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 snowkiting.

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 snowkiter would spend at least 10-20 hours on the trainer kite before their first session with an inflatable kite, however with our new 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 ram-air foil Trainer kites. In our Level 1 lesson we use 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 snow. The larger trainer kites can also be used as introductory  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:

  • Warm Clothing/Good Gloves: Your first layer of protection.
  • 2-way Radios
  • Helmet: You must have your oun helmet. We suggest you buy a helmet which reflects the value of your head.
  • Waist Harness: 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 are often prefered by snowkiters as they allow the kiter to edge harder and they don’t ride up over winter jackets.
  • Impact Vest/Pads:Pads will give your knees and elbows added protection Advanced kiters often wear impact vests to protect their ribs when learning tricks.
  • Hook Knife: Can be used in an emergency to cut kite lines.

SNOWKITING KITES
When you are ready to start snowkiting, you will have an option of using a foil kite or an inflatable kite.
Foil Kites are soft kites based on the design of the parafoil. They consist of a number of cells running fore to aft, some or all of which are open at the front to allow air to inflate the kite so it takes on an aerofoil section. They are light weight, can be deployed, stowed and re-launched on snow very easily. Foil kites are flown with various line set-ups that includes 2-, 3- and 4-line systems using a depowerable control bar.

LEI’s or “Leading Edge inflatables” (aka SLE Supported Leading Edge) have an inflatable framework that holds their arched shape. The rigid shape of the kite is essential to its ability to Re-launch. 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 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 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 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.

Students must provide their own helmets,skis+poles and/or snowboard.

Please contact us with any equipment questions you might have.