Forums > Kitesurfing General

The effects of covid 19 and kiting

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Created by cauncy > 9 months ago, 12 May 2020
cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
12 May 2020 7:39PM
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So with the obvious lack of social kiting and travel / holidays caused by the virus what else are we likely
to experience
Will we see new models of our fave kites due to no test development time
Will we see a shortage or long wait times on orders of new kit
Will we see cheap equipment due to lack of international sales
Will we see brands cease to trade due to little volume of sales over the last few months worldwide
Thoughts

Jhana
WA, 120 posts
12 May 2020 8:41PM
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Select to expand quote
cauncy said..
So with the obvious lack of social kiting and travel / holidays caused by the virus what else are we likely
to experience
Will we see new models of our fave kites due to no test development time
Will we see a shortage or long wait times on orders of new kit
Will we see cheap equipment due to lack of international sales
Will we see brands cease to trade due to little volume of sales over the last few months worldwide
Thoughts


Hoping up North will be open for Business in September - Exmouth here we come

HappyG
VIC, 290 posts
12 May 2020 11:00PM
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I reckon a few things...
1.Most Kite Companies run on a FIFO ordering system (not Fly in Fly out) it is First in First Out... Being they do big promo exhibitions and trade shows and get orders up front.
2. Based from those orders they make a First round or make what is needed and get them out.
3. If there is no second round they wont make them. That will hurt some players but the majors will just keep trucking.
4. A lot of design is made on computers and designers and riders can just stay where they are and talk via the internet. They do that now anyway... Having the designer and rider in the same spot just makes it more efficient and quicker.
5. Prices will not come down... American dollar against Aussie is shocking... We would be better off against the Yen... America is not going to rebound and will take everyone with them.
6. My thing will be hunting online for a bargain overseas will hurt our retailers here... There will be A LOT of retail shut down here after September... Once the Government Supplements go the economy will fail.

Sandfoot
VIC, 566 posts
12 May 2020 11:08PM
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It's a good question, some companies in the surf industry have sacked around 30% of staff. I think we will see R & D stop for 6 - 12 months, as some manufacturers are completely putting the brakes on anything that they don't need to do to survive.

While sales have have slowed so has production and supply chains so it doesn't look like many manufacturers/ retailers will want to offload product that they won't be able
to purchase or can't get supply of again in the future

Appears to to becoming a frozen market imo. ????

smook
VIC, 196 posts
13 May 2020 10:26AM
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I heard on grape vine that some kite companies will not be bringing out new models Just there 2020 models again But hafto wait and see and it's very close to when they would be showing there new wares I feel it will not be viable for them to bring out new models and spend promotional money When lot of country still in lock down

Gazuki
WA, 1363 posts
13 May 2020 9:04AM
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Select to expand quote
Jhana said..

cauncy said..
So with the obvious lack of social kiting and travel / holidays caused by the virus what else are we likely
to experience
Will we see new models of our fave kites due to no test development time
Will we see a shortage or long wait times on orders of new kit
Will we see cheap equipment due to lack of international sales
Will we see brands cease to trade due to little volume of sales over the last few months worldwide
Thoughts



Hoping up North will be open for Business in September - Exmouth here we come


Exy will be packed this year, not just kiters but all the crew that cant go to bali etc.

But I will defiantly be there all the same :)

BrendanRobb
WA, 70 posts
13 May 2020 9:11AM
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I imagine the market will contract, it must be difficult in Europe right now for any kite brand. However, if things rebound and people look to getting back into outdoor activities, there might be a rush on take-up of sporting pursuits particularly water-based ones like kiting. The only thing is the kite schools, I wonder how they have gone with teaching people and maintaining social distancing, its probably not too much of an issue with kiting - usually small numbers and not a lot of (if any) physical contact?

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
13 May 2020 1:54PM
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I'm hearing the 2021 model kites will turn faster and have more grunt, have better airtime than ever, lighter bar pressure than ever, excellent drift in the waves, and perfect for all disciplines including foiling and other floating debris.

In order to do that they'll just change the colour of the canopy.

psychojoe
WA, 1804 posts
13 May 2020 4:19PM
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I think it's on topic to say " wouldn't want to be Kevin langaree right now". Just launched the new company. Bam, covid. No sales. ****



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"The effects of covid 19 and kiting" started by cauncy