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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Welcome to our Care & Maintenance section, where we guide you through the most important steps to keep your beloved Kiteboarding gear in top condition for longer. With proper cleaning and storage, you not only extend the lifespan of your products but also contribute to sustainability. Here you'll find our tips and recommendations to ensure your equipment always delivers the best performance.
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DIY Repairs: Take Matters into Your Own Hands
Over time, signs of wear and minor damage can appear even on watersports equipment. In some cases, such issues can be quickly and cost-effectively repaired by yourself. To support you with these repairs, we have created a comprehensive collection of DIY repair guides that we will continuously expand.
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When to Call the Pros?
However, not every damage can be fixed by yourself. At these times, the product must be taken for repair to ensure continued enjoyment and performance on the water. For those who want to be sure, we recommend bringing the product regularly to a specialist for a thorough inspection. This ensures that performance and fun on the water are always maintained. A specialist can detect potential weak points early and make all necessary repairs or adjustments to keep your gear in top condition.
Repair Shop Finder
Join us in our mission to promote sustainability and extend the lifespan of our products! As a leading brand in the water sports sector world wide , we're proud to introduce our Repair Shop Finder.
Committed to minimizing waste, we're offering repair services for damaged items instead of discarding them. As part of our initiative, selected shops will host repair services where you can bring your damaged gear for expert repair. Take responsibility for prolonging the lifecycle of your products by choosing your nearest repair location from the map below.
Together, we can make a difference.
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How Do I Best Take Care of My Kite?
Dry your kite thoroughly before packing it away. Store it in a safe, dry place away from direct sunlight - small habits make a huge difference to longevity.
Avoid leaving your kite on the beach or in the sun for extended periods
Watch out for shells or sharp objects that can puncture bladders
Check your kite and pigtails before every session
Never pack a wet kite - mold and material degradation follow quickly
Slightly release bladder pressure before long-term storage
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Pro Tip: Run your fingers along the leading edge and struts after every session. Catching a small nick early is far cheaper than a full bladder replacement later.
Troubleshooting a Leaking Kite: How to Find & Fix Air Leaks
Is your kite losing pressure? Whether it's a slow ghost leak or a clear puncture, identifying the source is the first step toward a successful repair.
Isolate the leak: Pump up and close all strut clips - determine if the loss is from the leading edge or a specific strut
Soapy water test: Spray valves and seams with a mild soap solution - growing bubbles pinpoint the exact location
Valve inspection: Check for sand in the seals or signs of delamination around the valve seat
Bladder extraction: If the leak is not at the valve, carefully remove the bladder for a puncture inspection
Pro Tip: Always check the valve first - sand in the valve seat is responsible for over 60% of reported kite air leaks and takes 30 seconds to fix.
How Do I Safely Remove a Kite Bladder?
This process requires precision to ensure the bladder is not damaged further during removal or reinsertion. Take your time - rushing causes costly secondary damage.
Lay the kite flat with struts facing upward, deflate all struts completely
Remove all rubber hoses from the leading edge valves
Open the leading edge at the wingtips and pull the bladder out a few centimetres
Attach a kite line using a larks head knot — this is your guide line for reinsertion
Open the zipper at the centre of the leading edge
Push the bladder valves into the leading edge cavity
Unscrew the secure ring from the Air Port Valve II using the provided tool
Push the Air Port Valve II into the cavity and remove the bladder, keeping the guide line inside
How Do I Repair a Small Hole or Pinhole on My Kite Bladder?
Small punctures don't have to end your session or require a full bladder replacement. Most minor leaks can be fixed in under 30 minutes with a Duotone repair kit.
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Locate the leak:Use a soapy water solution to find the exact spot where air is escaping
Clean the surface:Wipe with an alcohol swab to remove all salt, sand and oils — adhesion depends on this
Apply the patch:Use a self-adhesive repair patch from the Duotone kit; press firmly from centre outward to avoid bubbles
For larger holes:Cut a round patch from the enclosed tube material and use contact glue — let both sides tack before pressing together
Test the seal:Inflate the bladder slightly outside the kite before reinsertion to confirm it holds
Pro Tip: Always round the corners of any patch - square corners are where peeling starts, especially under the pressure cycles of inflation.
How Do I Repair a Small Tear or Crack in My Kite Canopy?
Small holes in the canopy can be fixed with the "Selfsticky Canopy" self-adhesive patch included with your kite. For tears larger than 1 cm, visit your local Duotone dealer.
Rinse the kite with tap water to remove all salt residue and allow to dry
Apply the patch on the inside of the canopy- wind pressure will hold it against the sail
Clean the area around the tear with alcohol swabs; wait until fully evaporated and dry
Cut a patch with approximately 1 cm overlap in all directions - round all corners
Ask a second person to hold the canopy taut to avoid wrinkles during application
Place the patch centrally and press firmly from the centre outward multiple times
Tears larger than 1 cm affect the structural integrity of the canopy. Take it to a professional sailmaker - do not fly until repaired!
How Do I Replace My Trailing Edge Batten?
A damaged trailing edge batten causes the canopy to flutter, reducing depower response and overall flying efficiency. With the correct replacement part, the swap is straightforward.
Locate the batten pocket at the trailing edge of the affected panel
Slide the old batten out completely from the open end of the pocket
Compare length with the new batten and trim if necessary to match exactly
Insert the new batten fully and secure the pocket end
Check that the batten sits flat with no bowing before flying
Pro Tip: Check all battens at the start of each season. Brittleness from UV exposure is the leading cause of mid-session batten failure.
How Do I Repair or Replace My Kite Valve? (Air Port Valve & APS Technology)
Valves are wear parts. Sand in the seal or delamination at the valve seat are the most common causes of slow air loss. The correct approach depends on your kite's model year.
Air Port Valve (up to SS15-ONW): Clean the seal seat, replace the rubber O-ring if worn, reassemble with the provided tool
APS Technology (from SS27-ONW): Full valve replacement is recommended - the one-piece design means individual seal repair is not possible
Always rinse valves with fresh water after every session to prevent salt crystal build-up in the seal
Test valve function by pushing the pin - it should spring back firmly and immediately
Pro Tip: A valve that holds pressure when you press it with your thumb but leaks under kite pressure usually has a damaged internal seal rather than a bladder puncture.