What's your yearly kite budget?

[JaDan]

I’m just curious to know how much the average kiter spends on the sport.

The ends of the spectrum are like the sports itself.
I’ve seen guys drop a ton of cash each year, upgrade their
entire kit. And, I’ve also seen some Kiter’s that don’t spend a dime to replace parts that are well beyond their wear limit, IMHO.

Being one of the Kiter’s in the broke-ass Kiter group,
I don’t have the deep pockets to buy new gear each year.
It’s made me into somewhat of an expert in fixing the shit.

So, I’m just curious to know , what people’s Kite strategy
is.
1.dump money at the sport
2.total neglect buying gear to the point of unsafe flying
3.buy last years kites
4.buy 1 kite/yr

Doesn’t need to be any of the listed options

[andylc]

I will buy new kites at point when I think the new stuff is a significant upgrade on what I have. As a normal person with a job I never wear out my kites. In practice this has meant changing my entire quiver once in about 12 years, not counting a brief foray into foil kites before going back to LEIs....so twice I guess....
Boards I’ve had more of though....

[mkNY]

Every year or every other year. Nothing like crispy new kites
Life is short...

[NotsoShort]

All depends on you kiting style, how much time do you use your kite? How do you look after them ? My oldest kite is 9 years and still flies well.

Consumerism demands we need to get the newest product every year. You don’t need to. Kites are built to last longer than a year.

[Aberdovy kiter]

My current kites range from 6yrs for my rebels, 4yrs for my flysurfer speed delux, I'm looking to replace the rebels next year for dice, but I'll keep them and use them when i get the itch, only the airport valve on my biggest rebel has been changed..

[Windigo1]

No real budget just whatever I need but I always try to get a good deal. My quiver evolves with my taste and preference this year I bought 2 Boxers kite for foiling because I am now foiling 80% of the time. I got one new but 2020 model on sale and one used but like new. I kept my old quiver because it isn't work much and I still enjoy a big air session when the wind is perfect for that! I also bought one foil and foil board. There is always something to buy every year but it's worth it I kite like 100 times a year it's a great sport and it keeps me sane and in shape!

[grigorib]

- buy last year models on sale
- buy used gear from affiliated riders - they have too much gear to wear anything much and rotate it every release. There are so many sales of such gear and they sell in bulk, yet at specific times of the year, when they get whole new quiver
- bargain prices
- don’t abuse your gear. Keep it clean and functional so it lasts and could be resold
- sell my used gear while it’s still current in great condition and holds value
- build my own parts/components and make best combinations - I don’t stick to “sets”
- I buy only standard gear. No crazy valves, fifth lines, QRs, squids, aluulas, unicorns etc. if anything is as good as they say - it becomes standard fast. Repair and resale of nonstandard is a nightmare and they end up being collectibles

I only watch overall cost of what I possess and make sure I don’t lose much on resale.
That of course is secondary to having great time on water

[tkaraszewski]

Way too much. I’ll try and get the best price on anything I buy, but if I want it, I’ll buy it. In the last year I’ve bought 4 foil kites (Soul 6 and 8, Sonic 9 and 13), two foils (Moses and Mike’s Lab) and a custom foil board.

That doesn’t even include the wing gear.

I guess I’m that “dump money at the sport” guy.

[JaDan]

Way too much. I’ll try and get the best price on anything I buy, but if I want it, I’ll buy it. In the last year I’ve bought 4 foil kites (Soul 6 and 8, Sonic 9 and 13), two foils (Moses and Mike’s Lab) and a custom foil board.

That doesn’t even include the wing gear.

I guess I’m that “dump money at the sport” guy.

Yes , that’s exactly the shit I’m talking about. Currently,
can only dream of that amount of new gear every year.

A friend works at a board shop in Germany , and the amount of new gear he gets access to All the time, can’t help but be envious.

[or6]

I don't even tell my wife, why should I tell you?