Kiteboarding: a complete kitesurfing kit may cost you between $1,800 and $2,200 | Photo: Costa/Red Bull

When you're getting into kiteboarding and buying gear, you're investing in your physical and mental health. So, is kitesurfing an expensive hobby? What is the cost of entry into the sport?

Kitesurfing equipment only became widely available in the late 1990s. That said, the wind sport is still living its early days.

Since the turn of the millennium, kite gear has evolved and gotten safer thanks to several technical updates and mechanical developments.

However, with the progression in equipment, prices remained relatively stable over time.

The best way to learn how to ride a kite is by taking private lessons or enrolling in an officially approved kiteboarding school.

Kitesurfing is a fairly demanding wind sport and could be dangerous if you decide to learn by yourself.

When buying your own kitesurfing gear, make sure you ask a seasoned veteran or someone who genuinely loves the sport to accompany you to the surf shop.

They will know what's best for your riding level and always get a second opinion.

A professional dealer will always demonstrate and let you test the kit or equipment.

In the end, you'll need to know what's right for you in the present and look at your goals for the near future.

Competition among manufacturers is fierce, so prices tend to differ little between brands, especially when comparing equipment in the same quality range.

Avoid extremely cheap offers that may put your life at risk, and be careful about second-hand equipment.

If you're unsure about which model to choose from, try to hire a couple of models before making a final decision.

Kitesurfing: not as cheap as surfing, but not more expensive than windsurfing | Photo: Costa/Red Bull

The Basic Kiteboarding Kit

The essential kitesurfing kit includes half a dozen pieces, and their price range is as follows:

  • Kite: $800 > $2,000
  • Pump: $40 > $100
  • Kiteboard: $300 > $1,400
  • Control Bar: $200 > $700
  • Kite Lines: $20 > $200
  • Harness: $120 > $400
  • Spreader Bar: $40 > $60

When it comes to kites, the price tag may vary depending on the year of release, the size, the brand, and the type of wing you're interested in.

Some brands may sell the kite with a pump; others will make you buy it separately.

The same applies to kiteboards. You'll find boards of all shapes, built with a broad range of materials and with several riding purposes.

Some boards may include a set of foot straps.

The control system often includes the flying lines, but you can also buy your favorite set separately.

They also feature an adjustable bar, a quick-release system, and a chicken loop.

The Extra Gear

But you may also need more items to ride the wind with a kite:

  • Wetsuit: $150 > $400
  • Anemometer: $20 > $200
  • Ear Plugs: $20 > $60

In conclusion, a complete kiteboarding setup costs between $1,800 and $2,200, excluding the always-useful wetsuit.

One thing is sure: the more recent the model, the more you'll pay.

Kite companies release new products every year, and with more minor and bigger tweaks, owning the latest upgrades will definitely cost you extra money.

If you opt for complete kitesurfing packages and bundles for beginner and intermediate riders, you may save several hundred dollars and get it down to around $1,200.

The truth is that kiteboarding can be less expensive than windsurfing but still four to five times more pricey than surfing.

Top Stories

After a four-year wait for the perfect storm, one of the fiercest kitesurfing events in the world has been contested once again in the Netherlands.

Kiteboarding will make its Olympic debut in Paris 2024. Here is everything you must know about the event and the qualified athletes.

Legendary British kiteboarding brand Flexifoil is for sale.

In an electrifying display of kiteboarding prowess, 19-year-old Italian Andrea Principi has been crowned the champion of the prestigious Red Bull King of the Air competition, held in Cape Town, South Africa.