Hi Guys,

Will a 5th line attachment make the dreaded "walk off shame" up the beach any easier. I ride a 2003 airush with 4 lines and have real trouble hauling this thing up the beach (2 steps forward 1 step back kind of thing).
I see some guys doing it really easily, (with 5 line c's) and some guys struggling like me, the size and strength of the rider doesn't seem to make a huge difference.

Josh

Hmm, back in the good old days (4 line c kites were 99% of the kites on the water) the rule of thumb was if you cant walk it back up the beach then you are too overpowered unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

I would not suggest a 5th line on a c kite as a way to depower the kite other than as a safety and/or emergency and/or for relaunch purposes. The kite ends up being too unstable with the 5th line pulled tight.

However with your 4 line setup, have you tried pulling in the depower strap a little (or a lot) more when you are walking back up the beach?

Also, are you walking with the kite over your head (bad) or at an angle? depending on the direction the angle and the proximity of kite munching trees having your kite lower may actually help you walk upwind

Besides, more time doing the walk of shame gives you the opportunity to contemplate the important stuff like:
- why can't I get up wind?!?!?

yeah with the 5th line, you can pull it in about 15cm or until the kite is just steerable, then its depowered enough to walk upwind easier. OR you can unhook and let go of the bar on 5th line and turn around and walk, as long as there are no sticks or object on the ground.

LATER LB

a fifth line is no replacement for technique, sounds like ur doing something wrong (put the kite lower?)