2012 TKB Buyer’s Guide: 126 pages, 19 brands, tons of info!

[sc-surfer]

"Sometimes it's better to let the feelings speak. It's what I have learned after the first time I got planing on a 1976 windsurfer.

It is far more important to keep this clear in mind than talk for hours about the latest piece of technological edge we have found to be again ahead of time.

It's not about how you ride, it's about how you feel. Ride and feel, it's all that matters."

~Roberto Ricci

He's totally right. Now if he could just get someone else to feel that on his gear. :) :)

[marinaTKB]

Sorry that the guide does not include all brands that you would like to know more about but they chose not to participate in the Guide -- hopefully next year!

Just to be clear, this Guide is NOT FULL OF REVIEWS, and was never promoted as such. Our vision was to create a central place for the industry, dealers and public to go for a snapshot of what's in store for 2012, pointing out what changed and what didn't, what's new, why products were discontinued, product innovations, differences between products that are similar to help riders choose what will work best for them and their home conditions, etc. Then we provide links to their full product catalogs (if they supplied), videos, TKB Surf Expo interviews and more. Agree that nothing beats trying to the gear for yourself and that's why we have done KiteXpo's for the last seven years:-)

RE: reviews, we have now opened up testing to ALL brands with the clause that if you submit products for review, you're getting a "real" one. The only disclaimer is, we will test all products in a given test category that our annual advertisers submit, while others can submit one. We have created TKB Test Weeks where we invite up to 8 people of various riding styles and levels (minimum is that they can go upwind, are self sufficient, and can do basic tricks like jumping, rolls, etc. but we have range of all levels from those just starting first tricks to others than have been riding for many years ) to join us in reviewing gear. Our first test week is in La Ventana, the week before our annual event Jan 15-22 where we are testing 8-12m kites and 130-136 twin tip boards that fall in the freeride/freestyle category. This review, along with our Light Wind and Surf Test reviews which will happen in 2012, will be available online only via our app or in PDF format on our website. Next year we will also produce instructional e-mags with video support for beginners, surf/strapless and intermediate. The magazine is now devoted to in-depth feature stories of six to 16+ pages in a Surfer's Journal style presented in a very clean, readable yet dynamic layout without a lot of ad clutter. We also uploaded 8 years of instructional content from the mag at www.thekiteboarderschool.com .

[sc-surfer]

Ok, so I figured there's no wind and I'm bored. I'll check out the gear guide to kill some time.

WTF? I actually subscribe to your mag but I still have to PAY EXTRA for the gear guide?

Ya, that 'aint gonna' effing happen. Come on guys, 4 issues a year and you can't even give subscribers a free download? If I missed the memo on how we get a copy I'm sorry and I'll eat my words, but I'm not paying for the big Advertisement issue.

[jlb8431]

Attempted to buy the gear guide via Iphone crap, I mean app. I got the receipt that I paid....thank you! , but after a dozen attempts to download without success I will never buy via your iphone app again. Pure crap and waste of money and what a con to read whats already written on company websites. My fault for buying it to begin with. if you bought it and were able to download I am happy for you. But beware that TKB app is full of gliches and you will have many difficulties and likely not ever get anything downloaded.

[CdoG]

Could we not attack the messenger.
the t k b has brought us a lot of useful information over the years
articles, interviews, and how too's
And yes gear guides good and bad
I use all my old magazines as reference
We're just getting into the slow season and the magazines have helped me more than not.
Ramsy If your little feelings got hurt post your own review.
:geek:

[CdoG]

Think how you'd FeeL without it
And
that cool article about how to build your own big pump
would not be there.

[sc-surfer]

@CdoG,

You are right. I do like the print version of the mag. Not quite up to Surfers Journal quality yet but it's a new industry. I have and will keep my subscription.

That said, I'm still not paying extra for a guide filled with stock manufacturers verbage straight from their marketing dept. Subscribers should get that fro free. All my other subscriptions send out a print copy of similar guides as part of the annual package.

Just sayin'

[CdoG]

I really think the Guide will help people getting into kiting or people that have a year or two after that we develop different attitudes and loyalties about kites
and yeah not buy n the guide is totally your right it's also a vote

[marinaTKB]

hey Guys,
How about some helfpul feedback about what you would like to see in the gear guide keeping in mind that it is NOT A REVIEW but a PREVIEW of what's coming from each company. The whole point of the guide is that it consolidates all the info from participating brands in one package with custom questions to each about what's new, what changed and why, what riders can expect that were previous model fans, who products are targeted at, differences between models and much much more. Each brand has a handy chart that also shows their kite and board models, target, and release dates. All pertinent links relating to the new product line are also included. Yes, information is out there if you search for it and go directly to each brand's websites for the info,but the point is it is not all in one convenient package. It's not like we cut and paste mfg text from websites and marketing materials to slap this thing together! Downloads of the PDF and App have shown us that many do indeed want this info in an overview guide format like we produced.

For anybody having issues with the download, please contact us! It's new tech and there are some kinks that need to be ironed out. An upgrade from the developer is coming soon to address the sporadic looping issue. And, if you're unsatisified, we will refund your $1.99. However, we cannot address issues if we are never notified of the problem:-)

Thanks!

Marina

[Rob]

Industry soapbox derby