Have you experienced a slow leak in your Duotone kite bladder? You’re not alone — and here’s what you need to know.
In recent years, a small number of Duotone kite owners have reported slow punctures or leaks around the airport valve area of their kite bladders. If you’ve heard rumours on the beach or noticed something similar with your own gear, rest assured: there’s a known cause, and more importantly, a known solution.
What was the issue?
During the COVID boom, Duotone was manufacturing at unprecedented volumes to keep up with global demand. While the kites and their bladders are made in one facility, the airport valve — the plastic inflation valve that connects your pump to the bladder — was being produced separately via an injection moulding process.
Due to the sheer volume and pressure on supply chains at the time, a handful of valves were produced with slightly sharper edges or less consistent finishes on the back side of the part. When kites were tightly rolled, those minor imperfections could, in some cases, cause small punctures or wear marks in the bladder material directly behind the valve.
This only affected a limited run of kites, and Duotone quickly identified and addressed the issue.
What has Duotone done about it?
Duotone took immediate steps to eliminate the problem and improve their already high manufacturing standards:
• Revised Injection Moulding Limits: The number of valves produced per mould cycle is now tightly controlled, ensuring a more consistent finish and less wear on the mould itself.
• Protective Foam Insert: All modern Duotone kites now feature a small circular foam pad on the back of the airport valve. This acts as a cushion between the plastic valve and the bladder, eliminating any risk of friction or piercing — even when the kite is rolled up tightly.
If you check the inside of your kite and see a black foam pad behind the valve, you’ve already got the updated version.
How to check your kite
A common question we get asked is: “How do I know if my kite has the new airport valve or the older version?”
Here’s how you can check:
1. Unzip the access point on your kite and gently feel or look behind the airport valve.
2. If you see or feel a black foam insert, you’ve got the new version.
3. If there’s no foam but your kite hasn’t experienced any problems, there’s no need to panic — just be mindful not to roll the kite up too tightly.
4. If you suspect a slow leak or damage in this area, reach out to the shop where you purchased your kite — we can help diagnose and rectify the issue.
Final thoughts
It’s important to emphasise that this was a temporary issue, linked to a specific manufacturing period during the height of COVID-related production pressure. Duotone acted swiftly and responsibly, and the affected units represent a very small fraction of their overall production. As one of the leading kite brands in the world, Duotone continues to innovate and deliver some of the most reliable and high-performance products in the industry.
If you’re unsure about your own kite or want support in checking, feel free to contact us at Worthing Watersports — we’re always happy to help.
Have questions or need support?
Drop us a message or visit us in-store. We’re here to keep you on the water with confidence.
