How to Properly Store Kite Equipment

How to properly dry, pack, and store kite equipment. Maintenance tips and storage options at Kitepower El Gouna.

Kite equipment isn’t cheap. A new kite costs €1,000–€2,500, a bar €300–€500, a board €400–€800. Proper care and storage will extend its lifespan by years. And it’s simple – just follow a few rules.

After Every Session: Rinse and Dry

Fresh Water Is Key

Salt water is corrosive. After every kiting session, rinse:

• Bar and lines – run the entire bar under fresh water. Salt in the pulleys and chicken loop causes corrosion and impairs safety system function. This isn’t a cosmetic issue – it’s a safety risk.
• Kite – if possible, rinse the kite too. Especially the valves and zippers on the inflate system. In practice, most people don’t do this after every session, but at least once every few days is a good habit.
• Board – a quick rinse is enough. Footstraps and screws will appreciate the absence of salt.

Drying Before Packing

This is rule number one: never pack a wet kite. Moisture + heat = mold. And mold destroys kite material irreversibly.

Spread the kite out on the beach or lawn, let it dry on both sides. A few minutes in the sun is enough – but not hours. Prolonged UV exposure degrades the material.

Ideal procedure: spread in the shade, let it dry naturally, then pack.

Packing the Kite

Proper packing takes a few minutes but significantly extends material life:

1. Deflate the kite (release air from the bladders)
2. Fold the trailing edge onto the leading edge
3. Roll from one tip to the other
4. Avoid sharp bends – especially on the leading edge
5. Wind lines onto the bar neatly, without knots

We sometimes see people who stuff the kite into the bag like a sleeping bag. It works, but the material suffers. If you’re still learning the parts you’re caring for, our kitesurfing equipment guide for beginners breaks down what each component does.

Enemies of Kite Equipment

Sand

Sand is insidious. It gets into valve zippers, bar pulleys, and footstraps. In zippers, it causes wear; in pulleys, jamming. After sessions at a sandy spot (like El Gouna), rinsing is all the more important.

UV Radiation

Sun degrades all synthetic materials. Colors fade, material becomes brittle, seams weaken. Don’t store your kite in direct sunlight. And on the water – the less time the kite lies deflated on the surface, the better.

Heat

A closed car in summer = 60 °C+. A kite in a car in direct sun = damaged material. Store in a cool, dry environment.

Moisture

A wet kite in a sealed bag = mold within days. Especially in tropical climates. Always dry before packing.

Long-Term Storage

Before extended storage (a month or more):

1. Thoroughly rinse with fresh water – everything
2. Completely dry
3. Check lines – knots, wear, uneven lengths
4. Inspect kite – holes, worn seams, valve condition
5. Pack loosely – not too tight, so the material can “breathe”
6. Store in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight

Storage at Kitepower El Gouna

For those who regularly return to El Gouna, hauling equipment through the airport is unnecessary. In our storage facility, your equipment is safe right at the spot – in a covered, secure space. When you arrive, it’s ready on the beach. For current daily, three-, six- and twelve-month rates, see the storage page.

What Kitepass Does — and Does Not — Include

Kitepass is for assessed independent riders using their own equipment. It covers beach access, facilities, assisted launch and landing, and rescue support available during operating hours without a guaranteed intervention or response time. It does not include a personal attendant, guaranteed kite preparation or pack-down.

When to Replace Equipment

Kite equipment doesn’t last forever. Approximate lifespan:

• Kite: 3–5 seasons with regular use. Depends on care and intensity.
• Lines: 1–2 seasons. Check regularly – uneven length = poor kite control.
• Bar: 2–4 seasons. Pulleys and depower systems wear out.
• Board: 5+ seasons. Boards are more durable, but check footstraps and screws.

If you’re considering new equipment, check out our shop – as the official Flysurfer distributor and test point since 2009, and a Levitaz partner since 2015, we offer the complete range. Not sure whether to buy new or used? Read used vs new kite equipment.

Summary

• Rinse with fresh water after every session
• Dry before packing – always
• Protect from UV, heat, and moisture
• Sand = the enemy, especially in zippers and pulleys
• Thorough maintenance before extended storage
• Returning guests: storage in El Gouna saves hassle and airport fees

Proper equipment care saves you hundreds of euros per year. And most importantly – a functioning safety system can save your health.

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Need advice on equipment? Write to us or stop by the shop right on the beach.