CONTENTS
- Negative effects of the sun on a kitesurf kite
- How wind affects the maintenance of a kitesurf kite
- How sand affects it
- Line pulleys
- Drying the kite
- How to clean a kitesurf kite?
- How to inflate the kite
Today you'll learn everything you need to know about kitesurf kite maintenance that you wouldn't dare to ask.
Today we're going to talk about kite care. We've spent days gathering information from the internet, professionals and enthusiasts about maintaining a kitesurf kite and, to be honest, we found quite a few discrepancies.
All the information from the internet, forums and videos about kite maintenance has been summarised simply and clearly in this post, discarding all the myths and false recommendations.
We've summed it all up in this post and explained it clearly and simply. Let's get to it!
We've summed it all up in this post and explained it clearly and simply. Let's get to it!
Negative effects of the sun on a kitesurf kite
The sun has two aspects to bear in mind.
- Ultraviolet rays: Ultraviolet rays come from the sun and degrade the kite's canopy in the long term. We don't recommend leaving the kite for long hours in full sun or on the beach sand once you've finished your session. Another example is when we go off to eat and leave the kite on the beach. We know it's a hassle to rig it and pack it down every time we're not using it, but that's what should be done.
- Heat: Leaving the car parked in full sun makes the inside heat up. If the kite is inside the car, it will suffer this high temperature, affecting the bonding of the valves and the long-term condition of your kite.
How wind affects the maintenance of a kitesurf kite
Leaving the kite resting on the sand in strong gusts of wind is bad for your kite. Why?
Very simple. The wind may hit the leading edge of your kite and end up deforming and degrading it. We must prevent the kite from flapping in the wind.
What should we do to stop the kite suffering in this wind?
Put sand on it. We need to take the leading edge of the kite and point it towards the ground, "pressing” it against the ground. On top of the canopy we'll put a little beach sand. This way we'll stop the kite lifting in the wind and keep flapping to a minimum. It may seem silly, but it's key to keeping your kite in good condition.
How sand affects it
With sand we find discrepancies. Some say you need to clean the kite and not leave sand on the canopy when packing it away, while others say the sand does no harm: since the grains are rounded, they don't affect the kite's canopy.
The truth is that it depends on the grain of the sand. As you know, beach sand isn't all the same. Some is finer and some coarser. It's best to clean off the sand if possible. But if we can't, it's not a drama.
What is necessary is to clean out the sand that gets caught between the edges of the struts and the edges of the leading edge. Sand tends to build up in these areas, slipping between the seams, and it can become a problem in the long run.
We can use a brush or similar to clean the edges of the kite, as you can see below. This should be done with the kite deflated.
Line pulleys
Another important point is the pulleys. We can't stop the pulleys from jamming, but we can make sure the line suffers as little as possible when rubbing against the pulley. How do we solve this? With wax!
We can get special wax or simply take a candle and rub the wax along the lines. This lowers the friction temperature, so the line slides more smoothly through the pulley and the lines last longer.
Drying the kite
This is a key element in kitesurf kite maintenance, and everyone agrees on it. The kite must be packed away dry once the session is over. If it can't be packed dry, because it's raining or for any other reason, you'll need to take it out the next day and dry it properly before packing it away again.
The reason it can't be stored damp is that, when you pack a damp kite, the moisture doesn't disappear but stays there for a long time.
If we keep this moisture in the bag, there's a greater chance of mould growing on the kite, paint peeling off or the canopy degrading.
Effects of salt on kite gear
At most we should rinse the kite with fresh water once a month, that is, we shouldn't clean it every day or every 4 months... once a month is enough.
Let's not forget the bag the kite is stored in. It should also be washed. The reason is that bags store the salt the kite brings with it. Add the sun's ultraviolet rays to this and the result is
a faded bag, peeling paint and even zips jamming due to the build-up of dried salt.
We should also rinse the bag on the same day we rinse the kite.
Effects of salt on kite gear
How to clean a kitesurf kite?
You probably think it's a good idea to rinse your kite with fresh water every time you finish riding. The truth is that this information is wrong.At most we should rinse the kite with fresh water once a month, that is, we shouldn't clean it every day or every 4 months... once a month is enough.
Let's not forget the bag the kite is stored in. It should also be washed. The reason is that bags store the salt the kite brings with it. Add the sun's ultraviolet rays to this and the result is
a faded bag, peeling paint and even zips jamming due to the build-up of dried salt.
We should also rinse the bag on the same day we rinse the kite.
How to inflate the kite
You need to unfold the kite completely and in a spacious area before you start inflating it. The kite must not rub against anything nearby while it's being inflated.
You can't inflate the kite without unfolding it and expect it to unfold by itself as it fills with air.
Another key moment that can determine how well your kite holds up is landing it. Even if you're a machine at launching and landing it, we recommend getting help from another person.
One of the risks when landing the kite is dragging it across the sand. And in that drag, however small, it can be damaged by a stone, branch or glass lying in the sand. If it does get damaged, don't worry: we've thought of you, which is why you also have a step-by-step guide on how to repair a kitesurf kite.
You can write any questions you have about kitesurf kite maintenance in the comments. We'll be happy to answer as soon as possible!
