You will often hear the terms kitesurfing gear and kiteboarding gear, these terms are interchangeable, depending where you live in the world people refer to either kiteboarding or kitesurfing. What doesn't change whether you live in the United States, Europe, The Pacific or anywhere else, is that the basic kitesurfing gear remains the same.

Kiteboard

Are generally a foam or wooden board and are available in several styles; wakeboard style, directional surf-style boards, skim boards and hybrids which can go in either direction but are made to operate better in one of them. Some kitesurfers us standard surfboards, however without foot straps the ability to do high jumps becomes difficult. Twin tip boards appear to be the easiest to learn on. Kiteboards are available in different shapes and also sizes to compliment the kitesurfers experience, riding style and also the water and wind conditions.

Kitesurfing Harness

A kite harness are available in different styles such as vest, waist or seat harness. The harness along with the spreader bar attaches the kitesurfer to the control bar. The harness takes most of the strain of the kite's pull from the rider's arms and spreads it across a portion of his body which allows them to do tricks and jumps whilst still remaining attached to the kite via the control bar. Vest harnesses have the added safety protection of providing both flotation and impact protection.

Kitesurfing Power Kites

The more power the kite is able to have has a direct impact on speed. Experienced kitesurfers often have three or more kites of different sizes to suit various wind levels.   Smaller kites are used by light riders, or in strong wind conditions and larger kites are used by heavier riders or in light wind conditions.

Foil kites

Are produced mainly of ripstop nylon fabric with air pockets which provide it with lift and a fixed bridle to retain the kite's arc shape. Foil kites provide the advantage that the bladders do not need to be manually inflated, which means you can get into the water faster. Foil kites are made with an open or closed cell design. A foil with an open cell relies on a constant airflow against the inlet valves to enable it to stay inflated. Unfortunately if the kites hit the water they are almost impossible to relaunch as they become soaked quickly with no way of avoiding deflation. On the other hand closed cell foils are designed with inlet values which hold air in chambers which enable the kite to deflate very slowly and water relaunches are possible.

Leading edge inflatable kites

Commonly refered to as C-Kites, LEI kites or inflatables. These kites are generally produced from ripstop nylon with an inflatable plastic bladder that covers the front edge of the kite with separate smaller bladders. The kites inflated bladders give the kites it shape and also allow the kite to float when it hits the water.

Bow kites were developed in 2005 which are also referred to as Flat LEI Kites and have an important safety feature which enables them to be fully depowered. Second generation flat leading edge inflatable kites were developed in 2006 and are called Hybrid or Support Leading Edge/SLE kites. Designed with simple safe relaunch and near total depower and suitable for beginners and experienced kitesurfers.

Companies such as Liquid Force, Naish, Cabrinha, Best, Slingshot and North are continually improving the technology and performance of kites to provide you with the best experience possible.

Flying Lines

Flying lines are attached the kitesurfer's control bar to their kite using attachment cords on the kite edges or on its bridle. Power kites generally use a 3, 4 or 5 line configuration. The fifth line is used to assit when water relaunching is required or to adjust the kites angle of attack.

Control Bar

The control bar is a solid metal or composite bar which attaches to the kite via the lines and are generally specific to a particualr kite design and size. Kitesurfers hold the control bar and by pulling at the ends they are able to control the kite by rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise. Often a chicken loop from the control bar is attached to a hook on a spreader bar on the rider's harness. Most bars now provide a quick release safety system and a control strap to change the kite's angle of attack.

Footstraps and Pads

The correct bindings will make a big difference to your kitesurfing experience.  You will want to look for foot straps that are ultra light weight in order to keep the overall weight of the kiteboard low.  You can often find the footstraps and pads as a combined footstraps and pads kit.

Personal Flotation Device

A personal flotation device or PFD should be taken out with a kitesurfer especially if they are riding in deepwater, this will aid them when they get into trouble and need to be resuced.

Kitesurfing Board Leash

Board leashes that attach the board to the kitesurfer's leg or harness are used by some riders. It is highly recommended that kitesurfers that use a board lease also wear a helmet as serious injuries and possible death can occur if the leash yanks the board and it hits the kitesurfer. Many trainers are discouraging the use of board leases and instead products such as Ozone's Go-Joe are recommended.

Helmets

Helmets are often overlooked by kitesurfers but should be given serious consideration to potect the head and help reduce the severity of any impact injuries.

Impact Vest

An impact vest provides some protection against impacts to the torso area. They can also provide some flotation aid.

Wetsuits

A wetsuit is often worn by kitesurfers with the exception of when the weather is hot and there are light winds. Wearing a wetsuit in strong winds will reduce the amount of body heat that is lost. There are different styles of wetsuits to suit different conditions, a full suit for cool conditions and also to provide better protection against jelly fish, a shortie is used to protect only the torso and a dry suit is often used by kitesurfers during winter.

Safety Hook Knife

A safety hook knife is often taken out by kitesurfers and is used to cut kite lines that have become tangled up or to release the kite if for some reason the kite safety release system fails. Many kitesurfing harnesses have small pockets to hold items such as these safety hook knifes.

Waterproof Digital Camera

Capture your jumps and turns with a waterproof digital camera mounted to your helmet or kiteboard or even attached to your wrist.  Show your friends and family close up action of you on the water they are bound to be impressed!

Signaling Devices

Signaling devices should always be taken out with kitesurfers in case the need arises where they need to be rescured. Some kitesurfers will carry a safety whistle others carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a small emergency position indicating radio beacon which can be activated to send out a distress signal. If you are going kitesurfing alone it is important that you tell someone where you are going and when you are expected back.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A GPS can be used to measure distance travelled, tracks and speed during a session which you can later log if you are interested in keeping statistics.

Water Proof Cases

Ideal for keys, mobile phone, safety hook knife - then slip these into the pocket of your kitesurfing harness.

These are just some of the few but main equipment that you will add to your collection of kitesurfing gear and over time you'll add other items such as floatable googles, kite repair kits, kitesurfing dvd's and magazines.