How Much Does Kiteboarding Gear Cost?
The cost of kiteboarding equipment can vary substantially between items – especially when you compare the latest and greatest gear from leading brands with boards, kites, etc. that were released from several years ago by lesser-known, up and coming brands.
For example, if you are in the market for a new vehicle, you may choose to purchase a used Toyota Corolla. The car is reliable, easy to drive, fuel efficient, and has a high safety rating. But wouldn’t it be more fun to get the faster, more luxurious, brand new Lexus? Perhaps comparing kiteboarding equipment with car brands is a bit of a stretch, but it’s a good analogy to give you an idea of why there is a difference in product and price.
For the most part, you can get started with the sport of kiteboarding by investing somewhere in the ballpark of $1,000 to $3,000 in equipment. The price will vary greatly based primarily on the newness of the gear you choose.
Most major kiteboarding brands – Cabrinha, Ozone, Mystic, Ocean Rodeo to name a few – release a new line of products each year. If you’re willing to forgo purchasing the latest and greatest, you can often times find last year’s gear for hundreds less than the newest equipment. Its worth stating that the sport is only continuing to grow, and often times the newest items do have some significant differences and upgrades over the previous year’s model.
Cost of Kiteboarding Equipment
To get started with kiteboarding you’ll need these basic items listed below. We included a rough estimate on cost for the items to give you an idea of the investment required:
- kiteboarding kite ($900 - $2,100)
- kiteboarding board ($400 - $1,000)
- kite control bar and lines ($250 - $600)
- harness ($150 - $300)
Depending on the wind where you will be kiteboarding, you may also need to invest in a wetsuit, booties, lifejacket and a helmet. Here on Hatteras Island where our kiteboarding resort is located, we are fortunate to have exceptionally warm water at some of the area’s best kiteboarding spots for anywhere from four to five months out of the year. Which means you can comfortably shred on the water in just board shorts or a bikini for nearly half of the calendar year.
Consider Purchasing a Kiteboarding Package
If you are just starting out, kiteboarding packages may be the best bet for you. We have packages listed online that include a kiteboarding kite, board, harness and bar with line for hundreds less than you’d pay if you purchased each of the items individually.
Learning how to fly the kite at a high level of proficiency is one of the most important aspects of learning how to kiteboard. Many of our Kitty Hawk Kites instructors tell students of our kiteboarding school that 80% of the sport relies on your ability to control and maneuver the kite with ease.
One of the best ways to learn how to control a kiteboarding kite would be to invest in a trainer kite. We have many trainer kite packages available on our online store that include an instructional DVD.
Board riding can be tricky at first, but most people who are familiar with riding any type of board – surfboard, skateboard, wakeboard, etc. – pick up on riding a kiteboarding board relatively quickly.
To conclude, kiteboarding does require a decent nominal investment, but it’s one of the most fun sports on the planet that is only continuing to grow in popularity. The kiteboarding community is filled with some of the most genuine, easy-going people you’ll ever meet. In addition to being an extremely fun sport, kiteboarding is also a fun and exciting way to get a good workout.
If you’re just getting started in the sport and have any questions that you think we might be able to answer, feel free to contact us by email at kiteboarding@kittyhawk.com or by phone at (252) 987-2297. We’d be happy to answer any and all of your kiteboarding questions!
