Hello, I just returned from the ocean with the remains of my fuel 10, and boy am I bummed! I dropped my kite just outside of the break and when I got it to shore, the whole canopy had basically seperated from the struts! There is a hole between the middle 3 struts. I don't think it's repairable. Is this common? I never hear of kites being completely destroyed like this. My kite was less than a year old. I am going to call slingshot tomorrow and hope they take pity on me, but I don't want to keep destroying kites( I cannot afford it)Any advice or comments would be cool

If your kite goes down in the shore break the worst thing you can do is try to resist the pull the waves put on the kite. If it's not going to relaunch just go with it, get to it as fast as possible and pull it out by one tip.

If you drop your kite in the waves regardless of the size of surf that could very well be the end of your kite. I guarantee that there is no warranty for a kite destroyed in surf. I know it hurts but if you play in the waves there is a good chance you will return without a kite. Sorry.
Aloha Royce.

the most important thing to do in surf, when you feel the kite is getting caught by the wave and is pulling you is to release the kite completely to take all the tension off the lines, or else the resistance from the lines and your body will bust the canopy
I feel you, it sucks to break equipment
if anyone can fix it, i think it might be the guys at http://www.kiterepair.com

yeh i doubt if even slingshots warranty covers dropping in surf.

Got your contract now SQ?

Bummer, but it does definately sound repairable, where are you in the world?
Because of the way the SS is sewn together, it is actually easier to repair than a lot of other kites, take it to a sailmaker/kitemaker, preferably one who kites.

I am sending the kite to slingshot for them to decide my fate. I live In Oregon , USA. I don't think this kite is repairable nor did the 2 shops I showed it to. Lesson learned the hard way. Hopefully the slingshot guys will take pity on me and hook me up somehow. My whole quiver and both boards are slingshot so I am hoping this company I have invested in will take care of me(maybe) Thanx for all the input!

I have kited at Waddell, which has some big surf, about 60 days and I don't remember seeing a kite destroyed by surf. Kites get damaged occasionally but not destroyed. Most kites at Waddell are Caution's but my North's have taken a real beating there. Most kiters at Waddell have a lot of experience with surf and make a point of not dropping their kites in the impact zone. Also, Cautions are pretty easy to keep in the air. Sorry if this is starting to sound like a Caution ad.

On the other hand, any kite can be destroyed if it is bobbing in the impact zone and letting the lines go slack to take some pressure off is a good idea. Not getting tangled in the lines is the first priority.

Good luck with your kite. My guess is it will be repaired because it is easy to sew fabric back together. Has the kite been in the sun a lot? After a solid season of sun a canopy can tear real easy and then it would be to fragile to sew.

Doug

How long have the kiteshops you went to been dealing in kites?
I have only ever written one kite off in 4 yrs, and it was well past the use by date from sun exposure and abuse/bad repairs, bought second hand, sight unseen from The Trading Post newspaper, buyer beware!

I have just had a repair done to a Flexi Strom 1, that was washed onto oyster cover rocks and not retrieved for approx 5 mins.
It had rips down the length of 2 struts, the leading edge was torn open in a very jagged 2 foot long rip, and there were several areas where the sail was just shredded.
Took it to a qualified sailmaker who kites, and who spoecialises in skiff sails, repired 2 days later for $270aud. Fixed the bladder in one hit with a giant patch, for which I charged $30, total repair cost $300aud, and I reckon he would still get $700 -800 for the kite with no bar and lines, all the repairs are colour matched.

I reckon our repairer would repair that kite of yours for around $200 -250aud, if there is only one large L shaped rip and 3 struts to sew back on.
Post a pic, if you can. I'm sure SS USA will have a good repair service.