Hello there, this is Laura from Italy! Wassup?
Guys, I need your help in choosing the kitesurfing equipment I'm looking for (no idea what's it called). I have a Cabrinha Moto 14 meters and I heard of the possibility to extend its lines with some kind of "extensions" in order to power up the kite. Could you please tell me what's the name of those "extensions" and tell me where I can find them?

Many, many many thanks in advance for your help. Ciao!

Hi Laura, learn how to hydrafoil and you won't need the giant kite and line extensions ;). If however you do need longer lines you can buy 4 meter extensions to lengthen your current lines. However, you big 14 meter kite will turn VERY slow.

Hi Laura,

When flying larger kites in low winds i.e. below 15 knots, adding 3m line extensions or more can help by giving you a bigger power zone to work with. This means the kite will generate power for a bit longer during water starts, giving you more chance to accelerate fast enough to start edging upwind. The downside of those extensions would be a slower moving kite like dafish mentioned above and also a slightly reduced upwind performance (mostly noticeable on a twin tip). If you added very long extensions you will notice a bending effect in the lines which means too much drag from the lines and an incredibly slow moving kite, that's why I recommend you start by adding only 3m extensions.

www.kitebud.com.au/product/3m-lines-extensions-4-lines/

You should also consider using a larger width bar (i.e. 55cm to 60cm wide) on larger kites in lower winds which will make the kite turn faster and therefore generate power quicker.

hope this helps,

Christian

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Laurabacaxi said..
Hello there, this is Laura from Italy! Wassup?
Guys, I need your help in choosing the kitesurfing equipment I'm looking for (no idea what's it called). I have a Cabrinha Moto 14 meters and I heard of the possibility to extend its lines with some kind of "extensions" in order to power up the kite. Could you please tell me what's the name of those "extensions" and tell me where I can find them?

Many, many many thanks in advance for your help. Ciao!

If you're using a 14m kite and you don't have enough power my guess would be that you don't have enough wind in the first place, even though you haven't specified the conditions.
Using line extensions may provide a very marginal increase in power but there is always down side to any gear alterations.
People will suggest a bigger TT, or a surfboard, or a foil board, or a foil kite etc etc etc etc etc. The list of devices to enable marginal wind kiting is endless and ever increasing, but in the end the best solution is to have enough wind....which is unfortunately a hard pill to swallow when your new to kiting and keen as mustard to have a session.

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cbulota said..
Hi Laura,

When flying larger kites in low winds i.e. below 15 knots, adding 3m line extensions or more can help by giving you a bigger power zone to work with. This means the kite will generate power for a bit longer during water starts, giving you more chance to accelerate fast enough to start edging upwind. The downside of those extensions would be a slower moving kite like dafish mentioned above and also a slightly reduced upwind performance (mostly noticeable on a twin tip). If you added very long extensions you will notice a bending effect in the lines which means too much drag from the lines and an incredibly slow moving kite, that's why I recommend you start by adding only 3m extensions.

www.kitebud.com.au/product/3m-lines-extensions-4-lines/

You should also consider using a larger width bar (i.e. 55cm to 60cm wide) on larger kites in lower winds which will make the kite turn faster and therefore generate power quicker.

hope this helps,

Christian

Thank you for taking the time to answer! Very much appreciated, lots of good tips!

All the guys above have given great points to follow.

And as snalberski says - beginners can be so eager to get out in light wind, but really just need to wait until the wind is strong enough.
My biggest kite is 12m and if I cant kite with that, it's too light and I should go do something else - the reason being, I have got into the most trouble in marginal light winds, especially as a keen beginner. This could include the kite dropping out of the sky, and getting yourself in a position of being stuck out at sea with no wind, currents pulling you further out, and lines floating around everywhere (if you haven't learned the self-rescue technique).
All the best for your learning journey, hope the wind blows for you soon! Kiting is a great sport, you just have to learn to wait for the safest conditions and you will have heaps more fun

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snalberski said..

Laurabacaxi said..
Hello there, this is Laura from Italy! Wassup?
Guys, I need your help in choosing the kitesurfing equipment I'm looking for (no idea what's it called). I have a Cabrinha Moto 14 meters and I heard of the possibility to extend its lines with some kind of "extensions" in order to power up the kite. Could you please tell me what's the name of those "extensions" and tell me where I can find them?

Many, many many thanks in advance for your help. Ciao!

If you're using a 14m kite and you don't have enough power my guess would be that you don't have enough wind in the first place, even though you haven't specified the conditions.
Using line extensions may provide a very marginal increase in power but there is always down side to any gear alterations.
People will suggest a bigger TT, or a surfboard, or a foil board, or a foil kite etc etc etc etc etc. The list of devices to enable marginal wind kiting is endless and ever increasing, but in the end the best solution is to have enough wind....which is unfortunately a hard pill to swallow when your new to kiting and keen as mustard to have a session.

Not everyone has the luxury of living in Perth and having more than 18 knots on most summer days.

I learned in winds well below 15 knots myself back in Canada 17 years ago. Yes it was very hard but it's not like I had a choice. Strong winds were stormy weather days.

The equipment has vastly improved since then. Light wind beginner friendly kites that are very easy to relaunch in marginal conditions now exist.

Your kite control skills are you best asset to progress in light wind conditions. I agree that gear alterations are only a small factor here, but when you combine multiple gear alterations it makes a bigger difference.

In the video below, you have one of our students learning to ride in 7-9 knots. 17m single strut kite, wide 60cm bar, 27m lines and a large (door-style) board.

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cbulota said..

snalberski said..

Laurabacaxi said..
Hello there, this is Laura from Italy! Wassup?
Guys, I need your help in choosing the kitesurfing equipment I'm looking for (no idea what's it called). I have a Cabrinha Moto 14 meters and I heard of the possibility to extend its lines with some kind of "extensions" in order to power up the kite. Could you please tell me what's the name of those "extensions" and tell me where I can find them?

Many, many many thanks in advance for your help. Ciao!

If you're using a 14m kite and you don't have enough power my guess would be that you don't have enough wind in the first place, even though you haven't specified the conditions.
Using line extensions may provide a very marginal increase in power but there is always down side to any gear alterations.
People will suggest a bigger TT, or a surfboard, or a foil board, or a foil kite etc etc etc etc etc. The list of devices to enable marginal wind kiting is endless and ever increasing, but in the end the best solution is to have enough wind....which is unfortunately a hard pill to swallow when your new to kiting and keen as mustard to have a session.

Not everyone has the luxury of living in Perth and having more than 18 knots on most summer days.

I learned in winds well below 15 knots myself back in Canada 17 years ago. Yes it was very hard but it's not like I had a choice. Strong winds were stormy weather days.

The equipment has vastly improved since then. Light wind beginner friendly kites that are very easy to relaunch in marginal conditions now exist.

Your kite control skills are you best asset to progress in light wind conditions. I agree that gear alterations are only a small factor here, but when you combine multiple gear alterations it makes a bigger difference.

In the video below, you have one of our students learning to ride in 7-9 knots. 17m single strut kite, wide 60cm bar, 27m lines and a large (door-style) board.

Maybe she should do what you did.... Move to Perth

Yes 4mtr line extensions just raise the kite that bit higher were there is usual aa bit stronger wind.
Make a little bit of difference but not a whole lot.
Yes 14mtrs turn slow,some slower than others and adding lines makes that turning arc so much greater so it will be slower again.
Yes also sounds like there isnt enough wind that day or you on a tiny short board.
Can you borrow larger board and maybe different 14mtr to try. end of it it all comes down to how much wind.

Couple of extra things to be aware of in light winds:
Avoid over-sheeting the kite, as it will tend to stall if you apply same trim and same bar pressure as you fly with in stronger breezes. (Use a firm, decisive motion to initiate turns then let the bar out so kite flies forward easier.)
Window becomes smaller during lulls, so avoid having kite too near the edge of the window. (Longer lines can make the window a bit bigger.)
Constant movement of the kite across the window can generate its own apparent wind, as seen in Christian's video. stop actively flying the kite and it can simply fall from the sky. (Longer lines can make turning more sluggish.)
Apparent wind is everything, and even a slight current can rob you of apparent wind.
Line extensions are easy to find online or any kite shop should be able to supply them for you; give them a go and see how you like them!