Hi, I am new to the sport. Just had my second lesson and looking to buy the kit. Is it best to buy a 2015 kite and board now or is the season nearly over and is it best to wait? I will mainly be at Sandgate or Weyba Lake QLD. Cheers, Stu.

The 'season' is on the early side of halfway. Most brands tend to release around Nov/Dec.
If the latest and greatest isn't too much of a concern, hit you shop up for 2014 stock.
They are often keen to free up old stock for shop space.

Look at it this way, if you want to go kiting you need a kite, board, harness etc. Buy now and use it or sit on the sand till the price drops.

Time of year affects gear more than the secondhand market, right now in the used kites your still looking mainly at 2014 kites - in a few months 2015.

If you are set on getting a new kit (its a General recommendation to go for a used kite & board for your first set up but up to the individual), make sure you get prices from several shops & be prepared to pay the "new" premium..

Why do you want to buy new?

Most beginners will trash their kites. Buy used, kill that, and when the repair bills start to taper off then think about buying new.

Hi Stooby,

It depends on the gear.... most new stuff doesn't come out until August-ish.

It's alway hard to tell....for example.... I just bought a North Juice a couple of weeks ago, and discovered that the new model may come out in March/April.... I felt really bad about buying the soon-to-be old model, until I took it out yesterday and then it was all quickly forgotten.

I realised the answer to "when is best to buy" a kite is simply... when you need it.

By the way, retailers are conscious that the end of season is fast approaching, so you should be able to get a discount on new equipment if you talk to them.

Hope that helps

I would agree with buying second hand gear for your first kite as you will likely trash it or at least need to have it repaired a few times. Having said that you can get a brand new kite for the same price as second hand. I would strongly recommend getting your self a swltch element, I have demoed one and it was a super easy kite to fly. Its also very well rounded so that gives you flexibility if your not sure where you want to take your riding.

I would recommend a Brand new harness as this is the only thing connecting your kite to you. It helps to go and try some on in a shop I believe.

As for a board tonnes of great boards to be had in the buy and sell section on here, 2012, 2013, 2014 doesn't matter as long as it suits your riding and is in good nick and at the right price.

Don't sit on the sand waiting for the 2015 season specials to start. I'd go to a couple of the Sunny/ Gold coast shops and see what 2014 superseded new kite kits they can do a deal on. You'll be surprised on the prices once they know you're pricing around and your serious. Good luck...

Thanks for the reply's. I'd like to say that with all the helpful information I have made my mind up....but I don't appear to be as decisive as I thought . All I know is, that by next week I will either have a 2014 or a 2105 kite, board and harness. I think....

well I reckon you wasted your money ..... I have a Bandit 4 11m kite that Im selling because I decided to upgrade to what I could afford - a 2014 Bandit 7 - and I really struggle to see the quantum leap the hype says !! I still have my Bandit 3 kites and they are awesome bits of gear - as long as you get a kite that is user friendly with a bullet proof safety system - pick a solid brand kite after 2008 that has had little use - and just get out there with a massive smile on your face because you've just saved yourself 800 to 1000 per kite - hype...hype...hype.....

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Lambie said..
well I reckon you wasted your money ..... I have a Bandit 4 11m kite that Im selling because I decided to upgrade to what I could afford - a 2014 Bandit 7 - and I really struggle to see the quantum leap the hype says !! I still have my Bandit 3 kites and they are awesome bits of gear - as long as you get a kite that is user friendly with a bullet proof safety system - pick a solid brand kite after 2008 that has had little use - and just get out there with a massive smile on your face because you've just saved yourself 800 to 1000 per kite - hype...hype...hype.....

If your talking about 2nd hand kites; I agree as long as it all goes well and you can pick up a kite that has no damage or defects which are not always obvious especially for a newbie. If it turns pear shaped the smile soon becomes a nightmare and a very frustrating start to an already challenging sport.

I can tell you first hand not all people are mmmm I could say honest, but I'll be diplomatic and use accurate when describing their kites condition that is for sale. Before anybody says that they have never had a problem buying 2nd hand and I was unlucky... well again I agree but just stating the other possible outcome.

The other issue you have to contend with is some sellers wishful prices... sometimes it easier and nearly as cheap to purchase a new 2 year old superseded kite from a retail shop. Just saying there's 2 alternatives to buying a kite with neither being right or wrong, both have pro's and con's.

Happy buying...

Sorry to re-open this thread but I would just like to give some thanks and credit where it's due. Thanks to everyone that replied, thanks to Jas at Briskites who spent a lot of time with me in his shop and helped me make my decision even though I didn't buy from him, but it will be one of my first points of call for anything I need in the future. Special thanks to Jason and Sonya at West Oz Kiteboarding who put together a package at a price that I couldn't resist. Very happy with my purchase, just have to get out now and practice.