Just wondering if many kiters run short lines for wave riding as I would like to try 20m instead of 25m on my Reos.
I assume I will be able to work the kite quicker but also wonder how much less forgiving it will be when I f--- up.
And will I need a shorter bar as well? Can you safely shorten a set of lines yourself or do I have to buy new ones.
Will I get away with smaller kite than usual with shorter lines?
Thanks

I am not an expert kiter but when i use my 17 meter lines naish universal control system on any of my kites (12 Nrg,10 Ride, 9 Nomand,7 Nomad and 5 OceanRode) the kite turns quicker. Do not use short line on light winds. The stronger the wind the better. Also is better and safer if you buy the lines. I have used old lines and made them shorter and my results were snapped lines. cheers

I run 21 m on my small kites 6 ,7 ,9 and 25 m on my 12m and above kites, in stronger winds I like the shorter lines the kite reacts much faster in the surf, I have two bars set up with the different length lines ,buy a new shorter line set and some extensions so you can swap back and forth shortening your own lines is a pain.

Hi Wheels

I had a set of 20m and 25m lines that I would use with Catalysts - before the Reos were released. The shorter lines really sped things up significantly improving manoeuvrability - 'Cat on acid' . You will find yourself using a bigger kite as the added speed effectively reduces the size of the power zone. If a kite is twitchy in gusty winds then this tends to be amplified. Ozone kites are generally so smooth and gust absorbing that the shorter lines worked well. I still used the recommended bar size for the kite because the idea was to speed up turning.

I spoke to Rob Whittall about shorter lines for a dedicated wave kite. His dream was to refine the kite design to achieve the desired performance. I think he nailed it with the Reos so my 20m lines have remained on the shelf.

Although there is absolutely no need with the Reos, it may be interesting to set up shorter lines again just for fun, but I would suggest keeping a second bar with the standard set if you can.

I agree the reo hunts the edge of the window similar to a kite on short lines. If you go too short it may become hard to get enough consistent power.

Thanks for the great feed back, sounds like I might be wasting my money and time buying a set of 20m, although I would love to get hold of some 20m lines to try it one day and see how it feels on the waves. Thanks again

Wheels when the breezes start again pm me for a downwinder and you can use my Ozone bar with 20+5m extensions.

Your local sail maker / kite repairer can turn your 25m line set into 20m + 5m extensions, I was going to do it a while back but never got around to it. Much cheaper than buying new lines but changing your line lengths when your amped to get out there is a bitch.

Yeah heaps better. Less slack in lines when drifting and bigger kite is faster. Smaller window so more working if wind is light. I got 20 and 25 Naish bars so I choose on the day

Interesting that half say yes and half say stick to 25 m, there was a guy the other day at my local and he had 20m lines and he seem to be having more fun than anyone else out there and there were some good kiters out. I am definitely gunna have to give it a go.

Wheels I have kite with 19m, 20 m and 22m Love 22m They say that shorter line reduce power ???? I am out on 10m and SB, others on 12m ??? Definitely try shorter line

Definitely better for riding waves surfing style, if your just doing powered upwind messing around don't bother

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wheels said..

Interesting that half say yes and half say stick to 25 m, there was a guy the other day at my local and he had 20m lines and he seem to be having more fun than anyone else out there and there were some good kiters out. I am definitely gunna have to give it a go.

Definitely try it, you can shorten existing lines, but if you have not done it before getting the lines all the same length and keeping the original strength is difficult.

They are not expensive IMO http://www.kitepower.com.au/ozone-4-5-linesets.html

Shorter lines mean the wind window your kite flies in is smaller, so the kite appears to travel from one side of the window to the other (say when you are linking your turns) quicker. Going from 25M to 20M means your kite will get from one side of the window to the other 20% quicker.
BUT, your kite (and nobodys kite) does not turn faster, and does not fly faster. If you can ride well, and link turns continuously, then shorter lines can be a lot of fun.

You will not need a different sized bar. You may need a bigger kite on a day when the conditions for the kite you normally fly are marginal.

It's basically simple physics the longer the lines the more wind effect(drag) your going to get so by running 21 m vs 25 m the kite is going to react quicker ,in lighter wind the drag effect is less so flying bigger kites on longer lines gives you a bigger window to operate in thus more power stroke,if the winds are strong then you have plenty of power on tap so no need for the longer lines and with the reduced drag the shorter lines perform much better especially in the surf.
In saying the above some kites do feel smoother on longer lines so yea it's well worth trying different line lengths.

I have ordered a set of 22m lines as my wave riding still has a long way to go so thought the 20m would be a bit quick for me, cant wait to try them.
Thanks again for all the info.