Hi Folks, I am having big dramas with pain in my fingers from kiting. I am not sure what the problem is yet (just had X-rays etc. this morning) but I think I might have to start looking for a new quiver with the lightest bar pressure I can find.
My existing kites are Airush Varial X 7 & 10 and Lithium 14 & 18. I have been told that some of the foil kites have extremely light bar pressure but have never had a go on one and am not sure if they would suit my style (or lack there of) of old school TT jumps and backrolls etc. My issues are also not helped by the fact that I play guitar in a couple of bands and ride a motorbike every day . Any help please???

I have the same issue when i kite for long periods in cold conditions.

I do have a friend, who is a kite designer, and had stents inserted into his wrists to increase blood flow and it fixed the issue.

I think the problem stems from the position your hand is in and not the bar pressure.
good luck, please let me know if you find and good solution.

See if you can demo late model core GTS they are light but still have good feedback

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kitcho207 said...
See if you can demo late model core GTS they are light but still have good feedback

Make sure you can launch it from stalled... dead down wind without bridal wrap on wingtip. Never seen someone do so much swimming as a guy with New Cores..

Intersting...
I'm on the 2014 GTS2s. Never had a tip wrap.
Which model is he on?

Hi Simon - foil kites do have very light bar pressure which suits me as I'm prone to tendonitis. They are also well regarded for the type of riding you describe. I'm happy to arrange some demo kites for you to try. James.

Griffins are obsessed with light bar pressure.

Not great for me, but it'd suit you for sure.

I'm a big fan of Ozone Reo's. Nice feel. Never had hand or elbow problems since I switched to Reo's many years ago. One hand flying, fingertip control.

Hi Simon,

The Core kites when set up on the lightest bar settings are very light on the bar. GTS3 and XR4 are both very light. You are welcome to come in and take either for a demo to see if it helps you. They are great performance kites to boot.

DM

Before you go splashing the cash
Have you checked your lines, tuned your back lines to lightest bar pressure,
A common one can be not Letting the kite pull from the harness also,
+for the core gts , I've been getting on plenty of kites lately and this is in the top couple, the 1st edition I could imagine as the bridal was pretty long, but not the latest version

Thanks Jamesperth and DM
I have seen some very impressive things from Core kites and should at least try a foil, so I may well be interested in both options.
I'll hope that I will have a better diagnosis in the next few days but either way I don't hold out much hope for a miracle cure so I'll be in touch soon.
Cheers S

What years are your Varial X's ?I fly Airush Varial X, Wave & sometimes my GF's Diamonds. They are the lightest bar pressure I've ever flown with IMO.
The earlier 2012 VX had a slightly higher pressure than the 2014 I currently have

Had Reo's, Zephyr. LF Envy. Tried Bandits and non of then are as light as the Airush. I think The Lithiums are a little on the heavy side from what I can remember from the demo's I've had


I would check your line lengths first IMO

It would be worth trying (demo) of an Airush Union with all lines on "low bar pressure" settings.

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SimonDreyer said..
Hi Folks, I am having big dramas with pain in my fingers from kiting. I am not sure what the problem is yet (just had X-rays etc. this morning) but I think I might have to start looking for a new quiver with the lightest bar pressure I can find.
My existing kites are Airush Varial X 7 & 10 and Lithium 14 & 18. I have been told that some of the foil kites have extremely light bar pressure but have never had a go on one and am not sure if they would suit my style (or lack there of) of old school TT jumps and backrolls etc. My issues are also not helped by the fact that I play guitar in a couple of bands and ride a motorbike every day . Any help please???

Naish park
Ozone cat
Ozone edge
Peter lynn fury
Referring to older kites 2012 To 2013
These kites had the least bar pressure I have flown.

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Peterc150 said..
It would be worth trying (demo) of an Airush Union with all lines on "low bar pressure" settings.

I have flown the Union but not with the low settings. I can't say that I noticed much bar pressure difference between it and the Varial X, but in saying that I was not looking out for it at the time. Overall I had hoped that the Union would be a bit more of a performance kite and than the Varial X, but it would seem that it is more a cross between the Lithium and the Varial X. That, in my opinion, puts it as an ideal starter kite that will keep you entertained for at least your first three years of kiting before you start looking for more, but I digress.... :-)

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SonnyRider said..
What years are your Varial X's ?I fly Airush Varial X, Wave & sometimes my GF's Diamonds. They are the lightest bar pressure I've ever flown with IMO.
The earlier 2012 VX had a slightly higher pressure than the 2014 I currently have

Had Reo's, Zephyr. LF Envy. Tried Bandits and non of then are as light as the Airush. I think The Lithiums are a little on the heavy side from what I can remember from the demo's I've had


I would check your line lengths first IMO

My Varials are 2013 & 2015, 10 & 7, Lithiums 2014, 14 & 18

I'm not sure what line length has to do with it? Bar pressure, for a given kite, is relative to the angle of attack of the kite. Longer or shorter lines, relative to each other, are only going to change the bar position, not the pressure.

Now, before everyone jumps in with a thousand anecdotal tales, remember this. If you have managed to change the amount of energy in a member, acting in a straight line, by altering it's length, Then you have discovered the secret to the worlds energy problems and should be lining up to receive your Nobel prize shortly

you can also adjust the front lines on some kites so that they attach further towards the trailing edge, giving less bar pressure

Try the new cabrinha fx

good luck with your fingers. hope it gets better for you soon. Haven't tried anywhere near as many kites as some people on this forum. I can tell you that of the ones I have tried LF envy 2012 was the lightest bar pressure. Had front are rear bridal attached with a pulley. hope this helps.

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SimonDreyer said...

SonnyRider said..
What years are your Varial X's ?I fly Airush Varial X, Wave & sometimes my GF's Diamonds. They are the lightest bar pressure I've ever flown with IMO.
The earlier 2012 VX had a slightly higher pressure than the 2014 I currently have

Had Reo's, Zephyr. LF Envy. Tried Bandits and non of then are as light as the Airush. I think The Lithiums are a little on the heavy side from what I can remember from the demo's I've had


I would check your line lengths first IMO

My Varials are 2013 & 2015, 10 & 7, Lithiums 2014, 14 & 18

I'm not sure what line length has to do with it? Bar pressure, for a given kite, is relative to the angle of attack of the kite. Longer or shorter lines, relative to each other, are only going to change the bar position, not the pressure.

Now, before everyone jumps in with a thousand anecdotal tales, remember this. If you have managed to change the amount of energy in a member, acting in a straight line, by altering it's length, Then you have discovered the secret to the worlds energy problems and should be lining up to receive your Nobel prize shortly

Everything
The closer to the tip the lighter and quicker, closer to the middle is slower and heavier
The pull should come from your harness,
And power lines not your back/ steering lines,
Flying in underpowered conditions IMHO is harder on my upper body, overpowered conditions is harder on my legs
As this is where I'm controlling the power from the kite
The way a kite turns isn't dissimilar to turning a spanner, add length and it's much easier

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cauncy said...

SimonDreyer said...

SonnyRider said..
What years are your Varial X's ?I fly Airush Varial X, Wave & sometimes my GF's Diamonds. They are the lightest bar pressure I've ever flown with IMO.
The earlier 2012 VX had a slightly higher pressure than the 2014 I currently have

Had Reo's, Zephyr. LF Envy. Tried Bandits and non of then are as light as the Airush. I think The Lithiums are a little on the heavy side from what I can remember from the demo's I've had


I would check your line lengths first IMO

My Varials are 2013 & 2015, 10 & 7, Lithiums 2014, 14 & 18

I'm not sure what line length has to do with it? Bar pressure, for a given kite, is relative to the angle of attack of the kite. Longer or shorter lines, relative to each other, are only going to change the bar position, not the pressure.

Now, before everyone jumps in with a thousand anecdotal tales, remember this. If you have managed to change the amount of energy in a member, acting in a straight line, by altering it's length, Then you have discovered the secret to the worlds energy problems and should be lining up to receive your Nobel prize shortly

Everything
The closer to the tip the lighter and quicker, closer to the middle is slower and heavier
The pull should come from your harness,
And power lines not your back/ steering lines,
Flying in underpowered conditions IMHO is harder on my upper body, overpowered conditions is harder on my legs
As this is where I'm controlling the power from the kite
The way a kite turns isn't dissimilar to turning a spanner, add length and it's much easier

^^^ this

Hang on until you get the results back.

I had issues with pain and pins and needle in both hand.

Had both carpal tunnells done, no more probs.

Do you have the front bridle on the light pressure setting or the standard? Those knots on the LE different attachment points?I put all mine on the light pressure knots and put a couple extra lower knots in the steering line pigtails on the kite. As per the white tape on the line. Plus one extra above the standard knot. Making sure the extra knots have the same distance between them

The lower ones are good for those overpowered days, giving you more top end. Added advantage is less bar pressure.
The higher one is good for the lighter wind days, giving you a little more on the bottom end



If the rear \ steering lines are too tight, then bar pressure will increase. Hence why I asked you about line lengths

But I'm sure you're gonna ignore all the above

Sounds like you need to pack in the kiting,
And get on the tambourine & triangle in the band

Just be aware that some of the light bar pressure kites turn into heavy bar pressure kites when they are powered up. Demo under the conditions you are likely to fly the kite when purchased, if you can.

hay simon,

might be an idea to talk to some instructors/coaches who teach .... injured/disabled people you know like paralympians and **** like that

i get a pretty fierce tennis elbow and that limits me somewhat but i have alot of excercises and about 30 less years then you i reckon and i can manage to keep doing what i do. i do alot of concreteing and jackhammering so i get some strange finger issues to and awake every morning to what i can only assume is arthritis or some ****.

rather then chaseing a light bar pressure kite tho maybe think outside the box a bit and look at how someone would kitesurf if they had NO fingers.

the finger pain im guessing is largely to do with gripping the bar and forces being excerted whilst your hands are in that position. (probably not just the kiteing that is an issue ay ay ay ay) so lets theoreticly cut off your hands and maybe have a little mini sling on each bar end....

bit like one of these ****ers

i know after a few hours of flying my fingers get sore if im gripping so i can just let my hands loosely hang in the loops.

but someone who coaches/teaches physically disabled sportsmen/ladies is going to have a far better solution. but i know this would kind of work maybe its worth tieing on a couple loops to your bar (larks head not at the 1/4 in each bar end would do it) make them reasonably loose and easy to get your hands out if under tension practice on land first with no kite attached yada yada safety safety

and yeah as long as your fingers are straight and arent under any tension or pressure i cant see why the pain wouldnt subside for a bit of relief during a session.

one question thats rather important but i wasnt aware of untill i went ****ing about in the snow and **** is IF YOU ARE WEARING GLOVES!! because if your wearing neoprene gloves and theyre DIVING GLOVES as in when the gloves are laid down and the fingers are flat, **** them off. you need special neoprene gloves that are allready curled so when laid down on the table with no hands inside the fingers of the gloves curl back to the wrist. kiteing in diving gloves will destroy your hands pretty damn fast because of the constant tension in the neoprene.