It is important to know how to attach your lines to a kite to prevent an accident from occurring when you launch the kite. The important takeaways from this post are to walk the lines downwind from the kite, use your body to separate the outside lines from center lines and how to perform a larks head knot. This is the technique we prefer to use.
Walk The Lines Downwind From The Kite
In the past, IKO taught riders to set their control bar upwind from the kite. They have reformed their policy to set the bar downwind from the kite. Two important reasons why setting the bar up downwind from the kite is safer: the first reason is so the bridle is more visible and more difficult to cross over the outside bridle, the second reason is that it is more difficult for the kiteboarder to stand too far upwind during a launch. (In other words, a hot launch is more likely to occur when the bar is set upwind of the kite.)
Set The Bar Down And Separate The Lines
When you set the bar down, the colors will be backwards when you’re facing into the wind. If white or red is on the left when the kite is in the sky, then the white or red (left) side should be on the right when you set the bar down and are facing into the wind.
With the bar down and the lines laid out, use your body to separate the outside lines from the inside lines. Put the center lines between your legs and the outside lines on the outside of your body. Hold all four lines and use your body to naturally separate the lines by walking towards the kite. Try to avoid pulling lines away from each other as that will create knots in your lines. When you get to the end of the lines, place each line down next to its corresponding position on the kite. On most control bars, the center lines have a swivel to manually separate the two. The most important thing is to separate the outside lines from the inside lines.
Use A Larks Head Knot
The knot used to attach your lines to a kite is called a larks head knot. Make sure that your control bar brand matches the kite brand. If the brands are different, the bar may be compatible but you may need to switch the pigtails. Secure the larks head knot by bringing it as close as possible to the “monkey fist” knot.
Make sure you know how to attach your lines to a kite. If you’re not sure, take a lesson or ask another kiteboarder for assistance.
