hey all just a quick question. as a fairly new kiter some people set their kite lines up different ways can anybody simplify this process or give me a web site. the way i was shown was lay kite out down wind, roll lines out up wind &connect, then pump up kite& fold edge pack with sand ready to self launch, any help would be great....
I was taught to pump the kite up first, then attatch the lines from downwind, once the lines are on walk upwind to the edge of the window and launch... suppose it doesnt really matter though.
If you do wanna pump the kite up before lines are attatched just make sure you put sand on it so it doesnt blow away
i agree with hung long......do whatever your comfortable with. Pump kite up first, or last doesnt matter lines upwind or downwind doesnt matter What matters is the lines are attatched to the correct pigtails and you dont launch the kite directly downwind. Oh and talk to as many people on the beach as you can. and more important than anything have fun.....
Pump your kite up first on the grass near the carpark if you have the luxury of that situation. Why carry all the crap down to the beach and pump up on the sand if you don't need to?
Whichever way you rig the lines,(upwind/downwind), DOUBLE CHECK that the lines are correctly attached. The kite launch is the deadly part of the sport.
It's SAFER to run your lines downwind when setting up. That way if the kite gets picked up by a gust the lines aren't getting dragged with the kite, and then just happen to catch the old granny and send her ar*e over tit! Safety first!
If its blowing its ring out, I set out my lines first, then pump the kite up and position it to the lines. I believe you can prematurely wear you trailing edges out from constant flapping on the beach.At the end of the day, "Whatever"
i pump my kite up first so that way if there is a slow leak in one of the bladers it has a chance to go flat before i go out so hopefuly i will notice I set my lines out down wind so while the kite is on the beach and when i am getting ready to luanch it isnt at 100% power with the trigger ready to go. but never have your kite on the beach with the lines conected unless you are about to luanch. just my 2 red cents
It's beneficial to know how to set up both ways, with your lines going up wind or donwwind. Depending on the layout of the terrain and how other people are rigging (restricting your space) this can make the difference which approach is going to be more effective.
When switch hitting like this however you do have to be on your game to be able to reverse the line setup and get it right. In the end the extra brain strain is worth it for a better launch.
I leave lines connected when packing up- theres no reason if youve got bar and lines for each kite or if you leave the one bar connected to your most used kite whenever you pack it up. Just pump up roll out the lines downwind of the kite, make sure your lines arent crossed and your right to go. When you pack up just leave enough line loose to span between the tip of the kite and the centre where you can put your bar. Be out on the water that way while others are f****n around with their lines.
Pump the kite first and weight it with sand and or your board. Position your kite so that you launch on the water side always. Make sure your kites and lines are colour coded and have kook proof connectors. Undo about 6 or 7 m of lines, then connect the front lines only. Then walk across, upwind to where you would launch from. Walk your rear lines back to the kite and connect. Then walk back to your bar through your centre lines and remove any twists (if you have a centre line safety and no swivel system) otherwise remove twists to make sure your cleat or strap is facing the correct way. Get a launch if possible, you will hardly need to move, if you have run your lines on the correct angle. If self launching make sure your are ready with all your gear on, fold over the tip of your kite and weight with sand. Go back to your bar, hook in, depower the kite with the trim strap or cleat. Then walk back away from the kite, as you tension the upperlines if the upper tip is nodding forwards move in the opposite direction and vice versa, then quickly walk awayas you tension the bottom lines and flick the sand off that tip. If you are in the optimal position you will hardly get pulled at all. Once you have launched keep the kite low and walk to the water quickly grabbing your board as you go. Don't stand around on the beach or at the waters edge with your kite above your head.
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve McCormack
Ps, If you have put up too much kite you will get pulled and you will not be able to walk back upwind at all.
Pps, beware of rigging downwind, you must always remember to turn you bar over if you rig so that no lines are crossed.
When you walk backwards to take up the tension on the Lines to launch, watch the kite, it should stay close vertical as you go to pop the sand off the bottom tip. If you are too far up wind the top of the kite (the tip in the air) will try to fly forwards, if you are to far down wind the top will fall backwards. Keeping it vertical on launch will launch the kite close to neutral zone.
Always check you have not folded the lines under the tip that you place sand on, run them over the top of the sand.
Before you put the kite in the self launch postion make sure you have all your gear ready, ie: Harness on, Board close by, Wettie on, Leash ready. Don't leave the kite sitting in the launch position for any unnecessary extra time. If the kite blows off the sand when going back to the bar grab only one line before it blows away (depowers it).
I'd have to agress with Izo, you need to be able to set up your lines in either direction. Especially if your launch area is short on space and there are already a number of kiters setting up. If its blowing its tits off I like to run out the lines first and from up wind this reduces the ends tangling themselves into a mess as you are seperating the lines. I then pump up the kite. If self lauching I sometimes have a plastic bag filled with sand that I will use as a weight. I don't like to leave my lines attached as I prefere to wash the bar and lines down with fresh water after each use if I have plenty of assess to fresh water. I believe this will extend the life of my gear. I also wash the kite down with fresh water as well if its taken a swim during the session. Oh yeh another tip if you are having an extended break during the day, deflate the leading edge of your kite and roll it up and put it in the shade, as the constant flapping and the unnessary exposure to the UV's will only hasten the kites demise. Thats my 2 bobs worth.
You need to be able to set uo your lines anyway. Upwind downind crosswind. Its all about visualising the kite in the air and figuring how the lines should be layed out.
If lines have been packed well, bar downwind is easiest for most people, just lay the bar on the ground upside down.
However if the lines are a mess have the bar upwind of the kite and work the knots out with the help of the wind.
