How much have you spent so far into kiteboarding?

[KiteRider]

How much have you spent so far into kiteboarding?

Include all costs for lessons, gear and repairs. Dont include in-direct costs of this sport like travel, etc.

I want to see how much I will probably end up spending in the future lol.

This is one expensive sport.

I think I have already laid out about $3-4k in gear, lessons, repairs and accessories. I am new to this sport and already spent a ton. Definitely way more than the cost to snowboard. The difference is that I kiteboard more days in the year than I do snowboard.

So lets see what everyone has spent so far.

[adamrod]

yeah, but don't forget, that if you're good to your gear and sell it in a timely fashion, you can recoup a good amount of the initial cost. I figure I probably spend about $1k per year on the sport...

total cost is a bit misleading because some of us have been kiting longer than others

[KiteRider]

heh timely fashion... that must def. make a difference. i haven't sold any gear yet but i plan to next year lol.

I am just curious about total cost since your day 1. It will be more for the vets.

[windhorny]

I polled for above 9k$ but now that I think about it, I am more in the $6k category. Even on discount, 3 kites a year is still $2,750 for a 7,10,14. 4 years of kiting, thats $11,000. But I didnt always get 3 kites, some were used. Never needed a repair. I make my own boards, so pretty much kites,harnesses and a few wetsuits.

But if you tally a beginner's annual kiting expenses,they might be more as all those 12 packs of beer to say sorry for crashing into other people can add up quick!

[wjb]

I refuse to add it all up (the wife might see it :shock: ) Two new kites (will be here Monday!) two new boards, two wetsuits, harness, a bottle of Jack Daniels. It has been a very expensive year!

[KiteRider]

lol Nice!

Basically once you get into this sport and get addicted, you will need to fund your expensive habit.

Wow 2 new kites. 2007 or 2008 models?

[MehYam]

Double-edged sword, I guess. Lower costs would equal more crowded beaches.

How's that for elitism?

[wjb]

08 North Rebels. The theory is that I will spend nothing next year. Ha ha, well we will see :mrgreen:

[KiteRider]

All i know is that every kiteboarder I have ever met has been extremely friendly. I can't say the same for other sports or extreme sports for that matter.

[Bulldog]

Adamrod's logic about saving money by selling your kites in a timely fashion is the kind of myth only a mortgage broker could love (sorry Dave*).

New kites are like new cars; they lose half their value the first time you use them. If you really do the math, the way to spend less on kiting is to only buy kites that are 1 year old, keep them for two more years, then throw it or give it away and buy another 1 year old kite. But you have to wait until the season is completely over, when the price of "last year's kite" is now less than half of new.

Cheapskate three year kite purchase plan: $450 + $0 + $0 = $450
Adamrod three year plan: ($1200 - $600) + ($1200 - $600) + ($1200 - $600) = $1800.

Some of the best kiters in Norcal are still using their 2005 kites. I'm not including myself here in that group, but it's true that I am still learning new tricks and improving on my 2006 kites. Plenty of people on brand new gear are just mowin' the lawn

The important thing about kiting if you don't make tons of money is "DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE", to quote Chuck D. However, as long as other people keep believing it, there will always be good 1 year old kites for sale. =D>

* -- Interesting that the kiter who is a mortgage broker only seems to get new gear every three years or so....