Everyone on PKF probably knows how much I love Gin kites and how happy I was to become theirs Team Rider and lately an agent for NE US region .... news about Gin going out of business fill me with anger and sadness ....
I have chance to own and use whole bunch of Gin kites .... in some point 17 of them ..... Eskimos, Yetis, Tonkowas, Zulus and Urus ...
Not many kiters have opportunity to FLY GIN ... and not many have chance to see one in person ..... Those who have... share same "love" to the brand and those awesome products ...
First Eskimo was design by Gin Gliders, company that have been a very successful in paragliding world .... right after that separate company was crated.... Gin Kiteboarding that start producing high end kites for land and water....
Quality of materials and solid stable structure with eye candy look make people like me waiting for theirs next product ...
Gin Twin Safety system is one of its kind and I was waiting to see it in new Sherpa that sadly will never be in my possession ...
I really hope that somehow Gin will be able to resurface on kiting arena soon and more people will have chance to try those kites .....
My for sale posts are no more .... since I will keep those kites thru winter and enjoy as much as I can ......
For now .... I am not planning to represent any other kite company ... however .... YOu know I love to be part of team and share my knowledge and passion ..... meet new kiters and play with new toys ..... so don't be surprise if you see another kite brand next year in my signature ... hopefully one that will become what Gin is for me right now .... whatever future brings .... I was proud to be part of Gin team and sadly I still am Gin rider ..... rider for company that not exist ....

Gin Team Rider
KOBER

Kober, I know you were a great Team Rider for Gin, the next company to pick you up will be all that more better once you sign on! Although I ribbed you quite a bit at WBB, It was all just in great fun! I did feel for you and I know how much you enjoyed being a team rider for them as well as a rep! The conversations we had on the phone about both were proof that you were and still are a dedicated Team member!

Good luck in your next venture, maybe we will carry what you fly next! Then we can represent you as well, we would love to have you on the team!

http://www.ginkites.com/news/gin-kiteboarding-news

Ah, so sad to see another quality company decide to go in another direction.

Best wishes to all at the company, and I know their riders will find new homes.

I'm holding on to my Gins too (just had my 4.5 Yeti mixer/bridle customized so that's kind of a keepsake) but if I were to switch I'd be thinking HQ or Ikon (unless they too have folded). Ikons looked cool when they came out last year.

My 1st year of snowkiting 2 kite companies really got my attention. Gin and Conceptair. Both of these companies kites handled so much better than anything else I was seeing that wasn't depower.

I never saw much of either after that 1st year . Gin was surviving on the Euro' market and Concept air on the Quebec market .

Thanks to your sponsorship and the fact a few others on here were speaking up I felt good about getting into a Gin. It is a real shame to see such a good company not make it in what is hopefully a growing market.

Now that folks are seeing what a great product Coneptair is I hope they start to support the company. They make an amazing Depower kite and some VERY fast FB models. It is a tough market and I would hate to see Conceptair someday closing shop. If it isn't the only kite produced fully in North America I would argue it is the best !!!

Thanks Rich for support and all constructive words .... Now ... lets hope Jersey shore will rebuild quick so I can go back kiteboarding, roads will reopen and gas become available so I can go back to Wildwood and buggy .... or snow start covering local fields so we can finally do some snowkiting .....

All kiting companies have something to offer ..... something unique and tempting ...
.... and its not like I will pick one and I become team rider ..... lol .... that would be awesome .... lol ....
B-roc .... Let me know how is new improved Yeti treating you....
Bladerunner .... ConceptAir start getting a lots of interest at last WBB and flying Ben's prototype did make me feel "special" .... very nice kite and I am sure it will be next successful product for this brand ....

Sorry to hear about this Kober. That's really disappointing news for sure. I was really starting to follow what Gin was doing in the power kiting arena and would have loved to have a new or used Gin for that matter.