Kitesurf sails are not eternal. Their exposure to natural elements determines their wear. Yet there is something we can do to prolong its life. In reality, these are small steps that can really make the difference in terms of the duration of our beloved equipment. Here are 5 tips to extend the life of your kite.
1) Do not abandon the kite in the sun and wind.
Lower the wing to change to the largest or smallest size because the wind has changed? Well, dedicate 5 minutes to folding the sail that you no longer use. I know that it seems like precious time wasted, but in the long run your kite will thank you because there is nothing worse than waving a kite on the beach, in the sun and whipping the wind ... within a year I am hours and hours of wear that you could easily save your sail.
2) Carefully fold the kite.
Storing the kite correctly is important. The kite should not be bent too tightly. Furthermore, rolling the sail is better than folding it. If your kite has splints you will need to pay special attention. Also take care when transporting the sail by plane. On these occasions, in fact, the kite tends to be very tight so that it takes up less space. Always check that valves or other elements do not risk rubbing against the fabric and possibly protect these parts with paper towels.
3) Do not leave the kite in the bag if it is wet.
If during your last session the kite ended up in the water you should let it dry before putting it back in the bag. If this really isn't possible or if it even rains while you are folding it, then remove the kite from the bag and let it dry as soon as you get home. A wet kite left in the bag is subject to various problems that can range from the transfer of designs or colors from one part of the fabric to the other, up to the detachment of the valves if high temperatures are added to the humidity.
4) Always wash the bar.
After each exit, wash the bar, the lines and all the components with particular attention to the release system, with fresh water. The quick release system is your life saver. Unfortunately the sand can make it fit and make it unusable, so it is essential to wash it and check it every time. The salt then, as well as deleterious is very sticky. Washing the bar after each ride will also make you gain time at the next session, when you are going to unroll the bar, because clean lines stretch out more easily.
5) Do not leave the kite in the trunk in the summer.
The trunk of a car parked in the sun in summer is an oven. If you leave your kite inside for hours and hours it is very likely that the valves come unstuck ... so think about it next time!
In addition to these tips, which I would call " the bare minimum ", it may be useful to wash the kite with fresh water every so often, especially if it has fallen into sea water. There is no need to wash the kite after each ride, but the important thing would be to at least clean it of any sticky sand so that no wet sand remains in contact with the sail.
Pubblicato il 22 maggio 2018 | Blog > Technique: KITESURF