Kitesurfing has gained popularity in recent years but still remains financially inaccessible for many. The cost of kitesurfing makes it difficult for interested individuals to pursue the sport.
Kitesurfing is expensive due to the cost of the equipment. Quality kitesurfing gear is engineered and manufactured to a high standard to ensure the kitesurfer remains safe. Consequently, the cost of kitesurfing gear is passed on to you during kitesurfing lessons.
When you are hooked to a kite and soaring above the water the last thing you would want is for one of your lines to snap or your kite to get a tear in it. Although the gear may be expensive, I would certainly rather use high-quality gear when my personal safety is on the line.
Why Are Kitesurfing Lessons So Expensive?
To kick off your kitesurfing journey, you need to learn the basics of kitesurfing. It is best to enrol yourself in kitesurfing lessons with a professional kitesurfing instructor. You may think that you can learn the sport on your own – and yes, you can, however, lessons are by far the best way to go.
Kitesurfing lessons are expensive due to the cost of gear and insurance. Kitesurfing gear used by kitesurfing schools costs $3000-$4000 plus the costs of maintenance and repairs. The cost of insurance and instructors’ salaries make up the rest of the costs that go into lesson prices.
That being said, investing in kitesurfing lessons will help you learn to kitesurf in a safe manner and mitigate the risks of what is considered an extreme sport. Your instructors will provide you with a more profound knowledge of safety and how to handle your equipment, keeping you and others around you from disaster.
In general, you will need about 10 to 12 hours of lessons guided by professional instructors to learn the basics of kitesurfing and become independent. This will cost you anywhere from $400 to $1200 depending on which country you are learning in.
You will want to think long and hard before investing the money in lessons. But some things to consider when choosing a kitesurfing school for your lessons; always look into the competence of your instructor, lesson plans, location, group size for group lessons, safety measures followed, and kitesurf equipment.
There are plenty of reviews available online to help you make your decision. Additionally, you could do it old school and pick up the phone and give the kitesurfing school a call to answer your questions.
Do You Need Kitesurfing Lessons?
Kitesurfing is considered an extreme sport and as such, you need to have theoretical and practical kitesurfing lessons. You need to learn how to use the equipment properly, observe and follow kitesurfing safety guidelines and recovery techniques for the eventuality that you come off your board.
With the help of professional instructors, you will learn how to kitesurf quickly and safely. Learning the sport will take time, but lessons will help you to become an independent kitesurfer much faster. As you master the techniques in controlling your kite and board, you will surely fall in love with kitesurfing.
Tips To Save Money When Learning
We have been talking about how expensive kitesurfing is from the equipment to the lessons, but are there ways to save some money?
- Try to choose a lesson schedule in the off-season to avoid paying peak prices during the tourism season.
- Shop around for the best prices on lessons.
- Make sure equipment rental is included in the price of your kitesurfing lessons.
- Once you are done with lessons, consider buying second-hand gear. Just be careful to check for damage.
- Shop around for the best prices on gear; there are plenty of physical and online stores.
Solo lessons will entail you paying a premium price compared to group lessons. If you choose solo classes, your instructor will be more focused on teaching you what you need to learn in kitesurfing. However, if you’re looking to save some cash, group lessons might be the better alternative.
Renting equipment is a pragmatic choice for beginners as you still need to familiarize yourself with how to use the kite and the board. Before you invest your hard-earned cash in some kitesurfing equipment, trying different brands through renting can be a big help in the decision-making process.
How Much Does Kitesurfing Equipment Cost?
Acquiring your kitesurfing equipment is one of the biggest challenges for beginners. There are so many options to choose from and it is a huge investment of your cold hard cash.
A kitesurfing equipment setup for a beginner ranges from $1500 to $2500. Many online stores sell beginner kitesurfing equipment bundles with all the gear you need. A general cost guide for key items is as follows; kite $400-$2000; board $300-$1000; control bar $200-$700; harness $80-$200.
Each piece of equipment has a variety of options to choose from ranging in size to its design. You can purchase complete equipment sets or individual items separately. You can mix and match different equipment from different brands depending on your liking or your budget.
Below is a list of kitesurfing equipment prices for a complete kitesurfing kit:
- The Kite – you will need to have a state-of-the-art kite that can face different wind conditions and is suited for your body weight. Kites can range in sizes from 3m to 17m. A kite usually costs from $400 to $2000 however more expensive products certainly do exist.
- The Kiteboard – the partner to your kite and the physically largest piece of equipment in your kitesurfing kit. Kiteboards come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. Kiteboards are usually priced between $300 to $1000.
- The Control Bar – the steering wheel to your kite. Most control bars in the market range from $200 to $700.
- The Harness – attaches you to your kite around the waist or as a seat. Harnesses usually cost from $80 to $200.
- Accessories – since you will be under the scorching heat of the sun and will face harsh waves of the ocean, you will need good quality body gear and accessories. For kitesurfing, this may include wetsuits, helmets, goggles, life vests, and gloves. The total costs of the abovementioned gear can range from $200 to $1000 depending on which items you want.
When choosing your kitesurfing equipment, make sure to select a gear with a design and style that suits your needs. Consider comfort and safety over style as a beginner. Beginner packages offered by online retailers are an excellent place to start if you are uncertain about which brands to buy.
Try not to stress out about your gear as a beginner. Having the latest and greatest gear won’t make you a professional kitesurfer overnight. The most important thing is to get out onto the water and have fun!
