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.
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.
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!
Brazilian Brothers Test the 2025 Duotone Evo D/LAB LTD Kite
There's hardly a better testing ground for the Duotone EVO D/LAB LTD than Prea, Brazil with its consistently strong wind. The Brazilian Brothers are based there and have reviewed the big air capabilities of this Blue Aluula kite for us. How does it jump and loop? And have there been any improvements over the 2023 Evo D/LAB?
How Does the 2025 Duotone Evo D/LAB LTD Jump?
The previous Evo D/LAB was one of the brothers' favorite kites of all time, so the bar was set pretty high for this year's model. Fortunately, it didn't let them down. Well, it did, but only after picking them way, way up.
It felt like the kite liked to hang out on the edge of the window, so Arthur and Rubens could get a nice, consistent vertical lift. The sweet spot felt larger and it was easier to gain height.
How Does the 2025 Duotone Evo D/LAB LTD Loop?
In terms of kiteloops and megaloops, the 2025 Evo D/LAB is slightly slower than the older version, but it also has a little less yank. It's not as aggressive through the loop, so it's a pretty good kite for kiteloop progression because the bar pressure is still light and it's not scary to pull the loop. You don't feel like it will yank you off the water and get you doing a Raley, which is never a fun thing to do during a kiteloop.
What's Different with the 2025 Version?
The main improvement that the brothers saw with this kite is the high end. This year's high end is amazing. You're going to be able to hold on to an 8m or even a 9m in really strong wind much easier than the last version of the Evo D/LAB.
The 2025 version did become a little more technical as far as heavy loops are concerned. With the old Evo, you could get lift no matter what. This kite requires more active flying in order for you to come down softly. Rather than a kite you can just keep at 12 and come down, you'll need to do a nice heavy loop to bring you down. It took them a couple of sessions, but eventually the brothers did get used to it and were able to come down nice and soft.
Does It Measure Up to Duotone's High Standards?
There was some concern for the future of the Evo D/LAB since designer Ralf Groesel left to found Brainchild, but the 2025 model is a worthy follow-up to its predecessors and performed surprisingly well in a variety of conditions. Considering how much Arthur and Rubens loved the earlier version, that's saying a lot.
New Kiteboarding Series Featuring the Brazilian Brothers
At MACkite, the only thing we love as much as getting out on the water is helping others to get out there, too. So we're stoked to announce a new content partnership with a couple guys who are just as committed to making kiteboarding accessible to everyone. This is just a quick introduction, but you'll be able to find more by clicking the "Brazilian Brothers" tag.
Who Are the Brazilian Brothers?
Arthur: What's up, guys? You guys might be wondering, who are these two random dudes? My name is Arthur and this is Rubens, and we're the Brazilian Brothers. We're super excited to introduce this new partnership with MACkiteboarding. We'll be bringing lots of tutorials, reviews, and all sorts of kite content for you. So, stay tuned.
How Did You Get into Kiteboarding?
Rubens: We're originally from this landlocked town in Brazil called Belo Horizonte in the southeast. And for the first 18 years of our lives, we were always hoping for that one family vacation to see the ocean and to finally get to be in the water. Thankfully, at the age of 18, we moved to Florida and we spent 10 years in Jupiter. It was an amazing time. We first learned how to surf, and then we ended up doing kitesurfing and we never looked back. It was an amazing time. We were embraced by the community of kitesurfers in Jupiter and we got to experience a wide range of conditions from 10 knot days in the summers, all the way through hurricanes and 50 knots.
What Are Your Goals?
Rubens: During this process, we became obsessed with creating content for kitesurfing. Over the past year and a half, we've been doing all kinds of kiteboarding videos, including reviews and tutorials, and we now hope to take this to the next level with MACkite. We love creating content so much that we came back to Brazil. We are now in the northeast of Brazil in the city of Prea. It is absolutely windy here every single day. We're talking 25 plus knots, which gives us the ability to create awesome content for you.
What Style of Kiteboarding Do You Prefer?
Arthur: We love to twintip, and that goes along with big air kitesurfing. We love to send loops all the time. We send loops so often that our elbows are completely destroyed. We've been kiting for maybe 2 weeks straight now. It's 25 knots here in Brazil, so it's been crazy. Wait and see how much content we'll be putting out there, because it will be a lot of big air kitesurfing content.
What Kinds of Content Will We See?
Rubens: But not just big air. We also want to do tutorials for people that are just getting into kitesurfing. Our mission is ultimately to make kiteboarding accessible to a wide range of people. Kitesurfing is still a niche sport, but we want to create content that's relatable to the guy who's trying to do a boogie loop as well as the person who's trying to send their first downloop transition. And hopefully over the next couple months, we're going to take you through this amazing trajectory of tutorials, reviews, interviews, and all kinds of amazing kiteboarding content.
Affordable Dockstart Foil Kit? Ensis MANIAC STRIDE with HIP HOP PRO Tested
Tucker just got in a session at his favorite (and top-secret) dockstarting spot with the new Ensis Maniac Stride pump foil and Hip Hop Pro board, and he was pleasantly surprised at how good it was for someone as bad as he was at dockstarting. Not that he's a complete novice, but he'd much rather have a wing in his hands and just doesn't put much time into dockstarting. There are those pesky days that are flat across the board, though, so having a decent pumping foil in your back pocket is always nice.
What's the Stride Foil Like?
The Stride and Hip Hop Pro were designed to work together as a kit, though you can get the Stride in aluminum or carbon. Tucker decided to try out the more budget-friendly version since that's what most casual dockstarters will check out.
Right away, Tucker could tell that Ensis didn't skimp on the design. As he put the Stride together, everything fit snugly and there was no flex. The tolerances were nice and tight, so much so that he had to pound the mast plate on a bit. For a pump foil, that's a good thing! You get a lot of torque with those big 2050cm2 wings, and you don't want any wiggle room so all your energy goes into forward drive rather than flex.
What's the Hip Hop Pro Board Like?
Small. But in a good way. It's like a skate deck for your foil, and it's just enough for a comfortable stance without a lot of extra board to pump around. It doesn't block your view of the foil, yet it's wide enough to get some leverage when you want to rip a turn. The 98 x 38cm (3'3" x 15") size, combined with the carbon construction, keeps the board light and nimble as you pump.
What's Assembly Like?
The board, though quite light, isn't fragile like some featherweight boards seem to be, and everything feels solid when you connect the mast. You can slide the mast into the track without taking your screws all the way out since it's open in the very back. If you've got a vehicle that lets you leave your foil assembled, this means you'll be on the water in a minute or two, but even if you have to take it apart, the foil goes together quickly.
The hardware is standard Torx M8 screws, so it's easy to replace lost screws, and it's nice and durable.
Where Should I Place the Mast in the Track?
The track goes all the way to the tail, and Tucker put the mast about 3.5 - 4 inches from the back. Large riders who need their front foot far forward can shift that back even more, but Tucker felt that this was a good spot for most foilers. His feet landed in the right spot and it felt right. Whether you have a wider or narrower stance, the sweet spot will be about the same, so this is a good position to try first.
Can a Beginner Use This Kit?
Tucker's not a frequent flyer when it comes to dockstarting, yet he was able to have successful starts almost right away, so that says a lot. It's an easy setup that doesn't want to overfoil when you're pushing it. It flies nice and flat, so you won't have problems with the wings running up and ventilating. This also means that it won't want to go all over the place when you first jump on. It holds its course.
How Does Its Speed Compare to Other Setups?
In terms of speed, it's right about in the middle, and that's a good thing for most dockstart foilers. But that's not to say it drags at all. It feels speedy, and once you get moving, it's easy to accelerate and pump out of a hole. You can slow down, then give it a couple quick pumps to pick it back up.
What's the Rider Weight Range for This Kit?
This setup works best for riders 150 to 225lbs, though experienced riders can push that limit higher. The construction can handle it without it beginning to feel like you're losing stability and durability. If you're a heavier rider, this may be a good option for you.
How's the Price for What I Get?
Tucker gives Ensis two big thumbs up for offering a budget-friendly option. The amount of performance you get for the price exceeds the other brands out there.
Tucker's Nitpicks
Tucker loves to find something to pick at with any product he reviews, but if there hadn't been an issue with one of the screw fittings, he wouldn't have had anything to gripe about this time. He loved everything about the kit. But there was a bit of paint inside one of the screw holes that he had to tap out. That's not unique to this foil, though. He's seen it on plenty of others, and it's just something to be aware can happen. Never force your screws. If you get them stuck or even snap them off, that's a session-killer.
Who's the Stride and Hip Hop Kit For?
The kit is for more than just dockstarting. It's also designed for foiling tiny waves and wake foiling. But it'll also work for winging or parawinging very light wind days, SUP foiling, and even downwinding. It gets up easy and loves to pump around.
Tucker wouldn't especially consider himself a dockstarter, yet he had a blast on the Ensis Stride and Hip Hop Pro combo. There was no wind, but instead of sitting around, he was able to get some exercise and work on his pumping technique. If you're wondering whether this is your ticket to no-wind sessions, give us a shout and we'll help you decide.
2026 Cabrinha Mantis Apex Wing Explained | Brendan Healy on Design and Features
Aaron: Hey guys, I'm Aaron at MACkite. Welcome to the show this morning! We've got Brendan Healey from Cabrinha here, and we're stoked to talk about the new 2026 Cabrinha Mantis Apex wing. Brendan, let's start with a quick intro.
Who Is Brendan Healy? A Quick Intro
Brendan: Killer. Yeah, I'm the sales manager for Cabrinha down here in Miami, been with the brand for about eight years. It's a small, tight-knit crew, so even though I'm in sales, we all do a little bit of everything. Everyone tests the products, everyone gives feedback, from customer service all the way up to the CEO. It's super flat and inclusive, and that's what makes it fun.
Aaron: And it shows, man. Some brands feel really corporate, but you guys keep it open and connected. Nobody's too far removed from the customer on the beach. And honestly, you guys are crazy responsive-I can shoot you an email and boom, you're back to me right away. That vibe definitely comes through in the gear.
Brendan: Appreciate that, man. Yeah, we just want to be the friendly people you can talk to-on the beach, in the office, wherever. We're doing this because we love it too.
How Does the Mantis Maximize Its Use of Aluula?
Aaron: And that's obvious. Alright, let's get into it: tell us about the new Mantis Apex and how you approached using Aluula compared to more traditional designs.
Brendan: For sure. We've actually been developing this one for about three years. The Mantis has been a staple since 2022, but this is our first Aluula wing. Honestly, we held back at first because of the cost. We weren't sure how the market would react to such a high-priced wing. But eventually, it became clear-you've got to have Aluula in your lineup if you want to play in that high-end space.
We tried different versions-full Aluula, just the strut, just the leading edge. What we landed on was a full Aluula strut and about a third of the leading edge. Basically, where the strut meets the leading edge and about 18 inches out on each side. The rest is traditional dacron.
That combo gives you the benefits-lighter weight, way stiffer frame-without making the wingtips too stiff. Some full Aluula wings actually lose flex in the tips, which hurts performance in light conditions. Our approach keeps that natural twist and flex where you need it. Plus, it saves the rider a couple hundred bucks with no downside.
Aaron: Yeah, I see that. Retail on the 4m is about $1679, the 4.5m is $1779, and the 5.5m is $1939. Like you said, balance is key-you've got to have Aluula in the game, but not go overboard. And yeah, Aluula is sexy, like carbon fiber-people just want it even if they'll never max out its performance.
And I love what you did with that T-section design where the strut and leading edge join. Keeps the wingtips alive, which you definitely don't want to lose. Who handled the design?
What Were the Main Concepts Behind the Apex Mantis Design?
Brendan: That was all done by Brodie Sutherland in The Gorge. He's designed every Mantis to date, and he got a ton of feedback from the whole team, including Titouan Galea. For this Apex version, we only made three sizes-4m, 4.5m, and 5.5m. Brodie tested everything from 2m to 6m, but these three stood out as the best performers.
It's a limited edition run-about 120 wings total coming to the U.S. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Aaron: Nice. From a retailer standpoint, I think that's a perfect lineup. Sure, someone might ask about a straight 5m, but man, that 4–4.5–5.5 spread is solid.
Brendan: Totally. And the 4.5m is actually my favorite. It's sneaky good-compact wingspan, tons of power. I'd encourage anyone who normally rides a 5m to try the 4.5. You'll get the same performance but in a wing that's easier to handle.
Aaron: So would you say in general that riders can size down a bit with these?
Brendan: Exactly. With the Aluula frame being so stiff, a 5.5m Apex gives you the power of a 6m without the bulk. Across the board, you can usually step down a half size and still get the juice you need.
Boom vs. Handles: Which Is Better for the Mantis?
Aaron: That's cool. Let's talk boom versus handles. What was Cabrinha's thinking there?
Brendan: Totally. It feels like the whole industry is drifting toward booms right now, and after using both setups a lot, I've got to admit-I'm into the boom too. That said, the Mantis Apex ships standard with two handles pre-installed. But we've also got the boom option, which we call the Handlebar. Super simple: two screws, swap it in, and you're good to go.
What's interesting is Brodie originally designed the Apex around handles, so the strut and canopy are built for that. But when you bolt on the boom, it basically stiffens the whole frame-like strapping a piece of rebar to it, only way lighter. You expect the boom to be about ease of use, but it actually adds a performance boost thanks to that extra rigidity.
Portability and Packability: Why Some Riders Still Prefer Soft Handles
Aaron: Yeah, and it's funny-thinking about it, I haven't even gotten my hands on the AER yet. But I love the idea of a super lightweight setup that packs down tiny. I'm kind of obsessed with compact gear-I even ditch the stock bags and stuff my kites into Dakine compression sacks. Keeps them small enough to live in the back of my car.
So when I look at something like the AER, that's where my head goes: portable, lightweight, no pinch points when rolling it up. And the handles thing-it's wild how many camps there are. Booms are hot right now, rigid handles are second, and soft handles are hanging on with diehards who love that minimal, windowless, lightweight vibe.
And honestly, it depends on the style. If you're freestyling, passing the wing mid-rotation, yeah, a boom makes sense. But I get why some riders stick with soft handles, especially for drifting swell. Our wing team was stoked on the AER-they said it just floats beautifully behind you going down the line.
You guys are juggling feedback from pros, retailers, reps, and everyday riders-it's a lot of voices to sort through, and you're trying to assess, "What the heck should the handles be?"
Brendan: [Laughs.&91; Yeah, exactly.
Aaron: Seems like all three setups-booms, rigid handles, and soft handles-are still viable. And yeah, I'm glad you guys offer the boom option. It feels like you kind of have to at this point. But what about that hard leading edge handle paired with the Aluula frame? That seems like a killer feature.
Why the Rigid Front Handle Is a Game-Changer
Brendan: Man, I love that handle. We rolled it out in 2023, and I'm honestly surprised no other brand has copied it yet. It gives you so much control-whether you're carving waves or just getting to your feet as a beginner. You can literally push the leading edge down into the water as a stabilizer while you stand up. It's one of those features that's both performance and user-friendly. After riding with it, I don't think I'd ever go back.
Aaron: And it doesn't add much weight. Even if it does, it's right at the balance point, so it's not messing with drift. Plus, you can manhandle the wing easier-like if it's fluttering in the wind while you're walking to the water, that handle just gives you total control.
Brendan: Exactly. And it's removable. Two screws and it's off. If you're a racer chasing every gram of aerodynamics, ditch it. Or if you're traveling and want to pack the wing as small as possible, take off all the handles and you've got a soft frame. Super versatile.
Independent Inflation Chambers: Safety and Practicality
Aaron: Dude, I love that. Those little 1–3% tweaks add up to a big difference on the water. And I think riders really notice them.
Another thing-you guys left the Sprint inflation system off the Apex. A lot of people are pumped on that (pun intended). Having independent chambers makes sense: you can run different PSI in the strut and leading edge, or just deflate one and quick-pack it in your car. And from a safety standpoint, it's huge-you've got two separate floats if you're offshore. Pretty unlikely both would go down. Smart move.
Brendan: Thanks, man. That was very feedback-driven. Retailers especially were telling us that riders want independent chambers. So we listened.
Aaron: And the Sprint can be a weak point too. Some people say they've accidentally grabbed it while handling their wing, popped it loose, and boom-your whole wing's flat in the water. That's not a fun swim in. I get why riders like the dual chamber setup better.
Speaking of design tweaks-what about those fiberglass mini battens in the trailing edge?
Why Cabrinha Added Battens to the Mantis Apex Wing
Brendan: For 2026, one of the updates we added to the Mantis Apex was battens in the trailing edge. In 2024, we didn't have any, and honestly, the wing still performed great. But when we adjusted the chord length for 2025, we found we needed them.
We started with soft battens, and people joked they looked like zip ties-but these new ones are way stiffer. They're fiberglass, with two on either side, and they really clean up the canopy. It gives the wing a glass-smooth finish and a tighter, more responsive airframe. They don't add noticeable weight, but they definitely boost performance.
Is the Mantis Apex a True All-Rounder?
Aaron: Yeah, man, I love those little 1% improvements. They add up to a big difference in ride quality. So how do you see people using the Mantis Apex? It feels like a great all-rounder: freeride, surf, freestyle, kind of does it all, right?
Brendan: Totally. For me, living in Miami, I ride waves most of the time, and the Apex really shines there. It's light, stiff, and with that hard leading edge handle, you've got a ton of control. It drifts beautifully and gives you instant power when you need it-like hitting a critical section of a wave.
Who Is the Mantis Apex For? Beginners vs. Performance Riders
Brendan: The Mantis has always been known as a powerful, direct-drive wing. So whether you're freeriding, chasing light wind, or pushing performance, it delivers. For beginners, it might feel like a lot-it's a pretty powered-up wing-but that's why we have other models like the Vision or AER. The Apex is really for riders looking to take the next step in performance.
Aaron: Makes sense. Would you call the Mantis the flagship wing in Cabrinha's lineup?
Brendan: Yeah, I would. It's like our Switchblade of wings-the benchmark model.
Limited Production Run: Only 100 Wings in the U.S.
Aaron: Perfect. And with this limited run-only about 100 units in the U.S. across 4m, 4.5m, and 5.5m sizes-you're kind of testing the waters, right?
Brendan: Exactly. We don't have another production run planned yet, but if feedback is strong, it's easy to scale up or add sizes. It's a smart way to gauge the market's reaction before going bigger.
Staying Nimble in a Fast-Moving Watersports Market
Aaron: I like it. Safer for you guys, and it keeps things nimble in such a fast-changing space-new foil shapes, electric assists, downwind boards, wings, kites... the whole scene's moving fast.
Brendan: Exactly. Every brand has to adapt quickly. Limited runs let us test and pivot without overcommitting.
Aaron: Well, I've already seen some footage of the Apex being tested-it looks plenty powered, even in light wind with electronic assist. I'm stoked to hear more feedback once riders really start ripping on it.
What's Next From Cabrinha? Hydrofoil Teaser
Brendan: Yeah, and this release helps round out our wing lineup-we've now got the Mantis Apex, the standard Mantis, the Vision, and the AER. And this drop is just part one. We've got something else coming soon in the hydrofoil space, in collaboration with a really well-known designer. The early feedback has been incredible. Can't say too much yet, but you'll see it at KoGL.
Aaron: Love it. We'll keep our eyes out. Thanks for dropping in today, Brendan.
Brendan: Always a pleasure, man. Appreciate the stoke and the support.
Aaron: Right back at you, brother. And to our customers-if you've got questions about the Mantis Apex, hit us up anytime. This wing just dropped, so stay tuned for reviews and more content. See you out on the water!
FLITELab AMPJet | Setup Tips to Get in the Water Faster
You just unboxed your new FLITELab AMPJet and are ready to head to the beach. Well... you're ready, but is your AMPJet? Not quite. Tucker thought he was, got everything set up at the lake, and then realized he'd missed an important step and had to go back. To make sure your trip from unboxing to first ride is as smooth as possible, Tucker has put together this list of setup tips.
What Should You Do Before You Leave Home?
1. Check for Updates
This is the step that sent Tucker packing. With no signal at the beach, he had to head back toward civilization, download the app, register the product, and update the Jet and Launch Pad firmware. We are trying to take care of this step for you when we get stock in, but with it being a new product, updates might be more frequent and one could always come through before you receive your AMPJet. So save yourself the heartache Tucker experienced and check before you leave home.
2. Charge Both Batteries
The battery unit is actually two separate batteries that must be charged individually. They ship at a storage level of charge, so you'll need to charge both to at least 50 percent. Of course, the more you charge them, the more runtime you'll have on the water.
Your AMPJet ships with one charger, so you'll need to leave time to charge each battery. Try to have them charged to about the same level. If they are too far off from one another, the battery management system will only draw power from one until they are about equal, and you'll have reduced thrust available until then. So one battery at 100 percent and one at 0 percent is not the same as two batteries at 50 percent.
How Do You Set Up at the Beach?
1. Assemble Your Foil
Simple enough, but where is a good position to start in the track? Try starting an inch or two back from where you'd normally ride that foil on other boards. The AMPJet boards have a lot of forward volume, the weight of the battery makes the tail a little heavier, and the thrust wants to drive the nose up. These boards are made to be ridden from the tail rather than the middle of the board like some downwind and wing boards, and your back foot will ride almost all the way back.
2. Assemble Your Battery
As we mentioned, the battery comes in two parts. Line up the channels and slide them together vertically. You'll hear a click as they snap together, and it will form one smooth unit. If they're still offset, try to re-seat them until they fit together properly.
3. Power Up the Jet
The contacts on one end of the battery will be sticking out, and that's the end you should slide into the carbon fiber jet tube first. Have the tube level or hold on to the battery as you slide it in so it doesn't drop in and hit hard. Push it into place to seat it, and you'll hear a beep as the jet unit turns on.
4. Seal It Up
The end cap is watertight and fits onto the end of the jet tube with a firm push. It'll click into place.
5. Load It Up
The whole jet unit slides into the back of the board, and then it locks in with one set screw. Using the included Torx driver, tighten the screw until the orange disappears. (The orange is to remind you that it's not locked in yet.) Just make it snug, being careful not to strip it out.
Bonus Tip: If the cartridge gets jammed in with sand, you can back the screw out to break the cartridge loose.
6. Get Ready for Launch
The Launch Pad drops into the hole on the nose of the board and locks in with a twist. You'll feel it click in. It fits nice and tight so you won't lose it out in the waves. Tucker likes the factory presets for prone, wing and downwind, but it's also got custom settings that you can set up if you need something different for light wind winging, flatwater starts, dockstarts, or whatever you may want to do. You can also customize the existing profiles to tweak them to your style and conditions, and then reset them to factory default if you change your mind.
The FLITELab AMPJet is an incredibly well-thought-out system and opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Tucker even feels that it could be a one-board quiver for him. Of course, he'll need a few more sessions. Y'know, just to be sure...
How to Better Your Board Offs With Fin-To-Handle Tic Tac
So, you're nailing your board-offs from the handle. The next step is learning how to grab the fin and tic-tac the board into your hand. This move adds flow and control to your riding while setting you up for cleaner, more advanced board-offs. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you progress in your board-offs:
Step 1: Set Up Like a Normal Board-Off
Go into this trick just like you would with a standard handle grab board-off. Keep your kite steady overhead, get a solid pop, and prepare to bring the board off your feet. The setup should feel identical — what changes is where you grab.
Step 2: Grip the Fin Correctly
As you reach down, go for the fin instead of the handle. The key is a firm, stable grip: not too close to the base, not too far at the tip. Push your thumb into the side of the board for leverage. This lets you control the board without it slipping or wobbling mid-air.
Step 3: Throw Into a Controlled Rotation
With the fin in hand, push the board into a steady spin. Aim to keep it rotating about 45 degrees off your body — not directly in front, not way out to the side. This angle gives you the best chance to spot the handle and time your catch.
Step 4: Tic-Tac to the Handle
As the board comes around, release the fin and grab the handle. The tic-tac motion should feel natural if you’ve practiced handle board-offs before. Don’t overthink the timing — you can catch it at any point in the spin.
Step 5: Re-Strap and Stick the Landing
Once you’ve got the handle, line up your foot straps, slide back in, and steer the kite down for a clean landing. The smoother you keep the rotation, the easier this part becomes.
Tip: It might feel awkward practicing on the beach, but once you take it to the air, everything clicks faster. Focus on grip and rotation — those are the two details that make this trick work.
The Bottom Line
The fin-to-handle tic-tac is all about grip and timing. If you keep the board stable with a strong fin hold and set it into a clean rotation, the catch and re-strap will fall into place. Take your time, practice the motion, and you’ll add another stylish board-off variation to your sessions.
How to Install the SurfCo E-Z Plug Stick On Leash Attachment
You've got a board, you've got a leash, but... there's no place to attach the leash? No problem! SurfCo has the solution with a stick-on leash plug. Installation is easy and fast.
How Do I Install the E-Z Plug Leash Attachment?
1. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the spot where you want to put the leash attachment.
2. Once it's dry, break open the included 3M primer and rub it onto your board.
3. Peel the backing off the leash attachment and press it firmly onto the board.
4. Let it cure for 2 or 3 minutes, and then you're ready to go ride!
Spot Locations
