Where are kiteboarding kites manufactured?

Answer 1

They are designed in the US but made in China

Answer

Most kiteboarding equipment owes its design to Peter Lynn who is from New Zealand! Although it is very hard to patent a kite design the manufacturing techniques are easier to copyright. Peter's early work was in creating a kite with the correct aspect ratio and lift characteristics to make a perfect buggying kite. He improved on the design to included water relaunching and patented the manufacturing techniques. Almost all other manufacturers pay Peter Lynn licence fees while some small producers have special dispensation from him. Incidentally, he is also responsible for the kite buggying phenomenon. Kite Surfing is now around 20 years old, the kite styles that work are well established but they owe their roots to Peter Lynn.

Peter recently moved his kite manufacturing to China, but the business is still managed from New Zealand. Peter makes some kites on special order by personal arrangement but is currently more interested in large inflatable display kites to be flown from boats.

Kite boards

People's personal preference for boards of a particular style means that they are manufactured all over the world. Many of the sponsored fliers will only be seen with boards in their sponsors colours but you may find that they owe their heritage to a New Zealand, Aussie or Cornish board designer. Most people who can manufacture a surfboard can make you a kiteboard. Some are made by local craftsmen and some come from big companies, either those interested in wavesurfing or windsurfing. The only requirement for a good kitesurfing board is that it has an edge like a wave running board so you can carve easily.