By Nick Harris
Some tips from to maintain your precious kiteboarding kite and maintain it's longevity.
1. Sun and wind: Sun is one of the major causes of kite damage. Don't leave your kite on the beach un-necessarily and don't leave it flapping in the wind as this causes surface fatigue.
2. Setup on the beach: Pumping on the grass and carrying your kite down to the beach means you may get your kite/lines caught on rubbish bins, twigs and paths. All these things cause un necessary damage to your kite so pump on the beach to avoid this.
3. Unfold kite: Always unfold your kite before pumping up. Failing to do so will cause twists in your leading edge bladder as you pump and the kite unrolls itself.
4. Pack away your pump: Take the hose off your pump after each use, this will prevent the hose bending at the attachment point and causing leaks in your pump hose.
5. Avoid self launching: Try to get someone to launch you every time as self launching causes scraping on your kite which will cause damage.
6. Waves: If you drop your kite in the waves let it go! Waves are powerful and can rip through a kite easily, especially if there is tension on the lines holding it back. Let it go to avoid it tearing and swim after it!
7. Lines: Keep your lines knot free as a knot weakens your lines and puts you at risk of a line break. Always wash your bar and lines in fresh water after each use as this prevents the salt water from eroding your lines.
8. Avoid sand: Sand is the devil for kites, always wipe away excess sand as this causes wear on the kite cloth, eventually leading to the cloth wearing through.
9. Dry kite always!: Never pack your kite away when it is wet. You don't need to wash a kite off that often but if you do then ensure it is completely dry before it is packed away. Packing away a wet kite can cause mould and colours to run.
10. Use your bag: Especially if you have your kite in your boot with the rest of your gear. Fins, screws and other sharp objects can pierce your kite so use that flash bag to keep your prized kite safe.
Some tips from to maintain your precious kiteboarding kite and maintain it's longevity.
1. Sun and wind: Sun is one of the major causes of kite damage. Don't leave your kite on the beach un-necessarily and don't leave it flapping in the wind as this causes surface fatigue.
2. Setup on the beach: Pumping on the grass and carrying your kite down to the beach means you may get your kite/lines caught on rubbish bins, twigs and paths. All these things cause un necessary damage to your kite so pump on the beach to avoid this.
3. Unfold kite: Always unfold your kite before pumping up. Failing to do so will cause twists in your leading edge bladder as you pump and the kite unrolls itself.
4. Pack away your pump: Take the hose off your pump after each use, this will prevent the hose bending at the attachment point and causing leaks in your pump hose.
5. Avoid self launching: Try to get someone to launch you every time as self launching causes scraping on your kite which will cause damage.
6. Waves: If you drop your kite in the waves let it go! Waves are powerful and can rip through a kite easily, especially if there is tension on the lines holding it back. Let it go to avoid it tearing and swim after it!
7. Lines: Keep your lines knot free as a knot weakens your lines and puts you at risk of a line break. Always wash your bar and lines in fresh water after each use as this prevents the salt water from eroding your lines.
8. Avoid sand: Sand is the devil for kites, always wipe away excess sand as this causes wear on the kite cloth, eventually leading to the cloth wearing through.
9. Dry kite always!: Never pack your kite away when it is wet. You don't need to wash a kite off that often but if you do then ensure it is completely dry before it is packed away. Packing away a wet kite can cause mould and colours to run.
10. Use your bag: Especially if you have your kite in your boot with the rest of your gear. Fins, screws and other sharp objects can pierce your kite so use that flash bag to keep your prized kite safe.
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