James said...
I lend my pump out all the time, with one simple instruction " Don't shock load it !"

What's this and how do I avoid it?



Shock loading is pushing or pulling hard at the end of each stroke so you make a hard contact with the base or lid.

Kite pumps are just two way high volume pumps that can be bought in the inflatable pool toy section at Big W. Generally the kite pumps have a metal pump shaft instead of a plastic shaft and might be a bit tougher to deal with being on the beach all the time. But these extra features don't really justify the extra price.

I'll always lend my pump on the beach - I've had one for 5 years, still going strong with an occasional squirt of silicone lube in it. But I wouldn't lend one to an instructor - they have stacks of the things sitting around (remember every kite comes with one) and if they are wanting to borrow one it's simply because they can't be bothered to walk back to the trailer.