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Changing line lengths can make kiting easier in some conditions or when trying certain tricks. Shortening your lines from 30 metres, down to 20 or even 15 metres can speed up your kite and increase it's wind range. You can also add length to the lines up to around 40 metres to increase bottom end wind range. Going longer than 40 and shorter than 15 metres is a little pointless as the dynamics of the rig become too awkward for fun use. Longer Lines- can be added to increase the effective size of the power window. Your power zone becomes larger and is easier to keep the kite in the power for longer. Longer lines also create more drag and force the kite to sit a little further back in the wind window which gives the illusion of more power at the expense of some upwind ability. Shorter Lines- Can be used for reducing the size of the wind window making the kite spend less time in the power zone. Also with less line in the air, there is less drag that allows the kite to sit higher toward neutral. This gives you better control when overpowered and better upwind performance as the kite is pulling from further upwind. The other benefits of shorter lines of around 20 metres is the super quick reaction time of the kite which comes into effectiveness when you want to ride waves and need split second response from the kite. The longer lines will give you more float or hang time and make the jumps slower and more graceful. Board offs will be easier. Rotational jump timing will be altered but you can adjust to it and take advantage if you persist. Shorter lines will wrench you off the water quicker but you will come down quicker also, and timing will be split second. Kite loops will be dramatically changed to more risky and severe with shorter lines.
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Last Updated on Monday, 27 September 2010 02:48 |
