Kite company's are out of their minds

[foilholio]

Cheap ...get what you paid for. Sorry but most times true.

Yes you do get what you pay for,...
...a feeling of being less gay, a feeling of being more gay...

Are you saying with Pansh you get a feeling of being “exactly and precisely one”?

No come now lets not be homophobic. What I am saying is that the big brands give the purchaser a certain sexual belief reinforcement of their imagined sexuality, or as a comforter of denialed actual sexuality. Now let me give you an example. Best kites, their flyers are the most macho masculine types you could imagine. But they go around flying kites with a giant penis with wings on it. Where do we see this in real life else where? Well pride parades where bum punchers get their wangs out and wear angel wings. So it would seem flying a Best kite is some sort of conscious unconscious admittance to a certain sexuality.

Now with a Pansh I get the feeling of being a Chineseman out in the open farm field in one of those epic Chinese movies. I can even speak Chinese, choong ke chong chong ching ching. It's glorious, no need for penis on my kites!

Now grig, grigy? grigori? Lets not fight. see this

they’re confident, they know how to talk to and satisfy a girl.

This is excellent life advice but a little offensive to Pullstrings and his F.A.G. ( Florida Ass Gropers). Lets tone down the homophobia and add a little man so our Best friends can feel more comfortable

they’re confident, they know how to talk to and satisfy a girl or man if that's what your into or have penises on your gear, it's all fine by me.

[Osprey1]

I buy all new kite gear every two years and put about 50-75 sessions on each kite before selling. The money I spent on my new Naish Dashes was totally worth it. I feel a greater sense of confidence boosting 50 feet on newer gear compared to old gear that could have a bridle snap from up high or during a loop.

[longwhitecloud]

Blame the industry, they ate themselves alive.

Everyone knows kite kit markup is absolutely insane.

The industry (gka) decided to dance with the kooks otherwise known as world sailing and paid the price.

How are youth supposed to get excited watching GKAs freestyle clown show.

There was a time when there were a lot of younger riders.. the industry made sure to kill off that idea.

I would say slingshot is one of the few brands that didnt sell out, and maybe duotone by the sounds of it with their ceo saying that they did not want to be part of sailing/directed by it.

Yup they are out of their minds.. becoming snake oil salesman with their marketing garbage and markups.

[Beardytello]

You can buy a decent mountain bike for the price of one kite and not sit on your hands waiting for wind.

But then you'd be shitty mountain biking instead of kiting?

I could buy 1250 mars bars instead of a kite too but then I'd be a fat git with no teeth instead of a kitesurfer.

[Bill C]

You can buy a decent mountain bike for the price of one kite and not sit on your hands waiting for wind.

But then you'd be shitty mountain biking instead of kiting?

I could buy 1250 mars bars instead of a kite too but then I'd be a fat git with no teeth instead of a kitesurfer.

Really? You must think kiting is the 'end all'. Well, its not. I know perfectly capable kiters who quit or go infrequently because they got bored or decided to pursue something else. They made a decision not to buy new kite gear and spend their disposable income elsewhere. If they go a few times a year to get a kite fix, they'll use their old gear because its 'good enough' to get on the water.

Looks like you joined in 2016 which is relatively new. There will be a defining moment where you can't glean anymore hype and buying new equipment won't be a substitute either.

[badgb21]

You can buy a decent mountain bike for the price of one kite and not sit on your hands waiting for wind.

But then you'd be shitty mountain biking instead of kiting?

I could buy 1250 mars bars instead of a kite too but then I'd be a fat git with no teeth instead of a kitesurfer.

Really? You must think kiting is the 'end all'. Well, its not. I know perfectly capable kiters who quit or go infrequently because they got bored or decided to pursue something else. They made a decision not to buy new kite gear and spend their disposable income elsewhere. If they go a few times a year to get a kite fix, they'll use their old gear because its 'good enough' to get on the water.

Looks like you joined in 2016 which is relatively new. There will be a defining moment where you can't glean anymore hype and buying new equipment won't be a substitute either.

A couple of years back, I couldn't imagine agreeing with this, been at it a while and a change of location, to a place where the kiting conditions are not so great, has made me explore other interests more.
May be a resurgence in future years, we'll see.

[pmaggie]

Market rulez. If something is too expensive for its value (for "value" I mean its attractiveness for the customer, not the actual physical value) it will for sure end its life shortly. If they can sell a bar for 490 bucks, it means there are customers ready to shell out the money.

[jumptheshark]

Really? You must think kiting is the 'end all'. Well, its not. I know perfectly capable kiters who quit or go infrequently because they got bored or decided to pursue something else. They made a decision not to buy new kite gear and spend their disposable income elsewhere. If they go a few times a year to get a kite fix, they'll use their old gear because its 'good enough' to get on the water.

Pffft. Casuals.

[grigorib]

...
How are youth supposed to get excited watching GKAs freestyle clown show.
...

I don’t want to seed hate. Bunch of guys are coming to sport to ride boots and ramps and I’m glad they do.
Other bunch figured out they can use a little wind engine to rock on their surfboards instead of socializing in water for 15 minutes before each 45 seconds ride.
Some guys like big air and nice quick/floaty tricks
Some like speed and racing
Some ride the magic carpet of a foil

For each of above the gear is different - we’re in sport of many disciplines and blessed to be able to tell industry what we want next. But hey, markups on everything are crazy - on closes, cars, housing, electronics, gadgets... but I’m damn sure I dan get a a curious newbie a set of gear for split of the price of newly released one. And I can still rock on 2008 ARC...well kinda..I’d be cursing a lot

[Beardytello]

Really? You must think kiting is the 'end all'. Well, its not.

It's not, to you, anymore...and that's fine! Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I'm still happy being stoked and that I have a hobby I love more than any other I've ever had.