if you dont want to shop locally.Yes.aside from warranty issues which could make it a whole lot dearer.
normally $1 Au would buy only 80 us cents, now we get it dollar for dollar, so if gear is from the states and is imported to Aus it will be cheaper but only if the importer has only just ordered the gear, if they purchased it a couple of months ago then you will see no change in price.
If the Au dollar hasn't increased over the other currencies where we buy gear from then there is no change.
It would be a good time to buy a old US muscle car and import it, or car or motorbike parts but if you buy new gear and its over a certain amount customs will charge you GST on it.
You can only support to Aus kiting industry by buying gear locally, so think about how much local shops support the sport before you try to save 50 bucks
Like waxman said if the shop has already got the gear or paid for it you will probably not get it any cheaper.
However if kite purchasing is like most other purchases from China they want payment in US$$ so the shops could be getting the kites cheaper.
Its about what currency they deal with & when they pay.
It is rare that any importer(not just kite specific) ever drops the price due to the exchange rate going in the favor of the customer. I'm sure it may happen on the odd occasion. I'm not sure I have ever experienced it.
It is more common to hear about prices going up due to the exchange rate though. Problem is those prices just keep going up.
I'm not having a go, everyone has to make a dollar. I just get annoyed with this common scenario.
I seem to remember last year when the aussie dollar dropped and everyone put their prices up.
Unfortunately, like everything in retail once the price goes up, it rarely ever drops back down to the original.
So yes, it should mean cheaper gear. But wait for all the common excuses like material cost have gone up, shipping costs have gone up, and so on.
So at the end of the day, that is a no for cheaper gear.
Did anyone notice slingshots rrp price went down last year because of the stronger au$.
the issue is when there is such a disparity between local and overseas price . Being a local business you can't troll the it costs money to import line because when there is nearly $1500 diff between a kite here and the US then it becomes a no brainer
The mkt. will set the price, over time me thinks the price of kites is coming down.....and for a while yet....and this is not nec. tied to the FX rate as most may think.
Why buy locally when the shops/distributors put nothing back into the industry? (WA anyway). 
Kitesurfing is a super small industry compared to many out there, and each shop / importer is usually a single bloke, with a few helpers. They're mostly everyday blokes like yourself, that took a risk and made their passion their job.
Seabreeze.com.au would not exist without the generous support of the Australian kitesurfing industry.
Please support local industry, not only with your pocket, but also with your faith that they're doing their best to look after us & keep the doors open.
Being in the Kitesurfing business is high risk, much like farming .. it's highly seasonal sport that depends on the weather. It has a summer peak season, and quiet during winter. And sometimes, the season can be lousy, sometimes great.
Shops put on demo days, handle repairs, give help, advice, and put money into comps so we can all get together (e.g. associations, kitestock, merimbula, nationals etc etc etc). Take a squiz at the gear they've put into the Seabreeze comp's over the years.
I talk with every shop, manufacturer & distributor in Australia, and in my experience, they're all pretty ethical, honest and have a passion for this sport.
Enjoy .. Lozza
)who also donate gear and time to comps and events. Like Lozza says, we are just regular dudes trying to earn a living like everyone else. I don't know ANY retailers here in Perth who drive BMW's or live on the waterfront. We support the sport and community because we love to.
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I wouldnt be clapping too loudly about cheaper imports and OS holidays.
Its got bugga-all to do with a strong $AUS. Its all about a $US making its first few small circles in its downward spiral.
Dont under-estimate how bad the post stimulus package collapse might be.
Buy only what you have to and stay at home - anything that helps you get out of debt - NOW.
ps for eg - instead of new buy 2nd hand kites & pay the savings off your plastic or mortgage.
BTW I happen to have some near new Octane beauties on the buy & sell could reduce your card debt by squillions.
The cost in the dollar will only affect the wholesale price. So you might see a 10% change in, say 30-50% of the price, so that is a may 3-5% off the retail price.
Retailers still have to pay GST, freight, import duties, etc etc etc.
So, don't hold your breath for a super cheap kite.
last time i checked 2011 13.5 were around 2300ish . ok so i was blowing it up a little but still saved enough for me to warrant the money saved on buying local .
where did i mention a bar was $200 ?
Not sure where you bought that kite, but must have a good source.
Check out the prices in UKhttp://www.kingofwatersports.com/rrd-135m-obsession-2011-kitesurf-kite-i13975.html
Then add on the cost of the bar as per the website, Add RRD Global Bar and lines for an additional ?325.00
Total Price 1,184 pounds = $1,912 then 10%GST makes kite $2,103 without postage.
So not that Bad compared to Australia importers
You gotta Compare Apples with Apples dude.
