| Some tips from Big Air Imports NZ to maintain | | | | your kite which will cause damage. |
| your precious kiteboarding kite and maintain it's | | | | 6. |
| longevity. | | | | Waves: If you drop your kite in the waves let it go! |
| 1. | | | | Waves are powerful and can rip through a kite easily, |
| Sun and wind: Sun is one of the major causes of kite | | | | especially if there is tension on the lines holding it |
| damage. Don't leave your kite on the beach | | | | back. Let it go to avoid it tearing and swim after it! |
| un-necessarily and dont leave it flapping in the wind | | | | 7. |
| as this causes surface fatigue. | | | | Lines: Keep your lines knot free as a knot weakens |
| 2. | | | | your lines and puts you at risk of a line break. Always |
| Setup on the beach: Pumping on the grass and | | | | wash your bar and lines in fresh water after each |
| carrying your kite down to the beach means you | | | | use as this prevents the salt water from eroding |
| may get your kite/lines caught on rubbish bins, twigs | | | | your lines. |
| and paths. All these things cause un necessary | | | | 8. |
| damage to your kite so pump on the beach to avoid | | | | Avoid sand: Sand is the devil for kites, always wipe |
| this. | | | | away excess sand as this causes wear on the kite |
| 3. | | | | cloth, eventually leading to the cloth wearing through. |
| Unfold kite: Always unfold your kite before pumping | | | | 9. |
| up. Failing to do so will cause twists in your leading | | | | Dry kite always!: Never pack your kite away when it |
| edge bladder as you pump and the kite unrolls itself. | | | | is wet. You dont need to wash a kite off that often |
| 4. | | | | but if you do then ensure it is completely dry before |
| Pack away your pump: Take the hose off your | | | | it is packed away. Packing away a wet kite can |
| pump after each use, this will prevent the hose | | | | cause mould and colours to run. |
| bending at the attachment point and causing leaks in | | | | 10. |
| your pump hose. | | | | Use your kite bag: Especially if you have your kite in |
| 5. | | | | your boot with the rest of your gear. Fins, screws |
| Avoid self launching: Try to get someone to launch | | | | and other sharp objects can pierce your kite so use |
| you every time as self launching causes scraping on | | | | that flash bag to keep your prized kite safe. |