When I had a lesson I was tought to lay the lines out behind the kite but when I go out I see a lot of guy will lay out the line in frount then lift the kite over the lines. what are the pros and cons of both
personally I like to be up wind f the kite when messing around with the lines?
What ever you feel safe doing how ever if they are set up behind very easy to see if lines are crossed . i personaly run them too the side as it saves walking to the side to launch draging ya lines arcoss coral and weed so i set up to the side and lauch from the same possition the bar is in THIS IS NOT ADVISABLE TILL YOU GET experence behind you . Lines out back is easer too some people .
^^^+1 It safer and easier to check for any errors, and easier for self launches. But you should learn both ways, just in case you go to a beach where everyone does an upwind set up. If you don't your kite and bay will end up being in the incorrect orientation relevant to the other kites on the beach.
Easiest is to learn either upwind or downwind, although eventually you should at least know how to check what you have done is right if you ever have to rig the other way round. True story, it took me 15 minutes to get it right the first time I tried rigging up with the bar upwind of the kite, but I'm a kook
Side wind setup has some advantages, especially if your beach has lots of debris on it and/or you will be self launching, but even when you get to try it definitely don't do it for the first time by yourself for a self launch.
^^^^+2 side on setup is def the way to go,you and the kite are in the correct launch position from the get go so no hassels with snags while trying to get to the correct position or some idiots trying to launch cos they havent worked out the correct position,also laying the lines in front of the kite has its fair share of crossed lines or a line through the bridal,seen it done many many times.
Learning to rig your kite in all directions, should be something you learn and feel comfortable with. If everyone has laid out there lines across the beach and you only know down wind and the beach is small, you will be lying your lines in everyones way.
Preferably i lay my lines down wind, most of the time.
Learn both ways. Then when at all possible do it this way.
Position kite into the wind and walk behind kite, unwind about 4-5M of line, pick up your front line pigtails and connect them, YES I said connect them before you walk out your lines. Then unwind lines out downwind of the kite, with time you can easily manage to unwind crosswind, saves dragging lines as much on launch if self launching.
When you have unwound all the lines off he bar, pull the lines so the front ones just get some tension, make sure the chicken loop in pulled all the way into the bar. lay the bar on the ground Red on the Right (YES the wrong way round).
Grab your rear lines, red in your right hand and blue/green in your left, walk back to kite with only those lines in your hands, making sure that the centre lines are between your feet/legs as you walk back to the kite. Connect the red pigtail to the red rear line bridle pigtail and the green/blue to the corresponding rear line pigtail.
Thats it, your lojes are connected properly and they cannot be twisted on each other. You can look back to your bar from the kite for a double check if you wish, if you can see your rear line goes directly to the bar end without crossing your centre lines then the lines are rigged correctly.
Learned from FOKITEN on Kiteforum many years ago, although I sometimes claimed the ideas as my own to sh1tstir him, haha.
I never rig any other way, and never get it wrong. You just cannot get it wrong this way and you only make one walk to the kite not 2 or 3 or several as you see when people rig upwind.
I never rig any other way, and never get it wrong. You just cannot get it wrong this way and you only make one walk to the kite not 2 or 3 or several as you see when people rig upwind.
Why do some upwind riggers take 2-3 goes to connect? What's the difference to a downwind rig apart from orientation of the bar? I have a 5 line kite and usually rig upwind - I take one walk and connect correctly every time....? as I do when doing it down wind...It all comes down to discipline in keeping control of your lines. I usually set my lines out each side of the kite first and put a pile of sand near the end to hold them down. Then connect the front lines first then back. No chance of twists then.
I like the idea of connecting the two front lines though. It would give tension to the lines which helps a lot when you get a few twists. Good tip.
Downwind Opt is safer as you can see that your lines are clear, Upwind also has its benefits IE: if its howling the wind helps untangle your lines as you run them out and also upwind is a better position for your kite when self launching IMO.
It,s what ever rocks your boat, see what works best for you.
Upwind has the advantage of you rig the bar the right way round. Downwind has the advantage of being able to visually sight your lines all the way to the kite.
Personally i rig side/upwind to get the downwind unwinding assistance, and to minimise the tangles and walking distance required when launching.
The only reason you should ever have to walk your lines more than once is if they're in a bloody mess from looping in one direction... in which case you need to learn to do tricks in both directions.
The sidewind setup should be the main way taught and used if possible....Almost impossible to screw up and you are in position for launch (self or assisted).
Downwind is good for position for a self launch without an anchor..
I always blow my line out while walking downwind. Why not use the wind to assist?
Been teaching this way since 2005.
I teach the other way in lesson 2 but find that students feel more comfortable remembering the 'red on the left'. No point confusing them when they're nervous.
Each instructor has their own system. Each to their own.
The main goal is to make sure there is no twists and each line is attached to the correct attachment point. Kook proof attachments make it so much easier.
The sidewind setup should be the main way taught and used if possible....Almost impossible to screw up and you are in position for launch (self or assisted).
