Hi All, i have recently had a steering line cut by a rogue kite and the spare steering lines i am carrying are short by around 20cm (thanks rrd!) - its a lesson to double check spare line lengths before travelling next time!

Anyhow, i am in a remote part of Madagascar with no access to a kiteshop or splicing and am kiting in high winds (25-35knots on 5m and in offshore waves) and have a desperate need to reliably extend the length of my two spare steering lines.

i have the cut original line (rrd rigid thread line) so was thinking of rigging up some makeshift extensions (to put at the bar end) with a double knotted line section as shown in the photos - i know there will be opinions about the impact of a knot on the line strength, hence the reason for the double loop (which will effectively halve the force through the knot).

Using a simple knot will enable the extension to act like a larks head for the two connections (both ends will conmect to a larks head)

Obviously i will give any mod a serious workout in flat water before venturing out to the waves.

i am very interested to hear from anyone who has actuall tried this before and can provide advice/ support for the mod or an alternative (even if just a change in knot type). I need the mod to work for two weeks.

Appreciate your help.

If you can find some other spare line that is of a similar diameter with a sheath covering, then remove that sheath and thread it over the lines making sure it goes past the knot. Then do the knot as you have done but with the sheath in the knot as well and you will be good.

Why dont you shorten the flying lines instead.?

Your extension loop is just fine. Essentially you've made a new set of pigtails. I'd be putting them at the kite end myself, but there's no important reason for that. Less messing around to fit them I guess.

They're just steering lines so there's no substantial load on them. If you want to be super cautious you could double the line on each side.

Do you know how to splice? All you need is a thin piece of wire, an old guitar string is best. Then you could do a loop with a full length tail. You'd have double thickness line through the knot and it would look neat and professional. It wouldn't work any differently.

Just a couple of things that might help. Your thumb knot is ok for the end but a figure of 8 knot might be better and is a little bulkier or even double figure of 8. Similar to yours but with another turn.

I've done similar to what you're doing and was fine. Just make sure the larkshead is solid on as my knot was smaller than normal pigtails.

Obviously you have internet, so just google the knot.

good luck.

Thanks for all the advice - the mod has worked perfectly with the thumb knot and should get me through the next two weeks.

On another note, Madagascar!! That sounds great. Any story to tell? Why are you there? Have you been before? Any good sessions? Can I come next time?

Good question Jono. I come to Mada for the kitesurfing but the country is awesome with great national parks in the north and south - the poverty can be a little confronting. I kite in the very north east at a place called Babaomby island Lodge which is reached by a 1.5hr sail boat ride from near Diego Suarez. Babaomby Lodge is a small eco lodge - very chilled. Right now there are only 4 people staying here. We mostly eat fresh caught fish. There is a set of waves (rh) around 3.5clicks offshore and flat water in the lagoon (mar de emeraude) - its been a 2.5-3.2m swell this week and the wind (SE trade wind) here is like a machine with 20-30 knots all day everyday. Windfinder has the spot listed and you can google earth the 'mar de emeraude' or Babaomby. From perth you can fly to the capital Antannarivo via Mauritius - a great opportunity to get down to Le Morne. The waves at Le Morne are alot better (world class) but choc-o-bloc with kiters and the wind lighter and more fickle. The season here is June to late Oct so dovetails nicely with The WA winds. Anyone thinking of coming to Mada should try and leave some time to tour some of the parks in Mada.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a natural Wonderland.

take care
cheers