Kite Surfing Equipment

Why would you need a wetsuit while kite surfing? I mean is it not a sport that needs lots of energy? Won't skimming across the waves while controlling a kite be enough to keep you warm? Well that would depend on your location and ability really.

If you are lucky enough to spend your days lying on a beach soaking up the sun - waiting for that perfect breeze then maybe a wetsuit isn't gonna' be on your shopping list. If you're in the north east of England however, then a wetsuit would be almost compulsory.

In a similar way if you're at the intermediate level in your skill then you WILL be skimming across the surface. If you're at the beginner level however you will probably spend more time in the water trying to re-launch your kite. In this case it doesn't really matter how hot the water is you will get cold eventually but beside the thermal qualities of the wetsuit it will also help keep you floating while you sort out your board and kite.

Often over looked a wetsuit should be in your bag of kite surfing gear, that way you will have the choice to wear it or not when you get to the coast.

Nearly all new kite surfers now put on a crash helmet at some point or other. If you're not sure of what's beneath the surface your kite surfing on some type of crash helmet could save your life. If you're surfing around an area with rocks or experimenting with something you've never done before on the kiteboard then maybe a crash helmet will be useful as well.

Depending upon your degree of skill or location your are kite surfing you may need a life jacket to keep you afloat and assist you while swimming for your kite, or to land.

You'll want a boardleash very early in your buying spree as it's the only thing that retains your board to your feet should you fall off it. This could avoid you watching as your kiteboard sails off into the sunset while you sit on the beach! Boardleases however are somewhat controversial for many, who believe that wearing a boardleash will lead to more problems than prevent. Something for you to decide upon for yourself!

Never purchase a kite surfing kite without a working safety release system attached. A safety release can be 2 or 4 lines and will simply attach to your wrist and to the control bar and will disable the power kite when you stop holding the control bar.