My Kitesurfing Gear & Why

Choosing the right gear when you are a new kiteboarder is easy. Go for an all around kite and you will be set for years to come. Choosing your second quiver of kites can take a bit more work depending on what you want out of the sport. You have to ask your self some questions. What kind of kiteboarding do you like to do? Do you prefer once discipline over the others? Do you want to focus on hangtime, kiteloops, unhooked performance or wave? Different kites even in the all around category usually favor one or two traits above the others.

What is kiteboarding to me?

Kiteboarding is freedom, its adventure, it's my work, my play and my life. Exploring the world and my abilities is what drives me. I love the challenges, the excitement and even the mundane stuff like checking the wind, simply being in the water or seeing the nature around me.

What kind of riding do I like to do?

I am a true freerider or all-around rider. I like to do everything the sport has to offer! Kiteloops, hooked in airs, surfing, unhooked freestyle and park. I do favor park and freestyle. These offer the most challenge and with that comes a feeling of satisfaction. Wanting to do everything but have a kite that can meet my needs has very much influenced my gear picks. 

The RPM

For my core kites, I’m using the RPM. This is because I find it to be an all around kite balanced towards what I want out of my riding. I like to joke that it’s the okay-est kite ever made. Among the all around kites, it is the best for unhooking and that really stands out to me. In the past, I’ve used kites balanced towards mostly unhooked riding and loops but they lacked a few things I wanted. These kites did unhook better and they did loop a little faster but they also lacked the low end grunt and range I want from a kite. They also tend to be too finicky in the waves for my taste. The RPM is the perfect blend of unhooked performance and Kiteloop performance for me while offering a big range, and being responsive yet not too responsive while riding waves. Its also crazy stable for park riding. I need a kite that will park and deliver feedback while charging downwind with my back is to kite. 

Lightwind & Foiling

For my lightwind kite, I am using the 17 Turbine. Its my go to when the wind is tanking and I want to try some new tricks in flat water. Sometimes, I like to go for the 15m but I’m a bit heavier this year pushing 180 so the 17 was a good fit this season. For foiling, I am using the SST. I have a 9 but I’d love to add a 7 to the quiver in the future. As I’ve progressed on my foil journey I find the smaller the kite, the better! I opted for the SST because of its drifting ability. Being able to ride downwind in swell on my foil is nothing short of dreamy! I’ve also got a demo Ghost and UFO that I will be testing for future reviews.

Kiteboard

I am currently using the Slingshot Refraction in a 147. I chose this board because it’s bomb proof! It also doubles down as a cable board and comes with a grind base. Something I need to hit the park. The larger size is perfect for features and softer landings as well.

Foils

I’m still in the early stages of foiling which is why I rarely do videos on the topic. I do have a strategy for my gear though. I am using the Slingshot WF2 board paired with the Infinity 76 surf set up. It’s been great using this to learn on the kite. It also doubles down for wakefoiling. Eventually, the wing will be a good pick for prone surf foiling when I develop my skills there. Having one foil to do three sports is very appealing to me. Granted, I will want a smaller board for the kite and need a surfboard for prone surfing later.

In summary

RPM 14, 12 & 10

Turbine 12

SST 09

Refraction 147

WF2 / Infinity 76 combo

If I were to condense this, I would do the RPM 10 & 14 with the 8 SST. I’d keep the board and foil. This would cover the full range of riding I like to do only giving up extreme lightwind twintip riding. The 8 SST would work well for waves, strong wind all around riding and lightwind foiling!

After 5 years of testing and trying gear, this is where I am at the moment. So hopefully this gives you some insight into why I chose my gear and will help you decide on your own setup! If you need help, feel free to call the shop, ask in the comments section or reach out to me via instagram! 

Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic

Many people dream of quitting their job, traveling the world and pursuing their passions. Rygo is one of those people who pulled the trigger. A few years into his career, he decided to change everything and travel as a kiteboarder, freelance videographer & writer. His mission is to share the stoke & help people put the boarding into their kiteboarding. Get outside and kite!

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Producer of: Ride with Blake I Sessions I Versus I Destinations I Foil Fridays