Once you’ve completed you first kitesurf lesson, your thoughts will very quickly turn towards buying your first set of equipment. But how much will you have to spend and what is a good price for a beginner to spend to ensure you get good kit that doesn’t cost the earth?
As a beginner I would recommend you buy second hand kitesurf kit. This has 2 advantages. Firstly it keeps your costs down and secondly as a beginner it is likely that you’re going to be giving your kit a fair bit of abuse as you go through the process of perfecting your technique. It hurts you (emotionally!) a lot less to be bouncing a second hand kite off the beach than it does to watch your shiny, new 1000 € kite disappear under a wave!
Kit costs vary greatly but as an average I would recommend buying second hand you would be looking to spend between 350 € and 500 € on your first kite. Normally as a kitesurfer you will have at least 2 kites, one for light wind and one for stronger wind. Buy your lightwind kite first, as for advise during your kite lesson about what size this should be. Buying your larger kite first will mean that the winds you go out in will be lighter, less gusty and the water state more pleasant so improving your chances of learning successfully.
For a kitesurf board the general rule is go big, get something at least 140cm in length and look to spend no more than about 250 € on your first board. If your going to be wearing a board leash please, please wear at least a helmet if not an impact vest as well…boards have sharp bits!!
The harness is the bit of kitesurf kit I would recommend buying new. You harness is your contact point with the kite and a well fitting harness can mean the difference between a great session and the most uncomfortable experience of your life. The choice between seat and waist harness is a personal one, try both during your kitesurf lesson if you can so you can see the difference yourself. A good harness will cost between 100 – 150 €.
Sam Guest is an IKO Kitesurf Head Instructor currently working in Tarifa, Spain. He has 10 years experience working in the water sports industry and has a passion for life, the ocean and helping people get the most out of what they’ve got.
If you’ve got more questions or simply want to know more check out this on line resource designed to hep get you up and confident to Kitesurf.