Kitesurfing is an extreme water sport that gives us the ultimate freedom to ride the wind and waves, but it does come with a cost: maintaining expensive and sensitive equipment. This is why proper care not only protects your investment but also ensures your safety out on the water. Neglecting basic maintenance of your equipment can lead to unnecessary wear, costly repairs, or even dangerous failures.
Here’s 10 essential tips that are simple to keep your kitesurfing gear in top condition before heading out on the water, ensuring it lasts for many sessions to come.
1. Avoid Knots in Your Lines
Knots are the Achilles’ heel of kite lines; they reduce the strength by up to 50%. Weak points in your lines can lead to breakages at the worst possible moment. Always inspect your kite lines before your session and straighten out any knots immediately if you find them.
2. Check Kite Pulleys for Sand and Dirt
Sand or debris in your kite’s pulleys can reduce their function, leading to bridle damage or unpredictable kite behaviour. Regularly inspect and clean your pulleys to ensure silky smooth operation and prevent potential accidents.
3. Test Safety Releases Before Launching
Activate all your safety releases on the beach before heading out. Clean them with fresh water to rinse off any sand and dirt to prevent jamming in an emergency. Practicing your safety release periodically will make you quicker and more confident in using it when necessary.
4. Tighten Your Board Screws
Regularly check your board screws to avoid losing pads, fins, or handles during your session. A quick twist of a screwdriver before you ride can save you from costly replacements—or a frustrating swim back to the beach.
5. Minimize Self-Launching and Landings
Self-launching and self-landings cause unnecessary wear on your kites the more you do it. It also increases the risk of punctures or cuts from sharp objects laying on the beach or hidden in the sand. Only self-launch when absolutely necessary, and always inspect your surroundings first.
6. Lay Your Kite Flat Before Pumping
Before inflating your kite, lay it flat on the beach. This helps avoid any twists in the bladder, which can cause misalignment or even a bladder to explode when under pressure. Taking this simple step will save you from unnecessary repairs.
7. Be Gentle with the Pump Nozzle
Don’t force the pump nozzle too far into the kite valve. Depending on the type of valve you have. Overstretching the valve can lead to leaks, making inflation difficult and affecting your kite’s performance.
8. Transport Your Kitesurfing Gear in a Bag
Always transport your kite and gear in a its bag. If you throw it uncovered in the back of your car, sharp objects like board fins could cut the kites canopy. A proper bag keeps your kite safe from accidental cuts or snags.
9. Protect Your Kite from UV Rays
Prolonged exposure to the sun can weaken the materials of your kite’s canopy, causing fading and reducing its resistance to wear and tear. Ripstop fabric, which is the material used in most kite canopies, is vulnerable to the suns UV rays. Whenever possible, keep your kite covered and out of direct sunlight when not in use.
10. Partially Deflate in Hot Conditions
If you are leaving your kite on the beach for a while, and it’s a hot day partially deflate the leading edge. This prevents the air inside from overheating, which can cause the bladder to explode. Trust us, it’s a mistake you don’t want to make!
Bonus Tip: Think Long-Term
The lifespan and performance of your kite gear depend on how well you take care of it. Regular inspection and maintenance not only enhances your experience but also helps with the resale value of your gear if and when you decide to upgrade.
I hope you enjoyed the read and the 10 essential tips above come in handy. If you looking for more, have a read through our other kitesurfing related blog posts or Explore our Kitesurfing web pages to get the right gear. If you’re unsure about anything give us a call, drop us an email or stop by the shop and we’ll happily assist you.
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Safe kitesurfing, and happy riding!
