Kitemare.com's

"FAQ's Page

How much will it cost to purchase all of the gear?

A typical set-up for the Kiteboarding (water):  Kite, Board, Harness:   $1,500.- $1,800.  USD
A typical set-up for Landboarding ( Mountainboard + Kite )   $500 - $600.   USD
For the snow:  $400-$1,000.  ( Kite + Harness ) 

The price varies quite a bit depending on the type of kite (inflatable, std Foil, or Sheetable foil.)
Kite size (3m to 17m), Brand, and model.
Boards can range from homemade budget up to high tech and pricey.

More weight, Low wind, more resistance  =  Needing a Bigger kite
Lighter weight,  More wind, less resistance = Needing a Smaller kite.

 

Why "this" website?

There's no shortage of websites related to kiteboarding offering a flashy 
presentation with an extensive shopping cart but... there are very few that 
actually give you the information you really need and keep the focus
on your needs and not ours.

This site, KITEMARE.com,  was designed with the beginner in mind. 
and all recommendations come from an kiteboarding instructors point of view.

OK, we can agree, this site is not the prettiest, but it does contains the
info you really need to get started right.




What is Kiteboarding? (aka Kitesurfing)

Kiteboarding is the ultimate water sport. The speed of waterskiing, the tricks 
of wakeboarding, the carving turns of surfing, the quiet freedom of sailing, 
and more air-time than motor-cross. 

The first time I held onto a one of those monster kites I was instantly hooked,
and that was just standing on the beach! 
Holding onto the power of a kite 
that big, while watching it float 100 feet above my head was all it took. 
Kiteboarding has all the ingredients to maximize the fun-factor.
The gear is simple and 
compact. The kite easily folds up to fit into a small back pack. The board is 
light weight and fits under one arm.  A Harness around your waist, and
a Carbon Control Bar with lines completes the set up. 
Light or strong winds, flat water or waves, Sand, dirt, or grass,
insane aerial maneuvers, extreme jumps, or just cruising.  All of this combined
with a relatively short learning curve (compared to surfing and windsurfing) 
equal "Huge Fun"!!!.   

WAKEBOARDERS...  Wanna rip...  withOUT a boat? 
Choppy water is now fun.  No gas to buy.
The Air- time exceeds what you can even do with a giant pilon and
a "double-up"
For the price of one skiboat, you can buy kiteboarding gear for 
yourself and 25 of your friends!  Gasoline is expensive but the wind is Free!
The board skills you've acquired behind a boat already make you "1/2" a 
kiteboarder. 
Get a trainer kite, take a short lesson...  and prepare for lift 
off.   

WINDSURFERS...  Tired of sitting on the beach waiting for more wind?
That was me, windsurfing since 1983 and only really only having 
fun when the wind was 20 knots or more.  Even on those days, the wind and 
wave angles rarely aligned to produce good conditions for big jumps or wave 
riding.    And the gear.... 2 masts, 3-5 sails, boom, uphaul, boom bra, mast foot, 
mast extensions, battens, A fin quiver, slalom board, wave board, light wind 
board, WAY... to much gear.  A major pain to travel with.  Now consider 2  
kites and one board.  Fully ripping in 10-12 knots, big jumps on FLAT water, 
total 360 degree visibility and amazing "up-wind-ability".   
I hate to say it, but after 17 years of windsurfing I sold all my windsurfing 
gear!  Ok, I'll admit, I'd still like to catch a session or two on a windsurfer, 
just to be sure I can still throw a forward loop.  Overall, kiteboarding kicks butt
over windsurfing.  It funny to watch windsurfers working hard to chop hop 1-2 
feet on flat water when kiteboarders are boosting 10-20 feet aerials in the 
same conditions.  Windsurfing is not Kiteboarding. The board skills are very different.
Windsurfers ride with their board flat on the water while "loading the fin".
When kiteboarding...  you'll need to edge on your heel-side rail.  
The trimming of a sail is not the same as moving a kite to generate power.
If you come from a windsurfing background, heres a a bit of advice..... 
Get out and practice riding a wakeboard or snowboard learn the needed board/ edging
skills and practice with a trainer kite just like everyone else.  Do these 2 things and you'll
gain a HUGE advantage when learning to kite! 


SNOWBOARDERS:  Wanna ride without a lift ticket?   Find a big open field 
covered in snow, a bit of wind, a kite and take off!   On the mountain, 
you rely on gravity.  With a kite, all you need is wind and snow,  the options 
are endless.   Go big on the flats, and even ride Up-hill.  

SURFERS:   "Surfing is the ultimate"  no argument there!
but how much time do you actually spend "up and riding" 
compared to paddling, waiting, and fighting for your wave.   
With a kite,  the action is endless, no paddling out, no endless waiting,
or fighting for the peak. Just high speed ripping, boosting fat airs, and YES, wave riding!
Kites allow you to easily position yourself in front of the lip, escape from a closeout,
connect wave after wave, fly back out to the line-up, and and turn boring mushy
blown out days into an addiction.
Keep your surf board for those windless, glassy sessions, but when the wind 
pick up, and the waves get sloppy..... its time to kite. 

SKATEBOARDERS / MOUNTAINBOARDERS 
No worries.... were not leaving you out! 
Mountain Boards AKA All-Terrain Boards with their big 
inflated tires work great on hard packed sand, dirt, and grass.
No need for hills or man made terrain.  Just an open field, or beach. Grab your board,
add the power of a kite, and Fly

Wake, surf, sand, dirt & snow.... kites are going off everywhere! 
Be sure to check out our Landboarding page.

How did Kiteboarding evolve? (History)

In the US, Cory R. , combined his water-ski skills and kite flying skills into a sport called
kiteskiing. (kite-Ski)
One the other side of the world, 2 brothers in France developed an inflatable kite specifically
designed for use in the water. (Wipika) 
In Hawaii, the ideas merged, innovated, and evolved into the sport we now call "kiteboarding".

Why is Kiteboarding considered an extreme sport?

Imagine riding your bicycle at full speed into a fishing line that is tied between two trees at neck
level.  Got the picture?   Some people liken our kites a "4-blade cheese slicer".  Kiteboarding is dangerous like
like mountain biking on the edge of a mountain trail, or surfing big waves over shallow reef. 
If your idea of this sport is more in line with taking a ride on a little sailboat, you 
may want to reconsider.  Most kiters have experienced Getting dragged or tossed by their kite,
or suddenly being lifted high into the air and then slammed onto the water.
The good news is that newer kite designs are much easier to depower and thus safer.
 

What's the single most important piece of kiteboarding equipment?

Answer:  a "Kite-Leash". 
What's the use of learning a the sport if it gets banned on our local beaches?  A kite-leash is designed to allow you to "release the control bar"  causing the kite to "depower" and fall to the water and at the same time ,keeps the kite attached to your wrist or waist.   
Unless you live on your own private island, a kite-leash is a necessity.  "Not" using a leash would be like owning a Wave-runner/Jet ski... having the throttle get stuck... at full speed and not having a wrist lanyard , engine kill switch....  and then.... getting tossed off by a wave!!!  
Now picture the run-away water-craft headed full speed for a group of swimming and beyond them...  several families relaxing on the waters edge.  Can you picture the situation?  Scary.  An unleashed is no joke!  It can seriously injure or even kill someone.
Wear a kite-leash at  "ALL Times".  Not "sometimes" , All the time!!!  Its pretty simple.   
If you like to drive a car without a seatbelt, a motorcycle without a helmet, or if you want to
launch big jumps of rock jetties.   Thats OK!   Its you decision. Go for it.
But its NOT ok to put other people at risk. 
In short.....   "ALWAYS WEAR A KITE-LEASH" or go find yourself a private island.
**Just received this news story.  The best I can tell, a kook, let go of his Unleashed kite
which injured a 60 yr old man playing with his dogs. read it 
 

 What about Girls?

The more the better!  There are many of ladies out there already into kiteboarding, and I would 
love to see a lot more! :)  In general I find that ladies learn faster than men! ... sorry guys. 
Ladies are naturally very attentive, and cautious.  They pay close attention to the words of their instructor and it shows.  Where strength is lacking, a girls skill and finesse will  level the field.  
There are also advantages from using skills acquired from other sports.  Learn one sport and next sport is easier.  
Way back in Sept 2002, we conducted our first "girls kite clinic" in Cocoa Beach, FL.  
We covered it all.  Theory, Trainer kite flying on the Beach,  Safety, Body dragging, relaunching
and even boat launching, the program was a huge success! :)  

 How do I get started?  (READ THIS, ALL of IT)

*****Get a trainer kite (today), practice, and then...   get a Lesson!

THE FIRST STEP is to get VERY comfortable flying a small, 2 to 4 line kite.  A "Trainer" kite like the one shown here is a perfect way to get started. This Ram air design is light, compact, powerful, 
and lots of fun! 
 Please note: This kite is NOT designed for water use.  It's designed to teach you 
the "basic kite flying skills needed , on the beach, BEFORE you fly a full size "kitesurfing" kite on the water.  
Kite handling skills are very similar to "stick-shift" skills.  Its NOT difficult, but it does take some time until the basic movement becomes instinctive.  If you react too slow with a "trainer kite" ... NO Problem.  If you make the same mistake on a BIG kite you WILL pay the consequences!  
Most everyone entering this sport seriously underestimates the Torque a big kite can produce.  I don't want you to bust a collar bone on your first day out, but that isn't even my biggest concern!  The real concern is rookies putting innocent spectators at risk, and then we ALL lose if that one accident gets our sport banned on your local beach.  It's already happened in a few places!  
Kiteboarding "CAN" be VERY dangerous.  One minute your standing on the beach and in the blink of a eye you're being lifted off the ground and into a tree.  One the other hand.... If you take the time to learn the basic skills of kite flying and safety and use a kite leash, you will be ripping in no time, going huge, and loving life!   GOT IT? .... GOOD!  Kiteboarding can also be very safe!  Get a trainer kite here or something similar from somebody else.   The Trainers all come complete with everything you 
need, ready to fly!  Kite, lines, carry duffel, and control bar.  Prices on trainers
range from $100 to $200.  Details on the Trainer kite page

Although the 2m does the job, more people choose the 2.8m ,3m, or 3.6m  for their versatility, and power.  The larger trainers gives you true feel of the power zone.  

***Please don't even think about skipping the vital step of using a trainer kite.
Why? ...   Because learning with a trainer kite will...
- Save you money on lessons.
- Save you on repair bills from attemping to learn on an inflatable kite.
- Save you on Emergency room bills.  Broken ribs, collar bone, arms, etc.
- Save the spectators on the beach.
- Save our sport from needless bans.
- Save you time by learning faster.
Even a flying a trainer kite can never "guarantee" these things, but it goes a long 
way to help you better understand kites, make controling the kite instinctive and 
thus help to prevent many mishaps.

How can I "learn" fast?

After teaching numerous lessons...  I've found that students who arrive with some previous "boarding" skills (wake or snow), AND.... who have spent several hours flying 
a trainer kite, learn to kiteboard in record time!   Bottom line.....   Learn to wakeboard behind a boat or wave runner, or put away the skis and ride a snowboard.
Windsurfing and sailing skills are nice , but its the wakeboard or snowboard skills combined with trainer kite skills make the real difference.  
Wakeboard skills. - The Orlando Watersports Complex Cable Park is a great place to train.

Choosing a kite and board.

The fastest and best way to select gear is with the assistance of other people already involved in the sport with consideration for local wind and water conditions, weight, budget, and preferences for various kite designs.  KITEMARE is committed to helping you find the best gear at the best price.  
Contact Kitemare and we'll be happy to offer recommendations based on your individual needs.  Also be sure to read  "Kites" and "Boards" page to help you select suitable 
gear.
 

Aside from a kite and Board, is there anything else I will need 
to get started?

YES, A control bar, flying lines, kite leash, harness, &  harness-line. Some gear in sold 
in complete packages while other gear is sold individually. 

Why should I listen to you?

My personal mission statement answers this question well:

"To assist those without goals to set them, 
and to assist those with goals to achieve them". 

Whatever the goal, I'll do my best to help you achieve it. We are talking about you, 
not me. If you sincerely want to learn a new sport like kiteboarding, and seek honest advice for getting started, than I would love to help. Working previously as a windsurfing instructor I learned a valuable secret!  If you make a firm decision, 
believe in your ability, the ability of your students, and take responsibility for the outcome, you can create magic!  While teaching summers in Hood River " the gorge", 
I was able to guarantee "windsurfing jibes" in only "one" lesson. A decade later and still holding a near 100% success record, … that’s "real magic". Kiteboarding is not windsurfing, but the principles still apply. Put your student, client, or customer first 
by helping them to reach "their" goals, and everybody wins!

At KITEMARE, all suggestions come from an "instructors" perspective.  The focus 
is on help you to learn fast, kite safe, have fun, and to get appropriate gear at the best price. If your looking for the greatest sales people to quickly swipe your Credit card... they're out there, but not here.
Still want to know more? You are welcome to check out my complete Instructor Bio  
and testimonial letters from satisfied students, and customers.

Where's the "BEST PLACE TO BUY" Gear ?

Excellent places to buy:  Specialty Kiteboarding shops, online classifieds,
individuals, and direct from the manufacturer.   Take into consideration:
Kite size, aspect ratio, return policy, price, customer service, shipping costs, tax, 
brand, year, condition, what's included, and most importantly,  your skill level and 
local conditions.
Price is a factor for most people, but finding the best gear for YOU is top priority.
Have a question finding gear?    Contact us anytime.  That's what we're here for!  

 We want to speak with you personally, to be sure your getting the "Right Gear" 
at the "Right Price!"  Call  anytime,  ***Beware...A lot of  shops sell gear but don't have a clue because they don't actually ride! ???  At KITEMARE, we actually kiteboard! (no kayakers or posers here) Real KiteBoarders, Real Experience, and 
Real Advice.   Call today, if you reach the recording, be SURE to leave a message, 
so we can call your back!  There is a good chance we're assisting another customer, teaching a lesson, testing gear to serve you better or just .... Riding!  
The more the better!

What about Price ?

New Complete Kites (kite, bar, lines, leash, pump, bag)  range from $900-$1,500.
depending on brand, size, and components.  Naish, Wipika, Cabrinha, North, etc.

Now What?

Order a Trainer kite and the basics. A VERY IMPORTANT 1st STEP.
Next...  Get some board skills behind a boat, Cable park, or on a mountain.
NEXT.. take a lesson in your local area or visit a kite school like "3-2-1", read the rest of 
this website to educate yourself for you next purchase. 
FINALLY...   GET GEARED UP.   Email or Call, and we can figure out what kind of gear will fit your needs... and budget.
Read the "kites" and "Boards" page to learn more about the gear.


*** did we miss any important FAQ's ???  Let me know so I can add them to make 
this site as helpful as possible. : )
 

Next Stop: Trainer Kites