New Year. New Spots. New Gear.

Words by Peri Roberts

There’s something about the first session of the year that always feels different.
The wind doesn’t care what day it is – but you do. A fresh calendar. A clearer head. That familiar pull to go somewhere new, ride different water and spend more time doing the thing that actually makes you feel like yourself.

It’s not about resolutions – who even sticks to those past February 1st? Nobody needs another list they won’t keep. It’s about momentum. That first reach of the year. Salt on your lips. Cold hands warming back into muscle memory. The trips you’ve been talking about for months. The gear that makes new sessions possible.

To kick off the new year, we’re here to help you follow that pull. We spend our lives on the water – chasing wind, waves and exploration wherever we can find it. So consider this your reset button: new spots on the wishlist, new gear in the mix, and more reasons to say yes when the conditions line up.

New Spots: Changing the Way You See the Water

You don’t need a passport stamp to find something new. Sometimes a “new spot” is just your local on a different tide, or a session you usually skip because it doesn’t look perfect on paper. Other times, it’s a shoulder-season trip, colder water, emptier lineups and conditions that teach you more than postcard days ever could.

Exploring new spots isn’t about chasing highlights, but changing your perspective – riding unfamiliar wind angles, waves that don’t behave the way you expect or flatwater that forces you to focus on technique instead of speed.

Those sessions tend to stay with you. Not because they were flawless, but because they made you better.

Whether it’s rediscovering your home spot or stepping into something unfamiliar, new environments have a way of resetting how you ride. They strip things back, sharpen your awareness, and remind you why exploration has always been at the heart of watersports.

And while you don’t need to travel far to find something new, it never hurts to have a few sessions on the wishlist – places that keep pulling you forward, even on the days you’re stuck at home refreshing the forecast.

The 2026 Wishlist

Kite – Wave Riding | Australian East Coast
Warm-water wave kiting across long beach breaks and rocky points, with consistent sea breezes from spring through summer. 20–25 knots on tap and clean 2–3 foot days that make you want to ride a surfboard every chance you get.

Wing – Surf Style | Mauritius
Trade winds in the 18–25 knot range, rolling swell and long reef lines. Powered but controlled sessions where flow is rewarded, timing is everything and the ocean keeps you honest.

Foil – Downwind | Hawaiian Coastlines
Warm water runs, steady trade winds and long, readable bumps. Open-ocean energy where patience pays off, lines matter and linking bumps beats outright pace.

Windsurf – Slalom | Canary Islands
Strong, reliable wind and flatter water sections that let you push speed without compromise. Fully powered reaches, technical jibes and conditions that demand precision from start to finish.

SUP – Adventure | Remote Coastlines, Worldwide
Long-distance paddles through mixed conditions and changing water states. Glassy starts, building wind and time on the water measured in hours, not minutes. It’s less about speed, more about awareness and commitment.

Some spots live on maps. Others live in your head. Both have a way of shaping how you ride.

New Gear: To Move With You

The best gear doesn’t demand attention. It just works; letting you focus on the ride instead of what’s under your feet or in your hands.

As you push into a new year of riding, trust matters. Gear that feels predictable when conditions aren’t. Equipment that adapts as your riding evolves, instead of holding you back. Design that gives you confidence to try again, go further and stay out longer.

That’s where real progression lives – not in chasing trends, but in riding gear that keeps up with your intent.

At Naish, everything starts with time on the water. The goal has always been simple: build gear that feels intuitive, performs when it counts and fades into the background so the experience comes first. Because when your equipment supports your riding instead of distracting from it, that’s when progression becomes natural.

And while we’re not about to spill everything we’ve got coming just yet, there are a few pieces of gear our team keeps reaching for – the ones getting the most water time right now, and setting the tone for where things are headed.

Five Products We’re Excited About This Year

Odyssey Nvision
Built around hollow construction, the Odyssey NV brings a noticeably lighter feel without losing connection to the water. It accelerates easily, carries speed efficiently and rewards riders who want to cover distance without feeling worked. The reduced swing weight makes long sessions feel smoother and more controlled, especially when conditions start to shift. It’s the kind of board that encourages you to go further – not faster – and enjoy the ride getting there.

Hatch Parawing
The Hatch is opening doors to sessions that didn’t exist before. Compact, intuitive and refreshingly simple, it redefines what’s possible in light wind and downwind-focused foiling. On the water, it feels direct and deliberate. Less about power, more about timing and flow. Whether you’re experimenting with different tacks or unlocking longer runs, the Hatch changes how you approach a session before you even launch.

Chimera Nvision
With its hollow construction, the Chimera NV delivers a fast, balanced ride that feels immediately responsive underfoot. It lifts cleanly, carries momentum through transitions, and stays composed when conditions aren’t perfect. The lightweight build translates to confidence – especially when linking sections, adjusting lines or pushing into unfamiliar water. It’s designed for riders who want performance without constantly thinking about what their board is doing.

Psycho
The Psycho is built for riders who commit. It delivers direct feedback, powerful lift and a connected feel that encourages progression when you’re ready to push higher and harder. On the water, it feels precise and predictable – the kind of kite that rewards confidence and timing rather than hesitation. A kite that responds exactly when you do is exactly what we all need in life.

Neutron
Light in the hands and balanced in the air, the Neutron is tuned for riders chasing flow over force. It flags cleanly, stays composed through turns and offers control when you need it most. Whether you’re linking waves or riding in variable conditions, it keeps everything feeling calm and intuitive. The Neutron takes winging freedom to the next level. 

The Year Ahead

More time exploring, fewer distractions and a willingness to follow the conditions wherever they lead. Some trips will happen. Others will stay on the wishlist a little longer. What matters is staying open, staying curious and choosing sessions that push you somewhere new.

New Year. New Spots. New Gear.
We’ll see you on the water.