4 Worst Things for Your Kite

[@kite666G]

Not using your kite must be the worst thing for yourself and the kite!

[@OurKiteLife]

Very true!!

[@mikes_machines]

Great advice, and I'm glad you started with UV damage; leaving your kite lying in the sun is the single worst thing you can do. One of the kiters in our group works for a company that makes the cloth used by several kite manufactures and he has advised all of us to place our kites in the shade whenever possible. The UV coatings wear off with time and they don't provide 100% protection even when new.

[@OurKiteLife]

Apparently you can re-coat the kite fabric with the UV coating, but we've never actually have. Wonder if someone else has?

[@bring_everything]

In Scotland we don't have to worry about UV nor heat as its so bloody gloomy

[@OurKiteLife]

How's the water temperature there?

[@bring_everything]

@@OurKiteLife Cold, dark and evil but it's the shoal's of Jellyfish splatting off the foil that really gets your attention

[@OurKiteLife]

Wow, good for you for braving all of that!

[@luccafrieri]

Fresh water can lead to mold more so than salt

[@OurKiteLife]

Yes, that's true! If you don't dry up your kites properly they can get moldy!

[@jgblete403]

Chlorine in tap water is much damaging than salt.much more .

[@simpleman5494]

+Our Kite Life @Our Kite Life : This is what kite Manufacturers say about this topic (especially what flysurfer says): www.lifetravellerz.com/2015/09/03/10-kitemythen-nachgefragt-bei-den-kiteherstellern/ you may need to translate via deepl: www.deepl.com/translator or google if you do not understand german.

[@loganswanepoel4185]

thanks

[@fujimatosa]

@@jgblete403 Yes, I was teached that in Egypt.

[@ericmnr]

Big fan of your videos. Always bringing interesting topics differently to all the other channels.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks so much! :)

[@slappysurf]

You missed one: DOGS! Here in Vancouver the only beach we are allowed to kite on in the summer is also the main off leash dog beach. If you have 1 or 0 strut kites dogs run right over them like picnic blankets and with soft sand under their paws the claws shred right through the ripstop.

[@OurKiteLife]

We've had dogs run over our foil kites a few times, we've also had dogs pee on kites, and even poop on a kiteboard :S

[@UTubeGangstaMan]

Yesterday I saw a dog grab someone's bar and try to run away with it.. Was actually pretty funny

[@Tanapseudes]

There is never shade on the beach. Here in Mobile, Alabama it is 90 degrees F. today. Good advice.

[@GoProActions]

Great video as always! In my opinion the problem with sand is the flying sand in strong winds. It's like sandpaper or sandblasting for the protective coating of the fabric, so as you said, just pack the kite and you will enjoy your equipment for a long time 😎🤙

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks so much! Very true - it's better to pack it up and have the kite for many years to come :)

[@julianmol3771]

#4 is a tricky one, as you can better leave your kite wet from seawater and maybe some sand sticking to it than cleaning it with normal water and put it back in the bag while it's still wet. As normal water will start to mold which will cause damage to your ripstop over time. Seawater won't mold which will result in an expended lifetime of your kite. If it's summer season and your kite can properly dry in the sun it is defenitely a good idea to clean it with water, this'll result in the best possible durability of your kite.

[@luissuriani]

When I was a paraglider pilot, we were not exposing our paragliders to the sun prior or after the flight. then paragliders were safe up to 300 hours of exposure. I´m amazed how people are just leaving their kites on the sun the whole day... according to this, then life of a kite should be some 1 and 1/2 years... ( using it once a week for 4 hours) In my case it will be 3 years then... Regards from Mendoza !!

[@OurKiteLife]

Didn’t know that about paragliders - good to know! Yes, lots of people - ourselves included - are guilty of leaving kites in the sun but it really does cut down the life of a kite! Cheers from Canada :)

[@lovetofly32]

I have an ultralight with dacron sails and They were fairly new in 05 when I bought it ive always kept in in the shade or inside and they seem just as good as they were then but I've only put 225 hrs on it. But that fabric is quite a bit thicker than kites. I was surprised how thin they are.

[@pitterpit9964]

How do you get your foil kite like the Soul dry, in case you end your session with swimming to the beach and there is no wind to fly it dry?

[@OurKiteLife]

Usually someone in our crew has a leaf blower to pre-inflate a foil kite. So, if you swim with your foil kite, lay it out on the beach and fill it with air using the leaf blower and it will dry much quicker :)

[@pitterpit9964]

@@OurKiteLife great idea! Thks

[@kniefi]

What I used to do (and still have to do occasionally) - when I was snowkiting or dropping the kite much more often as a beginner - I would lay the kite flat out in my living room, take a hairdryer/Blowdryer, turn it on the coldest! setting - let it blow air in through the bottom "Air-outlet" of the flysurfer - let it sit for usually 1h - 2h , which is enough to get every bit of moisture out in a very sensitive way. This way you do NOT have wind blowing and tearing on the fabric and you DON´T have sun on the kite. I highly doubt the 30 - 34°C from the "cold" setting of the blow-dryer will do anything to damage the kite - like I said, this has served me very very well many many times - and it might cost you 20 -40cents (1-2kwh) so, not a big deal.

[@j.b.7525]

My $.02, a good dehumidifier has been great for my kite gear. Fresh rinse everything, put away in a room with the dehumidifier running all night and everything is bone dry by morning. This is great for wetsuits, harness, bar and kites. Well worth the $120.

[@OurKiteLife]

That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing

[@mguy808]

Another good one. I love the fabric testing. You guys live and breathe kiting. Personally I think salt crystals puncturing kite bladders is a dubious claim. My opinion...

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! Yeah - it's not something we've experienced ourselves so we weren't sure either

[@seidujoan]

You do such a great videos!! It would be interesting to explore in a video the best method to self rescue in offshore winds with pumped kites...🙂 it's hard to find info about this topic.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! We’ll look into it, but as a general rule we don’t recommend kiting in off shore winds at all

[@flp2635]

For folks who kite near or on the ocean I believe it’s a good idea to wash sea salt off your kite and then hang it up to dry after each session. We always hang up our kites after a session to get the sand off or to dry them. Where we are the kite doesn’t have to touch the water to feel wet after a few hours out.

[@OurKiteLife]

That's a great tip, thanks!

[@JonathanDamon-jd]

That's interesting...I was told that sea water was fine being on the kite because it dries so fast, and prevents mildew. We mostly go in the ocean and the only time we fret about our kites is after a freshwater session we worry about cleaning and drying it thoroughly, usually try to get a saltwater session soon afterward to help the kite.

[@CaKiteboarding]

good video and topic, I couldn't tell from the video which color had more damage? so is the black more UV resistant? TIA

[@OurKiteLife]

Yes, black is more UV resistant

[@eskileriksson4457]

@@OurKiteLife You sure? Boats and sails are typically white, to reflect as much sunlight as possible. Could it be simply because a black fabric dries out faster?

[@tomasz.rozmus]

@@eskileriksson4457 I think brighter colors allows UV rays to penetrate deeper into fabric. Black/dark ones generally suppress more light - the outer layer of the fabric is exposed, but the rest of it is "protected". I use some of my snow kites in higher altitudes with UV hitting them from the sky and the ground. I can confirm that black ones look much better than bright ones, even after several years of use. Classic sails are from different, thicker material - kite canopy is more "semitransparent".

[@eskileriksson4457]

@@tomasz.rozmus That makes a lot of sense. White clothing will make make more of a sunburn than black, unless the fabric is really thick. Due to the photons getting reflected through, to your skin. You "sacrifice" the outmost layer, to protect the total integrity of the kite fabric. I stand totally corrected, sir!

[@torsteinmoldskred745]

Leaving it in the bag over long time can folds might permanent change the profile of the kite, also if kite is wet in the bag for a long time it will start to rot shows and black-spots/mildew.

[@OurKiteLife]

Good to know, thanks!

[@tedrutledge7345]

Thanks for another great video! One other thing that I believe is damaging to a kite is packing it wet for an extended period of time. This will cause mold and rot the kite cloth. If you can’t let it dry after your session at the beach, open it up when you get home and let it dry before packing it up for a long period.

[@OurKiteLife]

100% and also it is always better to dry your kites in shade rather than exposed to sun

[@dansouth7507]

Make sure don't push down when rolling up your kite as sticks,binidi's etc can cause pinprick holes. Also, I've heard that rinsing off your bar is a bad idea as if you now have salt in your lines then rinsing it off will remove it all making them weaker?

[@OurKiteLife]

Interesting, we never heard that before about the lines

[@robbiesuguitan8468]

Thanks so much for this info!!!

[@OurKiteLife]

No problem! :)

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Here is one more "DON'T": Drying a deflated kite on your lawn. If left in the direct sunlight it will create a greenhouse effect and may kill the grass underneath the canopy, leaving a yellow spot on your lawn, yet the kite will still be wet at the bottom... (do not try this at home)

[@timmaflanagan1625]

Hey! I have been kiting for a year and a bit, and have been getting into foiling a little as well. I've been wearing a windsurfing harness, but need a new one! whats the best type of harness for women who want to foil and board?

[@OurKiteLife]

Hey, honestly I’m not sure if there’s a harness that’s better for foiling vs regular kiting. Personally I wear the Mystic Diva waist harness and find it to be very comfortable for both styles of riding. That being said I know other women who strongly prefer seat harnesses. I would suggest trying on as many as you can to find the one that’s most comfortable for you. Most shops have a bar rigged so you can get a feel for how the harness is while you’re wearing it :) hope that helps!

[@timmaflanagan1625]

@@OurKiteLife Great! thanks so much! I'll try that out

[@canolando3499]

Salt water in the bladder without rincing will eventually destroy the bladder, I had one bladder that had far too many holes to patch

[@OurKiteLife]

Yeah from what we've gathered, if you get salt in bladder your have to fill it with some fresh water, shake it, then release and dry it. Cumbersome process for sure!

[@jesustech4443]

Is it possible that some of those shots were in the DR?

[@OurKiteLife]

Nope, we haven’t been there before! The tropical looking shots are either from Cuba or Bahamas

[@JohnsonJLB]

Could you test out whether or not Ultramar Kite-Refit or Holmenkol Seal n Glide aka Trade Secret Seal n Glide or SealRite 303 Fabric Guard would be good to use on the kite to help restore the UV protectant and make it hydrophobic?

[@OurKiteLife]

We already know the answer and it is a big NO. A decade ago there was a company trying to make a product to reseal kite fabric with UV protectant and it would work for a session or two and then wear off. So you would literally have to re-apply the coating every other session which is a money and time drain

[@M9Diry]

I didn’t use my kite for one week and now the leading edge has areas of surface mould. Is there anything I can do to fix this ? It’s not damaged the structure as far as I see but doesn’t look good and concerns me

[@OurKiteLife]

Haven’t had to clean mold off a kite before but I would try a mild detergent and gentle scrubbing and see how that goes!

[@teedek763]

one more thing; sand between your leading edge and the canopy. Leaves small holes by packing it up

[@alexsanz6850]

Smokers!! Keep them totally away from your kite!!

[@feritall]

I wonder, if you pack you kite wet and leave it for an extended period of time, does that damage the kite?

[@OurKiteLife]

That sounds like a recipe for mold!

[@checker1o125]

Well it depends after a Session with salt water i do not rinse my kite with fresh water. I just let it dry properly. The salt water is preventing mold from developing. However if I dont use my kite for longer I do wash it properly

[@s2oooo]

I always buy the kite sock bags and leave the struts inflated Kites last twice as long 😊.

[@jefflucas_life]

Sand?

[@333fail]

so which color last the longest ?

[@OurKiteLife]

Black

[@xaviervaninnis6061]

I am more afraid after watching this video even if I never had problems 😂

[@OurKiteLife]

Haha, no need to be afraid - just a little more aware and your gear will last for a long time 😁

[@marcuskrusell6916]

I have a tips how to preserve the kite and also make it easier when travelling. Buy one of these vaccum bags for keeping clothes (large size). Make sure the kite is 100% dry. Fold it nicely. Put it in the vaccum bag and suck out the air with the vaccum cleaner. It will be 1/3 of the original size.

[@OurKiteLife]

Would vacuum packing potentially damage the valves? Could see it working really well for a foil kite

[@marcuskrusell6916]

I have tried this for a few months with my cabrinha switchblade and airush. Did not got any issues with the valves or anything else. Tomorrow I will travel to Europe. I can store 3 vaccum packed kites in 1 cabrinha bag

[@OurKiteLife]

@@marcuskrusell6916 Nice, good to know! Have a great time in Europe :)

[@dannyisrael]

can't the fabrics be retreated with uv protection?

[@OurKiteLife]

yes it can

[@EezeeEmporium]

I'd be concerned packing away my kite after washing with fresh water. I could imagine mould or mildew growing on it. Though on the flip side all the zips on my bags have salted solid over time so it's lose lose I guess.

[@OurKiteLife]

As long as the kite is dry before you pack it away there shouldn’t be any issues. We’ve been kiting in fresh water for a long time and even when we’ve packed away kites a little wet we have never had any issues with mould.

[@lovetofly32]

Was the cute little stance at the end necessary?😏

[@johnnykhawand]

Do no leave the kite on the sand if it is too much hot, like you cannot stand on it with bare feet, the bladder might pop

[@OurKiteLife]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing :)

[@maxaksenov7580]

Salt - it's good! (c) D.Maramenides, EPIC kites. )))

[@OurKiteLife]

Atlantic salt is the best :)

[@robinmordasiewicz]

Packing the kite in certain ways can create problems.

[@OurKiteLife]

YES, for sure if you roll it tightly it can cause the valves to tear apart from the bladder

[@vlaaady]

Grasshoppers! They will dissolve holes in your kite to break free.

[@pindikiteclub7709]

Osm

[@OurKiteLife]

Thnx :)

[@RassyAkbar]

Can it be DIY? I really want to have it but not enough money :(

[@david6117]

www.wingworks.de/bauanleitungen/tube-kite/bauanleitung/

[@SoL-cl1pw]

Be cautious with sand, you dont want it stuck between the canopy and the leading edge. If you crash the kite it can make small holes.

[@OurKiteLife]

good to know! Thanks Simon.

[@marcuskrusell6916]

Insects! I folded my kite and some bugs got stucked and these made 6 small nasty holes 😖 Selflanding on the beach. I destroyed my kite when I bumped it down just little too hard on the beach. Save your kite and let somebody catch the kite when landing it.

[@OurKiteLife]

Any idea what type of insects? Didn’t realize they could actually create holes! 100% agree with you about self landing - not sure why anyone would opt for that if there was another person available to land the kite!

[@marcuskrusell6916]

I live in Thailand so we have some nasty bugs here. I am pretty sure it was larger ants who abused my kite.

[@OurKiteLife]

@@marcuskrusell6916 Here in Canada the ants just abuse the people... crawling into wetsuits and biting like crazy

[@Theo_Janssen]

Sand in pulleys slows turning.

[@OurKiteLife]

probably wears them too?

[@Theo_Janssen]

I have had them seize up.

[@bubbahottep8644]

No, no salt crystals in my bladder. Yet.

[@windfxjeff3363]

She said precious

[@OurKiteLife]

Yes, she did

[@stewartcampbell8618]

Should you rinse your kite with fresh water after a session? I hear not...

[@OurKiteLife]

we kite in fresh water spots so we usually don't lol

[@stewartcampbell8618]

@@OurKiteLife ah ok thanks. I kite in the sea and some say you should not clean your kite with fresh water as it can go mouldy. Best to let it dry in the breeze after a session which is what I always do and haven't had an issue. Good tip on rinsing bar and lines ( I have never done that). 😳

[@OurKiteLife]

When we go on vacation and kite in salt water we typically rinse our gear at the end of the trip with fresh water and allow it to dry fully before packing it up. As long as it’s dry there shouldn’t be any mold issues :)

[@stewartcampbell8618]

@@OurKiteLife a great thanks for the advice 👍

[@bobkov_ds]

Well.... it's better not to get a kite from it's bag and never ride it :))) will be "brand new" for a long time :))

[@OurKiteLife]

Haha the best thing for your kite (not using it ever) is the absolute worst thing for the kiter ;)

[@bobkov_ds]

@@OurKiteLife 💯 agree

[@bearlemley]

Not a great advertisement for buying used equipment!

[@OurKiteLife]

But it's true

[@Leowavekid]

Let them wear down... buy new ones.. replace worn parts... it is good for the economy 😇😉

[@zzzzzzmc]

kooks! kooks are the worst thing for your kite!

[@janski30]

Kite people are not poor. Let it rip!!!

[@windfxjeff3363]

She said precious

[@OurKiteLife]

Yes, she did