Stay connected in the wind. This forum is for anyone who rides the wind, winter or summer, on whatever board suits their fancy. Share the stoke, find out where people are going, ask any question, share your discoveries, and discuss any esoteric idea you may have related to the pursuit of wind. Please keep it positive.
I am a new Kite Rider up in Brainerd. (Kite Riding for 1 month) Basically everything I know so far I've learned on my own, due to the fact that there aren't many other Kiters in the area.
Eric S. has come up and showed me a few things and that was cool. Thanks Eric!!
I have always been concerned with safety in this sport and I believe we all should be. Especially with what has happened recently and three deaths in 2002.
I am currently riding a SlingShot B-6 for a kite.
My question is... 1. Would the bar pictured above be a good and safe alternative to just riding with a fixed harness? 2. If so... how would I set it up? Please remember that I am new to kiting and wind sports and may need some info deciphered into the most simplest terms.(LOL)
Is there a place I could go tomorrow to get help setting this bar up? I have the whole day available and will be willing to travel.
The Slingshot bar pictured is for their four line inflatables. While you might be able to get it to serve your purpose, it is overkill. The Slingshot bars are nice. I'd start with their two line carbon bar (should have come with the B-6 and add the Holt Allen shown in Erics description in Knowledge (Scuba Center has them). It would be cheaper than buying the one you have posted. With that one you're paying for the chicken loop and adjustment(cleat) that you don't really need. The B-series have the attachment points on the rear of the kite for the 3rd line. Eric's set up has been fine tuned over the last few years and it's the best I've seen.
The thing is...I own that bar that is pictured. I bought it on Ebay. Being a beginner and all I thought it was a great deal and that I would be able to use it for winter kiting.
So I guess you are saying I could use the Profire 4 but it is not ideal. Here is the other thing tho. My funds are limited. My goal is to get my B-6 setup to a safer system than just a straight fixed harness line.
So keeping cost in mind...Do I go with the Profire 4 that I already own?? Or do I use Erics setup?? At this point, which route would be cheaper for me??
If you already own it, stay with the four line bar. You already have the hole thru the center. I'd take the chicken loop assembly off, and save it for when you go to the water with your inflatables....yes that was a "when" not an "if". Clearly you've got the stoke.
When you look at Eric's set up you may be able to go less expensive on some of the parts. Your line could be 300lb test. Your leader line could be nylon (only on the 3rd line). The balls are nice though anything will work. The main thing you don't want to skimp on is the quick release. There are some pretty simple effective solutions out there. The one that saved Alex's butt was just a simple pin system. Check with Larry at SC he may have some of these. The quick release is crutial just in case the kite doesn't depower when you let go of the bar. The worst situation to be in is to not have your hands on the bar and have the kite still powered up. The only way out is to break free.
I will be taking a trip to the scuba center to get this third line setup complete and hopefully understand it a little better. I already have some extra 300lb. laying around so it sounds like I'm pretty close to being complete, material wise.
I appreciate yours and Eric's help.
As far as the water goes, you can read me pretty good. At this point, it would be more difficult to not try Kiteboarding on the water!!
Let us know when you are heading down. Maybe piggy back it on a session down here.
Once you have the components, there is a bit of tweaking to get the third line to work as a safety and as a parking brake. Eric's guide (and the suggestions from Mike and Kirk) is real good.