While setting up your kite you can already lay the base for a safe and awesome kite session. Create your routine, but always stay focussed. Use the time while setting up the kite to prepare mentally for the upcoming session by calming down and focusing fully.
A proper Kite Spot
First, the kite should setting up in a proper spot. The spot should have folloing features:
- Enough space
- No obstacles around us
- Soft ground (grass is the best)
Setting Up a Kite Step by Step
The following step by step plans will provide an efficient way of how to set up your kite gear. Prepare yourself by reducing the walking distances (put together your gear next to each other) and follow the steps below:
- Pump up kite & secure it
- Lay out the lines
- Check the bar
- Sort lines
- Connect the Lines
- Check that everything is fine and well connected.
or
- Lay out the lines
- Check the bar
- Sort lines
- Pump up kite & secure it
- Connect the Lines
- Check that everything is fine and well connected.
Pumping and Securing a Kite
Pumping a kite is filling the bladders (inside the tubes) of front tube and struts with air. They provide the kite’s structure and shape. The right air pressure
and the functionality of in- and deflate valves (brand-specific), can be found either at the valve, or in the manufacturers handbook.
Pumping up the Kite
Unpack the kite, unroll it, secure it (sand, board ,… ), connect the pump leash, clean valve and pump’s endpiece, connect pump (without One-pump-System do the struts first, then the front tube), close valve, disconnect pump leash, turn kite around, secure it (sand, board ,… ).
One-Pump-Clip-Tips
- Leave the clips open if your chances of crashing are high (teaching, freestyle) as the fronttube’s pressure can disperse easier into the struts.
- Closed clips: lf you want to be more secure, and your chances of crashing are lower. Thereby if one chamber looses air, the kite is still flyable and also floats on the water.
Pumping tips
- Use both hands and feet, to operate the pump.
- Without a pump leash: Hold the bridles/5th line or even front tube while pumping with one hand centered.
Tips for the pressure
- Have enough pressure so the kite keeps its shape and doesn’t fold, when it is placed on it’s tip on the ground.
- Use a nanometer
- Compressors: Start carefully at an empty bladder!
- Attention: Do not overpumpl
Carrying, Turning and Securing a Kite
Carrying a kite
Always hold a kite in the middle of its front tube / Leading Edge.
Turning a kite
Turn a kite quickly by rolling it over via one of its tips. Place it on the ground onto the front tube, with its center strut aiming towards the wind.
Securing a kite
Place some weight on top of the kite (sand, sandbags, kitebag, …)
Laying Out the Lines
Laying Out the Lines means undoing the lines from the bar.
You can lay out the lines towards the kite either from Ieeward, windward or fromthe sides. There might be spots where one or the other is required, so be sure you know all three versions.
When undoing the bar make sure you do not get tangled or blown around by the wind. lt can help to place some weight on top of the lines’ end.
Remember: Check your lines for damages already while laying them out.
From the Kite Ieeward (Downwind)
Lay your lines out Ieeward, away from the kite downwind. Place the bar in the ‘opposite/wrong’ way onto the ground.
Advantages / disadvantages
The version can give you a great overview of your setup. However be sure you have the bar in the opposite/wrong way.
From the Kite towards the wind (Upwind)
Lay your lines walking windward from the kite. The bar is placed on the ground in the right way.
Advantages / disadvantages
The bar is always the right way. Be sure the kite does not cover the bridles.
From the kite to the side
Walk to the kite’s side either:
- Slightly upwind -> position the bar the ‘right way’
- Slightly downwind -> position the bar the ‘opposite way’
Advantages / disadvantages
This version will enable you to launch right away from the edge of the wind window. Be sure the kite does not cover the bridles (potential mistake: lines are twisted, …)
Placing the Bar Properly
Placing properlythe bar means the correct orientation of the bar in regards to the kite’s position.
Bar in the ‘right way’: lf the lines are laid out upwind, or sideways upwind of the kite’s position, place the bar the ‘right way’ (according to the manufacturer’s code).
Bar in the ‘wrong way’: If the lines are laid out downwind of the kite, place the
bar the ‘opposite/wrong’ way.
Right/Opposite(wrong) way: ls related to holding the bar while kiting (see
manufacturers code in thetuser manual).
Sorting The Lines
Sorting the lines means separating and sorting the lines from each other
(front- and backlines)
Sorting Tips:
- Have your legs in between front- and backlines (1).
- Use your hands like a comb.
- Use a line-sorter (tool)
Connect the Lines to the Kite
The lines should be connected according to the manufacturers instructions:
Backlines (outside): Attached with the kite’s outside attachment points at the back of the kite (trailing edge).
Centrelines (inside): Attached either to the bridles or the front tube of your
kite (depending on your kite).
The Kook Proof System in combination with the color code, will help additionally, to connect the lines correctly.
Lark’s head / Cow hitch
- Push the loop over the lines end so that a resizable loop is created This knot pulls itself tight under pressure and can be opened easily even after a lot of pressure on it.
- Move the knotted end through the loop
- Position the loop around the correct knot. Remember: use the same knot on both sides.
- Tighten the loop and slide it towards the knot.
NOTE: Setting up is not finished until you have executed all
your checks 100% thoroughly.