How much is the kitesurfing industry worth? How big are the profits made by companies like cabrinha, north, slingshot etc. and who owns them?

After reading that Core online magazine, I dont reckon The BEST owner needed to start a company anyway.

"after my first lesson I straight away bought 5 kites and 2 boards" he says somethin like that.

Me thinks daddy might have helped out a bit. Does any american college movies come to mind

I thought that he was an aussie, into wakeboarding when younger then switched ti kites, I think he was pretty good.

Found this:
http://www.bestkiteboarding.com/Shannon
www.theringmedia.com/PDFS/TheKiteboarder/Articles/ShannonBest.pdf

Hello.........Shannon doesn't own Bestkiteboarding and he's an excellent wakeboarder from QLD.

my limited understanding and knowledge is that the windsurfing companies are behind some kite brands (Starboard / Airush), Liquid Force was big into wakeboarding while some others were already into parachutes / paragliding (Flexifoil), or sail making.

Wiki states that there were an estimated 200 000 kiteboarders in 06. If you say the average kiteboarder spends $1000 a year including holidays (more, less???? who knows??), then the entire industry would be worth $200 000 000 per year. That surprises me, my logic may be incorrect. Go figure

There are better ways of making money .

stabber said...

when i win powerball, i'm gonna start a kite company that actually takes notice of kiters' needs.

Takoon are owned by Bic.

I am very curious about the other companies.

You have to think that most of the other kite companies have some large financial backing. Developing product and getting it into production must be extremely expensive. Even making your own kites just cutting and sewing a prototype would cost well over $1000 when you include materials, equipment and labour.

Gorgo said...

Takoon are owned by Bic.

I am very curious about the other companies.

You have to think that most of the other kite companies have some large financial backing. Developing product and getting it into production must be extremely expensive. Even making your own kites just cutting and sewing a prototype would cost well over $1000 when you include materials, equipment and labour.

Most companies have investors.

Creating a kite company would be a massive deal. just comming up with a couple of kites form a China factory doesnt make a brand.

I have seen what Best Kiteboarding do at one of there testing areas in WA. There are literally prototype kites everywhere. They may go through 10 x 9mtr kites before they are happy. This is R&D, this is what we pay our money for at Retail price. To get gear that is not just good, but the Best.

I have spoken to one of the testers for North as well, and they have the same type of thing happening. 2009 testing is well underway and 2010 is already been planned. these companies are onto it and they are trying their hardest to be the better company.

stabber said...

when i win powerball, i'm gonna start a kite company that actually takes notice of kiters' needs.

When i win powerball i'm gonna buy as many kites as i can, be unemployed (cos it's cool be be on da dole) and move to WAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

And for the record I reckon Robby Naish is rollin in it... and despite the fact that i think kites are way too expensive... Robby is da man!!!

And shannon is da man for halving the price of kites... Robby, Flash, Shannon, Dre all kickass for visiting the most underrated country in the world for kitesurfing.

May massive amounts of $$$$$$$$ be given to them.... booooyaaaaa!!!!

mark who allowed you back onto seabreeze?

stabber said...

when i win powerball, i'm gonna start a kite company that actually takes notice of kiters' needs.

When i win i won't be wasting my time trying to create a better kite! I'll be out using the existing ones and travelling the globe! Ya gotta stop making money some time and live..