25 October 2012 Gin kites announced that they will end their kite-business. Since that I have been waiting and hoping that they would get things fixed, I do not want that “my” kitebrand stops making kites. I have a 6m2 Gin Uru, and a 9 & 13 Gin Zulu, and they are awesome.
My Gin kites packed in the car for some fun
I do not really know what the reason for them to stop is, if it is lack of money, lack of interest, or something else. My first thoughts in the economical situation of today is that they have gone bankruptcu though. Anyway, this is really sad.
The press release from Gin kites
Dear GIN KITEBOARDING Riders,
You have supported and trusted us since the creation of GIN KITEBOARDING in January 2007. Some of you have been with us even longer.
You have followed the evolution of GIN kites from the first MAORI to the URU. The list is long with 17 models of tube and foil kites:MAORI / ESKIMO / ZIG / NAZCA / ESKIMO II / ZULU / INUIT / NAZCA II / ESKIMO 3 / TONKAWA / TRAINER KITE / ZULU II / ESKIMO 4 / INUIT II / YETI / ZULU 3 / URU
And … you’ve tasted all their famous flavors!:
Black-cherry / Coco-cherry / Black-berry / Coco-lime / Pineapple / Menthol / Kaki / Lychee / Lavender / Passion fruit / Mango / Strawberry / Curacao / Lychee / Pistachio / Apricot / Blueberry / Vanilla / Milkshake / Kiwi /Chocolate / Caviar / Fig / Pepper / Cinnamon / Juniper / Blue prune / Lemon / Pitaya / Lime / Orange / Menthol / Caramel / Bubblegum / Curry / Chili / Wasabi / Banana / Coconut / Caviar / Sugar
To continue the evolution of GIN KITEBOARDING in a competitive way in the current kite market, we have to change the existing structure of GIN KITEBOARDING. We have so far not found any convincing solution ensuring we achieve our new goals. We are forced to suspend all GIN KITEBOARDING activities with immediate effect.
A step is completed, some parts of us stay here. With heavy hearts we say goodbye and we thank everyone for having been part of our wildest dreams … THANKS
Good wind and good riding to all of you!
GIN KITEBOARDING Team
Do you have a clue why they are quitting? Please tell us in a comment!
We need more people kiting, then the market ahould be fine.
Yes, that is true!
But I think that one factor keeping people away is the price of new kites, they are really expensive nowdays. And especially boards, you can in no way think that people would buy brand new kiteboards for 600€ / each. I mean, You can get decent snowboards for 200-300€brand new, and I can in no way see that kiteboards are harder to make..
On the other hand, brands like Cabrinha, Naish Kiteboarding and Best Kiteboarding seems to have quite a lot of money. Maybe kitesurfing becomes like the most other niches, you need to grow big fast and control the market with a couple of other big brands, or disappear…
That is why I wonder why no other kitebrand bought Gin kites yet. Hmm, maybe I should get it..:)
Gin kiteboarding is back, check it out on facebook!