Buying Guide - Second hand or new kitesurfing equipment?

You have decided it is time to buy your own kitesurfing equipment and realised that new equipment is quite an investment and can be really expensive. Luckily there is a big second-hand market to give you the opportunity to buy kitesurfing equipment at an affordable price if you don´t have the means to buy it all new.

We have seen a lot of people buying cheap second-hand kites online ending up with a frustrating kitesurf learning experience due to poor performance of their equipment. Learning to kitesurf can be hard and takes a lot of practice, but equipment in a good state definitely helps!

That´s why we put some useful tips and tricks together to help you choose between buying new or second hand kitesurf equipment and what to look out for when buying used gear.

Buying New Kites / Older Models

Buying new kites is definitely the most expensive option, but it will mean you get the latest model as well. Most kite brands release a new model every year or every second year and you can often get a discount if you buy a complete package. If you get a good deal on new equipment and take good care of it, you can normally sell them after some years on the second-hand market to a fairly good price.

Buying Kites from a school

Most schools sell their equipment at the end of the season, meaning you can pick up a set of the latest model for a cheaper price. School kites have often been used a lot more than personal kites, so make sure you check the gear for any repairs and ask how long they have been used for rental or teaching. Especially if you are taking lessons or renting the equipment from the school it gives you a good chance to test the material beforehand.

Buying second hand online

The second-hand market for used kitesurfing equipment is quite big. You can find gear in Facebook Groups dedicated to second-hand material, eBay or other platforms. Available kites range from almost new models to a couple of years old material. Obviously, the older some kites are the cheaper they get and it might be tempting to pick up a whole set for an extremely cheap price.
Always consider, that the older a kite is, the more it normally has been used. Kites can lose their shape after a lot of use and the line on bars can lengthen leading to different line lengths and poorer performance of the kite. You might find that it is harder to learn and improve on an older model that has been used for years already and the whole learning journey becomes quite frustrating.

What to check when buying used kites

It is always best and recommended to check the used equipment before you buy it if you have the chance to. Does the kite have any repairs and if so, did they get repaired professionally? Check the canopy for any holes and feel if it still feels durable or already quite thin. Check if the kite is holding air when pumped up for a while, otherwise, there could be an issue with the bladder or valve. If the kite has any of the above repairs, consider if the price is adequate and if you are happy with the condition the kite is in before you purchase. There is always a risk associated with buying second-hand kites, but if you check the conditions properly, you can minimize these risks.

Regarding the bar, you should check if all lines are equal lengths. If not the bar needs to be trimmed, which you can do yourself or ask a school to do for you. A perfect kite can not fly ok just because of an untrimmed bar and can make you feel like it is your abilities that make you struggle. So it is crucial to check the bar lines when you purchase a used bar and especially if you feel something is not quite right.

If you are new to kitesurfing it is worth asking a school for a recommendation when buying used kite gear. Feel free to send us a quick message if you are unsure about the equipment you are looking to buy.

Harnesses and Boards

Harnesses and Boards are less expensive than kites and also more durable. You can buy them new if you prefer or second hand as mostly there will only be some cosmetic wear and tear on used equipment and it will not affect the quality too much.