We all launch our kites most times 90 degrees to the wind, so it makes sense to setup your lines the same way (with exceptions of course). Thus people launching don't have to drag their lines across the beach and over other lines and those landing across laid lines.

This was common practice in the early days. Is it really that difficult to work it out and does it not make sense?????????

personally i like to set my lines upwind, lay out lines and then lift kite over lines. it descreases any issues with lines being put on wrong or through bridles and makes it easy to check at a glance.

not having space restrictions does help though!

what i really hate is to see people leave their lines attached to their kites, worst idea ever.

pro merc said...
what i really hate is to see people leave their lines attached to their kites, worst idea ever.

It helps you steer the kite...
But seriously, what do you mean? Like when the kite is parked on the beach, or you mean when they pack it up?

Setting up downwind is surely the best way to physically see that you're attached correctly? It's also the best way to self launch. I don't see a problem with setting up at right angles to the kite either when the beach is busy as you'll always have someone to launch you. The only time I've rigged up wrongly was when I was too eager to get on the water and didn't double check.

I generally set-up upwind of kite if there's room- or downwind if not.

If the wind is of decent guff though, I find the downwind method quite annoying as the lines get blown back towards you and causes more chance of tangling. Upwind method, the lines generally blow away from you and back towards the kite in a nice orderly fashinon

pomE said...

I generally set-up upwind of kite if there's room- or downwind if not.

If the wind is of decent guff though, I find the downwind method quite annoying as the lines get blown back towards you and causes more chance of tangling. Upwind method, the lines generally blow away from you and back towards the kite in a nice orderly fashinon

+1

also, if self launching and something goes wrong the kite has less of a "kill zone" to travel through if you need to release your safety ?

There are three options, each with pros and cons.

* Upwind rigging. (most common). Lines need to be moved to side when launching

* Crosswind rigging. Lines are in best position for launching

* Downwind rigging. Lines need to be moved to side when launching. Must reverse bar when connecting lines. Can be more confusing for beginners

I think I rig mine at about 45 degrees upwind.

More info kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/line-rigging-comparison

Downwind or upwind, 90 degress whatever, there is still 20-25m of line running along the beach?

For me set lines downwind, then walk the bar almost to the kite before turning 90 degrees - Dragging them around to 90 can cause the problems.

eppo said...

Downwind or upwind, 90 degress whatever, there is still 20-25m of line running along the beach?

Exactly. The problem is not how people set up, it's people who leave their lines out for ages after landing their kites (when they finish their session or just take a break). The common sense curtsey would be to at least wrap your lines around the bar to allow other people to set up, launch and land...that's the hard thing to do in a selfish world. Point Walter in WA on a busy day is the perfect example of what I'm saying.

I like downwind for the main reason you can do a pre-flight safety check to make sure 100% your lines are not crossed/tangled and also an assistant cannot accidently launch you with the kite in the power zone, as can happen if you rig upwind (seen it happen).

And as mentioned before, if you’re ready to go, walk your bar to the kite 1st then walk out at 90 deg for the launch.

If your still to get your harness on or do stuff walk your bar to your kite 1st and leave it there so you only take up 10m of beach instead of 20m. If it’s real crowded, or you’re gonna take a long time to launch, or ya just want to be blameless, wind your bar to the kite and take up no space, while your getting ready/ have pre kite chat with people or whatever etc.

Remember no one is ever going to come over to you and say “nice one I really like the way you have left your lines out taking up 20plus meters of rigging area, let’s be mates!

... or, do you put wettie on before you setup the kite, or after you setup the kite...

puppetonastring said...


What I would really like to know is whether you should sprinkle the sugar on your cornflakes in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

Jeez Phil, sugar on your cornflakes is wrong no matter which way you do it. Honey on your cornflakes is this year's fashion. You're a better person if you have a surfboard honey rather than a twintip sugar.

p.s. I agree with Triggerhappy on sidewind being the best way for launching and fitting kites on a beach - but I'll set up based on the amount of space available and direction everyone else's lines are being run out.

What really ground my gears a season or two ago was when I had laid out my lines sidewind, then a bunch of people all around me subsequently laid theirs out downwind and came and told me off for laying mine out the wrong way.

^^^ that's fine and I prefer to downwind rig for that reason too. It's the only way you can hold the bar and see the lines are connected properly for the full length.

There's a few complications/points:

- if you walk the back lines out with the front lines between your legs and a back line in each hand, when you reach the kite the colours of the pigtails will match or you have done something wrong. It's self-evident. You have to try and do it wrong.

- When ready to launch, particularly self-launch, you can walk around to the side, or I prefer to walk up to the kite and turn it a little side on to the wind. It's best to walk straight to the kite beside the lines so you don't risk introducing a tangle. It's important to not drag the bar and lines across the lines on the ground.

- When you back away to launch if you can see anything that looks like a tangle, it probably is tangled. Stop and double check.

For me the downwind launch method offers 4 points when I can check stuff:
1. when connecting the lines
2. When picking up the bar
3. When walking to the kite
4. When walking to launch/during launch

With upwind and side launches the kite is sitting on top of the lines. You can't really check anything until you're actually launching.

Back to the topic, if your beach is so crowded that you are having to line everybody up to launch you have far bigger problems than laying out lines upwind/downwind/sideways. You need to a) wait until it is less crowded, and b) ride off somewhere else. Just because you launch at a beach doesn't mean you have to ride there. The sea is big. There's lots of room for everybody.

PS It might be my Rain Man nature but I like to count stuff when I rig. 100 pumps for the big kite. 75 for the smaller one. 7 strut clips. 6 pulleys. 4 lines. 2 red. 2 black. 3 tuning knots each side. It makes rigging simple and much harder to forget things.

the gibbo said...

dogfish said...

razor blade and a mirror

then upwind

then start talking really fast non stop for an hour or two.

I like the downwind set up i find it better for self launching.

newo said...

After reading this thread I set up my lines into a noose and attempted self harm.

LMFAO

@ Green Pat - the surfboard thing is happening - finally. No excuse now that Contacios is home turf.
Mind you my first attempt trying to get into straps in the current & waves was total embarassment. Decided now try strapless first. That way I might at least be able to mount the board before it all goes to shyte - over & over again
Either that or I will put a handle on my surfboard.
Hey thats a bloody good idea - why dont they put handles on surfboards??? If it wasnt a brand new Shinn Duke I'd be tempted.