This is the first half of an interview with Slingshot / MACkite Rider Chris Bobryk on his 2020 kites next week, we'll go over his boards.
Chris has become one of the hardest charging American riders. Aptly named, the American Sledge Hammer. While he is one of the 2cnd wave wakestyle riders he’s really grown into an all around rider. He likes to treat the world and the natural elements around him like a kite park. If you watch his videos, you catch him grinding trees, docks, roofs, piers. Pretty much anything near the water he can jump onto. Unhooked or hooked in if the obstacle calls for it.
He really sees the world around him differently than most. A boulder in the water becomes something to grind, a wall of sand on the shore gets treated like a wave. If there is a small pond nearby you can bet he’s going to jump into it and throw down in inch deep water. With most competitive kiteboarding being so locked in on a handful of spin it to win it tricks, Chris’s style and outlook brings a whole new fun albeit, crazy perspective to the sport!
I think part of the appeal of kiteboarding is how limitless the sport feels and the level of creativity a kite brings to riding. I like to think of it as the future of all board sports. In a way, Chris embodies that creative potential we all see when we first get a kite in our hands.
Rider Profile
Chris is one of the most creative riders out there. From wild stunts to finding new ways to interact with the spot. If there is an obstacle in the water. You can bet he’s going to find a way to incorporate it.
Rider Profile: Chris Bobryk
Style: All Around / Park Style
Home Spot: South Beach Miami
Current Gear: 8 10 12 14 Slingshot RPM, 12m Raptor, 147 Refraction, 143 Misfit
Chris Bobryk is a Slingshot Rider and a former member of the NA Blend. The 2cnd wave of wakestyle riders in the USA. In 2019 he’s Joining the MACkite team moving forward. You’ll be seeing a lot more of him in future episodes. Follow the adventure on social: #ChrisBobryk
Sponsors: Slingshot, Soflo, Brunati, MACkite
Check out Chris's gear
Gear Talk
The RPM is one of the most unique kites available. Technically, it’s an all around kite. It has a good wind range, the relaunches are effortless. The kite since 2019 has great low end and jumps much easier than the 2018 and earlier models. Yet, of all the all around kites, its still the best performer when it comes to unhooked riding. Not quite a true cross-over kite and not quite a true all-around kite. The RPM stands in a category of its own. If you’re an all around riders who likes to unhooked, you will be amped on the RPM.
Chris riders his RPM with the out of the box settings. The main bridal is set to freestyle. The Steering lines are set to the middle setting and he prefers the standard knot furthest from the kite on the steering lines.
The 147 refraction sounds like it would be a light wind board yet its anything but. We’ve seen the trend for years. As kites can now depower adequately, boards are getting bigger. So is bigger better? It depends who you ask! If you like to hit features or practiced unhooked freestyle, yes absolutely. Bigger boards are more functional and they actually look better for style. They get you through the lulls in the wind, have softer landings and give you more pop.
The Refraction is playful yet if you apply pressure to the nose or tail, it locks in for a solid load or landing.
Now if you’re just into big air or you want something light and poppy. The Refraction probably isn’t the best choice for you. The Refraction is one of the best cross-over boards available. In 2020, they have reduced some of the rocker making for a faster board that rides upwind better. Suited for powered riders, kiteboarders who are rough on their gear or anyone who wants one board for kiteboarding that they can use at the cable park. This is the board.
When conditions call for footstraps, this is Chris’s board of choice. Fast, efficient, stiff and loaded with a ridiculous amount of pop. The new Misfit is a solid choice for big air riders. Paired with footstraps, Chris rides the 143 as he dosn’t need anymore board with this outline.
When the wind goes off, Chris Switches things up and gets sendy with the Raptor. A fast turning kite that feels at home throwing kiteloops. It’s made to ride powered up and is a top notch big air kite if you like to go big.
Joining the MACkite team.
We're stoked to welcome Chris back onto our team. We're cooking up some new projects for the channel and planing out some trips for the near future. Stand by for some fresh tutorials, sessions videos and adventures to come.
Chris Bobryk is a Slingshot Rider and a former member of the NA Blend. The 2cnd wave of wakestyle riders in the USA. In 2019 he’s Joining the MACkite team moving forward. You’ll be seeing a lot more of him in future episodes. Follow the adventure on social: #ChrisBobryk
Sponsors: Slingshot, Soflo, Brunati, MACkite
Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic
Many people dream of quitting their job, traveling the world and pursuing their passions. Rygo is one of those people who pulled the trigger. A few years into a postal career, he decided to change everything and travel as a kiteboarder, freelance videographer & writer. His mission is to help people and share the stoke. Get out there and kite!
Producer of: Ride with Blake I Sessions I Versus I Destinations I Foil Fridays
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