Interested in taking up kitesurfing but not sure about the costs involved? Let's dive into the expenses associated with this thrilling water sport.
Lessons and Training
Learning how to kitesurf safely is crucial, and taking lessons from a certified school with qualified instructors is highly recommended if not the only road into the sport. Lessons typically range above $100 per hour, with beginners needing around 6-12 hours of instruction to get started.
I get asked this question all the time and the truth is, your instructor will tell you ... but you will know in yourself when you are ready to get your own gear and start to practice without an instructor.
It's totally on a case-by-case scenario, Kitesurfing is 80% making a connection with the kite and gaining good kite flying skills, this is most crucial part of becoming independent of an instructor. We've had the sportiest people who have done every sport and are very fit, but they struggle with controlling the kite, however we've also had the lest sporty and not very fit people who have just clicked and by around 5 hours of instruction they are defiantly ready to go out on their own.
Everybody has their own journey progressing in the sport, it's best to allow yourself enough time with an instructor to be very sure you're ready to venture out on your own 😁👍
Equipment Costs
When it comes to kitesurfing, the second major expense is the equipment. A kite, board, harness, and wetsuit are essential items that can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000 for a complete set.
When starting out you have two definite avenues to choose from, secondhand gear or brand-new gear.
Navigating both of these options is daunting for a new kiter which is why we cover this in your theory during your lessons, but we also provide help with your purchases via our SoulKite KiteClub.
In Perth we have helped many people after lessons find a 1 kite setup for around $1500 secondhand, but we also have a relationship with https://ventumkiteboardingaustralia.com/ which are the same high-quality low-cost kites that you used during your lessons.
We are also happy to help you with purchases from other suppliers after your lessons
Additional Costs
Other costs to consider include travel, beach access fees, insurance, we highly recommend you join Kiteboarding Australia at a cost of around $160 pa this will cover you with public liability & some personal injury insurance. Also maintenance of your equipment is potentially an ongoing cost. These additional expenses can add up to a few hundred dollars per year.
Total Cost
Overall, the total cost to get into kitesurfing can vary depending on factors such as location, equipment quality, and frequency of lessons. On average, beginners can expect to spend between $2,000 and anywhere upto $10,000 to get started in this exhilarating sport it totally depends on the amount of training and quality of the gear you purchase.
While the initial investment may seem steep, the thrill and excitement of kitesurfing make it a worthwhile pursuit. Kitesurfing can and does truly enrich people's lives in so many ways from making new friends to the health benefits of being outside enjoying the amazing coastal lifestyle we have in Perth.
Perth is a perfect place to be a kitesurfer, we usually have 5 months a year of sunny skies and windy afternoons, which means after you have your gear, your amazing new sport is available to you daily over summer and at a very low cost per session. Once more experienced we also kite in winter however the wind is less reliable and the time period between sessions can be as long as a few weeks, saying that once you're ready to become independent of an instructor and you have your own gear, Kitesurfing is a great sport in terms of the cost per session.
Think, if you say ... buy a brand new Ventum 9-meter kite for $1500 and then use it 2-3 afternoons a week for 4 months of the year, that's $31 per session but you will likely own that kite for at least 2 summers and then sell it for maybe 1/3rd to 1/2 what you paid for it. Which means that kite cost you around 5-10 dollars a session ..... that is mind-blowing value!!!
