I've always laid my lines out walking up wind as I unroll the bar. Walk back down wind to the kite separating the lines as I go, sometimes with a lot of twists to sort out, until all 4 (5) are laid out neat and tidy before I attach the kite.

Then Steve from Kitepower showed me a different method. 4 line kite only I think.

Set up the kite as normal.
Unroll the bar about 3 meters only
Attach the front lines from behind the kite.
Unroll the bar completely down wind.
Walk back up with only the rear lines in hand. (No twists).
Attach the rear lines.

There may be a twist in the front lines but that's something that can be sorted once the bar is in hand or kite in the air

Much simpler method with only a single walk required and the rear lines separate easily as you walk back up to the kite. I'm a convert.

Did you realise you can just walk out the back lines and leave the front lines between your legs whilst walking downwind anyway? The front lines are rarely twisted much when you do this (sometimes not at all) and most bars have a swivel so once you launch just give it a couple of twists...
Walking out downwind is a hell of a lot easier than walking upwind, especially in strong wind.

This would work upwind or downwind. The only way to untwist the centre lines if it was excessive would be kiteloops, downloops or front/backrolls.

How about spinning around your swivel? or, holding the chicken loop and twisting it around? or, putting your hand through the chicken loop and really spinning it around if there are lots of twists.

Seriously, during the kiting season, why are we all taking our lines off the kite in the first place. Why not leave them on alltogether. If you do this method downwind from the kite it is very easy to spot tangles

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dave...... said...

Seriously, during the kiting season, why are we all taking our lines off the kite in the first place. Why not leave them on alltogether.

I think the main reason I take them off is to wash the lines, bar, and QR. Definately worth washing the QR and the swivel on the front lines - corrosion and jammed swivels suck.

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dave...... said...

Seriously, during the kiting season, why are we all taking our lines off the kite in the first place. Why not leave them on alltogether.

that works in wa where you use a 9 every day (god i miss it), but the rest of us need to use different kite sizes regularly

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stamp said...

dave...... said...

Seriously, during the kiting season, why are we all taking our lines off the kite in the first place. Why not leave them on alltogether.

that works in wa where you use a 9 every day (god i miss it), but the rest of us need to use different kite sizes regularly

Each kite (usually) has its own bar & lines so it should work for (almost) everyone.
And you can still wash out your bar and lines when they are attached - if you want to.
Great advice I reckon.

I find walking back downwind easier as well, because the wind assists you in straightening out the twists, rather than blowing the line salad towards you and becoming your enemy.

For a while I used a kite line tool (basically a bar where you attach all line ends after a session), but it did not save time after all.
I reckon if you connect the lines first without walking them downwind, it is also more likely that the lines are twirled around themselves, and I am not sure if that's a good thing when they are under load.

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KnutH said...

I find walking back downwind easier as well, because the wind assists you in straightening out the twists, rather than blowing the line salad towards you and becoming your enemy.

For a while I used a kite line tool (basically a bar where you attach all line ends after a session), but it did not save time after all.
I reckon if you connect the lines first without walking them downwind, it is also more likely that the lines are twirled around themselves, and I am not sure if that's a good thing when they are under load.

@KnutH
Read Grahams description again, it is quite clear and concise.
Its all about connecting the front lines first. Unwinding straight downwind or even crosswind, pull them out straight, put the bar down with red on the right (because you are behind the kite), and then walk straight back to your kite only holding your rear lines.
Just remember to look at your bar before launch and check that you have it the correct way around with red on the left. (This should be part of every persons pre flight check regardless of rigging method)

@Rowdy - try it before you come up with some other "additional" idea. What you said is not necessary. If you connect the front lines first, pull them out straight when fully undone, then you can walk straight back upwind or even crosswind to the kite quickly rears in each corresponding hand with absolute confidence that your lines are not crossed and you only did ONE walk back to the kite.

I see lots of people fumbling with lines and see plenty of launch issues with lines crossed, lines connected through bridles, twisted bridles, etc, etc.
Its not convenient for everyone to be able to leave their lines on their kites and unless they are carefully managed and unwound downwind, so they can be clearly, visually checked, there can be issues with leaving them connected, but I agree its a good idea, when done properly.

I've never had a problem with my lines since I first read about this method posted by the infamous "Fokiten" on kiteforum. I'm going to give him a link to this topic, maybe he will pay us a visit and give you all some of his famous written woopass!!

If ur self launching it's way easier running lines downwind cos yr lines don't get tangled in bridle

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Kitepower Australia said...
I've never had a problem with my lines since I first read about this method posted by the infamous "Fokiten" on kiteforum. I'm going to give him a link to this topic, maybe he will pay us a visit and give you all some of his famous written woopass!!

I miss Fo. ^^^
I liked how he kicked your lily-white butt, Shopguy.
lol.

I never have problems with my lines. I have help [}:)]

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Kitepower Australia said...

KnutH said...


@Rowdy - try it before you come up with some other "additional" idea. What you said is not necessary. If you connect the front lines first, pull them out straight when fully undone, then you can walk straight back upwind or even crosswind to the kite quickly rears in each corresponding hand with absolute confidence that your lines are not crossed and you only did ONE walk back to the kite.

I only do one walk back to the kite to, and get to walk downwind and I don't have to double handle the ends of the lines when attaching to the kite, I attach front and back line at the same time on each side. Therefore my way is actually quicker. Plus it works everytime... why change it.

You guys are got it allll wrong

you just tell the kids at the park theres a new game of 4 line Hopscotch, they sought the lines out ... after 5 minutes or so and youve got your wettie on,
you give them lollies and off you go kiteing ..
Their parents think your a top bloke and wave excitedley as you pass the shoreline doin your best transition

Lines saughted - no worries

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SaveTheWhales said...

You guys are got it allll wrong



Lines saughted - no worries

especially if you can get assistance like this fellow

i like the idea. might try it.
I also like the above idea, but probably won't try it because tandem kiting is just so dangerous that you can die thinking about it.... although, if we practiced first....alot...

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colinwill78 said...

I also like the above idea, but probably won't try it because tandem kiting is just so dangerous that you can die thinking about it.... although, if we practiced first....alot...

Na mate - tried it once doesnt matter how much you practice, your kite will always get messed up cause that damn Sea Urchin pulls at your 'quick release'

and you lose about 60 seconds of kiteing time

I wonder if she's 'hooked in'?

This thread's been highjacked by degenerates!

^^^

Well, that'll teach you to cast pearl before swine.

Seriously though, I see some woefully inefficient line set-up techniques, and some that are just more prone to twists. I set my lines up downwind of my kite. That way I can see everything at once and self-launching (if required) is basically foolproof. I have no hassle walking into the wind as I sort my lines. One hand well in front just keeping some tension on all the lines but not trying to sort them, the other hand sorting the front lines (which can be a bit twisted no worries anyway as others have said), and my legs keeping a steering line on either side of me as the front lines go between them. Simple and only ever takes one walk.

I also set my lines up before pumping my kite. This minimises the time that the kite is flogging in the wind.

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KIT33R said...

This thread's been highjacked by degenerates!

I'm not a degenerate, I'm a top shelf type of guy especially when they come like this

Just so you know most accidents happen becuase lines arnt set up properly and people are in a rush .So my advice is get it right waste 5 mins on the beach and have fun all day or rush and get dragged down the beach one day , choice is yours.
Have Fun
GEORGE

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KSA said...

Just so you know most accidents happen becuase lines arnt set up properly and people are in a rush .So my advice is get it right waste 5 mins on the beach and have fun all day or rush and get dragged down the beach one day , choice is yours.
Have Fun
GEORGE

lots of other accidents happen because of gear failure. Check your releases and lines for wear and corrosion too. Had a quickrelease fail near powerlines just as i got in from an approaching squall once. Scared me into triple checking my lines etc from then on.... and a few less mcguyver jobs too.


That said; bring on the naked chicks again

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waveslave said...

Kitepower Australia said...
I've never had a problem with my lines since I first read about this method posted by the infamous "Fokiten" on kiteforum. I'm going to give him a link to this topic, maybe he will pay us a visit and give you all some of his famous written woopass!!

I miss Fo. ^^^
I liked how he kicked your lily-white butt, Shopguy.
lol.

Ahhh for sure mate, but you have it asswakboards, Fo got himself banned, because a couple of us teamed up to get him a bit riled up and over confident.

@ Rowdy, you'll be doing some fumbling with the ends in the wind when you get up near the kite, LOL's, don't listen and don't learn, gives me a bit of joy to imagine you persisting with your inferior method

@KSA -If you use and teach this method you will not see nearly as many line connection incidents, you cannot get them wrong this way.

Does no-one else run their lines out sidewind? I don't have to drag them across the beach before launching that way - I pick up the bar and the kite is already at the side of the window. I run them out as if it was downwind though - bar upside down on the sand.

^^^^ Yes, me
Most of the time here the wind is onshore, so it just makes sense all round to run the lines out side wind.

^^^ Although I run my lines downwind generally, it is not too difficult to run them sidewind on the upwind side of the kite (if that makes sense) and then take a 90 degree turn before you get to the kite. Works best if you run all your lines out at once.

Yep, I always try to kite when the wind is onshore.

Bloody long swim back from New Zealand

Fitzy

I tried a new way last week after helping someone out last week halfway through setting up.
Didn't attach any lines. I thought at first my lines seemed really long

@ KitePOWEERRR! why would I be fumbling? it's only 4 strings with no slack flopping around. What I want to know is, what happens with your system when you get to the kite and your lines were a bit tangled and you have been pulling your bar along a bit... so when you get there they still aren't untangled but you have reached the kite and can't walk any further? sounds annoying. Not to mention I pump my kite up after so its not in UV and flapping in the wind for as long.