Guide 2 buy KiteGear | How 2 buy KiteGear online & general kitesurfing info |
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Where to buy kitegear online Everything about kites & kiteboards - Kiteboards explained - Choosing your kiteboard - Kites explained - Choosing your kite First time buyers Guide / Checklist Read the first time buyers guide HERE. Another hecklist plus second hand gear forum HERE. USED KITES CHECKLIST - Check the seams The seams are an indication of how intensively a kite has been used. Are they stretched or still tight? - Ask about and inspect repairs Has the repair been done by the owner or by a professional. A repaired kite, like a car, diminishes in value. - Check the kite for leaks Pump the kite up completely or in parts and leave it inflated for at least 10 minutes. This gives you the opportunity to check for leaks and the seams. - Check the attachmentspoint to the kite These, ofcourse, cannot be worn. - Check the bar Check the bar at first for completeness and wear (bar, lines, safetysystem). - Check the safetysystem Let the owner demonstrate the safetysystem and make sure you're convinced of it's operational status. - Check the lines for knots and wear Knots in the lines are weak spots which will tend to make it break faster. - Check the depower system This line cannot be (too) damaged. Compare the part of the depower-line which goes through the bar or eye to a part of the depower-line that doesn't. It hast to be the same widht and have the same look. - Check the coating on the surface of the kite The coating protects the kite and makes it airtight. The more the kite has been used the less coating remains. USED KITEBOARDS CHECKLIST - Check for tears and 'open' edges This will tell you how much the board has been used and if it's been used in shallow water. Tears and sharp edges can lead to weaknes, leakage and sharp spots. - Check the finns Damaged or worn finns loose their function. Finns are relatively expensive to replace. - Check the board for repairs Repairs to boards by professionals are almost always better than those done by their owner! Kiteboarding Glossary Some good glossaries can be found below: - Kiteforum - Chicago Kitesurfing - Malibu Kitesurfing - Kitesurfingschool.org - General Info - Wiki - General Info & History Rules and behaviour on the water - Commonly acceptes rules: 1) If someone is in trouble you are expected to offer help or get help. 2) When you start to kitesurf take lessons at an IKO certified kiteschool. This is for your and other peoples safety. Also in more and more spots it's required to show your experience. 3) Abide the rules of the spot where you are kiting, if it's your first time there ask a local what they are. 4) If you need to cross the beach with your kite in the air keep it at 11 or 1 o'clock untill you reach your starting point and land it there. When the beach is empty and there are strong gusts it's safer to keep your kite low at 9 o'clock. 5) Always ask an experienced rider to help you launch/land your kite. - Right of way on the water: In principal these are the same as for any other watersport. A few are mentioned below nonetheless. 1) Port side has right of way over starboard (port side is when your left side is the closest on the bar to your body) 2) Kitesurfers have NO right of way over other watersporters, sailboats, motorboats etc. Professional traffic always has right of way over leisure traffic. 3) Luff (wind side) makes way for the leeward side. This entails that the downward kiter has the right of way when two kiters are on the same track. 4) Stay clear of any other water users during a transition. During a transition you lose any right of way you have. 5) During an encounter the one going upwind keeps his kite high up in the air and the one going downwind keeps his kite low. - Safety precautions: 1) Use a safety leash. 2) Steer/stay clear of swimmers. 3) Keep your distance from beach walkers. 4) Watch out for playing children, a kite attracts them! 5) Place sand or your board on your kite when it's on the beach to prevent it from launching itself. 6) Make sure there's enough space for (police)cars to manoeuvre. 7) Don't practice on the beach with a full sized kite. 8) Always abide by the police and lifeguards. Stay calm and ask them for a reason if necessary. Don't argue and if needed contact your local kitesurfing association. - General Tips: 1) Let someone on land know you're on the water and when approximately to expect you back. 2) Check your material (for wear) each time you take it out. 3) Write your name and number on your gear. 4) Recommended: whistle and/or flair, swimming/impact vest, helmet, knife. - Hand Signals: Hand signals can be viewed HERE (learn these!!!) Learning how to kite - Trying it out & Professional instruction Trick Terminology - KPWT - Charles DeLau Movies - Kitefilm.com Euro Exchange Rates
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