Just like a motorcycle, a pair of skis or a beautiful woman your kite needs to be properly maintained to be fun to ride.
Below are some regular maintenance tips to keep your kite in good working order!
Check your line lengths
This is one of the simplest things you can do to ensure you continue to enjoy riding your kite. Heavy load on the front lines will stretch them out over time. Likewise, intermediate riders often loop their kite in the same direction each time and will find one steering line becoming longer than the other.
- Peg your lines off to a fence post or into the ground. Be sure to remove or ignore the kook proof connectors when you do so.
- Run the lines out and put the bar to full power (trim line all the way out, chicken loop tight to the bar)
- Looking down the lines you should see all 4 lines the exact same length. If the 2 front lines or one outside line are bowed you need to adjust your line lengths to compensate for the stretch
- Slide the outside bar floats up the outside lines and use the hidden knots to adjust the relative length of the outside lines to ensure all 4 lines are the same.
** Some riders will even go so far as to swap the inside lines for the outside lines to stretch them out too. If you do this, be sure to set your bar up with all lines being equal as this will, initially, result in longer outside lines if you are not careful
Check your trim line
The center trim line is a line that is exposed to wear and tear. If you are on a very sandy beach this line should be replaced every 3 months, or as soon as the signs of wear become obvious. On less sandy beaches you can usually get away with 6 months of use. Bottom line, if the trim line is worn out replace it!
Check your pulley line
Your kite has a pulley either on the kite (2007) or on a floating front line (2008 and forward). It is important that the line that runs through this pulley is in good condition. Signs of wear should be a first indication of the need to replace the line. Having one of these lines snap while riding sucks.
Another issue with the 2008 pulley lines was discussed here . It involves the knots on the pulley line slipping and adding roughly a 1/2” of trim to the kite.
Experiment with the attachment settings
Your Rise kite comes with 4 bridle attachment options. Experiement with each to learn its characteristics and to make a decision as to which is best for you.
Click here for an interactive diagram showing the settings and their explaination.
As a bench mark, many riders I know like setting 4 the best. Fastest turning, most depower.
Clean your gear
Rinsing your equipment after every session is a good idea, particularly the bar and line sets. Salt and sand can chafe your kite in the bag and will stiffen and break down your bar’s lines, etc. Give all your equipment a quick hose down after each session and it will last much longer!
Any questions? Just ask!
John Z
