Just a quick one. Is there an optimum way to store your kite over winter (extended period of time). Is laying it down ok, or is it best to hang them to take the weight off the kite itself?


Thanks for your ideas as usual

s

Well yes. . . But medial collateral ligament tear has put paid to that. . . .

Pin holes might be from scrubbing on the concrete!!!

Hey 4XL,

As others have said, winter is a good time to show the kite a little love. My advice is to pump the kite up, give it a hosing down to get all the salt off it, let it dry completely and then carefully pack it back in its bag. It will be fine. Just keep it out of the damp in a cool dry place and it will be like new next time you use it. Also wash the bar and lines in fresh water, again, it removes the salt crystals. Make sure it is all properly dried or you may end up with a mushroom farm in your kite and bar.

It's also a good time to give the kite bridles, canopy and lines a close inspection for cuts, abrasion, knots or other damage. repair or replace anything that's not right, a small amount of silicone lube on pulleys (if any) to make sure they run free.

Having said all that, back in 2001 I taught a lesson the afternoon before stepping on a plane to live in Hawaii for the summer. I used a Wipika 5m 2 line classic kite for that lesson and it was a cold and blustery Sydney Sou' westerly where the kite ended up drowned, sodden with salt water and covered in sand as it was rolled up and stuffed into it's tiny bag. I threw the kite, in it's bag, into a dark corner of my garage and never thought about it again until 5 months later when I pulled it out and found it was still wet and sandy. I pumped it up, let it dry and it was as good as gold.

Salt water won't allow mould to grow. If it had been fresh water, it would indeed have been more mould than kite. Just to give this thread perspective

DM

windreams said..
Only seen 2 winters since starting to kitesurf but both times I have used winter as a bit of an excuse to give my kites a bit of TLC. Laid them out on the concrete driveway gave them a wash/ scrub with soapy water and hung them in the sun until their crispy dry. When cleaning this year I found a couple of pin holes and scuffed corners so repaired them before packing them into the cupboard.

On the other hand a few of my mates literally pull their kites out of the bag when the new season hits again, still with the petrified fossil remains of the sand and tree leaves included from their last pack up 5 months before. Everyone to themselves...

Drying in the sun is not great for kites either.

don't forget to lube up the zippers on your kite bag and board bags and while you are at it the one on the leading edge of the kite where you put the bladder in/out from