But there always comes a time when you have to decide: do you buy your kitesurfing gear or take out a kitesurfing subscription?
In this article, we dive into the advantages and disadvantages of both options and discuss three key factors: ownership, repairs and unexpected costs, and resale on the used market.
The biggest difference between buying and subscription, of course, is ownership.
When you buy your kite and board, they are completely yours. This means you can use them for as long as you want, with no restrictions. Many kitesurfers like this sense of control because they can invest in equipment that perfectly suits their style and preferences. It's your property, so you can tune it to your liking, personalize it or use it at any time.
On the other hand, a subscription gives you flexibility without the long-term commitment and avoids the high investment required to start kitesurfing.
You can easily switch to newer models when your subscription expires, and you are not tied to one kite or board for multiple seasons.
A subscription is especially useful for kitesurfers who want to update their equipment regularly (every 1-2 years) or who are just starting out and don't yet know exactly which kite suits them best. A subscription allows you to experiment without a big investment.
Repairs can be a hefty expense for kitesurfers.
Kites and boards are exposed to harsh conditions: wind, water, sun and sand can take their toll. If you buy your own equipment, you are fully responsible for maintenance and repairs. Even the smallest tear in your kite or damage to your board can become an expensive joke. Moreover, these costs are often difficult to predict.
With a subscription, this is a different story. With a GoShaka subscription, we offer maintenance and repairs within our subscription service.
This means you can get out on the water worry-free, without fear of unexpected expenses. If your equipment is damaged, it will be repaired or even replaced, allowing you to continue kiting without worry. This only costs €35 in excess to cover shipping costs!
For many kitesurfers, this is a huge benefit as it not only saves money, but also eliminates stress!
Another important aspect of buying kitesurfing equipment is the resale value of your kite when you go to buy a new kite.
After a few seasons, you may choose to resell your gear and invest in new equipment.
However, the used market can be unpredictable. Overproduction by manufacturers and massive sellouts by major players, such as after the COVID period, have caused prices on the used market to fall sharply.
Kitesurfers often still get very little in return for their used equipment OR don't get rid of it, making the expected residual value much lower than before.
With a subscription, you completely eliminate this problem. You don't have to worry about reselling your gear; you simply use your kite and board as long as your subscription runs. At the end of the subscription period, you turn in the gear and can immediately switch to new gear without the hassle of selling. This makes a subscription an attractive option for kitesurfers who don't want to spend time and energy reselling their gear or don't want to invest in gear whose value drops quickly.
Choosing between buying and subscribing to kitesurfing equipment depends greatly on your personal situation and preferences.
If you like full control and ownership of your gear and are willing to take on the responsibility of repairs and resale, buying may be the right choice for you.
But if you are looking for flexibility, hassle-free around repairs and no hassle with reselling, a subscription offers many advantages.
At GoShaka, we make kitesurfing accessible to everyone. Our flexible subscription models allow you to enjoy the latest gear without a major investment, with the assurance that you'll never face unexpected repair costs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in kitesurfing, there's an option that's perfect for you!
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Find out where to rent a kiteset in the Netherlands, from Scheveningen to the IJsselmeer. Rental prices range from €30-60 per day at kitesurfing schools and water sports centers. For regular kitesurfers, subscription services starting at €17 per month offer access to premium gear from brands such as North and Core, including insurance and maintenance. Learn what requirements apply, what determines costs and why renting is often more economical than buying for beginners and occasional surfers.
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