PART 2 - GUIDE TO EQUIPMENT
What equipment should I choose?
Welcome to the second part of Kitekollektivet's online kitesurfing theory guide. As a kitesurfer, it's important to have good and proper equipment, but as a beginner, it can be a bit of a jungle to find out what you actually need and how to navigate the many options. That's why we've put together a guide to kitesurfing equipment that you can use as a starting point.
Have a lot of fun
PART 2 - GUIDE TO EQUIPMENT
Get dressed for kitesurfing
Wetsuit
When kitesurfing in Denmark, a wetsuit is essential. We recommend that you buy a proper suit that is suitable for both the season and the conditions you are kitesurfing in. A wetsuit is a neoprene insulated suit that is made to protect you from the cold when practicing water sports. Neoprene is made of small closed cells that are filled with air and trap heat to insulate against the cold water. The wetsuit works because there is a very thin layer of water between the body and the wetsuit, which is heated by the body and thus prevents heat loss. Wetsuits are not meant to keep you dry, unlike dry suits.
The thickness is important to keep you warm on the water. The thicker the neoprene, the colder the water you can stay in. However, it's important to keep an eye on the water temperature if you're kitesurfing in a place like Denmark, where the weather conditions are very variable. Besides the water temperature, you should also consider the air temperature, wind speed, your activity level, your own sensitivity to cold and whether you spend a lot of time in the water. For example, if the air is very cold, consider a thicker suit. The same applies if it is very windy or your activity level is low. As a rule of thumb, a good wetsuit has a thickness of 5/3 mm, which means that the suit is 5 mm thick on the body and 3 mm thick in the legs and arms. This thickness is important to keep you warm on the water. In addition, it is also important to consider the fit and material when buying a wetsuit, as you want a wetsuit with good mobility and flexibility. We recommend the MYSTIC STAR FULLSUIT 5/3MM BZIP wetsuit from the Mystic brand, which also includes free shoes.
Shoes and boots
Many kitesurfers use boots during the colder spring and fall months, possibly in winter, while shoes are used during the summer months. So if you find it difficult to keep your feet warm in winter, it's a good idea to get a good pair of neoprene boots as well. It is recommended to choose boots without zippers, as water will seep in through the zipper, which is not good for your feet. Shoes and boots don't just keep your feet warm when kitesurfing though - they help you maintain full control of your board and also protect you from rocks and mussels, which are abundant in many spots in Denmark. As a beginner, you spend a lot of time on the sandy bottom and therefore experience the sharp surface in particular. Therefore, we recommend that you get a good pair of shoes for kitesurfing. We recommend the shoes that you get for free with the purchase of the wetsuit from MYSTIC.
Helmet
Just like with vests, helmets are also not mandatory by law to wear while kitesurfing, but we also always recommend it! There will always be a risk of hitting your head on the board, big rocks or colliding with other kitesurfers. We recommend that you buy a helmet that is dedicated to water sports so that the inside of the helmet does not absorb water or become uncomfortable, such as this ION Hardcap 3,2 helmet from Ion.
Vest
The vest is primarily there to protect you in the event of an accident, if you are suddenly too exhausted or if you are injured and the shore is too far away. In addition, the vest also protects against impact from the water when you fall. If you have accident insurance, the insurance will also not cover you if you don't wear a vest. We recommend this ION Vest Booster X side zip from Ion.
Gloves and hoods
You may also want to get some neoprene gloves and a neoprene hood for the cold months. By wearing a hood, you prevent all your body heat from escaping through your head. However, it is far too hot to wear a hood in the summer months, which is why it is recommended to buy a separate hood and not a wetsuit with a fixed hood. As well as keeping your hands warm, gloves are also a great way to increase your grip on boards and other items that can otherwise be weakened by water and cold.
Trapeze
As you may remember from your kitesurfing course, you can't do without the trapeze when buying your kitesurfing equipment. The trapeze is the harness with back support that you wear around your waist and to which the kite is hooked. Although it may feel uncomfortable to have the kite strapped to your waist in this way, all modern kitesurfing equipment has the necessary safety mechanisms so that you can easily and quickly detach yourself from the trapeze. e.g. this PROLIMIT VECTOR from prolimit.
It is important that the trapeze fits your body when kitesurfing. A trapeze that is too small will rub and sit uncomfortably on your body, while a trapeze that is too big will travel up and down your body and end up sitting up under your arm when the kite pulls. Below you can see a guide to choosing a trapeze:
New vs. used equipment
There is a lot to buy when you are a new kitesurfer. It can therefore be tempting to buy used equipment, which can also be a good investment. However, if you are looking for used equipment, we recommend that you do not buy equipment that is more than three years old. Newer equipment has a much higher level of safety and is often better and easier to handle as a beginner. Therefore, it is important that you make sure that the kite is in good condition if you choose to buy a used one, so that you are sure that safety is in order.
PART 2 - GUIDE TO EQUIPMENT
Choose the right wetsuit
When kitesurfing in Denmark, a wetsuit is essential. We recommend that you buy a proper suit that suits both the season and the conditions you'll be kitesurfing in.
So what is a wetsuit?
A wetsuit is a neoprene insulated suit that is made to protect you from the cold when doing water sports. Neoprene is made of small closed cells that are filled with air and trap heat to insulate against the cold water. The wetsuit works because there is a very thin layer of water between the body and the wetsuit, which is heated by the body and thus prevents heat loss. Wetsuits are not meant to keep you dry, unlike dry suits.
The thickness is important to keep you warm on the water. The thicker the neoprene, the colder the water you can stay in. However, it's important to keep an eye on the water temperature if you're kitesurfing in a place like Denmark where the weather conditions are very variable. Typically you will need three different neoprene wetsuits in Denmark; a summer suit with a thickness of 2/1 mm, an autumn suit with a thickness of 5/3 mm and a winter suit with a thickness of 6/5/4 mm. However, neoprene wetsuits are available in different versions, and some winter wetsuits are also available in 6/4/3 and 6/5/3 mm, for example. If you find it difficult to keep your hands and feet warm in winter, it's also a good idea to get a good pair of neoprene gloves and neoprene shoes.
In addition, it is also important to consider the fit and material when buying a wetsuit, as you want a wetsuit with good mobility and flexibility. Below you can see a small guide on what you should wear.
Besides the water temperature, you should also consider the following:
Air temperature C°
Wind speed m/s
Your own sensitivity to cold
Your activity level
Whether you spend a lot of time in the water
If the air is very cold, consider a thicker suit. The same applies if it is very windy or your activity level is low.
