I have started replacing my pig tails because they started to show some wear and also my P-lines (the back lines at the wings of the kite) because I managed to break one when I dipped the wing of my kite into the water at speed when I was a beginner.

I was wondering if it's worth also replacing my bridal lines now, considering that the back lines are now new and the bridal lines may have shrunk (still the originals)?

Do you think I should do so and also in general, how often do you replace all your lines?

Thank you for help in advance.

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Hi Kajo,

The P-lines do shrink after a good season of use so replacing them was a wise move. If your kite is in otherwise healthy condition then its probably not a bad idea to replace your bridals so all your kite lines are new strong and certainly in tune with the kite. As you have already bought the other parts from us i'm happy to throw you a set of 10 bridles free of charge. I will PM you do confirm your address ect..

As for Lines on your bar, this all depends on how much use they get, I kite as much as I can, which is normally 2 -3 times a week and after a full season I make sure I renew my bar or on sell and buy a new one. Of course if you are only kiting a few times a month or similar then they should be good for 2 -3 years.

Have a look at this video that shows you how to check your bar and lines for correct tuning :)

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Cheers

Pete
BWSurf
pete@bwsurf.com

0431 447 496

If you lines are starting to frey or showing obvious signs of wear then it may be a good idea to consider replacing them - but seriously lines when looked after last years for the average rider.
Id be keen to hear from someone running a kite school where their kites and lines are in the sun all day and the kites given a beating - seriously how often do you guys need to replace flying lines??
Ive only ever replaced lines due to mis-adventure and I usually hold onto kite for 3 plus years .

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blow in said..
Hi Kajo,

The P-lines do shrink after a good season of use so replacing them was a wise move. If your kite is in otherwise healthy condition then its probably not a bad idea to replace your bridals so all your kite lines are new strong and certainly in tune with the kite. As you have already bought the other parts from us i'm happy to throw you a set of 10 bridles free of charge. I will PM you do confirm your address ect..

As for Lines on your bar, this all depends on how much use they get, I kite as much as I can, which is normally 2 -3 times a week and after a full season I make sure I renew my bar or on sell and buy a new one. Of course if you are only kiting a few times a month or similar then they should be good for 2 -3 years.

Have a look at this video that shows you how to check your bar and lines for correct tuning :)

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That's really kind you. I'd be happy to take you up on that offer. Thanks so much!

Depends on the lines. I've used a few sets of lines for 3-4 years before and I kite way more than most people I think. Thinner lines tend to wear out quicker but have better performance. Thicker lines last longer but have more drag (can be useful sometimes tbh). The thing that annoys me most about old lines is when the coatings come off they tend to tangle far easier and don't slide past each other as well.

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sir ROWDY said..
I kite way more than most people I think.

lol.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Twice.

If they are showing wear and you are concerned about them snapping, change them. It's worth the peace of mind because you'd be kicking yourself if you were way out and a line snapped. For some people the concern will happen earlier on than others, depending on how much of an animal you are

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sir ROWDY said.. The thing that annoys me most about old lines is when the coatings come off they tend to tangle far easier and don't slide past each other as well.

someone suggested snowboard wax is good for this as well as helping the lines float, but didn't seem to work for me, maybe cos the snowboard wax I have is 20 years old....

After snapping a front line midkiteloop and breaking 4 ribs in 2009. I suggest if in doubt replace them. Check for knots and any fraying especially near the pigtails. Snapping a front line is serious even doing little jumps especially on flatter bridled kites.

When I was working in a kiteshop we tested a few lines from different companies when a customer left a broken one. I weigh 83 kgs and we attached an old bar and put our weight on one line. Some were disturbingly easy to snap, lines that were 1-2 seasons old.

Since my 10m RPM was stolen in 2010(kite only). I have used 1 bar for 5-8-10m combo for the last 6 seasons. The slingy bar is heavy, has below the bar depower and all that, the swivel eventually siezes up and if you dont treat them right the depower rope wears out........

However it is one of the most over-engineered pieces of equipment in kitesurfing history. I rarely drop my kite after many seasons, I edge rather than work the bar and I always roll my lines up and leave them on the kite for a break. My 6 year old bar looks like a new demo bar. 400lbs fronts, 200lbs backs. The only thing slingshot ever made that was bombproof was the bar and lines.

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waveslave said..

sir ROWDY said..
I kite way more than most people I think.

lol.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

I think having the most media spread across 3 different styles of anyone in AUS (possibly world) is evidence enough... But then again, maybe no one in AUS actually kites that much?

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HighzaKite said..

sir ROWDY said.. The thing that annoys me most about old lines is when the coatings come off they tend to tangle far easier and don't slide past each other as well.

someone suggested snowboard wax is good for this as well as helping the lines float, but didn't seem to work for me, maybe cos the snowboard wax I have is 20 years old....

I've never tried it, but I'm sure it would work if done right. Did you melt it on? Or just rub it in?

I used to coat my SS Chicken line in wax and it would practically last forever, everything else would wear out before that line haha.

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dave...... said..
After snapping a front line midkiteloop and breaking 4 ribs in 2009.

I snapped my two slingshot lines mid kite loop in 2015. I broke 7 ribs, my left leg, dislocated my shoulder and cut the skin between my two toes.

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Underoath said..

dave...... said..
After snapping a front line midkiteloop and breaking 4 ribs in 2009.

I snapped my two slingshot lines mid kite loop in 2015. I broke 7 ribs, my left leg, dislocated my shoulder and cut the skin between my two toes.

And the winner is . Losing a season sucks!

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Underoath said..

dave...... said..
After snapping a front line midkiteloop and breaking 4 ribs in 2009.

I snapped my two slingshot lines mid kite loop in 2015. I broke 7 ribs, my left leg, dislocated my shoulder and cut the skin between my two toes.

you only have 2 toes?

but seriously, that would have been a heavy body drag in or recovery. ive had to get to shore with what i thought was a pretty seriosu injury at the time, and it was not fun.
i think nearly every serious injury by accomplished kiters i hear about is due to kiteloops - god damn it for being so much fun. (accidents due to conditions or user error excepted) worth a cautionary tale to new kiters who think it is all beer and skittles for sure.


did you just feed a troll rowdy?

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sir ROWDY said..

waveslave said..

sir ROWDY said..
I kite way more than most people I think.

lol.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

I think having the most media spread across 3 different styles of anyone in AUS (possibly world) is evidence enough.

How does mega-spreading of misinformation across the twittersphere make you a rider who kites more than most people ?

It only makes you a forum junkie.

lol.

PS. I'll have to sign off now, the wind's kicked in and it's time to go wavekiting.

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waveslave said..

sir ROWDY said..

waveslave said..

sir ROWDY said..
I kite way more than most people I think.

lol.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

I think having the most media spread across 3 different styles of anyone in AUS (possibly world) is evidence enough.

How does mega-spreading of misinformation across the twittersphere make you a rider who kites more than most people ?

It only makes you a forum junkie.

lol.

Yes Waveslave, all I do is post on forums, it's why I'm sponoed... Surprised you're not better hooked up actually given the amount of content you put out.

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sir ROWDY said..

waveslave said..

sir ROWDY said..

waveslave said..

sir ROWDY said..
I kite way more than most people I think.

lol.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

I think having the most media spread across 3 different styles of anyone in AUS (possibly world) is evidence enough.

How does mega-spreading of misinformation across the twittersphere make you a rider who kites more than most people ?

It only makes you a forum junkie.

lol.

Yes Waveslave, all I do is post on forums, it's why I'm sponoed... Surprised you're not better hooked up actually given the amount of content you put out.

Actually Rowdy, I'm keen as mustard about getting picked up by a sponsor ...

I was thinking maybe APIA Funeral Insurance might take an interest in little ole me,,,

What do you reckon ?

Don't sell yourself short... might have to ride a midget bar.

I've had the same bar for 3 years since i started and it's holding up fine. I think taking care of them they will last. I always wash them in fresh water and try to keep them out of the sun.

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sir ROWDY said..
Don't sell yourself short... might have to ride a midget bar.

Michael always enjoyed the midget bars ...God bless his soul.

To be fair sirROWDY does probably have the most coverage of any Australian I've seen in magazines. Id on't know if that converts into the most time spent on the water, but the fact he travels to the windest locations most the year leads me to believe it likely does. Lucky bastard! Now where's my free stuff?