Kiteboarding Equipment Buying Guide

Looking for a new extreme sport?   The latest craze to catch a mighty tail wind is kiteboarding,  a sport where you use a kite to propel you and the board you stand on.  And since you can kiteboard on just about any terrain--we're talking land and sea here--you'll need specially tailored equipment  that will give you just the right edge.  So check out this guide for more information on kiteboarding gear for every environment and every skill level.

The Basics

Picking the right equipment for you means picking equipment tailored to your needs.  If you're spending most of your time kiteboarding in specific environment--with wind conditions, riding styles and terrain uniquely its own--then you're going to want equipment that can help you achieve your best in those conditions.  The basic pieces you'll need includes:

Kites

Without the kite,  you won't be going anywhere.

• Inflatable kites and water-relaunchable ram air kites work best to propel you in the water.
• Foil kites have a double-surface shape, similar to something you'd see on paraglider, and they are maintained by a bridle system. The flat shape projects makes the kite more powerful and light, allowing it to perform well in low wind conditions.
• Two-line kites are easy to use because there are fewer lines to set up and potentially get tangled. These kites are best for beginners and kiters who don't mind having a shorter wind range.
• Four-line kites allow the rider to adjust the power of the kite by changing its angle of attack. They also have a large wind range, which enables the rider to compensate for the gusts and lulls of wind.
• Kites for kiteboarding come different aspect-ratios and sizes for various wind conditions. High aspect ratio kites have have a long narrow shape, while low and moderate ratio kites sport a shorter, wider shape.

Inflatable Kite	Foil Kite	Two-Line Kite	Four-Line Kite

Boards

There are three main types of kiteboards on the market today.  While twintip boards are the easiest to learn on and are the most popular, there are various other shapes and sizes to suit your skill level, riding style and the wind and water conditions of your environment.

Directional Surf-Style Boards	Wake-Style Boards	Twin-tip Boards

Accessories

Some other stuff you may find handy before hitting the wind:

• Safety Gear --Including helmets  and impact vests. 
• Repair Kits --Including patch tape  and replacement bladders. 
• Fins --Usually made from carbon fibre.
• Bindings --Should be somewhat flexible and adjustable.
• Control Bars --Allow for quick releases and swivels. 

Major Manufacturers

The brands to look for:

• Capstone 
• Dakine 
• Liquid Force 
• MBS 
• Quicksilver 
• Rainbow 
• Slingshot 

Related Guides

Skateboarding	Wakeboards	Windsurfing Equipment	Water Skis

External Links

• KiteSurfari.com:  FAQs on the basics of kitesurfing and the gear that goes with it. 
• Wikipedia.org:  The origins of kiteboarding.