Kiteboarding Gear Info

Gear Info and Maintenance

 

Kiteboarding gear at the beach

 

Getting the right kiteboarding gear and keeping it in good condition is a big part of being a kiteboarder. And it's not just the kite, board and harness- you also have to think about other equipment like a floatation vest, helmet, and wetsuit. These articles and tips can help you to make informed decisions so you will have more fun riding.

 

Kiteboarding Gear Overview

What kiteboarding gear do I need to get out on the water? What are the different types of kites and boards? What sizes are right for me? Read more...

Do I need to get a Trainer Kite?

As kitesurfing does require a sizable initial investment, it will occur to people to try to reduce the cost by skipping lessons or forgoing a trainer kite. However, kiteboarding not only has a steep learning curve, but can quickly become very dangerous to not only you, but an entire beach, if you aren't properly trained. Read more...

Choosing a Kiteboarding Trainer Kite

People often ask, "What's the best trainer kite?" My answer is always the same, "It depends on what you are looking to do with it." True, some trainer kites have additional features that make the flying experience a little easier; however, these additional features don't necessarily make the kite the right choice for you. Read more...

How Do I Choose the Right Kite for Me?

This article will focus on a new rider looking for the proper kiteboarding kite for their first couple of years of riding. After you are an established rider, you will understand what style you are looking for and be able to pick a kite designed for your riding style whether that is waves, wake, free ride or freestyle. Read more...

Kiteboarding Gear Thoughts for 2014

It was a light wind day and a medium wind day for the King of the Great Lakes Test Fest kiteboarding event. Over 50 brand new 2014 kites and 30 different boards were available to ride. We were a bunch of kids in the candy store for sure. Read more...

How Big Does My Kiteboarding Kite Ride?

The most common and probably one of the best questions we get is, "how big a kite should I ride?" This is a great way to get educated, but also a very confusing issue. So here we go to help you wrap your head around which kitesurfing kite to buy. Read more...

The Perfect Quiver

The trick to maximizing your gear with where you ride is asking the right questions. Here is a list that you should ask yourself, your local shop, and area riders prior to buying gear. Read more...

Deciding Between a Waist or Seat Harness

One of the more frequent questions we get from new kiteboarders is whether they should get a waist or a seat harness. While it is a decision best made in a kiteboarding shop where the different styles can be tried, not everybody has that option. For that reason, I'll compare the major differences. Read more...

Fly Before You Buy

There are so many choices in kites, boards, and even harnesses. How do you know you're spending your hard-earned cash on the gear that's best for you? Read more...

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying New Kiteboarding Gear

You've taken your lesson and are ready to commit to the sport of kiteboarding. It's time to buy your own gear. Before you do, there are some things you'll want to avoid doing to keep from making an expensive mistake. Read more...

How To Protect Yourself When Buying Used Kitesurfing Equipment

Unfortunately, despite the ubiquity of information on the internet, it is still easy to be swindled and misled online. However, when buying a used kiteboarding kite, there are a couple important steps to take to better protect yourself as a buyer. Read more...

Looking Beyond the Kite, Board, and Harness

You have finally made that investment into kitesurfing, getting yourself a new kite, a slick-looking kiteboard, and a comfortable harness. While you are most of the way there, there are some other things to think about before that long overdue first session on your new gear. Read more...

Wearing a Kiteboarding Floatation Vest

When I first started kitesurfing, I'll admit I had no intention of wearing a floatation vest. And for the first year, I didn't. Read more...

The Importance of a By-Pass, or Safety, Leash

One thing that can very easily be overlooked by first-time kite surfers is the importance of a by-pass leash, often called a safety leash. That small, rudimentary piece of equipment is a very important safety feature, effectively giving you a fail-safe in the event something goes wrong. Read more...

Should I Use a Board Leash While Kiteboarding?

One of the inescapable hardships of kiteboarding comes in the form of losing your kiteboard. It happens to everyone, from the new kitesurfer to the advanced rider. Read more...

Kiteboarding Gear Checklist

Anyone who has kiteboarded for a while can give you a story of the day they forgot their pump or harness or something that ended (before even starting) a great day on the water. Read more...

How To Pack Up Your Kitesurfing Kite

Properly folding a kite is an important skill to have. Not only does it reduce the amount of time spent on the beach after a kiteboarding session, but allows you to pack your vehicle more efficiently and reduces unnecessary wear on your kite. Read more...

How to Maintain Your Kite Pump

One of the most frustrating things to have happen as you're prepping your kite on the beach is to have something with your pump go awry. Fortunately, with some routine maintenance and general care, you can keep your inflation companion pumping strong for sessions to come. Read more...

Bow Kite Tuning Tips

I have noticed that in the last couple of years, the new kites pretty much come out of the bag tuned and ready to fly. Here are some tuning tips to KEEP your kite flying well: Check your line lengths regularly. Read more...

How Does Sheeting a Kitesurfing Kite Work?

Put simply, sheeting is changing the angle of your kitesurfing kite relative to the wind. When you move the control bar closer and farther away from yourself, you are sheeting the kite. Read more...

What Does a Trim Strap Do?

The trim strap is always accessible from the bar, more popular configurations delivered in the form of fabric straps, stopper balls, or strap/cleat systems. Identifying the trim strap is something that should be done during your pre-flight check when on a new kite. Read more...

Kiteboard Pad Placement and Strap Adjustment

As you start to set up your new board, a common question is "Where should I put the pads?" One of the easiest and most effective ways to determine this is to jump on to the board. Read more...

Safe Kiteboard Travel

Use pipe insulation to ensure safe travels for your kiteboard. Just trim the insulation to the dimensions of your board and slip it over the board edges. Read more...

Lost and Found

A couple of weeks ago I was riding on the Atlantic side off of Nags Head, NC. Sadly I got separated from my board in some dicey conditions with a side off wind. Read more...

Buying Used Kiteboarding Gear with MACkite

For all of you penny-pinching warriors, MACkite has set up the chance for you to save on some of the latest kiteboarding kites and gear. We love trying out all of our equipment to understand the ins and outs of the kites, boards, and harnesses we sell, but eventually have to turn it over to try out the latest gear. Read more...

Ride Engine Spreader Bar Options & Harness Sizing

We’ve broken down the three different harness styles in a previously, and now we have three different spreader bars to figure out.  Read more...