Sorry, about to have a bit of a rant. I've read, commented on, and supported posts on here banging on about supporting local kite shops. They do give good service and advice, no argument.
I am sad to say that I have just bought my last Australian made Cardboard kiteboard. Not because they're no good, they're excellent. Not because I don't want to pay $100 more than the imported boards, I'd pay more. But because they're no longer available. I don't claim to know the exact reasons why, as the owner of the company is a good guy who doesn't have a whinge, so I am making some assumptions. I am assuming that shops sell cheaper imported boards that give them a bigger margin and therefore they don't push Cardboards. If they say they push other brands as they're better, I'd have to strongly disagree. I have tried numerous brands and styles and for overall performance and quality of build I find it really hard to go past the value of Cardboards.
So, that said, I will make this point: Why should I support local kite shops when they don't support locals?
I can buy what they sell for less. I can demo whatever I want and then order what I want with a few taps of the keyboard.
I know there is probably a lot more to this than I am carrying on about and I am sure that retailers will have a bit to say. I guess I am just trying to sum up my disappointment and frustration.

Interesting. I've been happy with all but the 2011 pads, bit too stiff. Haven't had an issue with coming out though. Maybe that's because I'm not overly adventurous with my moves?? Take your point though eppo.

mattyjee said..

What makes you think cardboards are no longer available?


Sorry to say that the owner has told me that they are no longer in production. I am just guessing as to the reason, admittedly a slightly educated guess due to past conversations.

without appropriate import tariffs it is impossible to compete with boards made in countries with super low labour rates, it's also a very unhealthy business to be in if u are exposed to epoxy fumes/ glass dust on regular basis - even if you use masks/ventilate etc... If you start spending on a better solution to much less exposure to dust/ chemicals - the prices go way up from high already.. I manufactured boards at home , then made overseas - the complete boards from overseas cost less than the materials I was buying previously.

It's a shame because even if you only break even with a small wage manufacturing locally, you are helping out sooooo many other local companies that you buy all sorts of materials and services from. But no one really knows or cares too much about that, so many that talk the talk about buying local often see the price and say next time maybe...

Its a tough gig competing with over seas big boys that all I would like to say.

Just saw this post. Sad news for the industry.
A very well respected manufacturer of kiteboards.
With the Aussie $ so high local manufacturing gets killed.
It is the same in New Zealand.
We become import based economies.

Underground and Axis are not made in NZ... China now I think.
Maybe we will see Carboards pop back up from a new base.
It's a good brand with great designs.. no matter where you make it.
For everyone outside of Australia, it's an imported brand anyway.

Anyone got updates if anything happening with the brand since 2013?

argh argh blame the unions!

What about buying a custom make board of a local builder?

Question: should an innovative local manufacturing operation fold because of possibly inferior foot pads?



No... This is insulting to anyone emotionally attached to the concept of supporting locally owned or manufactured produce (hopefully most).

(As an aside, am quite happy for pumps and straps to be made in factory and inferior product to disappear. Not a lot of future R&D required, me thinks).

The following deserve more support (please add without associated pimping):
Sugarcube
Griffin
Local shop and kite lesson operators (with one exception, who shall remain nameless!!!)
Kite Safari (far North Queensland)
State Kiteboarding Associations

It might be too late for Cardboard operation, but if we are not more careful the only locally owned operators will be Ozone, Axis and local shops pushing highest margin mass built pop outs. Be scared!

Last thought bubble:

What if offshore built product, that employ a poorly unionised workforce, are underpricing product for us Westerners at the expense of worker health? I would rather pay a premium and sleep better at night...

Rant break... Thanks to BourkeyBoy for in sighting some passion and debate. Wake up you tight gen-young consumers!

Slashrockson said..

Falcon said.. With the Aussie $ so high....

Charl dv said ..... This is really no longer the case, aussie dollar started eating sh!t a year ago and is down really low



Rubbish, 0.90c US is still very high. I manufacture (not kite related) and export but not until the dollar is down under 85c thats the problem, manufacturing in the current climate is doomed.

I say that comparing to EUR and GBP... I mean a drop from 85c/1aud to 65c/1aud in euro is pretty significant in less than a year's time.

15c drop between USD and AUD is also significant. at 90c it's still bearable with US but in terms of Europe its shiiityyyy