What are the best kitesurfing brands for beginners?

reedin whispermodel kite

The best kitesurfing brands for beginners are Duotone, Cabrinha, North and Naish for their stable flight characteristics and predictable behavior. These brands offer user-friendly kites that forgive mistakes and guarantee a safe learning experience. For beginning kitesurfers, Core, Slingshot and Ventum are also excellent options that provide reliable performance without complex handling.

Which kitesurfing brands are most suitable for beginners?

For beginning kitesurfers are Ventum, Cabrinha, North and Naish the most recommended brands because of their stable flight characteristics and beginner-friendly designs. These brands have years of experience in developing kites that forgive mistakes and have a predictable flight.

Duotone is known for their Evo series, designed specifically for beginners with excellent stability and easy restart features. Cabrinha offers the Switchblade line that balances perfectly between stability and performance, ideal for those looking to progress. North's Rebel series is popular among kite schools because the kites respond very predictably.

In addition to these traditional brands, Core, Slingshot and Ventum excellent choices for beginners. Core's XR series combines user-friendliness with modern technology, while Slingshot's RPX and Code models are known for their stable nature. Ventum offers affordable options like the Xplore series that are perfect for beginning kitesurfers.

What makes a kitesurfing brand suitable for beginners?

A kitesurfing brand becomes suitable for beginners by stable flight characteristics, predictable behavior and easy handling. The kite should forgive mistakes, respond slowly to steering movements and be easy to restart from the water without aggressive reactions.

Important features of beginner-friendly kites are:

  • Wide wind range for use in different conditions
  • Slow turn speed that prevents sudden movements
  • Stable position in the air without constant adjustments
  • Simple water start features
  • Good depower capabilities for safety

Durability also plays a big role, as beginners are more likely to make crashes and handle the kite harder during the learning process. Brands known for strong construction and good warranty terms are therefore ideal for new kitesurfers. Parts availability and repair service is also important for a worry-free kitesurfing experience.

How much does kitesurfing equipment from good brands cost for beginners?

Complete kitesurfing equipment from quality brands for beginners costs between €2,000 and €3,500 new, including kite, board, bar and harness. Used sets from good brands are available from €1,200 to €2,000, depending on the condition and age of the equipment.

A realistic cost allocation for new equipment is as follows:

  1. Kite (9-12m): €800 - €1,200
  2. Kiteboard: €300 - €600
  3. Control bar: €250 - €400
  4. Harness: €100 - €200
  5. Wetsuit: €150 - €400
  6. Accessories (pump, repair kit): €100 - €150

For beginners who want to avoid the high purchase cost, we offer flexible subscriptions starting at €25 per month. This gives you access to premium brands such as Core, North, Slingshot and Naish without the large upfront investment. This is especially advantageous because beginners often discover their preferences while learning and later want to switch to other kite types.

What kitesurfing equipment do beginners need first?

Beginners first have a complete set consisting of kite, board, control bar and harness needed. These four items form the basis for safe kitesurfing, supplemented by a wetsuit and safety gear such as helmet and impact vest.

The essential equipment for beginning kitesurfers:

  • Kite (9-12 meters): Duotone Evo, Cabrinha Switchblade or North Rebel
  • Twintip board: Cabrinha Spectrum, Core Choice or Slingshot Misfit
  • Control bar: North Navigator, Core Sensor or Cabrinha Overdrive
  • Seat harness: For better back support while learning
  • Wetsuit: Adapted to Dutch water temperatures
  • Safety equipment: Helmet and impact vest for protection

When choosing brands by category, Cabrinha and Core perform excellently in boards, while North and Naish are known for their reliable control bars. Ventum offers good budget-friendly alternatives without sacrificing quality. Most importantly, all components are well matched and suitable for the Dutch climate.

How to choose the right kit size as a beginner?

The correct kit size for beginners is determined by body weight, average wind strength and skill level. As a general rule, 60-75kg body weight needs a 9-10m kite in 15-25 knots of wind, while 75-90kg kitesurfers are better off with a 10-12m kite.

Practical guidelines for kit size selection:

  1. Light (50-65kg): 8-10m kite for Dutch conditions
  2. Average (65-80kg): 9-11m kite as first choice
  3. Heavy (80-95kg): 10-12m kite for optimal performance
  4. Very heavy (95kg+): 12-14m kite or more power-oriented models

For Dutch wind conditions, we often advise beginners to start with a slightly larger kite (10-12m) because the wind here can be variable. Brands such as North Orbit, Core XR8 and Naish Pivot are excellent choices in these sizes because of their wide wind range and stable nature.

The advantage of a flexible subscription is that you can try different kit sizes to find your ideal setup. You can start with a conservative size and later switch to smaller or larger kites as your skills increase. Through our set composition service we will help you find the perfect combination for your weight and local wind conditions. For personal advice you can always Get in touch with us.

Kitesurfing Equipment

Tailored for you

Other KnowledgeHub articles

Hoe kies je de juiste kitesurf maat als beginner?

Als beginnende kitesurfer is het kiezen van de juiste kite maat cruciaal voor je veiligheid en leerproces. De grootte hangt af van je lichaamsgewicht, windsterkte en vaardigheidsniveau. Beginners hebben meestal een grotere kite (10-14m) nodig voor stabiliteit – een persoon van 80 kg start idealiter met 16-20m² bij matige wind. Te kleine kites geven frustratie door gebrek aan kracht, terwijl te grote kites oncontroleerbaar worden. Met de juiste sizing formules en praktische voorbeelden per gewichtsklasse voorkom je veelgemaakte fouten en geniet je vanaf dag één van het water.

Read more "

Welke kitesurf uitrusting heb je nodig om te beginnen?

Wil je beginnen met kitesurfen maar weet je niet welke uitrusting je nodig hebt? Deze complete gids legt uit welke vier essentiële onderdelen onmisbaar zijn: kite, board, harnas en bar met lijnen. Ontdek wat een complete set kost (€2000-3500 nieuw), welke maten geschikt zijn voor beginners, en waarom veiligheidsuitrusting zoals helm en impact vest cruciaal zijn. We vergelijken ook de voor- en nadelen van kopen versus huren versus een abonnement, zodat je de beste keuze maakt voor jouw budget en ervaring.

Read more "

Hoe werkt de verzekering bij het huren van een kiteset?

Bij het huren van een kiteset zijn er verschillende verzekeringen belangrijk voor jouw bescherming. Aansprakelijkheidsverzekering is verplicht in Nederland, terwijl schadeverzekering voor de gehuurde gear meestal door de verhuurder wordt geregeld. Professionele services bieden vaak volledig verzekerde uitrusting met een eigen risico van slechts €35 per incident. Je eigen verzekeringen dekken zelden gehuurde watersportuitrusting, dus controleer altijd de voorwaarden. Kosten variëren van €3-15 per maand, afhankelijk van dekking en service.

Read more "

What's included in a complete kiteset rental?

A complete kiteset rental includes all the essentials for safe kitesurfing: kite, board, harness, bar with lines and comprehensive safety systems. This professionally maintained gear from top brands such as CORE, North and Slingshot is perfectly matched to your level, weight and wind conditions. With intensive maintenance and regular quality checks, you get gear that is as reliable as new equipment. Modern rental services offer flexible subscriptions that give you access to premium gear without high purchase costs - ideal for beginners who want to learn and advanced riders looking for variety.

Read more "

What happens in the event of damage to a rented kiteset?

For damage to rented kiteset, you usually pay only deductible of €25-50, while renters are responsible for normal wear and tear. Real damage from misuse or accidents falls under renter responsibility. Without insurance, costs can reach €800 for kite replacement. Learn what normal wear and tear is versus real damage, who pays for what, and how to avoid costly repairs through proper techniques.

Read more "

Can you rent CORE kites?

Yes, CORE kite rentals are available in the Netherlands through various providers and subscription services. CORE is known for premium quality and innovative designs, making their gear highly sought after. Renting provides access to top quality equipment without high purchase costs - ideal for beginners and experienced riders who want to experiment. Monthly subscriptions start from €25-€55, while day rentals cost €40-€80. Benefits include lower initial costs, access to latest models, no maintenance worries and flexibility to switch between different CORE models. For kitesurfers who sail less than 100 days a year, renting is often more economical than buying.

Read more "

Want to test out your new kite first? Which can! Plan your Try & Fly!