How to repair and install a kite strut bladder
When you know your kiteboarding kite is leaking, first you need to find out where. It’s sometimes easier to find out before removing the bladder, so if you have a pool, inflate your kite and chuck it in. Hold various parts of the kite underwater and look for bubbles. Bubbles mean leaks, so make a note of where she’s leaking, and remove the bladder.
To remove a strut bladder, first go to the trailing edge of the kite, stick your finger up the end of the strut and pull. A Velcro tab will fold out of the strut and expose the bladder inside.
Head back to the Leading Edge of your kite, and disconnect the strut valve from the rubber hose, by cutting off the cable tie (or removing the plastic collar). Tie a piece of rope (or one of the kite lines) to the valve, before pushing it inside the strut.
Pull it out, leaving the piece of rope inside the strut (you’ll use it again later!)
Now for the hard part; look for the hole by placing the inflated kite strut in a pool, or spraying it with a bottle of soapy water. Mark the hole, and patch it with a flexible tape like ‘Tear-Aid’ or the small patches that come with your kite. Make sure the bladder is clean before you patch it, otherwise it will just peel off again.
No need to wait for it to dry, you can now install the strut back into your kite. For this, we’re going to pass it over to the guys from Kitepower, who made this great video earlier in the week showing you just how easy it is to install a strut bladder into your kiteboarding kite.
Check out the video below on how to install a strut bladder.