Kiteboarding Mag thoughts

[windzup]

Just got the new Kiteboarding mag today and was a little bummed to see it getting thinner. While SBC Kiteboard, Kiteworld and The Kiteboarder mag have in depth articles and detailed info that is helping to grow the sport of Snowkiting and showcase its all around accessibility, the only thing I found in this winter Kiteboarding issue is a lame 1 page article on the silly topic of 'foils vs. inflatables', filled with mis-quotes.

I fear this magazine is no longer offering true or legit info, and is lost in old arguments instead of embracing the beauty and joy of Snowkiting.

I posted this because I'm curious of other local Snowkiter opinions... my personal feeling is the mag has gone lame and I don't feel strongly about supporting a magazine that has no clue of what real Snowkiting is...I want to support magazines that tell news and spread truth about this great sport.

Word out,
Brian Schenck

BTW- I would offer free copies, but Kiteboarding only sent me 2 issues, while SBC, Kiteworld and Kiteboarder support us with dozens of mags to share.

[Kenny]

Brian,

I am kind of tired of all the kiteboarding magazines. They try so hard to appeal to the younger generation, so the issues are all focused on pro riders and lately - pro rider junkets. So you end up reading more about the lifestyles of the pro riders instead of about actual riding because frankly, the pros ride so much they are BORED to death with riding. The reviews are lame because they don't dare give their honest opinion about any piece of equipment.

What I would like to see - in depth information about local riding areas - Stories about epic sessions, what made the session so great. For that you need people that can write, not some lame pro that says "Yeah, it was a sick session, lost of big waves" thats it end of story and then you get to read about some stupid prank that they played on one of the other riders. Review one kite at a time with multiple riders and really take the time to explain the pros and cons of the kite.

Bike Magazine is a mountain biking magazine with soul. I would like to see an equivalent in the kite boarding world. Seems like most are trying to copy Transworld Snowboarding Magazine.

Sorry for the old man, grumpy complaining. Feel better now...

Kenny

[windzup]

Now that's what I'm thinking Kenny... I thought I was just becoming a grumpy old kiter myself.... but you hit it on the head...

... NO SOUL. There are 4 kite mags on the market and only one has that kiter soul (KiteWorld)...Next in info quality is Kiteboarder. Of the other 2, I like SBC, but must admit, with only 4 issues a year they come across like a club magazine reporting on past events mostly.

It seems that since Windsurfing mag editors created Kiteboarding mag, they have followed a vary similar and narrow path of only talking about the pro riders... you have to be backed by a brand that advertises heavily or you have to be in Maui full time or else the mag doesn't acknowledge you exist.

hmmm. Better topics to discuss for sure. But pretty lame that there are 3 US based mags and not one of them does the job properly. I'm still waiting for Drift to go into print myself, it had soul, but a magazine that is online is still just a website.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

BTW - Skyline looks good right now, typing while I wait for coffee

[Marty Lowe]

The issue of Kiteboarding I received in the mail yesterday,
reads like the Aaron Sales blog magazine.
Kiteworld is my favorite.

There is just to much info on the internet now days,
with all the forums and company websites pushing info, and videos.
the mags are outdated before the are printed.


Marty

[Kenny]

There is just to much info on the internet now days,
with all the forums and company websites pushing info, and videos.
the mags are outdated before the are printed.

That is exactly why you need a magazine with soul. Nobody wants to read a 2 page article on a forum, but in a nice glossy magazine with some good photos thrown in for good measure - that is the kind of reading that can tide you over through a long wind drought. I agree that Kiteworld is the best of the bunch, but we need a US magazine that would cover the US spots in detail. That is what bike magazine does for mountain biking, it inspires road trips to try out new terrain.