David's Top 5 Kiteboarding Accessories for the Daily Shred

David's Top 5 Kiteboarding Accessories for the Daily Shred


We all know about the basic gear you need to get out for your session: a kite, a board, a harness, and a wetsuit if it's chilly, but what else might you want out there, and how essential is it? Dave is here to share his top 5 items that he uses for most, if not all, sessions.

Sunscreen

This one is a must. Even if you're in a full wetty, you'll still want to protect your face, as well as your hands and feet if you're not using gloves and boots. Some people like the zinc ones because of the thickness and the physical barrier they offer, and Dave does use that kind for extra long sessions or downwinders where it isn't practical to come in and reapply. For everday kiting, he uses a sunscreen with SPF and PA. You can use whatever sunscreen works for you, but don't forget to use it.

Surf Ears

Dave has been using Surf Ears since he began kiting. When he started in New Zealand, his friends told him how important it was to protect his ears from the cold water. Exposing your ears to cold water can cause growths that close up your ear canal ("surfer's ear"), and some of his friends had to have surgery to fix that when they were only in their late 20s and early 30s. Dave rides with Surf Ears every session and feels like something is missing if he forgets to put them in.

They've got a mesh screen that keeps water out but lets sound and air through. Dave has friends who use them while diving and say they can still equalize with them in. They come with multiple tips so that you get a snug, comfortable fit that feels custom, and everything packs into a little case with drying holes and a carabiner to clip it to your gear bag or whatever you have with you every session. They're on a leash you wear around your neck, though Dave's never had them fall out while he's on the water, even during a big wipeout. Still, it's nice knowing you won't lose them if you do manage to pop them loose.

Headwear

Dave always rides with something on his head, whether that's a cap or a helmet. You can get a hat with a strap, though Dave likes to play with his hat and incorporate it into his hand-- er, hat drags, so he rocks the MACkite hat.

Depending on the type of riding he's doing, he may opt for a helmet instead, especially for big air tricks where he's looping or doing board-off tricks. He had to get stitches in his head last year after a Heli Loop where he had to throw the board away... but he threw it in his direction of travel and caught a fin in the head. If he'd been wearing a helmet, it would have saved his noggin from needing the needle. Find one that's comfortable so you actually wear it. It doesn't work when it's sitting in your car.

Impact Vest

Impact vests come in various thicknesses so you can decide how much flexibility vs. protection you want. Most of the time you won't even realize you've got it on after you've been out a while, especially if you're wearing a wetsuit. It can really save your ribs, and you'll have more confidence to push yourself without being afraid of crashing.

Surfr App

This item isn't essential and Dave doesn't use it every session, but a smartwatch with the Surfr App installed can be a lot of fun and help you improve your tricks. While you can use it to track your big airs, Dave prefers to use it for feedback when a trick doesn't go quite right. Sometimes you think you were higher than you really were, and this will tell you that so you know why you ran out of time to land it. It wasn't necessarily your form; you just need to get higher next time.

You'll need to pay for the Pro version to put it on your watch, but you'll also get insights like your speed and angle of takeoff when jumping relative to the wind. How far upwind you're pointing can make a big difference, and this will give you that feedback so you can adjust to a more optimal angle.

Of course, this isn't a comprehensive list of everything you might want with you on the water, but you also don't want to have too much, and these are Dave's go-to items for kiting.


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29th Jan 2025 David Fischer

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