This is a worldwide question. I know it's difficult for shops to even get inventory, but I'm still curious what people are experiencing compared to what I see, and if you're noticing any trend.
Since I started in Sept 2019, I've bought everything I've owned completely sight-unseen. All just based on forum and You-tube searches. At least now that we have a local "crew" we are all good about sharing gear for others to test out. I live in a well established kiteboard/windsurf destination (Outer Banks, NC). We have a large resort/internet seller (I won't mention names) and basically two additional shops. Virtually nothing on display and certainly nothing to demo. I'm guessing they are all basically 100% drop shipping. You can rent gear from one place to try out, and at least see it in the rental shop. I think its $120 usd just for a foil rig (no board or hand wing) for 4 hours, and you aren't even allowed launch from their location (only for resort guests and instruction classes). I got to demo some Cabrinha wing gear one time only from a team rider (Evan Netsch) who lives here part of year. Needless to say, I rarely buy local, and it's usually just for occasional peripherals. Strange world
Similar situation in SF Bay Area, sharing info and aometimes equipment with people at the beach. I think f-one had a demo day but I couldn't make it.
People are reluctant to let you try wings, if you put a hole in it they are out of the water for extended periods of time. Boards and foils are less fragile.
Even having worked at windsurfing, surf, bike, and ski shops, attending the late season trade shows, I always ordered sight unseen, trusting in the manufacturers to come out with their newest product.
All my stuff is site unseen. I've got a dealer who spends a lot of time walking me through options given my skill level/size/experience and takes the time to give me a good sense of the equipment I'm about to buy or avoid buying. That can be helpful to get a professional opinion from a trusted advisor.
Getting advice from your Winging circle is also good but can sometimes turn into an echo chamber. I'd recommend finding a dealer you trust and work with them.
DC
All gear I'm using I had seen tried before, one of my most frequent buddies distributes the F-One gear in NL. Planning to order the new gear (Strike V2, new line of foils) before they are officially announced though (and thus before seeing them on the water) just so I'll be sure to get an early shipment.
In 2020 I demoed stuff before I bought it, and demo-ing prevented me from a couple of mistakes. Some wings like Naish and ensis for example look gorgeous and are very well received but didn,t suit me, so I was happy I tried them before NOT buying.
Since the Ever Given was trying to make donuts on the Suez canal the have been such an shortage on gear and high demand in Europe that it is very rare to demo. Most of the gear is sold before it entered the shelves and pre-orders are made on the next delivery.
So most of the gear I bought in june and afterwards is ordered based on what, i've seen on the internet. pick up in a few days after delivery to the shop or get left empty handed. Other stuff is ordered online from foreign countries like my Smik wing.
Lately there seems to be some stock and the ability to try some gear wich is great. Some stuff I really really liked and wanna buy next year, others was just interesting to try and made me realize that the gear I already have suits me well.
Our local store does demo days, so we get to try a wide variety of gear.
The owner is particularly good in chatting with his customers and understanding what they like. So he will often keep them in the loop of up coming gear or making recommendations to help their development.
Foils, I have demoed each time before switching brands.
Wings, about half the time.
There are 3 shops in my town.
Yeh we are also lucky. Get to try lots of gear. Although most useful demos are lending fellow riders foils and wings riding at our local spots so that wind and water conditions are well known for comparative reasons.
Sounds like a wide variety of circumstances. I've purchased gear without testing (or seeing) that I decided I decided didn't suit me very well, despite recommendations and favorable reviews. Tried two Naish handle wings (S25) and some Moses front foils (1100 and 790), and turned right around and sold them after a few sessions. Just purchased an HPS 830/380/short black fus and not sure if I'm gonna keep it or not. I guess the good news is that resale value of fairly new popular stuff is pretty decent and I have a very understanding wife!
