How to Buy a Kiteboard

Kiteboarding is one of the extreme sports, and it's exactly what its name suggests: a kite pulls you as you ride on a board. It can be done in water, on snow, or on certain kinds of land. Kiteboarding is also sometimes called kitesurfing or power kiting. Preparing for your purchase will make the process easier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Take some kiteboarding lessons. Kiteboarding is an expensive sport and hobby and you should make sure that it's really something you want to invest in before laying down cash for new gear. In addition, many instructors can help you find discounted or used gear at great prices. You may also get to try different styles and brands to find out what works best for your body and skill level.

2. Decide if you want a directional, wake or twin-tip style board. Directional boards are so-called because they have a definite front and back, and can only be ridden one direction without changing your feet. Wake boards are bi-directional because the board is shaped symmetrically and you can go in either direction without switching your feet. However, they are a bit clumsy for the novice kiteboarder. Twin-tips are a combination of the other two styles, a lighter board like the directional and symmetrical like the wakeboard. Most beginners will want to buy a twin-tip style kiteboard.

3. Figure out what size board you need. Three factors influence this decision: your weight, the average wind conditions where you plan to kiteboard, and your skill level. In general, the higher your weight, the slower the winds, and the less experience you have, the bigger your board needs to be.

4. Consider features like bottom shape, rail shape, construction materials, rocker line and flex. There are no right or wrong answers here, only what you prefer in terms of how you want your kiteboard to perform.

5. Research on the Internet to find some brands and models you think might work for you based on your work in the steps above. Make a list and print it out.

6. Visit a kiteboard shop that will let you take the boards out and give them a try. Bring your list with you.

7. Make your kiteboard selection, carefully considering all the tips here. At the same time, you may want to buy any other kiteboarding gear you might need, such as wetsuits, lines, bars and kites. Purchasing these items together as a package may result in decent discount.

Tips & Warnings

• You can save money buying kiteboards and related gear used. Many aficionados replace their gear every few months, so modern, gently used equipment is almost always available at good prices.
• Safety first! If you don't know what you are doing, please ask a qualified professional for help.

Resources

• Airush Kiteboarding – an online store with advice and articles
• EOS - reasonable prices, plus 100 percent of profits go toward educational charities for third world countries
• Ikiteboarding.com
• Kiteboarding Magazine
• Catch Some AIR

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!