But every now and then, we stumble on a real gem that we just can’t ignore, and have to share with you guys…

Wisuki Alerts Review

Wisuki Alerts launched in June 2012 as a new wind and waves forecasting service, and an extension of the Wisuki Community which launched in Spain one year earlier.

But before we tell you more, I just want to point out that we weren’t asked to review this service. In fact this article is entirely our idea, and we DO have an ulterior motive… You see, we like this service so much, that we intend using it for our new international weather pages, and we want you guys to test it out for us in the field first, and tell us what you think.

Now if you’re like us in any way, we know you’re set in your ways, and probably won’t easily switch service providers. We don’t expect you to, but please take a look at it anyway, and give us your honest opinion in the comments below.

This is what you can expect…

Wisuki Features

Besides offering wind and wave forecasts, Wisuki allows you to instantly find spots with your desired conditions 8 days in advance, and anywhere in the world. Navigation is quick and easy, just zoom and drag the spots map. This is particularly useful to quickly compare conditions between spots and find the perfect conditions for each rider, or to learn how the forecasts work for the spots in a particular area.

Click the images for a live view.

How It Works

The Wisuki wind and waves forecast service is based on what they call “Alerts”. An Alert is the maximum daily wind strength and wave height, and it enables them to summarize a whole day’s forecast into one single icon. This way they can display the wind and wave forecasts for all the spots in an area on the map, while the user can easily switch the forecast day with the time control buttons.

Integrated Tide Graphs

Another original and interesting feature is the tide graphs that are integrated into the wind and waves table’s data for almost all spots. With this you can see at a glance how the wind and waves forecast aligns with the high and low tide times without having to load a specific tide page on its own. That said, Wisuki also provides specific and detailed tide information for almost all its open sea spots, should you require this.

Historical Data

They also offer accurate analysis of historical wind strength, wind direction, wave heights, swell direction, air temperature, and rainfall data forecast from the Statistics section for any given spot. Each one of these datasets can be analyzed using charts and specific filters. For example, you can easily find out what the best months are for a specific wind or swell direction, or vice versa. A handy tool to have when planning your next kitesurfing vacation…

Favourite’s Spots

You can add your usual kite spots, integrated with all the above features, to your favourite’s spots list. This way, you can access all your favourite spots alerts with a single click. Switching from spots map view to spots list view, you’ll also be able to generate a detailed forecast comparison for your favourite spots.

The Widget

The guys at Wisuki have been hugely accommodating and have done extensive development on the widget to suit our requirements. The results are a customizable widget that shows 8 days worth of wind, wave and weather information, along with some useful info about the spot such as water temperature, sunrise/sunset times and the local time, plus the option to include the tide graph (which we opted out of). I don’t know of any other widget that offers all this. You can see the widget in action here.

Demo Video: Introduction to Wind & Waves Alerts

Wisuki were even kind enough to put a fun demo video together for us, so that you can get a feel for the site without having to lift a finger… so grab a coffee, sit back… and enjoy the ride…

If you are reading this in an email or RSS feed, watch the video here.

What We Like

Besides the slick, user friendly design, other features that we like are the “Nearby” button, which geo-localizes your browser and then shows you spots near to you, and the Filters on the “Alerts Ticker”, which lets you enable or disable wind or wave alert levels to match your preferred conditions.

We’ve been told, more great features are on their way, such as wind or wave alerts notifications by email (currently in development and should release in 3 or 4 weeks), and mobile apps, so stay tuned!

Give it a test run, or better yet, compare it to your current wind forecasting service, and give us your feedback in the comments below.

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Wisuki Alerts: Beyond Wind & Wave Forecasts was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

With the influx of women has come new gear developed especially for women. The days of wearing flimsy bathing suits and riding large men’s kiteboards are gone. The companies below are dedicated to creating products for women that are functional and durable without loosing their quality of design.

Sensi Bikini’s

When you wipe out and find yourself body-dragging through the surf, you don’t want to have to make a split decision between rescuing your bikini top or your board. Enter Sensi Bikini’s by professional kiteboarder Sensi Graves. As a professional kiteboarder Graves’ knows how important it is to have a bikini that stays put. Her bikini line features multiple suits with cross backs. Unlike traditional “sport bikini’s,” that were more boxy than fun, Sensi Bikini’s come in bright colors and stylish cuts. These suits give you the confidence of coverage while remaining stylish so you still feel like a girl… even while you’re boosting higher than the guys.

Get it: www.sensibikinis.com

Freug’s Kiteboarding

Freug’s is the first brand of kiteboards that is 100% completely designed and developed for girls. Freug’s has developed a line of kiteboards specifically tailored to the female form. The days of boosting and losing your board mid jump are gone, as Freug’s has developed footpads and straps specifically designed for women’s smaller feet. Their boards feature just the right amount of girly details and colors without losing quality and function. Freug’s currently offers a range of three boards covering freestyle, light wind and freeride.

Get it: www.freugskiteboarding.com

Cabrinha Siren Collection by Susi Mai

Cabrinha has responded to the need for a high-performance top quality women’s kite. The new Siren switchblade designed by Cabrinha and Susi Mai is modeled for a smaller framed body. Finally there is a more feminine kite on the market, with splashy fun colors of turquoise and pink. The Siren features lighter bar pressure and quicker turning speed, but possibly the most exciting aspect of this kite is the extended trim adjusters. Adjusting your kite is now much easier as the bar has been tailored to women’s smaller frame.

Get it: Cabrinha Siren Collection

Seea Rashguards

Sometimes you want a little extra coverage from the sun’s rays or chilly morning water. The majority of rash guards on the market are boxy and covered with logos. Seea’s rash guards are hand crafted in California by designer and surfer Amanda Chinchelli. These rash guards are cut to flatter the female form yet remain comfortable and functional. They are designed longer so they perfectly cover your torso therefore avoiding dreaded harness rash.

Get it: www.theseea.com

Mystic Shadow Bruna Kajiya Waist Harness

Designed by Mystic and Female World Freestyle Champion Bruna Kajiya the Shadow waist harness has a slimmer profile for smaller riders. Super flexible and light, it features a soft inner lining and a softer outline on the back. Modeled perfectly for the female form this harness features additional padding on the inside hip area.

Get it: Mystic Shadow Waist Harness

Kiteable Tees

As a female kiteboarder I noticed a lack of shirts on the market that feature a female rider, thus Kiteable Tees was born.

I have created the first shirt on the market showing a female kiter in action ripping it up among waves and exotic hibiscus flowers. Wearing this tee keeps you feeling more than stoked when you’re off the water.

I choose only the softest materials and use the least toxic inks.

I’ve designed shirts for men and women so that when you’re off the waves and out on the town, kiteboarding is never far from your thoughts.

Get it: www.kiteabletees.com

When you spend your days on the water it’s important to have gear that you feel comfortable wearing and confident using. These companies are dedicated to creating equipment that helps the female perform at her highest. Whether it’s bikini’s that stay put in the surf, kite gear that’s easy to maneuver, or tee’s to rock when you’re off the water, women’s kiting has finally made its mark.

Written by

Gillian Ellis

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Gillian is a kiteboarder from Charleston, SC who works full-time as a wedding and children’s photographer and also runs a line of kiteboarding t-shirts called Kiteable Tee’s. She is most passionate about promoting women in kiteboarding and organizes kiteboarding events with the Air Club for Girls. When not photographing or designing tee’s you can catch her ripping up waves on a SUP or kiting local flat-water spots.

Kite Gear for Girls: The Evolution of Pink was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

So here’s my take on the Mutiny F-Series.

Test Conditions

Variety of conditions encountered – from flat-water to monster waves and swell. Wind from 15 – 40kts.

The Kite

It is a hybrid kite, has 5 struts and is built with quality and performance in mind, using all the best materials available so far in kite manufacturing. It is solid – proven by being absolutely munched in monster swell, (not once, but twice!) dragged out the surf looking like a wrung-out towel and not seeming any worse for the wear! Colours are bright and striking and it looks good in the air.

F-Series Bar Setup

The bar is marketed as an entity on its own; it’s that good! And can be used on any kite that is set up to have all lines even when it’s fully powered up on the trim line and the bar is pulled all the way in. It is a solid one-piece aluminium bar covered by hand-stitched chamois leather type covering called, ‘Gecko Grip’. It is firm and soft at the same time and allows you to kite the whole day without getting sore hands. There is a huge swivel on the front lines that just works in untwisting your lines after all those kite-loops. De-power is always within reach above the bar and uses a clam-cleat system which is very easy to trim. Different line attachment points also enable you to adjust the bar width from 48cm to 52cm for smaller or bigger kites, or to have more or less bar pressure.

Lines are 25m long. 360kg load. The kite can be flown on 4 or 5-lines setup. The 5th line and attachments are included in the bag. A spare chicken loop and centre rope are also included in the bag.

Mutiny F-Series Video: Bar Teaser

Initial Feel

Just pumping the kite up you can feel it wants to fly. It bucks and jumps around on the pump leash, begging to get airborne. Once in the air, at first you feel as if you might have too small a kite up or something because it doesn’t feel like you are being pulled at all. And yet – you are actually cruising comfortably! There is very little bar pressure but you still know where the kite is. And that bar… it’s just so comfy in your hands! The designers have built the kite with aerodynamics in mind and as such there is very little drag, enabling the kite to fly in a sniff of wind and giving them a huge wind-range.

Mutiny F-Series

Jumping

With this kite I have been boosting bigger and with more confidence than ever before. The kite just always seems to be where it should be, and if not, the slightest adjustment gets it back where it belongs enabling you to have soft, floaty landings. It really is very forgiving and always drifts back toward the edge of the window no matter how much you over-cook it. Because of the long throw on the bar, (adjustable using the moveable cleat block), it gives a big power range that enables you to generate tons of lift just by pulling the bar in.

I stood on the beach the one day in strong wind easily holding down a 9m Mutiny F-Series, and just by pulling in the bar I was lifted a good few meters into the air, and it felt like I would have kept going up if I hadn’t eased out on the bar and floated smoothly back down.

Free Riding

Because of its smooth pull the kite never feels like you are being yanked around so you are confident to do tricks, jumps and kite loops. The power delivery is constant however hard you choose to throw the kite around and it soaks up gusts effortlessly. This kite was built for smooth effortless riding!

Mutiny F-Series

Waves

The Mutiny F-Series is a great kite for wave riding. No bar pressure so all that kite manoeuvring doesn’t leave you with kiter’s elbow and pumped up forearms – you can kite for hours! Unhooked or hooked-in you always know where the kite is and what it’s doing and there is no back-stalling if you haven’t over-sheeted it. Its light weight allows it to just drift downwind without pulling you off the wave, allowing you to concentrate on properly surfing the wave. This kite also screams upwind so while everybody else is tacking to the horizon and back, you are almost riding just between mid-break and backline.

High Wind Performance

I only weigh about 60kgs and I’ve been out on the 7m F-series in wind gusting 40 knots – and I never once felt over powered. The long throw on the bar, (standard is 40cm but can be adjusted to 60cm if you want that much), gives you confidence that the kite will depower when you push the bar away, and gives the kite a huge wind range.

Mutiny F-Series Wingtip

I am an instructor and it can be a problem with my light weight in strong winds when I have to teach big students because I have to be able to take the kite from my student at times. I’ve experienced this using a 9m Mutiny F-Series and I had no problem holding down the kite and never felt unsafe. This one guy, who has a Mutiny 7m, was caught in over 40 knot winds and was able to come in and land the kite quite safely!

Upwind

The Mutiny F-Series screams upwind more than any other kite I’ve flown! Even on light-wind days I’ve been able to stay upwind while others are walking back up the beach. The kite is so aerodynamic and light that it hardly needs any wind to fly while still generating plenty of lift. There is no canopy flutter due to the substantial trailing edge batons and tight canopy construction.

2011/2012 Mutiny F-Series Pros & Cons

Pros

• An all-round smooth, easy kite to fly – at all levels.
• Easy re-launch – just pull the back line and it spins around on its leading edge.
• Excellent, solid build quality.
• Good clam-style opening storage bag that looks small but just swallows up the kite, with a separate front pocket for the bar, spares, etc.
• Amazingly comfortable bar, with simple functionality that just works.

F-Series Bags

Cons

• I found that I needed to add another knot in the back line attachment points as there is a bit of a ‘dead’ spot without it – especially on the 9m for some reason.
• Velcro patch to hold free end of the depower line onto the clam cleat is a good thought but a waste of time – it comes off on the first use.
• The clear silicone inflate tubes tend to crack and split quite easily so have your spares with you.
• Chicken lock is too flimsy but apparently that is being addressed.
• Inflate valve is ridiculously ‘tight’. You can hardly push the pump handle down so I just use the deflate valve to inflate the kite.

Who Should Buy a Mutiny F-Series?

Any beginner, intermediate, or advanced free rider, and especially any dedicated wave rider of any level right up to expert.

For more information or to purchase the 2011 / 2012 F-Series kite in South Africa, visit Mutiny South Africa. To find a dealer internationally, visit the Mutiny Kites Dealer Locator.

Written by

Bruce Gaynham

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Mutiny F-Series 2012 Review was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

For everyone else who couldn’t make it, we thought we would share our top 10 favourite products spotted at the Expo for 2012.

Slingshot Joint Binding

The transition from your traditional strap binding to full wake board style boots is made easy by the new Slingshot Joint. It gives you that secure lock down feel while still enabling you to eject and kick out. Putting these bindings on your board is like having a brand new board! They give you the ability to land harder and go faster, while offering the stability and support of a wake board boot.

Slingshot Joint Binding

Check it out: Slingshot Joint Binding

North Skimfish Board

North Skimfish Board

A really great kiteboard for those not so great kiting days. Make your ride more enjoyable and fun.

This board cuts upwind easily in light wind, rides smoothly in chop and performs on key for strapless tricks. Its hydrodynamic shape, rounded nose and hips, with a fish-like tail, make carving in the small surf effortless.

Check it out: North Skimfish (Link no longer exists)

Wainman 7.5 Mr. Green Kite

These sexy kites are sure to get you noticed on the water. The 2nd generation Wainman Rabbit kites added 3 new sizes to the team. The 6.25 Gypsy, 7.5 Mr. Green and 10.5 Punch. The gang has fine tuned their already awesome line-up so be sure to add one to your arsenal.

Wainman – 7.5 Mr Green

Check it out: Wainman 7.5 Mr. Green Kite

Litewave Lace-up Sandal Binding

“Girl-friendly” binding that really hugs your feet. Its patented design keeps the strap secure on your feet while the foot pad is independently secured to the board.

Litewave Lace-up Sandal

This is what Dave says about his product:

The patented Litewave Lace-up Sandal is the best foot-to-board connection available. A 6” wide lace-up section covers more of your foot for more edge control than a footstrap.

The injection moulded pad is soft and superbly contoured to keep your heel locked in, form-fit your arch, and a toe-shelf lets you really hang on with your toes. Cool thing is that the lace-up part uniquely attaches to the footpad independently of the screw that holds only the pad down to the board. This makes it super easy to attach and remove, much like a wakeboard binding.

The Hybrid Lace-Up Sandal comes standard on all Litewave twin-tip boards or is available separately.

Two sizes: S/M (women’s) and L/XL. Black only.

• Extra wide instep
• Heel curb
• Toe ledge
• Injected EVA base
• Unique thermoform top texture

MSRP: $149

Check it out: Litewave Lace-up Sandal

Kite Repair Kit

FixMyKite.com Kite Repair Kits

Unique quick fix kite repair kits that won’t break the bank. The one of a kind Sleeving Kit only costs $5.99 for example and every product has online demo tutorials.

I saw their product at the Surf Expo and was impressed.

Check it out: FixMyKite.com

Flysurfer Speed 3 Light Wind Kite

You have to see it to believe it. This kite flies in virtually no wind, no matter the size of the rider. Work is not in the way anymore when you can kite any day! Truly one of a kind product with the longest hang time in the biz.

12M, 15M, 19M & 21M – wind range is as low as 4 knots.

Flysurfer Speed 3 Kite

Check it out: Flysurfer Speed 3

Jimmy Lewis Fly Weight SUP

Why have all the fun on your own? Get your kids in the water with the ultimate kids’ SUP. Awesome for waves and flat water, complete with full nose deck pad. The 8’ x 26 x 3 1/2, 87L board comes with a thruster fin set.

Check it out: Jimmy Lewis Fly Weight SUP

Liquid Force – Twin Skim Board

Liquid Force Twin Skim Board

Expand your horizons with this skim/wake skate board. Pop an ollie or rip the waves! When it comes to water sports, Liquid Force is on top of their game. Its 51” x 20” design can be used without fins and straps so you can really feel the waves.

Check it out: Liquid Force Twin Skim

Lavacore Thermal Protection

Stylish yet comfortable, these polytherm suites will keep you warm and going strong. The PU film layer provides water resistance and great protection from wind-chill. Products range from extreme to mild conditions.

Check it out: Lavacore Thermal Protection

Cabrinha QuickLink Bar

Cabrinha QuickLink Bar

The new QuickLink control system has been created with the rider in mind. Ergonomic for the unhooked rider, and a new easier to operate 2nd release system for the beginner rider. A complete redesign of the chicken loop swivels for smoother untwisting of lines. Keeping the 2011 recoil spring system makes grabbing your bar effortless & always within reach.

Check it out: Cabrinha QuickLink Bar

As always, we would love to hear from you in the comments below. Did you make it to the Surf Expo? Tell us what gear you think is going to be hot in 2012, or if you’ve been lucky enough to try any of these products, what you think of them! And if you’d like to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to see how far we’ve come with kiteboarding, and what the future holds for the sport, here’s a nice overview of the history of kitesurfing.

Written by

Jessica Winkler

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Top 10 Hottest Kitesurfing Products for 2012 was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

Harry Vogelezang very kindly lent me his 2011 Naish Park 8.0 kite for a test session. My usual kites are the Naish Torches 6.0/8.0/11.0, so these will be my basic yardstick for comparison.

Conditions

2.5m swell, wind between 12 and 25 knots side offshore.

Board

Airush Converse 5’10” thruster.

2011 Naish Park 8

The Kite

Excellent quality construction. Three strut design extremely light. Very simple bridal. Great bar with stopper system to keep bar within reach. 22M lines. Best of all for Naish; a stopper ball in the inflation valve at last!!

Initial Feel

Light bar pressure with good feedback. Instantaneous turning response. At planing speed in light wind, there is no pressure at all from the kite; all power is directed straight into your harness. A very surreal feeling, like what is making me go?

Jumping

Not a boosting kite like the Torch. Very easy to launch and hang up there due to the SLE, but a far less aggressive launch than the Torch. The descent is also less floaty with slightly harder landings. This kite also needs to be set up carefully as regards to power settings, too much power and the kite can oversheet and fly backwards in light wind (instant recovery with bar out). 4cm of depower sorted this out.

Free Riding

Spins, flips and kite loops very easy. Kite loops benign with no power surge.

Naish Park 8 – 2011

Waves

This is what this kite is for. The light feel and instantaneous turning totally liberates the kitesurfer from the kite. Bottom turns can be as tight and vertical as you like. No matter how late you leave your kite turn off the lip, it flicks around and you are free to drop down the face. I have never felt this loose on a wave before. This kite is capable of improving your wave riding by 100% straight away. There is no force from the kite limiting your freedom on a wave. A true surfing experience.

High Wind Performance

At the maximum with the kite depowered by about 22cm, the bar response is still good. Where a Torch gets unresponsive when depowered this much, this kite just keeps on obeying orders.

Upwind

Here the Park was a total surprise. Very aggressive upwind bite.

Torch or Park?

For pure hooked in wave riding it’s no contest. The Park takes it, especially when overpowered. For easy all round performance, the Park also takes it too. It simply does not bite. In gusty wind, the Park also gets the nod.

Naish Torch – 2011

For everything else, the Torch wins. More boost, more float, more hang time, more bar pressure, and a much more involving and aggressive feel all round. With the Park you do not have to think at all about a kite loop, just pull the bar, and it’s over. With the Torch, the big power surge and fast landing demand attention. The Torch is still a great wave riding kite, provided you are within the wind range. More finesse is required to prevent stretched out bottom turns and blow outs over the back, plus, the Torch is also unusable at places like Seal Point where the wind gusts from 5 to 25 knots every few seconds. In these extreme conditions, only an SLE like the Park can survive.

For all its high performance in the surf, The Park delivers a remarkably relaxing and physically undemanding ride. It’s not that the Torch is tiring to fly; it just gives you this subtle all round workout that leaves you feeling like you have really got physical and done something worthwhile. Owning a Torch also makes beer taste better.

Who Should Buy a Park?

Any beginner, intermediate, or advanced free rider and especially any dedicated wave rider of any level right up to expert. Chicks will dig it too!

Written by

Steven Bertie-Roberts

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If you want to know more about Naish kites in South Africa, or you are interested in getting one yourself, visit the Naish Kitesurf SA website or call them on +27 (0) 21 556 0044.

PS: If you enjoyed this article, help spread the word by clicking the “Like”, “Tweet”, “+1” buttons, or sharing it using the share icons below. Want to read more articles like this? Subscribe to iMK, and get our articles directly to your inbox or RSS reader.

Naish Park 2011 Review: Park vs. Torch was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.