Kiteboarding Gear

Check out some of our hottest gear!

No matter where we go kiting here in the Gorge, no matter what the conditions, we always see Sky out on his own 2008 Sky Pro. Okay, sometimes we see him riding a North Rocketfish, but who can blame him for wanting to take a directional board out in this huge Gorge swell? The Sky Pro is the biggest board in North's 2008 lineup, with a sizable width to make up for its modest 136 cm length. This shape makes it an incredibly fun and maneuverable board for advanced kiteboarders, either for big guys like Sky, or for regular-sized guys looking for something fun on those light-wind days.

Mike, one of our shop riders, had the opportunity to demo nearly every kite we carry, and he absolutely fell in love with the 2008 Vegas. He swears by his 9m and 12m quiver and their immense power, fast turning speed and huge boosting abilities. The 2008 Vegas is a true C-shaped kite so it isn't recommended for beginners, but for advanced kiters who know they enjoy riding powered up and going big, this is a perfect match! Plus, Sky rides them too!

The Helix is Naish's top-of-the-line Sigma kite for 2008, designed for advanced kiteboarders who have the most discriminating of tastes. It can be rigged in a 2:1 configuration with bar pulleys, which offers modest bar pressure and a huge range of depower, but you can also set it up in a 1:1 configuration, which makes the kite incredibly reactive while virtually eliminating bar pressure.

Save big on the most versatile wetsuit on the market! $25 off, no sales tax, and free shipping!

For a limited time we're packaging the O'Neill FLX 3/2 short-sleeved wetsuit with its next of kin, the FLX Long Sleeve Crew wetsuit top, at a huge savings to you! With sleeves built from the same windproof material as the FLX wetsuit, the FLX Long Sleeve Crew can be layered underneath your wetsuit, offering the ultimate in warmth and flexibility. It's like having two wetsuits in one!

At $289.95, you're saving nearly $25 on the suit and top when you purchase them together! Plus, with no sales tax in Oregon and free shipping on O'Neill orders, you're probably saving at least $50 after all is said and done!

Thanks for an awesome Demo Day!

Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday to hang with us at the Sand Spit! We had an awesome time trying out the upcoming Crossbow IDS, Cabrinha's hotly anticipated kite whose Intelligent Depower System simplifies self-landing and stands to revolutionize personal safety.

The Crossbow has seen some pretty major changes from last year, and based on how incredibly well they handle it's all been for the better! In addition to complete on-demand depowering, the Crossbow IDS features stronger materials and construction, a ton of tuning options, and a wider wind range than ever before!

Also, a hearty thank you goes out to Damien Leroy, who in addition to being one of the best kiteboarders in the United States, is also one of the kindest souls in the world. No matter if you needed a a kiteboard to borrow, a launch at the Sand Spit, or a good laugh at the saloon, Damien was always there and happy to help you out.

Don't Miss the Big Winds Weblog!

Our weblog is always brewing with the latest news from our neck of the woods. With everything from reviews on stand up boards to awesome summer events to handy tips for using this very website, there are plenty of reasons to head on over to www.bigwindsblog.com and take a peek.

An evening with Robby Naish

Robby Naish was here at Big Winds last summer, and wow did we have a great time! The shop was packed with people, and Robby took the time to visit with everyone.

From young rippers to seasoned windsurfing veterans, from babies to adults, everyone walked away with a nice shiny autograph and a smile on their face. Our raffle made sure that some people walked away with a whole lot more than that, too! One person won a Naish windsurf board signed by Robby Naish himself, and someone else walked away with a Naish kiteboard of the same!

Thanks to all of you who showed up that day! We're certain that you join us as we extend a hearty "thank you" to Robby Naish for visiting with us, and for all his hard work and dedication to windsurfing and kiteboarding.

See more pictures of the event in our photo gallery at Flickr.