Slingshot's 2026 Glide Craft V1 and Flow Craft V2 | Easy Progression and Surfy Performance
Slingshot has designed a couple new foilboards for 2026, and Tucker and Jeff are pretty excited about them. When you think of Slingshot's Craft line of boards, you might envision a chicken nugget shape, but they've gone back to the drawing board with the Flow Craft and Glide Craft. These have been updated with a sleeker surfy approach and a clean white top that gives off surfboard vibes. What's the difference between them, and how do they feel out on the water?
Flow Craft: Construction
The first thing Jeff noticed about the Flow Craft was just how light it was. Slingshot has a reputation for building bombproof boards to withstand the nuking conditions at their Hood River testing grounds, but that usually means added weight. But the Flow Craft feels like a high-performance board when you pick it up. It's got a standard EPS core, but it uses a carbon lamination technology that provides strength while keeping the weight down. While this does add to the cost, you'll get a lightweight board that will last for years.
Flow Craft: Graphics
Whether you love or hate orange, you've got to admit that it's easy to spot. When you're up on foil and that bright bottom is visible, you'll be hard to miss. The white deck may seem a bit bland, but it's clean and reflects heat well, and it makes a nice blank canvas to add stickers or custom art. Jeff felt that it would have been nice to have a window to show off the carbon since this is a higher-end board, though.
The stripes along the side of the board not only add visibility, but they also help you index where you like to kneel or have your front foot. There's a big S graphic on the pad to help you locate your sweet spot as well.
Flow Craft: Performance
The board the guys tried was the 75L 5'9" x 21 1/8" x 4 3/5", and that's a good size for folks looking to do a one-board quiver. While Jeff had a bit of trouble getting to lift-off speed in the light wind, once he was up he felt completely connected to the board and it responded to his input without giving any annoying feedback.
Once the wind picked up and Jeff was riding properly powered, he found that the Flow Craft got up to speed and popped up very easily. If you're riding in moderate conditions, go ahead and size up your wing and this board will do just fine.
The length and width were perfect. When testing a new board, Jeff likes to do a heelside tack and see if he feels balanced and maneuverable, and the Flow Craft nailed it. He had his foil maybe a centimeter forward of center in the track, right under his back foot, and it was just right. Jeff was able to pump around and ride the small waves that were on offer that day, and he was impressed with how the board performed.
Flow Craft: Who's It For?
The Flow Craft was designed for powered shredding, riding waves, and small foils. It's not for beginners and, as Jeff discovered, it's not for light wind. An experienced rider can certainly use it in light wind, but the design has traded off some low end for better performance when the board is powered up. Don't be afraid to size up, because it rides like a smaller board and some extra volume can make this a one-board quiver if you do find yourself out on a lighter day.
Flow Craft: Design
Starting at the bottom front of the board, the nose has a concave hole that runs to the middle of the board, where it turns into a flat section about eight or nine inches wide and continues to the tail. The rails are relatively hard and start pretty far forward, with wide chines that become more defined toward the tail to help the board release from the water. All this combines to help the board build speed and shed water for a clean liftoff with a smaller foil.
The Flow Craft also handles touchdowns very well. Rather than gripping the water, it skips right off and lets you keep riding. This is important when you're riding waves. As you're carving and maneuvering, you're naturally going to touch down at times, and this board is great for that.
The 5'9" x 21 1/8" dimensions are just right. It's long enough to be efficient and has enough width to give you leverage for those hard turns, but it's not so big as to be cumbersome in the waves.
The deck has a slight concave to get you closer to the foil, but it's nice and flat in the middle. It's got a nice traction pad, though the guys do wish it went all the way to the edges to give them more usable space and a bit better ding protection.
Straps are an option with the inserts, which run along the center line and are spaced with smaller foils in mind.
Flow Craft: Review
Overall, Tucker and Jeff loved the Flow Craft. The sizing was spot on, and they felt like they had a great connection to the foil. It felt smooth underfoot, and it was easy to find a sweet spot for their stance. Once the wind picked up, they felt like the board would not hold them back.
Jeff even let a couple locals swap boards with him during his session, and they were all smiles. They loved the board for the same reasons Jeff and Tucker did. They felt it was high-performance, had good speed, and was well-balanced. It had enough deck space to move their feet around. Aptly named, it was surfy and flowy.
Glide Craft: Who's It For?
The Glide Craft is great for beginners and intermediate riders. It's similar to the Flow Craft, but it's wider and thicker, which makes it friendly for newer riders. That said, it's not going to hold you back, and you'll be able to grow with it. Even advanced riders will have a lot of fun with it as a freestyle machine, flipping and spinning the smaller sizes. It's also fully capable in the waves.
Glide Craft: Design
The bottom of the Glide Craft is very similar to the Flow Craft. Like the Flow Craft, the flat section follows the center like rather than the rail line, giving it the same smooth liftoff and clean touchdowns. This is especially nice while you're learning since you need something that's going to lift off easily and be forgiving when you touch back down.
The deck is also similar to the Flow Craft. It's got the recessed cockpit with strap inserts, which are handy for freestyle, jumping, or wingers who prefer straps. Unlike the Flow Craft's inserts, there are two center rows in the front, with one offset and spaced for riding wider foils.
The nose has a bit of a dome, and the tip is a bit more blunt than the Flow Craft's. It's got a nosetip pad to protect your board from dings and scratches while you've got it upside-down to attach your foil.
The shape is inspired by mid-length boards, but has more width and volume for some extra stability and ease-of-use that's perfect for progression.
Glide Craft: Performance
The size the guys tested was 5'4" x 24" x 4 3/4" 80L. Although it's shorter, it's got extra width for stability and more volume to keep you on the surface. Tucker found that it felt nimble, especially for an 80L board, and it was a lot more fun to ride than other fat boards with bigger noses.
The length was enough to make it efficient for planing and takeoff without feeling corky. This means that you can upgrade your beginner foil to something more high-aspect without needing to buy a faster board. You'll still be able to get up just fine on the Glide Craft.
Like the Flow Craft, the Glide Craft isn't a light wind board, but beginners need to be properly powered to learn to foil anyway.
Both boards have leveled up their performance with the higher quality build, making this a nice step forward for Slingshot. Tucker and Jeff had a lot of fun on them and are happy to chat with you to see which version and size might be right for you.
Hunter Lukes scored some seriously clean waves with the Foil Drive in the Outer Banks this summer. Waist-high, glassy peelers and crystal-clear water made for the kind of session every foiler dreams of. After a year on the Foil Drive, Hunter's looking locked in: reading the waves, staying in the pocket, and gliding with style. Pure flow, no stress- just that easy OBX magic.
Mega Loop Madness! Baby Shark and The Brazilian Brothers Check Out the 2026 North Orbit
The Brazilian Brothers had a chance to hook up with big air legend Baby Shark (Josue San) and see what he thought about the 2026 North Orbit. The wind there in Prea was 30 knots and the kite's purple colorway matched Baby Shark's Astra board perfectly, so Baby Shark was pretty stoked as he headed into the water.
What's New with the 2026 Orbit?
The Orbit and Orbit Pro have been combined into a single offering, and the shape has been refined into a higher-aspect design that sits further forward in the wind window for better upwind, boosting and hangtime.
The Orbit now has three performance adjustment points on the wingtips. Using the lower attachment will result in a faster kite with less bar pressure, and the top one will move slowly but with lots of power. It's easy to swap among these settings to fit the conditions and your riding preference.
What Did Baby Shark Think?
The conditions were nuking with sick waves, and he had an absolute blast out there on the 2026 Orbit. He thinks the new shape is a game-changer for big air. In fact, he pulled off a world first mega-loop board-off trick, so that really says a lot about what the kite is capable of.
Who Is It For?
With the combining of the Orbit and Orbit Pro for this year, this is a kite for both freeride and big air. Newer riders won't find it intimidating, but more advanced riders will be able to get a lot out ot it as well. However, the North Orbit Ultra is coming soon, and it's going to use a brand new material. Nope, it's not Aluula, but Baby Shark thinks it'll be a game-changer for those who want top performance, and he can't wait to get out on one.
Foil Drive | Scoring Clear, Glassy Swells in the Outer Banks
When you get a chance to visit the Outer Banks, you go, no matter the conditions. Ryan from MACkite caught up with waterman and foiler Hunter Lukes to talk about his background, what drew him to foiling, and how the Foil Drive turned a flat week on the Outer Banks into one packed with fun rides in the glassy swell. Hunter shares how the right setup and a little extra propulsion can open up whole new stretches of coastline.
Ryan: Hey guys, Ryan from MACkite here. Today I've got Hunter Lukes with me. Hunter's been riding the Foil Drive quite a bit, and we're going to talk about his background in water sports, what drew him to the Foil Drive, and a bit about his recent trip to the Outer Banks.
So Hunter, what's your history with water sports leading up to Foil Drive, and how long have you been on it now?
Hunter's Water Sports Background
Hunter: I grew up on a lake, so I was always out boating. I started off wakeboarding, water skiing--pretty much anything behind a boat. Then one day I saw foiling on Facebook and decided to give it a shot, probably around 2020. I learned to foil behind the boat first, and after moving over to the west side of the state--where there are more waves--I got interested in riding swell instead of just the boat wake.
That's when I started prone foiling, but I wanted to catch even more waves. So I picked up a Foil Drive to maximize my sessions and get as many rides as possible.
From Boat Foiling to the Foil Drive
Ryan: Cool. So how long were you boat foiling before jumping over to the Foil Drive, and what was that transition like?
Hunter: I probably foiled behind the boat for about four years. I've been on the Foil Drive for about a year now--started last summer, around this same time. My first time prone foiling was actually in North Carolina a couple of years ago. I tried taking my boat foil into the ocean. It definitely wasn't the right gear for that, but it got me hooked on the idea of foiling in ocean conditions.
Outer Banks Foil Drive Adventure
Ryan: Nice. You just came back from the Outer Banks recently--your first time there with the Foil Drive, right?
Hunter: Yep, first time with the Foil Drive. I've gone to the Outer Banks every year with my family, but it's kind of turned into a surf trip for me. This year was the calmest I've ever seen it--glassy and crystal clear--but super flat most of the time.
Right out front where we stayed, it was so calm you could've gone barefoot water skiing. The only waves were about a mile down the beach near a pier, and you couldn't really park close to it. Normally, you'd have to paddle that mile, which would've been brutal. But the Foil Drive made it easy--I just motored down, rode for 40 minutes, and cruised back with battery to spare.
That opened up that whole area for me, which I never could've done paddling a prone board. Then, on the last day, the waves finally turned on, and we got some really fun sessions right out front.
Outpacing the Longboards
Ryan: Awesome. I saw in the clips you were riding around your friends on longboards. How did your wave count compare to theirs with the Foil Drive?
Hunter: (laughs) Yeah, so full disclosure--those guys are my friends. We were all having fun; they knew I was coming. I wasn't disturbing anyone's lineup.
The waves were small and mushy--perfect for foiling--but they'd break fast and then just kind of roll. On their longboards, they'd get maybe a five-second ride before it fizzled out. With the Foil Drive, I could get in early and ride it all the way in.
They'd get maybe six or seven waves in a session, and I'd get around 40 because I was nonstop for 45 minutes, just going back and forth and getting everything I could.
Gear Breakdown: Boards and Foils
Ryan: That's a big difference! Walk us through the gear you were using. I know you had an Axis setup out there. Were you mainly on the Foil Drive Max or the Slim?
Hunter: Mainly the Max. My setup from top to bottom was a Zapple 5'0" 38L trench board. I love that board--it's super easy to get up on, and the trench design helps with touchdowns since the Foil Drive unit sits recessed. You hardly feel it.
I use a Cedrus mast so I can swap foils easily. For most of the trip, I was riding the Axis ART V2 999 cm2. It's great for smaller, less powerful days--really easy to ride and made the mellow days a lot of fun.
On the last day, when the waves picked up, I switched to the Axis Spitfire 780 cm2. That was actually my first time on that wing, and I was really impressed. I could pump and connect waves easily--at one point I linked three in one go without using the motor. I was stoked on that.
Ryan: Nice! Yeah, the Spitfire's super playful and easy to carve--great when there's more power. The ART is an awesome glider, perfect for small, mushy days like we get here. You're not going to carve it quite as hard, but it handles those weak conditions really well.
Hunter: Right. I paired the ART with a smaller tail and shifted my back foot back a bit to get more pivot. Even with its longer wingspan, I could still get the wingtips out, so it actually feels really versatile. People might be surprised how well it turns.
Ryan: For sure. Axis has a great lineup--swapping stabilizers or fuselage lengths can really change the feel. With the ART especially, you can tweak it for more glide or more maneuverability depending on what you're after.
From what I saw in your clips, the waves looked perfect for Foil Drive--unbroken swells with just a little whitewater.
Hunter: Yeah, it was awesome. There were rides where I could catch waves way out, long before they broke, and ride them forever. There's no way I could've proned into those without the Foil Drive. That last day especially--so good. I'm glad we got those waves when we did.
Tips for Traveling with the Foil Drive
Ryan: For sure. So to wrap up--any advice for someone planning a trip with their Foil Drive?
Hunter: Yeah, I'd say bring a one-two foil combo: a bigger wing for smaller or flatter days, and a smaller, punchier one for when the waves show up. That way you're covered either way.
And for boards, that Zapple 5'0" was a great all-rounder--big enough to prone if I wanted, but still compact. It's a perfect one-board quiver for travel.
Ryan: Nice. So one board, two foils so you can take advantage of both good conditions and so-so conditions. Easy to travel with and ready for anything.
All right, this has been Ryan with MACkite and Hunter Lukes. We'll see you guys on the water!
Brazilian Brothers Review the Mystic Vandal Pro for Kiteboarding
Helmets are for kooks, right? Real kiteboarders ride with the wind blowing through their hair. Yep, tell that to an increasing number of pros and everyday riders who swear by the benefits of protecting their noggin from a knockin'. There are enough people out there with helmets that you won't look out of place, and it may just save you from a painful concussion or worse.
Do I Really Need a Helmet?
If you do freestyle or big air, a helmet can protect your head from a hard impact with the water, the same way your impact vest protects your core. And your board is unforgivingly hard. Whether it's a board-off gone wrong or a crash, the board will win against your brain every time. If you foil, it's even more important to be protected from contact. Finally, as every driver knows, it's not just your mishaps you need to worry about, but the mistakes of others sharing the same space. If you've got people jumping around you, you may have an unexpected encounter with them and their gear, too.
Is the Mystic Vandal Pro a Good Fit for Me?
You can certainly find cheaper helmets, but the best helmet is the one you actually wear, and the Vandal Pro gives you a lot of reasons to put it on rather than leaving it in the car. Remember, it's an investment in your brain, and the Brazilian Brothers feel that it's worthwhile.
Is the Vandal Pro Comfortable?
The Vandal Pro is by far the most comfortable helmet they've tried. It's got padding in all the right spots, especially around your forehead and your occipital lobe in the back. It's got a 360 dial in the back that lets you customize it perfectly all around your head, not just in the back. If you're on the fence between two sizes, go ahead and size up since you'll be able to use this dial to get a good fit. It's also incredibly lightweight, and the EPP foam doesn't absorb water, keeping it light throughout your session. Once the brothers are out and riding, they forget they're wearing it.
Is the Vandal Pro Durable?
Obviously, you should inspect your helmet after an impact and replace it if there's any damage, but for everyday use, it's very durable. The brothers toss their helmets in the back of the car and they're still going strong after two years of frequent use. The cushioning is still soft and comfortable after exposure to heat and lots of salt water.
The Suggestion Box
The brothers didn't love the Fidlock release system at first. They didn't find it to be intuitive and they actually got stuck in their helmets. But once they got used to it, they did appreciate that the magnet made it almost impossible for the strap to release accidentally on the water. So it's a good system, but you might want to practice with it before you put the helmet on.
Purchase or Pass?
Choosing a helmet is a fairly personal decision, but the Vandal Pro does have a lot going for it. It's lightweight, it's comfortable, it looks pretty slick, and most importantly, it protects your head. Whether you're just learning, practicing your first backroll, or pushing through big air or foiling, you want to protect your head. The brothers recommend it very highly for any level rider.
Light Wind Wing Foiling Made Easy | FLITELab AMPJet
Tucker's been out on one of the most anticipated products of the year, the FLITELab AMPJet. He grabbed the versatile 4'8" AMP S board, which works for prone surf, wing, and downwind, and after a few sessions, he's stoked at how it really is a one-board quiver. Now he's ready to share some tips, what the system is, how it works, and whether it's worth it.
What's the AMP S Board Like?
The 4'8" board is the largest of the three sizes in the AMP S series. It's 40 liters and 20 inches wide, which is a nice all-around size that'll have you covered in just about any conditions and any discipline. It comes with a foam insert in the slot for the AMPJet. Don't throw that out; it's not just packing material. You can actually use this board without the jet, making this a 2-in-1 foilboard.
The deck is almost flat with a slight concave. Towards the rails, there's a bit of ramp you can use to gain extra leverage over wider foils. The board isn't terribly wide, but the pad goes right to the edge so you can use it all without feeling like you might slip off. Most pads don't do that, so you'd need a wider board to get as much torque for your high-performance turns.
The board doesn't rely on the jet to sell it; it's a genuinely high-quality carbon board in its own right, which is why that foam blank is included. FLITELab also sells boards without a port for the jet, but they're not making you buy both if you opt for the AMPJet model and want to ride unpowered sometimes. It's lightweight, yet stiff, and a lot of attention has gone into designing the shape, which focuses on turning performance, takeoff ability, and ease-of-use.
Even with the jet module installed, the board is still shockingly light and balanced. You're not going to sling most eFoils over your shoulder the way you can with the AMPJet. Foil Drives are also quite light, but they take some work to install. We've done an in-depth comparison between the AMPJet and Foil Drive, and it's well worth a look if you're undecided between the two since they each have their strengths depending on what you want to do.
The board has a bit more width where your front foot or chest goes, and that assists in the takeoff by giving you more standing space and keeping the nose up so you don't pearl. The tail is fairly wide for a board this narrow, with a bit of an angle on it. There isn't much board behind the track since you don't need it with a jet assist setup, but there's enough room for the leash plug.
The rocker is quite flat for efficiency and is mostly in the nose. The nose has a bit of a hole, which goes into a double hole under your front foot and out the back. This all helps create lift for takeoff. The chines do a nice job of reducing drag once you're up to speed, and they give you additional stability and clearance on turns. The track has drop slots so you don't have to take your T-nuts out, with jet drive intakes on either side of that. The jet drive cartridge nestles between the track inside the board, making it so balanced that you'll barely notice the weight.
How Does the LAUNCHPad Controller Work?
The LAUNCHPad controller is unique because it isn't handheld. It locks snugly into the nose of the board where it's out of the way of your feet, yet is easy to use while you're prone or on your knees. It has settings for different disciplines, and you can modify these with the phone app. It works remarkably well because the board senses when it's out of the water and shuts the jet off automatically. And if you've ever used a handheld trigger controller, you know how easy it is to give yourself an unintentional boost and buck your nose if you bump the throttle.
When you power on the LAUNCHPad, you'll see the status of each of your two batteries. If the charge in each is close enough, then you'll be able to operate at full power. Otherwise, it'll run at half power until the battery with the higher charge is close to the other.
If the launch pad is tilted, it'll assume the board is tilted and you won't be able to power up the jet. That's a safety feature. Another nice feature is that the launch pad will still track things like wave count and distance with the GPS even if you're using the foam blank, so be sure to have it turned on even when the jet isn't installed.
How Does It Work for Wing?
The AMPJet is a game-changer for light wind winging. Once you hit the button on the LAUNCHPad, it waits a moment so you have time to grab your wing in both hands, then accelerates gradually to keep your nose a little flatter. It builds power to 70% of maximum and then stays there to give you time to lift off. Once you're up, the power cuts off and you're winging, just like that. It is insanely easy.
How Does it Work for Prone Surfing?
The preset prone profile works well for many conditions, but you can fine-tune that to fit your spot and style. It's a lot of fun to play around with, actually, and FLITELab has a video to show you how. If you want to rocket into a wave, you can do that. Or you can have it be more gradual so you can climb to the surface and keep the nose flat like a sinker start. The paddle assist is incredible as well. You'll zip along smoothly, without the surging you get from paddling unpowered. If you need to duck dive, you can hit the boost and feel like Aquaman as you glide underwater and punch through the back.
What Does Tucker Think?
After he heard about the AMPJet, Tucker was a bit skeptical that it would live up to the hype. It sounded like it'd be heavy, and losing power the moment you lifted off seemed like a good way to come crashing back down. Fortunately, these weren't issues at all. A lot of time was put into designing the cartridge to be as light as possible, and what weight it had was carefully centered over the mast so it'd have virtually no swing weight. And with nothing mounted on the mast, there's no drag to slow you down when you lift off. You just keep going seamlessly.
What's a Good Board Size?
The 4'8" 40L was perfect for Tucker. He prones 40L boards all the time, and though he can wing down to 30L, 40L is so much easier, especially if it's as lightweight as this board is. The wider nose gave him plenty of room for his front foot and while kneeling and helped him plane up. He was able to wing in next to no wind with this setup, where he would have struggled or needed a much longer board otherwise.
If you're a newer foiler or are just learning to wing, then you should look at the M series boards. These are a little longer, which is incredibly helpful when you need a bit more stability. They're the same lightweight carbon construction, so you won't be giving up much performance, and you'll have a lot more fun while you're picking up new disciplines.
Tucker's Tips
Some wingers like to use footstraps, but the AMPJet boards don't come with inserts. Don't let that be a deal-breaker; NSI has some excellent stick-on footstrap inserts that are lighter weight than installing posts into your board. They're also fully customizable because you can put them anywhere you want. If you want one way up on the nose, go for it. Or an offset back foot on the toeside so you have more leverage in your turns. They're easy to fix if one rips off, and honestly, if your foot pulled that hard, it could've been a trip to ER on a strap that didn't give way.
Would Tucker Add an AMPJet to His Quiver?
Assuming he could get his Finance Minister to approve the purchase, he absolutely would. This is a much easier decision if you're looking at buying two or three boards since this one will do it all. You can use your existing foil since nothing mounts to the foil. And you'll get not only more sessions, but better and longer sessions. You'll catch more waves and you'll spend more time on foil with less fatigue. You'll have a high-performance board on days when you'd normally need a big board. So yes, Tucker is completely stoked about how much the AMPJet adds to his sessions.
Tucker feels that FLITELab hit it out of the park. Everything about the AMPJet exceeded his expectations. That wasn't by accident, either. Lead designer Chris Reynolds put years into its development, determined not to release a version 1 that was merely good enough. He wanted to release a refined product that would take just as much time to improve upon. If you enjoy getting into the nitty-gritty of the tech that went into the AMPJet and what goes into bringing a new product to market, definitely check out Cole's interview with Chris.
So the AMPJet gets two big thumbs-up from Tucker. It's unique and special, and a lot of foilers must agree because it's selling as fast as units come in. Tucker anticipates that this will continue for at least a year as production ramps up to meet demand, so if you want one, go ahead and get on the waitlist.
Brazilian Brothers Test the North Navigator Pro Bar
Choosing the right kite is important, but how you interact with that kite can make a big difference too. The Brazilian Brothers took the North Navigator Pro bar for a spin, and it's got some features they really appreciated, but a couple they wished it had as well. Overall, is it still a bar they'd recommend, or should you keep looking?
Get a Grip
The brothers feel that the Navigator Pro Bar has one of the most comfortable grips on the market. When they get in the water, they're out there for hours at a time, so they really care about the grip and how nice the bar feels in their hands. The Navigator Pro is not only very comfortable, but it's super grippy as well. Even when it was wet, they had a nice, firm grip on it. When you're trying to pull a loop, you don't want your hand to slip off.
The grip also has ridges running along its length which align perfectly with your knuckles. This not only improves the grip, but it also allows you to immediately feel if you've grabbed the bar the wrong way.
Be Kind: Auto Unwind
Beyond the grip, another standout feature of this bar is the auto unwind. Having to unwind your bar manually each time is a massive pain, and the brothers can't imagine going back after getting used to this feature. It allows you to get your center lines untwisted after doing any rotation or loops. The auto unwind still works smoothly after several months of use, which is perfect for their needs since they're constantly looping the kite in every single session.
They're also happy with the quality of the lines that North included with this bar. It uses SK99 lines, plenty durable to let you feel comfortable kiting in strong wind. The last thing you want to be thinking about when you're out there in 35 knots is whether or not one of your lines going to pop. But these are solid lines.
One cool thing that North has done is that they've made thinner back lines. This not only reduces the drag in the kite, but it also promotes even stretch across all four lines.
Safety Release: Still Quick, but More Forgiving
They've also come to appreciate North's quick release. As big air riders who are kiting in strong wind, their worst nightmare is for a quick release to unintentionally pop. North has increased the travel distance that it takes in order for your quick release to eject, which is good because this greatly reduces the odds that you're going to do it accidentally.
The Suggestion Box
As much as the brothers appreciate the features of the Navigator Pro, they do have a couple suggestions for North. The bar includes 10 + 12 lines, for a total of 22m. This is perfect for kites 10m and under, but a 12m performs better with 24m lines, so 2m extensions would be a nice addition.
A bit of Velcro to secure the depower rope would also be appreciated. It can get a bit annoying having it dangling and flapping around in overpowered conditions, and there are bars that have this small but useful convenience.
Purchase or Pass?
Would the brothers recommend the North Navigator Pro? The comfy grip, auto-unwind system, and stronger lines have made this one of their favorite bars on the market, and they do highly recommend it. It brings some much-needed convenience and comfort to long sessions, and it'd be hard for them to give these up now that they've come to appreciate them.
Brazilian Brothers Test the F-One Trigger BrainChild in Overpowered Conditions
The Brazilian Brothers, Arthur and Rubens, are back with another review. Up this time is the 2025 F-One Trigger BrainChild, and it turns out that it feels right at home in the windy conditions of Prea, Brazil. It's designed for big air, which is the brothers' favorite style, so does it measure up to their standards, and what makes the BrainChild edition special?
Pro-weld Technology
The BrainChild edition of the F-One Trigger uses the innovative Pro-weld technology, which ultrasonically welds the leading edge together. This increases the torsional stiffness while decreasing the weight of the kite by 20%. It's a 5-strut kite, yet the 8m weighs only 2.56kg.
Digital Printing
Another cool BrainChild innovation is its digital printing. It's lightweight, it's sustainable, and it produces a canopy that's going to stand out from the crowd. You do need to be careful not to pack your kite away while it's still wet, especially after the first few sessions, but it's well worth the bit of extra effort for the amazing graphics.
How Does the Trigger Jump?
Getting into the kite's actual performance, it is fast. That makes finding the sweet spot a bit challenging, but once you do, your jumping technique will be rewarded with an explosive pop. As a 5-strut kite, it shines in terms of hangtime and overall lift. It brings you down gently after jumps and loops, which the brothers absolutely loved.
This kite wants to be ridden in overpowered conditions. In 25 knots, it comes to life and turns into a big air machine. It's just not itself in 15 to 20 knots, but above that, it is a ton of fun.
How's the Trigger for Looping?
In a word, amazing. A 5-strut kite just isn't supposed to be able to loop this fast, and it exceeded the brothers' expectations. In spite of how fast it loops, it's still forgiving. Even in 30 plus knots of wind, this kite shines and provides confidence because it's so intuitive and does not have a big yank. If you're trying to improve your looping skills, this is the kite to get you there. Whether you're trying to throw your first loop or you're progressing through kiteloop rotations, this is a real looping weapon.
What's that Sound?
Due to the stiffness of the materials that were used to build this amazing kite, it does vibrate and creates this helicopter-like sound anytime you loop it. It is a crowd favorite and the brothers actually dig it, but they're not sure whether this is going to affect the kite's longevity. The good news is that you cannot feel it in the bar. It's just the sound and it does get everybody looking to see what's happening in the water.
Who is the Trigger For?
Intermediate riders will benefit from its speed and lift, but it will require an advanced level rider to tap into its top performance. If you're looking for a big air machine that has the perfect balance between speed and lift, then look no further. This kite has become one of the brothers' favorites because not only it's loop friendly, but it also has a lot of lift, especially in terms of second lift and when you're coming down from jumps. They can't recommend it enough.
The Smart Way to Upgrade Your Wakefoil Setup: Foil First
You've got your starter wakefoil setup and you're getting pretty comfortable on it behind the boat. You can get up on foil, you've tamed the bucking bronco, you've dropped the rope, and you can even pump around a bit. So what's next? You know you want something that'll give you better performance without being so difficult to use that it slows your progression. Ryan and Caden have been there and have some suggestions to keep wakefoiling fun and exciting as you grow your skills.
What Should You Upgrade First?
You'll get the most benefit from upgrading your foil, specifically the front wing. This makes sense since the foil is the only thing in the water once you're up, and the front wing has the biggest impact on how a foil performs.
You can probably drop down 400-500cm2 on that wing. If you started around a 1500cm2 front wing, look at wings in the 1000-1100cm2 range. Right away it'll feel faster and more maneuverable. Carving will become a lot of fun. Go ahead and keep your same stabilizer, though. It'll help keep you, well, stable while you're getting used to your smaller front wing.
While it's best to change only one component at a time to keep your setup from becoming too unfamiliar, if you're doing a lot of pumping you may want a longer mast. Anything between 75 and 85cm is a great size for some wake-to-wake transfers and pumping out to the third wake.
When Can I Downsize My Foilboard?
You don't need to rush into getting a smaller board. While a smaller board will be more reactive and nimble, it also gives you less room for your feet to work with. A larger board helps get you up on a plane and lets you get comfortable before popping up on foil.
However, once you've got your smaller front wing and can consistently get right on foil without planing on your board first, then you are ready to downsize your board. A lot of people start with a board around 4'6". You don't want to go too small yet, but something around 3'6"/110cm or a bit larger will work well for many riders.
Where Should I Put My Mast?
Start with the mast all the way to the back of the track while you're getting used to your smaller board. That lets you have a wider stance as you learn to tame that bronco again, and then you can start to move the mast forward as you progress.
To Sum Up...
Choose one thing to upgrade at a time, starting with downsizing your front wing. That'll give you a big performance boost without making you feel like you're starting all over. Get a longer mast for pumping if you want, and then get a smaller board once you're feeling proficient on your new foil setup. Once you've got all this dialed in, go ahead and explore other stabilizer options to fine-tune your ride. As always, the crew is happy to recommend upgrade sizes and options that suit you and your conditions. And then we'll catch you on the water!
Sessions: Chasing Skatepark Swells on the Cabrinha AER Wing
Tucker scored a dreamy spring session on Lake Michigan, just north of the Grand Haven pier, with the 2025 Cabrinha AER wing in hand. The lake was serving up those perfect "skatepark" style swells — rolling ramps and smooth faces that begged for carving. This edition of "Sessions" has no words and no commentary, just pure flow as he cruises, links turns, and lets the AER's light, lively feel do its thing. From buttery arcs to playful hits, it's the kind of ride that reminds you why wingfoiling on the Great Lakes keeps pulling us back — when the stars line up, it's nothing but glide, lift, and grins.
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