Having good equipment is vital to your success.

At KGB Kiteboarding we stress the importance of of choosing the correct equipment for each learning situation. We only use the highest quality gear because it has to be dependable when you need it most. We constantly renew and revise our equipment to give you the very best gear that is available. We thoroughly test, try and inspect all the new equipment before we put it into your hands. So that we know how it will perform in every situation.

Our livelihood and reputation depends on us making smart gear choices. Your life may depend on it too. That is why we never recommend taking short cuts in training or equipment quality.

The following is some general information about the equipment we use. We recommend that if you are just starting out that you take a lesson prior to buying any gear. Our instructors would be happy to advise you on your equipment needs during the lesson.

SCHOOL KITES
Our Quiver of school kites is mainly comprised of Best Kites. Best Kiteboarding is the largest and most dynamic brand in the kiteboarding market. Over the past 7 years the Company has progressed from infancy to being the number one supplier of kitesurfing equipment across the globe. Simply put, more kitesurfers enjoy kiting on Best equipment than any other brand. We are proud to be a Best school/shop. Best Kiteboarding is driven by an incredibly simple mantra: Exceptional products, exceptional service and exceptional prices

We are, however, able to teach on any brand of kite, and are thoroughly familiar with the different functionality of the different systems. If you have a brand preference just let us know, even if you don’t see it on the site, we can probably get it for you.

TRAINER KITES
When learning to fly we mostly recommend cutting your teeth on a trainer kite of some kind. The trainer, is a smaller less powerful kite that is easier to use than a full size kite. Using the trainer gives the pilot a feel for the wind, and you learn the steering reflexes that are so important to kitesurfing.

The trainer kites are usually a simple two-line design, that is quick to set up and simple to use. Trainers are either ram-air which is relatively soft when it crashes, or small inflatable 4 line kites that typically range in size between 1.5-3 meters. The size of the kite is proportional to its power. A 3m kite has 50% more power than a two meter size kite.

Traditionally a beginning kitesurfer would spend at least 10-20 hours on the trainer kite before their first session with an inflatable kite, however with our small 4 line inflatable trainer kites we have been able to safely reduce that time to under an hour!

Basic kite piloting techniques are taught in our Intro/Trainer kite course using traditional ram-air foil trainer kites. In our Level 1 lesson we instruct using an inflatable 4 line trainer kite to allow for faster pilot progression.

A kite pilot will then transition onto a larger/traction kite for the water (or snow). The larger trainer Kites can also be used as introductory snow kiting kites too. Land bound kite pilots will develop their power kiting skills even more and may go into stunt kite flying or other related kite-sports.

SAFETY GEAR
Student safety and rapid progression are foremost when you learn with us. That’s why we use and recommend the following gear for all students:

  • Wetsuit: Your first layer of protection. We provide Hyperflex kiteboarding wetsuits.
  • 2-way Radio Helmets
  • Helmet: We use high quality helmets and suggest you buy a helmet which reflects the value of your head.
  • Waist Harness: A wrap-around support with spreader bar that fits around the kiters waist and connects kite to pilot. Waist harnesses enable you to learn proper stance and edging techniques from the very start.
  • Seat Harnesses: Have full-bottom support with leg loops. Seat harnesses serve their purpose but we don’t recommend them and board leashes while learning as they act as learning crutches.
  • Impact Vest/Personal Flotation Device: It’s good to have flotation when in deep water. Advanced kiters often wear impact vests to protect their ribs when learning tricks.
  • Booties: We provide these. Getting a bad cut on your foot is a good way to end up on the beach watching your friends have fun.
  • Hook Knife: Can be used in an emergency to cut kite lines.

KITEBOARDING KITES
When you are ready to get into the water, you will transition onto the inflatable type of kite. LEI’s or “Leading Edge inflatables” (aka SLE Supported Leading Edge)are what make kiteboarding on water possible. These kites have an inflatable framework that holds enough air to keep the kites afloat and to hold their arched shape. The shape of the kite is essential to its ability to Re-launch from the water.

The LEI/SLE inflatable kites use a 4-line or 5-line control system which makes them depowerable, (like having gears on a bicycle). Being able to change the kites power while you pilot is a great advantage when the wind strength increases. Inflatable kites have become vastly easier to fly and to water relaunch in the last year or two. Advances in design have made the kites easier and safer to use.

There are a few popular styles: 5-line “C”-Kite, Delta C Kite, Bow Kite and Hydrid Kite designs. The C-shape kite has been the main kite design for the last ten years and is still popular with pro kiters. Generally the “C-Kite” is easier to use in steady wind but is harder to water relaunch and has less ability to depower fully.

In the last few years Delta C, Bow and Hybrid kites have become very popular in general. These kites have a wider wind range, almost automatic water relaunch and more de-power than a traditional C kite. We use and recommend these newer kite designs.

We prefer to teach on 2010-2011 Best Delta C kites. This newer design is very stable and easy to relaunch, making your time while learning with us more pleasurable. In the lessons, we will make use of the best kite type for any given situation.
Once you have mastered the basics of kiteboarding, and are independent, you will
choose a kite style according to your personal preferences, style and local riding conditions. Your instructor can advise you which kites are best for you in any given situation.

KITEBOARDS
When you are ready to get on the board, you will notice that there are two different board types to choose from. We usually recommend you start with a twin-tip style board. A twin tip board is similar to a wakeboard, or a snowboard, in that it can go in both directions. Beginners who start with twin tips have more success early on. We are proud to offer a variety of different twin-tip boards for you to choose from.

The other style of board that is gaining popularity is the directional board. The directional board looks like a surfboard. it has fins at one end and a distinct nose and tail. Directional board are more difficult to ride for the beginner. Directional boards are used in surf conditions to give a surfing like feel, and they are also used to enhance light wind performance. The directional requires the rider to switch their foot placement each time they turn around, so that requires some practice. People with windsurfing experience, will find this very similar to Jibing their windsurf boards. and will have little trouble learning to ride the directional board style. Your instructor can help you determine what board and setup would be right for you.

Please contact us with any equipment questions you might have.

Or visit our shop for more gear information