With demo season in full swing, there’s never been a better time to test fly your dream kite, ride ‘that’ board or feel the wet embrace of a new harness. But for first time demo’ers it can be intimidating to walk amongst all that shiny new gear and ask the question: “Can I demo this?”

Never fear young kite demo’er, we’re here to help with the Kiteboarding Demo Day Guide. A guide to help you look like a pro, not a serial demo’er (oh yeah, they’re out there!) and get the most out of any kiteboarding demo day. A good demo can save thousands of dollars because you’ll buy the RIGHT kite, board or harness, not just one that looks good.

Before the Demo: First impressions are important.

The whole point of a demo day is to give kiteboarders a chance to ride lots of different kites in a short space of time. This basic fact is one of the most important things to remember if you want to get the most out of a demo day. Ride lots of gear. Ride everything, even the stuff you think you won’t like, because maybe you’ll get a surprise!

So how do you get your hands on this sweet gear? That’s easy, you need to find a staff member. Don’t be the guy walking around, lifting up struts and glancing in the direction of the team riders. Look for someone in uniform and talk to them! Have a chat, and tell them all the essentials about yourself, and what you want from your new gear. Based on this background information, the shop staff can point you in the right direction, and give you a targeted list of several options to test. For example, here’s some important details to include:

-Weight (Be realistic, because you’re only hurting yourself!)
-Skill level (Again, don’t talk yourself up)
-Where you kite and what gear you currently kite with.
-A reason to upgrade (for example, a kite that jumps higher)

From that first chat, things get so much easier. The staff member will tell you the process for taking gear out on the water (it’s always different for different shops), but in most cases it’s as simple as picking it up and taking it! This is where the fun starts, so get the talking done early in the day.

On the Beach: Sweat the small stuff.

Before the wind picks up, and before gear gets taken on the water, make sure to spend a good amount of time identifying which gear has the right features, and what’s lacking. Walk around the beach and notice the small things, like stitching on kites and footstrap adjustments on boards. These little details will set a good brand apart, and help you decide what test ride later in the day!

Kites
-Stitching, strengthening patches and bump pads.
-Fabric (Is it Single, Double or Triple Ripstop?)
-Inflation System.
-Bridles, pulleys/guides and adjustments.
-Strut connections, wingtip battens and stiffeners.
-Quick release system
-Depower system (Cleat or strap)
-Bar (how does it feel in your hands)
-Warranty
-Bag & included accessories (like repair kits and pumps!)

Boards
-Rockerline
-Footstraps and pads (adjust them for your feet!)
-Fins (Plastic or G10 & Size)
-Channels and cut-outs
-Overall Weight
-Gloss or matte finish
-Warranty

We’re not going to tell you whether plastic or g10 fins are better, or if you need a cleat or strap depower system. That’s for you to decide! Line ‘em up and see for yourself.

Before you launch: Conditions can be killer!

The best way to make a kite feel lousy is to fly it in light winds. So take a real good look at the conditions. If it’s sub-par, don’t go. It’s not worth tainting your opinion of a potential purchase because of a crappy day. The same goes for riding small versions of kites and boards. You want a new 12m? Demo a 12m! Don’t ride the 7m and think they will be anything alike.

Take into consideration chop, current, tide, wind strength and

On the Water: Short and to-the-point

A kiteboarding demo day is not the time or place to be working on your latest trick. You are at the demo to test ride the gear you’ll be riding for months, or years to come! So stick with the basics, and don’t get sidetracked.

Short rides are best, in the 15-30 minute range if you can. Then come in and swap for something else on the list. Any longer than 30 minutes and you’re not gaining anything, less than 15 minutes and you won’t have settled in yet. Take a watch, set a time and stick to it. Grab the next one and go, don’t stand around chatting, get it done.

Keep something constant too, if you’re looking for kites, ride your normal board. If you want a new board, keep your usual kite in the sky. Changing multiple things can mask bad characteristics, like a lack of high end depower!

Use these important points to compare gear.

Kites
-Turning speed and style (sweep or pivot turns)
-Power overall, and bar feedback. (Gutless kites can still have high bar feedback!)
-Relaunch (smash it, really smash it and see what happens).
-Jumping feel (remember, a truly massive jump takes practice).
-Depower response (smooth or on/off)
-Stability
-Ease of use

Boards
-Chop handling and feedback
-Overall Feel (skatey or grippy)
-Turning ability
-Spray in the face?
-Footstraps and pads comfort
-Jump landings (smooth or hard)
-Pop (Best tested with a backroll)
-Handle placement and reach

The Pack Up: What pack up?

The best thing about a demo day is walking off the water and not having to get your knees all sandy when you pack up! Use the extra time after your session to evaluate your findings, rule out any bad eggs and choose your favorites. If you’re having trouble narrowing down a shortlist, go for a second round. Ride your top three and pick a winner!

Now it’s time to go back to your mate from the kite shop. Tell them about your experiences, what you liked, what you didn’t and ask any questions you still have. This also helps them suggest potential kiting gear to other customers, based on your feedback. Remember when they gave you a shortlist in the morning? That list was formed based on past demo’ers and their experiences, so share the love!

The Big Buy: Talk is cheap.

After demoing is also the perfect time to strike a deal. Staff are tired, they’ve been dealing with tire kickers all day long and you, yes you, their mate from the morning shift is not going to kick tires. Tell them you’re serious, ask them to write a price in the sand. Right there and then. Shops usually offer exclusive deals and discounts on demo days, even in the middle of the season! You can seriously save hundreds by striking a deal on the beach rather than waiting until tomorrow.

The reality check: It’s really yours!

That first ride on a new kite is awesome. You unroll it on the beach and the paper goes flying downwind, your board gets its very first scratch as you pull it out of the car. It’s fun, and after doing such a thorough job at the demo you’re going to be riding the RIGHT gear! Make sure you drop by the shop after your session and give the guys some feedback too.


Still wondering about the ‘Serial Demo’er’? Below is a story from a kite shop staff member, about one guy that just wouldn’t take a hint…

“Three years! Three years and he still hadn’t bought a thing. Countless demo’s, hours of meaningless talking and oh so many pumped up kites had been invested in this guy to no avail. Every single demo day he’d come out of the woodwork and ride our stuff. He was an expert, but if there was no demo, he wasn’t there. We wondered if he even owned any gear at all? Someone once said they saw him on a 2006 Best Waroo, one Monday afternoon in 2013, but we think they’re mistaken. The serial demo’er only kites on our demo days, and he only kites on borrowed equipment!!”

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