Kitesurf is a sport that requires an elevated cost to start practicing it, even though in the long run it can be a very beneficial sport for your wallet, due to the simple fact that taking advantage of the wind has no cost at all.
We'll take a look at several tips to acquire second hand kitesurfing gear, one of the best options for those who are just getting started with kitesurfing.
We'll take a look at several tips to acquire second hand kitesurfing gear, one of the best options for those who are just getting started with kitesurfing.
Image courtesy of Bas Bogers at Flickr.com
1. To get started with kitesurfing it's advisable to acquire second hand gear to reduce the high cost of the entire kitesurf equipment. Second hand gear will allow you to determine if it's the appropriate sport for your tastes and interests, and it will allow you to progress without being afraid of having a kite that may have cost half the price of a new kite. You have to keep in mind that, if you’re just getting started, the gear will be used heavily due to your lack of technique.
2. In order to acquire your kitesurfing gear in a secondhand market you will determine its condition in the first place. To do that, you should ask for photos and information about the kite. You should be interested in information about repairs or modifications, ask about how worn out is the kite, the amount of hours that it has been above the water, and it also may be interesting to ask about the zones where it has sailed through. All of this information will be useful to guarantee a good choice.
3. You shouldn't discard the choice of a repaired kite. There are many kinds of repairs, and that's no reason for any kite to lose its value. The more usual repairs are on the fabric and they may have been provoked by many reasons such as hitting an obstacle, being dragged through the beach, and so on. These repairs have little importance if they have been made by a professional. It's likely that the kite will get damaged elsewhere, but not on the spot that was professionally repaired. You should be particularly careful with repairs made between the stitches of the fabric and the struts, the fabric and the leading edge or in the structural points of the kite such as the bridles. This sort of repair work must be done by a professional. When talking about repairs to the leading edge or the struts, you should demand that the inner inflatable structures be replaced by new ones.
2. In order to acquire your kitesurfing gear in a secondhand market you will determine its condition in the first place. To do that, you should ask for photos and information about the kite. You should be interested in information about repairs or modifications, ask about how worn out is the kite, the amount of hours that it has been above the water, and it also may be interesting to ask about the zones where it has sailed through. All of this information will be useful to guarantee a good choice.
3. You shouldn't discard the choice of a repaired kite. There are many kinds of repairs, and that's no reason for any kite to lose its value. The more usual repairs are on the fabric and they may have been provoked by many reasons such as hitting an obstacle, being dragged through the beach, and so on. These repairs have little importance if they have been made by a professional. It's likely that the kite will get damaged elsewhere, but not on the spot that was professionally repaired. You should be particularly careful with repairs made between the stitches of the fabric and the struts, the fabric and the leading edge or in the structural points of the kite such as the bridles. This sort of repair work must be done by a professional. When talking about repairs to the leading edge or the struts, you should demand that the inner inflatable structures be replaced by new ones.
Image courtesy of Fred PO at Flickr.com
4. For a good choice of a second hand kite second hand, you can check basic details that will inform you of the use to which it has been subjected. One handy tip is to check the change of color of the fabric that has been exposed to the sun and the one that hasn't. Leftover parts of the fabric that holds together the leading edge or the struts are folded in such a way that you will be able to compare the color of the fabric when it was new to the color that it acquired after being out in long sessions under the sun. It's essential to check the condition of the fabric of the trailing edge, which is located across the leading edge. This little strip of fabric is exposed to strong movements that really deteriorate the material. Most models are reinforced in these areas, and some clear signs of use will be the longitudinal marks and parallel to the struts that will appear on this fabric. If you get the chance to assess the kite with your own hands, you will check the loss of rigidity of this part of the kite’s fabric. The condition of the valves and their capacity to retain the air can also be a point to consider which can inform you of its condition and usage.
5. More points to consider when purchasing your second hand kite. The bar of the kite, the line and the safety systems are important points of your kitesurfing gear that will give you clear information about it condition and usage.
6. The prices of second hand kitesurfing gear are very variable depending on the year the kite was built, it's make, model and measurements. It's advisable to compare the very broad range of options available on the market and ask for advice from someone who has been involved in this little world for a while, it could be your kitesurfing instructor or a trusted, specialized store.
7. You'll be able to find second hand kitesurfing gear on Facebook groups, specialized websites, forums, or at kitesurfing schools and stores. To purchase items on a second hand market you can check Facebook groups that might have the profiles of the potential sellers, or if you decide to go to a school or store they’ll surely offer you a minimum guarantee of the condition of the purchased gear.
Related content
Read Patrick Dwyer’s “5 important things that shouldn’t stop you if you’re kitesurfing for the first time”
5. More points to consider when purchasing your second hand kite. The bar of the kite, the line and the safety systems are important points of your kitesurfing gear that will give you clear information about it condition and usage.
6. The prices of second hand kitesurfing gear are very variable depending on the year the kite was built, it's make, model and measurements. It's advisable to compare the very broad range of options available on the market and ask for advice from someone who has been involved in this little world for a while, it could be your kitesurfing instructor or a trusted, specialized store.
7. You'll be able to find second hand kitesurfing gear on Facebook groups, specialized websites, forums, or at kitesurfing schools and stores. To purchase items on a second hand market you can check Facebook groups that might have the profiles of the potential sellers, or if you decide to go to a school or store they’ll surely offer you a minimum guarantee of the condition of the purchased gear.
Related content
Read Patrick Dwyer’s “5 important things that shouldn’t stop you if you’re kitesurfing for the first time”