Editorial
It’s been a pretty wild month for our sport. The Big Air season kicked off in style at Le Barcarès for the Lords of Tram, and we’ve got a full breakdown of the action in this issue.
Open magazine From the archive
Issue 115
Explore every converted article available from this issue.
Competition
In this issue, our winner will receive a choice of colour and size for a hoody and T-shirt from our store! Made from organic cotton and featuring our iconic logo, be the envy of your mates on the beach!
Open magazine
St Martin
Saint Martin isn’t your typical kite destination. It’s an island where two cultures sit side by side, where conditions shift from flat water to reef breaks in a single session, and where the experience goes far beyond the time you spend on the water. From the steady trade winds of Orient Bay to the raw energy of the outer reefs, and from long French lunches to late nights on the Dutch side, it’s a place that delivers far more than just good kiting. For Theo Demanez, it’s home, and even after travelling the world, it’s still one of the most complete destinations he knows.
Read article
The Interview - Matchu Lopes
For more than a decade, Matchu Lopes has been one of the defining figures in strapless kiteboarding. Alongside Airton Cozzolino and Mitu Monteiro, he helped turn a small Cape Verdean scene into a global movement, pushing surfboard riding to the very front of the sport. Now based on Boa Vista, where he runs a Duotone Pro Centre and spends more time at home, Matchu reflects on the journey that took him from a small island to the world stage, and why wave riding still means everything.
Read article
Chasing The Wind Around The World
What started as a throwaway idea in a meeting has turned into one of the most ambitious grassroots projects in kiteboarding. The Ozone Demo Tour is bringing gear, riders and community together across the globe, and at the centre of it all is Santi Cisneros, chasing wind, sharing stoke, and quietly building his own path in big air.
Read article
Lords of Tram 2026, Survival of the Absolute Best
Le Barcarès: A spot where innovation and skill take control. Records are broken, and riders push the limits of Big Air kiteboarding. This event is known as one of the most extreme in the sport for a reason. Lords of Tram 2026 was an edition that had heads turning and questions being asked.
Read article
Built The Hard Way
In a sport driven by innovation, it’s easy to get lost in the noise of new releases and big marketing campaigns. Roode Boards has taken a different route. No hype, no rush, just a clear focus on building something that works, and doing it properly from the ground up. The result is a brand that’s arrived quietly, but is starting to make a serious impact.
Read article
Tech Focus - Harlem Flow
Wave riding has always been about feel. It is the discipline in kiteboarding, where subtlety matters more than spectacle and control outweighs raw power. The new Harlem Flow arrives with that philosophy at its core, a dedicated wave kite designed not to dominate the session, but to disappear into it. Built for riders who want to focus purely on the wave, it promises precision, drift and a level of predictability that lets you commit fully to the steepest of sections.
Read article
Tech Focus - Lieuwe Brute
When the wind is cranking and the water turns chaotic, control becomes everything. The Lieuwe Brute is built for exactly these moments, a dedicated Big Air machine designed to stay composed under pressure and deliver confidence when riders are pushing at their limits. With a strong focus on grip, stability and predictability, this is a board aimed squarely at those who want to ride powered and stay in control when conditions are at their toughest.
Read article
Tech Focus - Lieuwe Shotgun Air
Progression in Big Air is all about finding the balance between performance and confidence. The Lieuwe Shotgun Air is designed to bridge that gap, offering riders a faster, more responsive ride while maintaining the comfort needed to keep pushing forward. Built to help you go bigger without feeling overpowered, it takes a familiar platform and refines it for the next step in your riding.
Read article
Tech Focus - Ride Engine Charger
Helmets have long sat on the fringes of kiteboarding, but that is starting to change as the sport pushes into faster, more extreme territory. The Ride Engine Charger is built for this new era, combining a low-profile design with serious on-water performance. It is all about protection without compromise, something you will actually want to wear every session.
Read article
Technique
Christian and Karine are back again, and they have two new moves for you to learn! First up, they are refining your beach start with the two-footed approach, no more awkward hopping around with one foot in. This is all about dropping the board and springing on in one smooth movement. Then they move on to the beach bounce transition, full of fun, a few inevitable slow-motion wipeouts along the way, but once you have it dialled, you will be in complete control.
Open magazine
Tried and Tested
As we emerge from winter hibernation, the test team has had a few good days on the water. We’ve got the new ION Seek Select 4/3 on test, a great suit to keep you warm in the tween months either side of summer. Plus, we put two of Cabrinha's flagship kites to the test, the new Switchblade Apex and the Moto Apex!
Open magazine
Movie Night
From next-level technique breakdowns to full-throttle big air and smart gear insights, the most popular videos from the website this issue have you covered. Whether you’re looking to boost higher, land smoother or just get inspired for your next session, hit play and enjoy.
Open magazine