for a brand new Kahoona complete with a new bar), the Kahoonas are a no brainer. The best part is that it’s not a beginner kite though. Even our super experienced teamrider Joaquin chooses the Kahoona on a regular basis.
1. Kiteboarding is dangerous-Not true if you take lessons and learn all the techniques to keep you safe. Kiteboarding is only dangerous if you go out in unsafe conditions or try to learn on your own. The gear is actually quite safe now and uses redundant systems so if you need to detach from your kitesurfing kite, you have multiple methods to do so.
2. Kiteboarding takes a lot of muscle-Most people don’t realize that the sport doesn’t require hardly any arm strength. A kiteboarding harness is worn around the waist or hips so the force and pull of the kite is targeting those areas instead of your arms and shoulders.
3. Kiteboarding is expensive-Actually, since the sport has been around for little bit now, there’s lots of used gear available on the market so you can save a lot of money. However, take caution that you shouldn’t purchase gear that is more than two or three years old since major safety improvements have been made in recent gears. You can also save money by purchasing a package with a kite and board together.
4. Kiteboarding is hard to learn-Believe it or not, the gear has improved so much over the last few years that the sport is easier to lean than ever before. Often times, people will be up and riding proficiently within their first few times out on the water. Some people even pop up on the board during their first lesson, especially if they have trainer kite experience.
5. You have to start with a kiteboarding trainer kite-Trainer kites are a great place to start and will allow you to learn the fundamentals of the kite flying skills necessary to kite board. They help to build muscle memory that will really benefit you when you take your first lesson. While trainer kites are extremely helpful and will likely save you money in the long run, it’s not required to have trainer kite experience.
Stay tuned for 5 more kiteboarding myths tomorrow!
Leading kitesurfing brand Cabrinha will host the first annual Cabrinha Northwest Race Series kiteboarding competition at Jetty Island in Everett on June 26 and 27, and July 24 and 25, 2010.
Kiteboarding, the new age golf for many, is a sport similar to windsurfing. Instead of a sail, a large inflated kite towers 80 feet above a rider to power their board through water.
With a strong community of kiteboarders frequenting its local restaurants and hotels on weekends, the sport has brought new life to Everett’s waterfront. Sponsoring partners Motion Boardshop, in Lake Forest Park, and the Everett Yacht Club organized the competition to give the local scene at Jetty Island national exposure.
Jetty Island is a backyard playground for many kiteboarders in the Northwest. Dubbed the “Steady Jetty,” the area is known as one of the best locations for the sport because of its warm, shallow waters and smooth, predictable winds.
“This race is a big deal for the local kiteboarding community,” Walter Young, race director said. “It will be the first of its kind for the area.”
Spectators are encouraged to attend the event. The start time of each race will be wind dependent, beginning as early as 2 p.m., and lasting until 8 p.m. Parking is available at the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park for $3. The Everett Yacht Club will provide free transportation from the boat launch to Jetty Island.
The race area will be set on the Northwest side of the island. Two classes will be held for racing; an open race board class, and a twin-tip, surfboard and skim board class. An awards ceremony will be held on July 25, the final evening of the race series.
Competitors interested in racing can enter by registering on race day, or online at http://pskite.org, in General Kiteboarding Discussion under the topic 2010 Cabrinha Northwest Race Series.
Kiters must be entered in the Season Series to be eligible for season scoring and cash prizes. Participants must pay a $60 entry fee for the Season Series or $25 per Night Drop In, in addition to a $25 jersey fee. A mandatory skippers meeting will be held at 4 p.m. each day of competition to review the race start time, race course, safety, rules and regulations. Rules of the competition will be defined as in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) in ISAF Appendix BB-Experimental Kiteboarding Competition Rules (available from http://www.sailing.org/28163.php).
The event is sponsored by Cabrinha, the Everett Yacht Club, Motion Boardshop, The Kiteboarder Magazine, PSKite.org, Dakine, Hyperflex Wetsuits, Transcend Apparel, the Port of Everett and the Everett Parks and Recreation Department.
For more information about the event, contact Motion Boardshop at (206) 372-5268 or Walter Young, race director, at walteryoung1@comcast.net.
Motion is a local authority on kitesurfing with a huge variety of kitesurfing kites and a renowned kiteboarding lesson program. We carry manufacturers such as Best Kiteboarding, Slingshot, Cabrinha, and Wainman Hawaii.
Father’s Day is coming up this weekend, but what to get dad?? My dad is one of those guys that already has everything he could want so I always have a hard time finding a good gift for him. If your father is anything like mine, you could use a little help in the gift-giving department.
Has your dad been talking about how much he’d love to learn how to kiteboard? If he’s really serious about it, you could always purchase him a kiteboarding lesson where he can really get a feel for the sport and see if he likes it. If nothing else, it’s just a fun day on the water where we can guarantee he’ll have a great time.
Another way to introduce him to the sport is with a kitesurfing trainer kite. It’s something that we always recommend spending some time on before getting into lessons and we have a wide variety of trainer kites to choose from. But one of my favorites is the Slingshot B4 Trainer Kite. It’s more powerful than the rest making it super versatile so you can use it for snowkiting or landboarding as well. The power of a B4 is going to help give you a really good idea of what the power is like in the larger kites we use on the water.
At $319, its a great value for a kite that you can have enormous amounts of fun with.
However, if you’d rather spend a little less, we have trainer kites ranging from $119-$250 as well.
We just posted an unreal Slingshot Rev2 sale last week and some RPMs that we were dumping prices on. Well we were able to get our hands on the only remaining Slingshot Octane kites that were left in the warehouse. Once these babies are gone, that’s it folks. Til next year at least.
With the light wind season kick in, you’ll want to take advantage of these 13m Slingshot Octanes for ridiculous prices. Only 2 9m Octanes left in stock and a handful of 13s. That being said, you can score a sweet deal on pretty much any Slingshot kite we have in stock right now. Don’t forget we price match too in case you find anyone with a lower price. We won’t be undersold! : )
Keep in mind these prices are for a complete Octane with the hottest item on the market, the 2010 Comp Stick Bar from Slingshot. It’s the safest, most versatile control bar you’ll ever own. Even if you have other kite brands in your quiver, chances are you can use this bar on those kites as well. If you have any questions about the compatibility just give us a shout and we’ll let you know.
“Characteristics such as massive boost, unmatched range, light bar pressure, quick turning, kite loops without consequence, and solid surf performance are what define the design and engineering behind the 2010 Octane. It has a unique ultra compact stablilizing bridle and comes complete with the NEW Comp Stick control bar setting the performance level at the peak.”
Ahh, time for some spring cleaning. For us, that means blowing out out last years gear to make room for the latest and greatest 2010 has to offer. Right now, we’re dropping prices like hot tamales. We still have a few remaining Slingshot kites from 2009 that we need to move. So if you didn’t think you could afford new gear this year and you’d have to settle for someone else’s sloppy seconds, think again! With our latest package, we can save you over $1149 all together on a brand new kite (with new bar!) and board as well.
Need a harness too? We’ll cut you a deal and throw in either a Dakine Renegade harness or a Best Waist Harness for only $100 more, that saves you an extra $50 right there.
This particular package features the Slingshot Rev 2 from 2009. A major improvement on the original, the Rev2 is solid with unparalleled stability, relaunch and responsiveness. You can ride this kite in any condition from flat water to big waves, without having to sacrifice any performance. You also get to snag a top of the line board from Slingshot’s lineup, such as the SX, Misfit or Lunacy
This Slingshot Rev2 Kite and Board Package is an in-shop special that we’re making available for only our favorite customers. You’ll find this package online but if you really want the good pricing, you’ll have to either call, email or hit us up on our LiveChat.
**Must purchase kite with board to get the SUPER SUMMER SAVINGS!
Board (complete with straps, pads and fins)
SX (originally $599)–$400
Misfit (originally $650)–$425
Len10 (originally $750)–$500
With summer kiting season upon us, we’ve got some gear worth mentioning—Motion Tested and Approved! Here is just one of our picks for 2010. Keep your eyes peeled because we’ll be reviewing TONS of gear over the next few weeks. I love this time of year!
Mystic Star 5/3 Wetsuit
Last summer the Motion test crew gave lessons in the Mystic Star 5/3 Wetsuit everyday. Even after the repeated thrashing of lessons, these suits reigned true to their flexibility and durability. We didn’t have any of the damage that wetsuits with heavy use typically sustain such as zipper breakage, seams coming apart or blowouts in the material. If you have questions about it, please let us know so we can gloat about this suit. We like it. A lot. Best of all, they are one of our lest expensive 5mm wetsuits at only $219.95. If you’re a big fan of them as well, please leave us a mystic wetsuit review on our website so more people will know what a great suit it is.
We’re super excited about introducing a few new products to our shop. The way I see it, both of these products from Advanced Elements are the answers to some of our customers problems.
#1. The Friday Harbor Adventure Kayak-This solves our local kiteboarding conundrum of “How to get to Jetty Island?” After people go through our All-in-One Kiteboarding lesson, the next step is for them to get geared up and go out there on their own. The Everett Parks Department offers a free ferry to get people over to Jetty Island which is an awesome option for people. However, the ferry stops bringing people back to the mainland around 6pm, and us kiteboarders like to take advantage of that late afternoon wind that can linger on until 7 or 7:30. So to provide an alternate transportation option, we now carry this inflatable kayak that’s big enough to carry your quiver over to the island. Best of all, it packs down nice and small so you can keep it in the trunk of your car. Plus, it retails for only $149.95, making it a no-brainer!
inflatable kayak
#2. The Hulu 11 Inflatable SUP- Let’s face it, not everyone has a car big enough to haul around a big ol stand up paddleboard everywhere. Or, maybe you don’t have the room in your studio apartment to store it safely when you’re not using it. Then there’s always the issue of using an SUP in a rocky area (like those guys who are paddling down white white rapids, or even just on a flat but craggy riverbed) and potentially damaging your fiberglass SUP. The Hulu 11 is an 11ft stand up paddleboard that you can inflate with a double action hand pump. It packs down into a bag that’s about 1′x2′x3′, only slightly bigger than a kite bag. And for the record, you could use one of these to get you and your kite gear over to Jetty Island as well. Traveling with an SUP has also been a major battle, but you can easily check this SUP as baggage to take with you on your next coastal vacation.
Ahhhh, springtime! That means the arrival of all the hottest new gear for 2010. The Best Kahoona V2 was one of our favorite kites in 2009 and they’ve managed to improve on it for ‘10. This is one of those rare kites that appeals to riders of all skill levels.
Beginners will love it for it’s super easy auto-relaunch, beefed up construction, and stable progression platform. Wave hounds will love its downwind drift, improved unhooked handling, and auto-relaunch. Free-style riders will go crazy over it’s low-end power, unbelievable hangtime, improved high wind handling and stablity.
One huge selling point for the Kahoona V2 though is it’s PRICE! For a new kite, it blows other kites out of the water at under $1000.
We’re also completely stocked up on Best Trainer kites, which we love because they’re a high-aspect, fast-turning, durable trainer kite that comes with it’s own instructional DVD for $199.00
The first of many Best Surfboards just arrived too. In this photo you’ll see the white, Best 5′6″ ShortStick. Designed to be ridden strapless, this swallowtail board excels in mushy waves, choppy conditions or light wind. We have a demo of the 5’11″ Spacekraft surfboard here at the shop if you want to try one out for yourself.
One of our bestsellers, the Dakine Kite Compression Bag, has been sold out for months now. And unfortunately, it was during the busy winter travel season that this occured. Even we couldn’t get a few bags for ourselves when we flew to La Ventana in January. I’ve blogged about these bags before. Basically, the biggest benefit is that you don’t have to take your heavy stock kite bag with you. That way, you can keep your stock bag nice and clean looking to keep your resale value high. Also, since it’s nice and light, you can cram more into your golf bag without going over the 50lb weight limit. On our last trip, we were stuck with 4 golf bags which could have easily been negated if we had compression bags to allow us to fit 4 kites in each golf bag.
We just received our box of ‘zines from SBC Kiteboard Magazine. They feature the 2010 Kite Showdown and Slingshot cleaned house, just as we predicted. Here’s what they had to say about the new Comp Stick Bar:
“Slingshot also receives top marks for the beefy and easy rotating, front line swivel, which keeps the lines untwisted and also houses the mini fifth line leash system which connects below the bar and ensures 100 percent depower… Overall, the Comp Stick represents a solidly designed and streamlined set-up that rivals the best on the market for safety and simplicity.”
“Intermediate riders that value versatility over top-end performance in a specific discipline will gravitate towards the Octane. It has enough performance to carry a rider from the early stages to advanced levels. It’s versatile character will encourage intermediates to push the limits and experience new levels, styles and disciplines of riding”
The 2010 RPM really takes the cake though with this bold statement:
“The new 2010 Slingshot RPM is the most tunable kite in the SBC Kiteboard 2010 tests.”
“The RPM has tremendous amounts of pop and great pull unhooked, giving good drift and loft with smooth landings on unhooked jumps. It could also easily compete against the full-on wakestyle realm with its smooth unhooked pull and good amounts of control. It has enough depower and good quick steering to make it a versatile travel companion in your quiver.”
If you’re local, stop by the shop and we’ll give you a free issue of the magazine! Mention that you read the blog and we might even hook you up with a t-shirt too. : ) The PSKite Spring Fling party is going on tonight at the Pyramid Brewery across the street from Safeco field. We’ll be giving out lots of swag and hope to see lots of familiar faces, and new ones too!
We just brought in a big box of compression kite bags from Dakine and it’s a product we’re really excited about for 2 reason. They’re cheap and they’re functional! Compression bags are made out of a super lightweight nylon material so you can get rid of your heavy stock bag that came with the kite. When you’re traveling with a golf bag, space and weight are the two big concerns.
These bags cinch down really tight around the kite so you can fit more kites into your bag, and you save a ton of weight you didn’t realize the stock bags had. So, you don’t have to worry about tipping the scales at the airport check in station.
Or, you can use the cheap black compression bags to replace your stock bags so that you can keep the stock bags looking clean and new. That way when you go to resell your used kite, it will look a lot fresher than some dirty, torn up bag. We’ve found you can fit at least two compressed kite bags into one stock bag so you can easily throw more kites on your back when walking to the beach.
We just got in a shipment of accessories from Hyperflex wetsuits. We recently acquired them as a brand and we couldn’t be more amped about the quality and price of their products. The Playa Jacket is one of our favorite, must-have items for winter kiting. You’ll see pictures of Dmitry Marimendes wearing one in most of the Hyperflex advertisements lately. It’s super warm, stylish, well-made and low-priced.
We brought in some of their 3mm Mesh Skin Gloves which are only $19.99. We were really impressed upon trying them on. For under $20, they are comparable to gloves we’ve seen that cost 20 or 30 dollars more! They’re really warm, flexible, have pre-curved fingers and won’t cut your circulation off. We’ve tried gloves with dry seals on the wrist but they end up being so tight that not only do they keep water out, they keep your blood from flowing to your fingers too!
The Cyclone 5/3 Split Toe Boot is going to be our choice bootie for the fall/winter kiting season. It’s on sale from $47.99 down to $39.99. The lower strap is a great feature and it has an external split toe with a connection piece to keep any lines from getting snagged around your big toe. They’re sized more true to our standards too since they’re an American company. The 5/3mm thickness will keep your feet plenty toasty, even in 45 degree waters.
After a successful teaching and demo season over the summer, it’s time for us to drop pricing on all of our personal kites to get them out of the shop and make room for exciting new 2010 gear like the Best Nemesis NXG and the Slingshot Octanes.
Most of the used kites we have at the moment are Slingshots, like the REV2s, RPMs and even some ’09 Fuels. However, we have an 09 Waroo and a few Kahoona’s left that are aggressively priced and won’t last long! Here’s a quick breakdown of what we have, all are priced as kite only unless stated otherwise.
The HD GoPro POV cameras (point-of-view) are being released at the end of the month and we couldn’t be more giddy with anticipation. They just leaked the most killer video to showcase the clarity of this camera so I had to share it with you. The cameras will be available on October 31st but we’re taking preorders now so you can be sure we don’t sell out before you get yours. At only $299 for the HD HERO Helmet camera, it’s a steal of a deal.
So the AWSI industry trade show last week allowed us to try kites and boards from about 90% of the manufacturers, from all the big companies to lesser known up-and-comers. After trying almost everything that was available, along with a team of other retailers around the country that we work with, the consensus was that HANDS DOWN the most impressive kites were the Wainman Rabbit Series.
They have a different name for every size, like their 14m is the Big Mama and the 9m is The Smoke. They only make one style of kite and then they tweak each size individually to perfect it (as opposed to making a perfect 9m and then sizing it up or down like other manufacturers do)
It’s a delta shaped kite that performs like a mix of the RPM and Fuel with fast turning and Slingshot-esque durability. It’s one of the smoothest kites we’ve ever tested and the design is the future of kiteboarding in our opinion. It’s low aspect ratio makes it good for users of all skill levels. It will likely be our school kite of choice because of it’s excellent relaunch, stability while flying and the fact that it won’t oversheet. So beginners learning to put the board on their feet won’t find it sneaking off to the side of the window. It also has small tags on the pigtails which clearly label “more power, less power, better upwind” etc. making it easy for even a former blonde like myself to tune their kite to the conditions and their riding style.
Some features include:
-above the bar sheeting
-colored line sets (good for kook proofing and snowkiting)
-a plastic sheath over the chicken loop (to ensure minimal wear on the sheeting line)
-push away chicken loop release
-suicide ring option on chicken loop
-beefed up LE with Dacron which goes into the wingtip itself for extra durability
We also carry the Kahoona which is a delta kite and you may wonder what the main differences are…The Wainman kite is a little more expensive but that’s because the construction on it is so beefy. It’s also created on more of a freestyle riding platform, so even though it will loop good, it’s not as fast turning as the Kahoona. Both have excellent relaunch.
NOW ONTO THE BOARDS…
The Wainman boards are out of this world. They have great upwind capability, surprisingly so since they have insane concave on the bottom and added rocker too. This concave allows for the feeling of a larger volume board so you can get away with riding a size smaller than usual. Very predictable, excellent pop and is probably the lightest board we’ve ever tried. Squishy, soft, comfy footpads are great for hot landings and long sessions. Just like the kites, the boards are very durably made with high quality. Overall, we wouldn’t tweak a thing on the boards.
The Wainman surfboards are something we weren’t able to try out first hand but they’re so beautiful they could be mistaken for a piece of art. They are shaped and finished by renowned board maker Jimmy Lewis and have a distinct gun shape making then good in heavy surf. Oh yeah, and they also come with a padded board bag to make sure it stays in good condition.
FOR DEMO we have a 9m and 12m Rabbit Kites and a Blunt 130 twin tip and the Surfboard. This is what we were able to snag at the trade show and more will be arriving shortly. But you can consider us your Wainman connection. After talking with other shops around the country, I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more about this brand in the very near future.
We are super pumped to be carrying the line-up from Hyperflex and the 2mm Playa Jacket happens to be our favorite product at the moment. It’s great for throwing on before or after sessions, warming up in the car, wearing while you’re waiting in the boat for your turn to wakesurf or whatever it may be. You’ve probably seen some ads with Dmitry Marimendes wearing his. They are not too bulky, yet are still stylish while being wind and waterproof.
They come in two different design options which you can see Jason & Joaquin wearing.
While we were in Hood River for the AWSI Trade Show this weekend, we had a chance to go to the Monster party debuting the new line-up from Major League Kiteboarding. The American Apparel MLK tee shirts are super soft and comfy and have a dope graphic to boot. They’re available in black and white. They also have regular MLK hats and MLK trucker hats, both in FlexFit, in the same colors. Remember, free shipping and we have tons of MLK stickers to dish out too. Here’s some pics of us partying with some of MLK’s founders, Suds and TJ.
Here’s the latest video from Slingshot featuring teamriders Erik Volpe and Ben Wilson in the waves as well as flat-water freestyle. They push the 2010 Slingshot Octane to the limits and show what it can do when put to the test by the pros.
The new 2010 Control Bar is really what sets the ’10 Slingshot line-up apart from the rest. With the center line swivel, below the bar sheeting, & a push away chicken loop release, this bar is in a league of its own.
See what all the hype is about and demo one yourself.
We just got stocked up on some of the latest and greatest accessories from our favorite up and coming company, GoPro. They make the worlds smallest and most affordable, waterproof POV (point-of-view) camera that you can mount to just about anything. Whether you bmx, windsurf, or skateboard, the GoPro Video Camera is awesome at capturing your session. We’ve even used them inner-tubing behind a boat!
We’re super stoked to be linked with the private manufacturer of the GoPro Kite Line Mount which can only be found on our website! It’s only $39.99 and can be hooked up to your center kite lines so that the camera is pointing down at you for a really cool point of view, especially when you’re jumping and doing tricks. Here’s a video showcasing this angle from Jim Stringfellow (creator of the mount).
Did I mention they’ll be releasing an HD version in later October for under $300? Stay tuned!
Tis the season when the ’09 gear gets discounted to make room for all the new ’10 stuff trickling in. We’re marking down prices early so you have time to get that directional surfboard and still be able to use it before fall kicks into gear. (Although the swell from fall storms is also super fun with a directional!)
Keep an eye out on our website because in just a few days you will see amazing packages on the Rev2, RPM and Fuel when packaged with an 09 kiteboard like the Misfit.
Wondering why kiteboarding is the fastest growing watersport? We can help you figure out why! We’ve taught thousands of students over the last 10 years w and have perfected our program to get you up and riding in no time. This video is designed to give you an idea of what to expect from your All-in-one Kiteboarding Lesson with the Seattle Kiteboarding Center.
During the day you will learn the basics of rigging, safety, kite flying, body dragging, and water relaunching to name a few. We hope to get you up on the board and riding by the end of the class so you can get a taste of what kiteboarding is all about.
Our lessons are all one-on-one with an instructor so you can get the most personalized attention possible from your certified instructor. Waverunner support allows us to take you away from the crowded beaches so all you have to worry about is flying the kite and getting up on the board.
Looking for more information on our lessons program? Check out our lessons page. Click HERE to contact us directly. If you’re not ready to take a lesson yet but are still interested in the sport, a trainer kite is a great place to start. Our beginners page will explain why.
We carry a product called the Banshee Bungee that is a 10ft or 20ft long bungee that stretches out to 3 times that length. Once stretched to it’s maximum, it will fling you at 35mph in just seconds! It’s perfect for all board sports, whether it be skim, skate, wake, or snow. No more hills, ramps, winches, or boats needed. These big, tough bungees are designed for one purpose: hucking willing human beings across their surface of choice, be it asphalt, concrete, rails, snow, ocean spray or river current.
Just like their devotees, Banshee Bungees love a little abuse. With three strands of vulcanized rubber providing their tough demeanor, the bungees are ready for just about anything. Drown them in saltwater, freeze them in Minnesota, drag them around the concrete jungle: they’ll still spit a speed freak out at 35 miles per hour, for hundreds of feet – launch after launch.
We carry the Federal Offense Bungee, Urban Assault Bungee, and Outlaw Bungee along with all the necessary accessories like the handles, anchors, and release system.Prices start at $149.
This weekend we had the opportunity to stop by the Slingshot warehouse in Stevenson, WA and check out their latest and greatest including some hush-hush releases for 2010. This included their new board line-up and the kick ass Slingshot CSS Control Bar. It’s the first true spinning bar, no more having to take your kite leash off to spin the bar back around after doing three backrolls in a row. If that wasn’t enough, it also has a push-away chicken loop release, below the chicken loop kite leash attachment point, and is fully convertible from 4 to 5 line.
We also got a chance to check out the 2010 Slingshot Glide which has some new flex tips on the nose and tail. They’ve stiffened up all their decks by adding a 45 degree stepped rail instead of the 90 degree angle they used in 2009, creating less flex. In addition, they’ve used brighter colors to make it easier to spot your board after a wipeout. Here’s a preview of the ’10 Slingshot SX and Misfit kiteboards.
Aside from the bar, the other major change for 2010 is the new Slingshot Bolt-ons Integrated Foot Pads and Straps. The pads are extra thick and cushy for maximum comfort. The straps utilize a lace-up system to accommodate all foot sizes. I’ve always had a hard time finding bindings that will cinch down small enough and these are finally the answer!
The new straps and pads are now easier than ever before to mount onto your board also. They use a system with a rod that inserts through a sleeve on each side of the foot strap that feeds through a mounting plate. Then all you have to do is simply screw the plate to the inserts on the kiteboard. Here’s a schematic:
The Glide, Misfit and SX with the new bolt-ons strap system are all available for demo now. Call ahead of time and we’ll bring it up to the Jetty for you to try out! 206.372.5268
Thanks for hitting up the Motion Boardshop Blog! Be sure to check back often because we’ll be posting new products that arrive, special sales available to our online customers, upcoming events, videos, reviews and lots more. If you have stories or photos from your latest sessions be sure to send them our way and we’ll put them on our blog!
Despite the flurries of snow, we still hosted our first clinic at our new location. This clinic focused on a topic that has come up a lot lately on the Puget Sound Kiteboarding Forum. So we tried to answer this question: How do you perform maintenance on your bar and bridle system? AND How to you find and repair a hole in your bladder and then replace it back into your kite’s strut.
