FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
So you have a question about landboarding or kites...? Check here to see if your question is in the list below. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, send your question to us here.
1. What size kite should I get to begin with..?
2. Bar or handles..?
3. Do I need a harness..?
4. Do you have second hand gear..?
5. Can I use my foil kite for kitesurfing..?
6. How do I Rig my Radsail Kite for the First time..?
1. What size kite should I get to begin with..?
To answer this question you need to address 3 questions: - How much do you weigh? What sort of winds do you wish to fly in? What sort of traction kite experience do you have?
Your weight will have a big impact on the right size of kite for you. In most information about kite size, the weight of an average kiter is around 70kg. As a general rule of thumb, if you weigh less than 60kgs you will need a smaller size than an average kiter, and if you are above 80kgs you’ll need one size larger than an average kiter.
Armed with your weight as a guide, you’ll need to know what the average wind conditions are for the area you wish to fly in are. As a rough guide, the average wind across New Zealand is in 10-20 knot range, but this can obviously vary from location to location and on any given day. Have a look in the weather section of your local newspaper, or chat to some local kiters/
boaties/windsurfers, and you should be able to determine whether the average wind for your area is above, below or within the 10-20 knot average.
Next, consider your level of experience with traction kites. Remember a 4-line traction kite generates much more pull than a simple 1 or 2 line stunt kite, and is therefore quite a lot more demanding to fly. If you are a complete beginner to traction kiting then smaller is generally always better. The more experience you have the larger the kite.
So where does this leave us…? If you are an average 70kg novice kiter, looking to fly on the beach in 10-15 knot winds, then consider a 4.0m foil kite as a good starting size to learn your kite control. You should ‘static’ fly the kite in sub 10 knot winds to begin with, building up to higher wind speeds over time. If you weigh less than 60kgs then consider dropping down to a 3.0m foil kite or up to a 5.0m foil kite if you weigh over 80kgs. If you are flying in an area that has higher than average wind speeds, then again drop down a kite size to a 3.0m or go up to a 5.0m if the winds are generally lower than average.
With the above information you should be able to come up with a good idea of the size of kite you’ll need for your weight in the conditions in your area and your experience level. Once you have gained some experience with flying a kite in average conditions, you may wish to invest in a larger kite for lower wind days or a smaller kite for high wind days. Most landboarders will either have a ‘quiver’ (that’s what we call a collection of kites), of 3 different size kites to cover the full range of winds they may encounter, or a depower kite or two.
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2. Bar or Handles..?
Most fixed bridle foil kites come with handles as standard, but some are now available with a bar as an option. Handles are a great control method when learning the basics of kite flying and control. They generally give a better feel for the kite and can be more maneuverable because of being able to ‘tweak’ the brakes during a turn making the turns faster and sharper.
If you are a complete beginner though a bar is really not necessary until you have mastered kite flying control, and have progressed to wanting do tricks or aerial moves on your board. If you are thinking of getting into kite surfing as well, then maybe starting with a bar would get you familiar with how it works with a kite.
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3. Do I Need a Harness..?
As a complete beginner, a harness is an optional item as you do not need one in order to fly the kite. You will notice as you fly you kite for long periods of time that the power generated will make your arms ache considerably, and the best way to combat this is using a Back Strap or a Strop, (used with a Harness). A back strap/strop/harness will be able to take the strain of the kite instead of your arms and allow you to fly for longer before getting tired.
For flying on handles, there are 2 solutions. Firstly a ‘Back-Strap’ is a length of strong cord, sometimes with a padded section, that attaches directly to your handles. The Back Strap can then be worn around your back, with the cord coming out under your arms to your handles, to allow your body to take the strain of kites pull. Some kite manufacturers make back-straps that can be purchased inexpensively.
Secondly, you can make a ‘Strop’ from a suitable length of strong cord, (say 50-80cm length of 5mm Dyneema), which is attached to both handles, and is used in conjunction with a harness.
Harnesses' come in many variations, but the most common types are ‘Waist’ & ‘Seat’. As the name suggests a ‘Waist’ harness is worn around your waist like a large belt, and will have a ‘Spreader Bar’ attached by straps on the front, with an integrated ‘hook’ of some description. When flying with handles you can loop the strop under the hook of the spreader bar to take the strain of the kite. When flying with a control bar, most bars come with a built-in ‘Chicken Loop’ safety, (similar to a stiffened strop with integrated safety release attached to the bar), which can be looped under the hook of the spreader bar to balance the pull of the kite.
A ‘Seat’ harness is very similar to a waist harness but is designed like a pair of shorts that you need to get into and wear. This design stops the harness riding up your body and generally lowers the point at which the pull of the kite is focused. Like so many things in kite related sports, choosing a harness is a personal thing and depends on how you like to kite, whether you use handles or a bar, and your preference between a seat or waist harness. I suggest that you try out the different style of harness and make a choice once you know what you prefer.
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4. Do you have Second-Hand Gear..?
Landboarding NZ Ltd does not generally stock second hand kites or boards, although we do sometimes get used equipment in part exchange for new purchases. Ask us if we have anything available and if not, we may be able to point you in the right direction or find someone that can provide second hand gear.
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5. Can I Use my Foil Kite for Kitesurfing..?
Although you will see video’s of people using foil kites to kitesurf, it is not generally advisable. A Foil Kite is generally not water-relaunchable and would therefore be of no-use once it gets wet if you dropped it. Take a read though my 'Getting Started' section for a good overview of the different sorts of kites used in kite-related sports.
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6.How Do I Rig My Radsail Kite for the First Time...?
Before your first flight lay your kite out flat with the bridle upward using sand or something weighty to hold the kite down. Note that on the top edge of the kite is a series of covered vents on what is called the ‘Leading Edge’. The bottom edge of the kite is called the ‘Trailling Edge’ and is where the brake bridle is attached.
Firstly untie the bridle from the black safety tabs located in the middle of the Trailing Edge. Once disconected, seperate the flying bridle, (attached to the leading edge and ending in a thick black cord), from the brake bridle, (attached to the trailing edge and ending in a thinner green line). Place the flying bridle below the kite to the outside and the brake bridle to the inside.
Take your main flying lines, (thicker white or red lines with red sleeving on black winder), and brake lines, (thinner white line with green sleeving on red winder), and lay them out directly downwind from your kite.
At the non-kite end of the lines, attach the flying lines (with red sleeving) to the top of the appropriate handle and the brake lines (with green sleeving) to the base of the handle.
Return to the kite and attach the flying lines (with red sleeving) to the flying bridle lines, (thick black cord), and the brake lines (with green sleeving) to the brake bridle, (thinner green lines), taking care not to twist or tangle your line.
Your kite is now LIVE and ready to fly.
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