How To Shorten Your Kitesurfing Lines

[@matt-0teachings952]

Airush (the brand in this video) is great for this because their pigtails where the lines attach to the kite are all detachable, so it's easy to take them off to make your line length adjustments. Some brands sew the loop/knot ends right into the lines; avoid these brands because it's much more of a pain in the butt to make line length adjustments. Also, to begin with the Airush lines come in segments of different lengths so it's easy to change. But: to make it easier and simpler, I always just cut the lines down instead of doubling them back. That way there is less line to tangle, and less weight and air drag on the lines (yes this does make a difference, especially in light winds). Then you can take the parts you cut off and make extensions out of them, and just put 'em on again when you need longer lines later.

[@TantrumX]

One of the many reasons I love Airush

[@terrenceswift7202]

This video was pretty helpful, thank for sharing

[@26N80W]

This was great. I was just about to take a knife to an old set of lines when I found this video. Nicely done.

[@TantrumX]

Glad to know I spared some lines form getting the chop!

[@simonm7776]

Brilliant...so well explained. Nice one!

[@TantrumX]

Cheers mate!

[@mezz_yeww751]

Thanks for the video! I've just done it with my duotone click bar, same principal with the power lines just with attaching small pigtail to a metal ring... 2 questions: is there a trick to wrap them so they don't get tangles inside each other? and also... I removed the standard high v connector and now with the lines doubled, its vital to put it back and where? Im wondering the main differences regarding where the power lines split and I assume its the distance from the split to the kite that changes the behaviour, not so much the distance from bar to split? Is there a general rule for where to put it? Depends on what kite? ETC? Thanks!

[@BenoitThailand]

What if we are at the maximum length possible on the steering lines? Is there a way to reduce the length of the front lines?

[@bizjetguy5114]

Hi Sam, thanks for another very interesting video. My concern with doubling the lines is having big, tangled mess in the event of a quick release or even while unwinding the lines at the beginning of a session. With that said, do you know if the bar manufacturers (Cabrihna, for example) also manufacture shorter line sets for retail sale? Mahalo, JB

[@TantrumX]

Yeah if you have to quick release this can turn in to a birds nest real fast!, At the beginning of a session however it's actually surprisingly easy to do neatly ( I manage it consistently and I am not a neat person!). I don't know of many manufacturers who will sell them this short. Most bars will have 4 - 5 m extension which means you can get your lines down to 18-20 m quite easily but going less than that is often tricky simply because for the average rider 5 m lines are of limited use so most manufacturers don't set up their lines accordingly. You could of course take the main lines off and just use the extensions but that is more problematic (read fiddly and frustrating) than it sounds.

[@bernardkriel1]

could i use 15m lines in 35 + knots strong cape town winds so that it doesnt feel as hectic ? just normal kiting no loops or anything seriouse ?

[@darklanouou]

Yes u can

[@TantrumX]

Not give give a definitive answer to that, try it (tentatively and with a few people helping and ready to grab you and the kite) and see how it feels

[@lynperk]

awesome

[@TantrumX]

Glad you like it

[@slappysurf]

This seems dangerous as maybe in this case the steering leader lines are equal to the length of the depower system but that will not always be the case and if they are different you are shortening your front lines by an un-equal amount as your steering lines.

[@TantrumX]

Hence why it’s important to test once you’ve done it

[@exary37]

Lol thanks but I dont really want 12m lines... I just want to shortened lines a bit , not completely change the behaviour of my kite

[@TantrumX]

That’s what extensions are for

[@benh4928]

This is useless