Which kite is good 4 ladies to sheet in/out comfortably

WaterGirl · Since 02 Jul 2011 6 Posts Salem, OR Kook

Does anyone know whether there are kites out there designed specifically for little people like me? I've obsessing over this sport for a while now and took my first lesson today Very Happy

I am 5'2" and finding it uncomfortable to steer the kite when sheeting out because I have to stretch out so far. My arms are not long enough to be able to sheet out far enough. Any girls out there experienced the same problem and found a solution I would appreciate any suggestions?

Can't wait to start kiting!!! Wink

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Most kites have adjustable throw on the chicken loops. Set it with as much as you need and the lengthen the back lines enough to where it is comfortable when sheeted in. Unfortunately, sometimes the shorter you are the less range your kite has.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

The Naish bars from 2011 and on has an adjustable stopper so you can adjust the bar throw to your own arms. In addition the kites like the Bolt does not need a lot of throw to get a huge depower effect. Super stable even in gusty winds.

See pic...well instead of removing you might want to just move it..or leave it. Any ways, you can adapt the bar to your arm length...

cb1021 · Since 23 Apr 2011 6 Posts Kook

Ehhh....I don't think the throw is the problem. The chickenloop length (especially when the kite is lit) and the length of the quick release make far away (relatively) for a petite user even if the bar is fully sheeted in.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 801 Posts Opinionated

Are you using a seat harness or waist?
You will have more reach to sheet out the kite if you have a seat harness with a lower hook.
I have also heard of people shortening the chicken loop to increase their ability to sheet out the kite.
You will likely still have to depower the kite more with the trim line and learn to edge better to control the power since you will never get the range to sheet out the kite like someone with longer arms.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

my ocean rodeo Razor has only have about 10" of throw

I like it that way

WaterGirl · Since 02 Jul 2011 6 Posts Salem, OR Kook

I was using the seat harness but I didn't like it much. Felt like a big baby in a diaper lol. Looking to try the waist harness next time, but not sure anymore since it's going to make matters worse.

whatcouldgowrong · Since 28 Jun 2011 11 Posts Hood/Baja

you could try a pair of shorts with the harness built in, by Da Kine or Liquid Force, i think. keep the hook low to give more throw and are more comfortable for some people.

kitegrrrl · Since 22 Mar 2006 32 Posts

If you feel like you can't sheet out enough for your arm length, you need to de-power the kite. As you get better you will learn to edge your board to control for gusts etc. When I learned I had similar concerns. When I switched to a waist harness, the problem became much more manageable. Also, make sure you have a bar with the de-power below the bar. It may make the bar feel further away, but being over-powered and unable to reach your de-power is super frustrating. Ultimately, the better you get the less of an issue your arms length will be.

BKA · Since 19 May 2011 43 Posts Harrison

you should check out the blade 2011 kites. The throw on the bar is shorter compared to others out there which I would say would make it easier for shorter people with/without a stopper ball.

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

for some bars/kites the best solution is the shortest chicken loop that works.

i've cut down a slingshot chicken loop for my wife, made it as short as possible for her to depower, but not so small that it won't unhook easily.

this thread wanders onto the topic...

http://nwkite.com/forums/t-17306.html&highlight=

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

Try Cabrinha kites, they depower at a reasonable distance. But more importantly light weight people can keep them forward in the window (closer to slack line) with less trouble.
The Cabrinha kites are more slippery and a light person will find that they can control the kite easer then most other brands. In a situation where the wind increases (or the kiteboarder accelerates across the water) a slow kite will start to fade back and pull too hard. Heaver riders can simply lean back and drive the kite forward to reduce power by pulling the front lines harder with their harness. Lighter riders cannon pull the front lines hard enough to keep the kite forward and need to push the bar way out to maintain control. Often a faster kite is the solution for light people who feel that they cannot reach far enough because they no longer need to depower as much and no longer need to reach way out there.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Here is something for you to think about if the shortness of your arms continue to be a big problem. You have a few options, and one of the options is a "cool" option, that is... if you have short but strong arms, and have a high pain threshold. True "C" kites are "really cool", and you don't have much "throw" on a real "C" kite like the Slingshot Fuel. Those of us who learned to kite 10 years ago, short and tall, all learned on this type of kite... it was brutal, but we didn't know it at the time. You could join that club, and have lots to talk about with the older people on the Sandbar... comparing experiences like the "speed spiral" and "Mr Toad's wild ride"... that'd be so cool.

I am not recommending that "option"... and considering the fact that you are a beginner, none of the following should be taken as a recommendation for you to employ, at this time, but if you stick with the lessons and learn to kite, then, some of this may help you out in the future.

This picture shows the source of your "bar throw" problem. You can see that the length of the hook and the length of the chicken loop take up about 10 inches of distance. If you did not have to have a hook and chicken loop, then, you would be able to pull the bar 10 inches closer to you, and therefore gain 10 inches of "throw". That would solve your "short reach" problem.

In my next post, I will describe an unconventional answer to the problem. At present, there is no kite manufacturer, which makes such an unconventional system.

WaterGirl · Since 02 Jul 2011 6 Posts Salem, OR Kook

Thanks guys Very Happy

Very helpful suggestions. Good to know that I am not alone. Now is there a one location where I can try out some of the kites suggested?

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Here are two pictures of a "tinkered up" bar and safety release system, along with a sliding "hook" (really a 'double ring'). Unless a person really wants to perform 'unhooked' tricks, then being 'shackled in' 100% is not a handicap... and most kiters do not do unhooked riding... of course, the cool kids do...so this type of system is definitely not for them. This kind of system would be for those short armed kiters, who want to take full advantage of the modern long throw, depowerable kites.

If a system like this is constructed properly, there is no compromise in safety, and you can actually gain some advantages over a "bar-hook-chicken loop" system.

This sort of system is not for you as a beginner, but in the future, you may want to try such a thing. It would allow you to use any brand or model kite. The Cabrinha mushroom safety release works well with this kind of system.

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 246 Posts hood river Stoked

how about using an old sytle pulley bar like the bar for the slingy T2. The pulley system means that for a given bar movement, you will get about 2x the depower. The down side is that the bar pressure goes up about 2x too. But used with kites that have very low bar pressure in the first place, this might be a better overall system for short but stronger armed people.

while not as short as you, i had the same issues. My solution was seat harness (dakine) + shortening the chicken loop as much as possible.