I bought my first kite and went on holiday. Paid for oversized baggage. Found out my size was wrong for the local conditions. And on the way back, the airline destroyed my bar. Sound familiar? Or want to avoid a similar story? Read on.
New Equipment – When It Makes Sense
A new kite has its advantages and there are situations where it’s the clear choice.
Latest Technology
Kite equipment evolves fast. A new model is safer, more powerful, and easier to control than one that’s three years old. If you kite regularly (30+ days per year), the latest technology genuinely improves your riding experience.
Warranty
A new kite comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. If something goes wrong – a faulty seam, valve issue, material defect – you have a claim. With a used kite, you have nothing.
Post-Course Discount with Us
I should mention an advantage for our students: after completing a course at Kitepower, we offer a 15% discount on new Flysurfer equipment. That’s a solid saving – on a kite priced at €1,500, you save €225. And you have the confidence of buying exactly what your instructor recommended based on your weight, riding style, and the conditions where you’ll be kiting.
Complete Set
When buying a new set (kite + bar + board), you know everything fits together. With used equipment, it sometimes happens that the bar from a different model doesn’t fit the kite, or that the safety system doesn’t work properly. And the safety system must always work.
Used Equipment – When It’s a Smart Choice
Budget
If you’re starting out and don’t have the budget for new gear, a used kite is a legitimate option. A kite that’s 1-2 seasons old at half the price is still functional and safe – provided you know what you’re buying.
Trying a New Discipline
Want to try foil kiting or wingfoiling but don’t know if it’ll stick? Used gear makes sense for testing. Investing €3,000 into a new foil set for a discipline you’ve never tried is risky.
Kitepower Demo Kites
At Kitepower, we sell refurbished demo kites from our rental. These are kites that have been through one season of intensive use – but because we regularly service and inspect them, they’re in excellent condition. And the price is significantly lower than a new kite.
The advantage is that you know exactly what you’re buying. We know how many hours that kite has flown, how it was stored, and what its actual condition is. With a kite from a classifieds site, you never know.
What to Watch Out For
When buying a used kite, check:
- Age – a kite older than 3-4 years isn’t worth buying (materials degrade)
- Stitching – worn seams = safety risk
- Bladder – check that it holds air (inflate and leave overnight)
- Bar and lines – lines stretch and wear. Replacement costs €100-200
- Safety system – must work flawlessly. No compromises
Third Option: Renting
And then there’s an option that surprisingly few people consider – yet for many kiters, it makes the most sense.
The Rental Math
Let’s do the numbers. You go kitesurfing twice a year for a week. That’s 14 days of kiting.
Own equipment:
- Kite set (2 kites + bar): approx. €3,000
- Board: €500
- Harness: €300
- Kite bag (excess baggage): €80 x 4 flights = €320/year
- Storage (if you don’t want to haul it back and forth): €400/year
- Total first year: €4,520
- Following years: €720 (just transport and storage)
Rental at our shop:
- Kitepass: €10 x 14 days = €140/year
- Complete set rental: depends on duration
- No costs for transport, storage, or servicing
And the main advantage of renting: you have access to all sizes. Wind at 12 knots? Take a 15m kite. Blowing 25? Go with a 9m. Your own two kites won’t cover that.
When Renting Doesn’t Make Sense
If you kite a lot (50+ days per year), live near a spot, or travel to one place for a month or more – owning your equipment pays off. But for most recreational kiters who go 2-3 times a year for a week, renting is the better choice both financially and practically.
My Recommendation
- Beginners: Don’t buy anything. Complete a course, kite for a season on rental gear, then decide.
- Intermediate (under 30 days/year): Consider renting. The math is on your side.
- Intermediate (30+ days/year): Buy new equipment with the post-course discount. It pays off and you get the warranty.
- Trying a new discipline: Used or rental. Invest in new gear once you know you enjoy it.
- Budget is the priority: Our refurbished demo kites from the rental. Verified condition at a fair price.
Whatever you decide – write to us and we’ll advise you. We know what we sell, and we don’t want you spending money on something you don’t need.
Interested in wingfoil equipment? Read our beginner’s guide. And if you’re looking for a course – check out our offerings.