Just got back from 8 days in Turks/Caicos.  Kited every single day at Long Bay.  Amazing location.  As far as the eye can see its knee deep (literally you can go 50 miles out to sea and still knee deep.  if you want to perfect your skills this is the place.  if you have never kited, this is the place

I rode a 10m Fone Bandit v 90% of the time, and a 17m Blade Fat Lady the other 10%.

Rented a house right on Long Bay which was great because no crowds like the busy hotel area and could literally just drink coffee on the deck and look out and kite when i saw white caps.

F-ONE VOLT 2  Freeride kite will be landing in our warehouse at the end of this month.

• Directly inspired from BANDIT V technology: 3 smaller struts, one pump, 2 back line positions, new strut construction, reinforcements…
• Lighter, with higher performances than the previous edition, the VOLT 2 still remains slower than the B5, with more bar pressure, more delta than the B5 for easier relaunch, extended range and an impressive hang time
• Upgraded with fresh graphics, the VOLT 2 is F-One all around kite for all levels.
• VOLT 2 will benefit from F-One international media coverage.
• VOLT 2 bar, cheaper than the Airlite bar, is compatible with the Bandit, and vice versa.
• VOLT 2 will come in two different packs with two new boards this year (Performance package with Unik 136 and Progressive package with Next 140)

Check out the color combinations:

And the Control Bar:

And the kite bag:

Have you heard of Maika Monroe?  If you are a kiteboarder you probably have.  Soon the rest of the world will know her as well.  Not only does she rip, she is also poised to be a powerful ambassador for the sport. Check out the ESPN article below to find out why.

See, she’s the girlfriend to heartthrob Zac Efron in a new untitled movie, which is directed by Ramin Bahrani and co-stars Heather Graham and Dennis Quaid.

Monroe is also a professional kiteboarder.

“It’s really cool to be able to do both,” said the 18-year-old Monroe, who grew up in California. She has been kiteboarding for seven years and acting almost as long. “I get a chance to be in this film with these amazing actors, the coolest people ever, and I try to kiteboard as much in my free time as I can.”

Kiteboarding (or kitesurfing) is an action sport where you harness the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard/kiteboard, which is similar to a wakeboard.

”I was watching my dad do it a bunch of times and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, so I convinced him to let me do it,” Monroe said. “I was hooked. I fell in love with the sport.”

Right now, Monroe is No. 32 in the world in freestyle kiteboarding and recently finished ninth in a competion in New Caledonia a few weeks ago. That was after crashing into some rocks in practice and requiring a few stitches.

”The scar is right behind my hairline, so I was very lucky,” she said. “My acting agent wasn’t too happy about that crash!”

Monroe returned to the states to finish filming the movie, which is about a farmer (Quaid) whose insistence on expansion begins to drive a wedge between he and his family.

When that movie hits, Monroe knows that she might be spending more time acting and less time kiteboarding. But she plans to try to do both.

“I can see myself competing and then Skyping with my acting coach and then traveling to film my scenes,” Monroe said. “I want to do more competitions and more auditions. I’m really excited, hoping this movie helps me land other roles.”

Thanks to cosmickites.com, an F-One certified dealer, for developing young
talent too be the next generation of riders that will break kiteboarding
into a more mainstream sport.

Absolutely amazing riding by these guys.  Of course we are partial to our very own Robinson Hillario, nunber 6 on the world tour at the moment

http://videos.f-onekites.com/Videos/_Antandroy

If you like to jump and hang in the air for eternity the 2011 Starkites EXA is  THE kite for you.  I kited yesterday in 13-15mph side on shore winds with the 11m and had tons of power to work with.  The kite has a solid pull like larger 15-17m kites offer in lighter winds.  The jumps were just amazing, and hang time was superior to many other kites I have flown.  The kite loops very quickly so its great for people that want to learn kite loops and not worry about too much power through the range.  Self launch and landing is simple and safe.  The power/depower strap is very easy to use and extremely smooth and effective.  The one-pump system is perfect.  If you want to demo this kite let me know, I will arrange a time for you to try it out.

We are currently selling a great package deal for the EXA Kite, Bar/Lines, Pump, Board.  This is a complete kitesurfing package and a great deal.  Click here to check it out and please call or email with any questions.

Its been a grate start to these season for our Riders ALEX SOTO and ROBINSON HILARIO  both of these guys going BIG in all 3 events catching headlines by eliminating some of the best riders in the world. Although Robinson has come back more Big Headed than he was before we are really happy for both of these guys doing so well early in the year with Robinson currently in 8th place and Alex not far behind in 14th, here are some of the photo’s and headlines from the events:

“Robinson Hilario (F-ONE, DOM) was also riding extremely well executing a variety of difficult tricks against his opponents such as a Front Mobe 5, 315, and an Indy Grab double 313 pass defeating Tjin Van Esch (Advance, NED) in the first round as well as Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) in the second round who executed four switch tricks which would not be enough to surpass Hilario’s cleaner executions and variety of technical tricks. Hilario went on to eliminate Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) in the third round where the competition came to a halt due to the fierce rain and thunderstorm weather conditions, which moved into the area rather quickly.”

Freestyle Single Elimination Results:
MEN
1. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
2. Luis Alberto Cruz (Star Kites, DOM)
3. Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA)
4. Robinson Hilario (F-ONE, Cosmicites, DOM)

Freestyle Double Elimination Results:
MEN
1. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
2. Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP)
3. Luis Alberto Cruz (StarKites, DOM)
4. Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA)
5. Robinson Hilario (F-ONE,Cosmickites, DOM)

Robinson Hilario (F-ONE, DOM) hailing from Dominican Republic had an awesome heat against Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) today but in the final seconds before the end of the heat he required assistance due to what it seemed like as a serious leg injury. Hilario was transported to the hospital and treated for his minor injury and is now doing well.

In the men’s freestyle single elimination division it was a successful day for Dominican rider Alex Soto (F-ONE, D.R.). Soto eliminated Austrian rider Stefan Spiessberger (North, AUT) as well as Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in the first set of heats but was later eliminated by Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)

Lets see how they do in the next events!!

We tested both of these here in Cabarete and were impressed with how easy this set up makes it to learn and progress in this sport. The VOLT is a lot more than a school kite, this kite benefits from 4 years of DELTA C-SHAPE R&D. 3 struts, one pump, original DELTA C-Shape… it combines all the qualities of the Bandit IV to the easiness of use of the Revolt. The VOLT has been released alongside the all new NEXT board in an attractive package. The NEXT is an evolution from the Fluid and 50PRO, with significant gains in smoothness and control thanks to a new concave and the same 2011 board accessories you can find on more advanced boards (Unibox Asymetrical Fins + Platinium Pads & Straps). We tested both of these here in cabarete and were impressed with how easy this set is to learn and progress in this sport. Here are the specs:

VOLT:

New reinforcements on the leading edge. Allows the leading edge’s seams to not damage the spi fabric when the kite rubs on a hard surface. In navigation, the VOLT gives you confidence because it provides an early and progressive traction during the first meters with a constant power that you can kill at any time. Controlling your speed and keeping your trajectory is excellent. The VOLT fits all wind conditions and has an exceptional range. Thanks to its three struts, the kite is light. The bar control is precise in order to feel the kite tension and its position in the air, but it’s also very forgiving to riders mistakes.

Because of its Delta C-Shape concept, the navigation is fluid with a predictable flight behavior. It’s also very stable and offers a fast and efficient auto-relaunch.

- 3 struts
- Lines setup identical to Bandit 4
- One pump
- Shorter EVO bridles to optimize relaunch and safety
- Reinforcements

NEXT

In sizes 135cm 140×40cm and 140×42cm

The NEXT is the ultimate freeride board. It adapts to all conditions of wind and sea. Comfortable and forgiving, it offers a quick and fast planning but then retains a reasonable top speed. With its ability to go upwind and always under control, it is suitable for all freeride riders as well as beginners.

The large sizes 145 and 150 are specialized boards for ultra light wind. Excellent for quick planning and performance you’ll be the first on the water!

With the Unibox fins system and their Response fins, gliding and edging is natural and effortless.

Robinson Hilario

lens: Hege Holt/Dreambuz

Name: Robinson Hilario

Nickname: Rob Hila (Robzilla)

Birthdate: 27/02/1993

Occupation: Kiteboarder, Student

Sponsors: F-One kites, Cosmickites.com, Airbound

Current equipment:

13m & 10m F-One Bandit III, F-One Trax 5 134, and F-One Acid 3 132

lens: Hege Holt/Dreambuz

Best results in competition:
2nd Heinekken Regatta Puerto Rico 2010; 7th PKRA 2007 Cabarete; 3rd Master of the Ocean 2006 Cabarete; 2nd, 3rd DR Championship;

How long kiteboarding?
4 years

What made you want to kite?
I was fascinated by what I saw on the beach in Cabarete and when I tried it, I knew why!

Favorite spots: Kite Beach, Cabarete, Dominican Republic; La Boca, Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico!

Future spots to visit: Brazil, California, and the Cosmic gang in NYC this summer.lens:

Number of days of kiting: 365 if I could

Favorite Move: As many spins as I can do before I hit the water.

Riders you look up to improve: Kevin Langeree, Youri Zoon, Alex Soto

Move you are currently working on: Front flip one handed and Park Riding

Goals: I would like to be able to travel the world and kite.

Other hobbies: spearfishing.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000846426557&ref=ts