We all launch our kites most times 90 degrees to the wind, so it makes sense to setup your lines the same way (with exceptions of course). Thus people launching don't have to drag their lines across the beach and over other lines and those landing across laid lines.
This was common practice in the early days. Is it really that difficult to work it out and does it not make sense?????????
Agreed.
Very simple concept to understand and it allows many more kites on the beach.
Last weekend a few old kiting mates rocked up the first time in a few years and we all rigged up. A kiter rocks up we didn't know and proceeds to lay his lines across all others without a care in the world. We waiting for him to get ready and he fumbles around with gear turns around to us and raises his bar and askes does this look right. So they must be still teaching people to rig lines upwind. I would love to here why they still teach that.
personally i like to set my lines upwind, lay out lines and then lift kite over lines. it descreases any issues with lines being put on wrong or through bridles and makes it easy to check at a glance.
not having space restrictions does help though!
what i really hate is to see people leave their lines attached to their kites, worst idea ever.
I don't know how you can do it that way, sounds really annoying - the wind just works against you when you try to run them across the wind.
Best way to set up in my experience has always been to have the lines run out downwind from the bar, so the wind works in your favour as you untwist the lines - this was how I was taught.
If space is an issue, you can wind your lines up on your bar once they have been attached to your kite. You just have to be careful not to drop any lines as you wind.
But laying lines across someone elses is just stupid!
What i like to do when first laying out my lines is anchor the bar by placing a heap of sand on each end of the bar... This way when i'm stretching the lines they stay tight and i can see them all the way to the bar to make sure i have no tangles or lines going wrong way.
I haven't seen anyone else do this so makes me think i look like a kook, but in 5 years I've never attached the lines incorrectly... With this method i don't need to make the guy launching the kite wait til i check for tangles because I know 100% it's all good... (although for better safety one should always double check)
Setting up downwind is surely the best way to physically see that you're attached correctly? It's also the best way to self launch. I don't see a problem with setting up at right angles to the kite either when the beach is busy as you'll always have someone to launch you. The only time I've rigged up wrongly was when I was too eager to get on the water and didn't double check.
As a beginner and having just completed lessons. I have been taught this way, same as the Progression Beginner DVD. Downwind rigging. Works for me, but does take up some room. However I would never lay my lines over someone elses, common sense prevails.
I generally set-up upwind of kite if there's room- or downwind if not.
If the wind is of decent guff though, I find the downwind method quite annoying as the lines get blown back towards you and causes more chance of tangling. Upwind method, the lines generally blow away from you and back towards the kite in a nice orderly fashinon 
Heh, kiting for I dunno how long now and I don't thing I have EVER set-up my lines down-wind?!
What about downwind diagonal? I always go downwind, but turn to the edge so it almost ends up being 90 degrees from the kite. Easy to self launch, doesnt take up space. You run your lines out 90 degrees to the wind which makes it as easy as doing it upwind.
I've never understood why anyone would rig upwind.
There are three options, each with pros and cons.
* Upwind rigging. (most common). Lines need to be moved to side when launching
* Crosswind rigging. Lines are in best position for launching
* Downwind rigging. Lines need to be moved to side when launching. Must reverse bar when connecting lines. Can be more confusing for beginners
I think I rig mine at about 45 degrees upwind.
More info kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/line-rigging-comparison
At my local we rig up on a small strip of grass and usually run the lines downwind to the kite. Everyone else does this and it just works for this location.
On a surf beach I often self launch especially when I am down the coast and there's no other kiters, so I run the lines behind the kite. Then I can pick the bar up and check it's all clear before moving upwind into the launch position.
I don't think that there is a right way that works in all situations.
Running lines downwind helps with tangles.
Running lines upwind is probably better for beginners so they can easily check.
When you're new to a kite spot you should always take a minute to observe what is happening and ask local kiters for any special rules or dangers.
Downwind or upwind, 90 degress whatever, there is still 20-25m of line running along the beach?
For me set lines downwind, then walk the bar almost to the kite before turning 90 degrees - Dragging them around to 90 can cause the problems.
I like downwind for the main reason you can do a pre-flight safety check to make sure 100% your lines are not crossed/tangled and also an assistant cannot accidently launch you with the kite in the power zone, as can happen if you rig upwind (seen it happen).
And as mentioned before, if you’re ready to go, walk your bar to the kite 1st then walk out at 90 deg for the launch.
If your still to get your harness on or do stuff walk your bar to your kite 1st and leave it there so you only take up 10m of beach instead of 20m. If it’s real crowded, or you’re gonna take a long time to launch, or ya just want to be blameless, wind your bar to the kite and take up no space, while your getting ready/ have pre kite chat with people or whatever etc.
Remember no one is ever going to come over to you and say “nice one I really like the way you have left your lines out taking up 20plus meters of rigging area, let’s be mates!
Surely guys - If it works it works.
Instructors probably teach the downwind option simply because it lays out the lines as they relate to the kite when kiting. They also should be discussing other aspects of kiting at this stage so running the lines to the kite this way makes explanations more obvious.
Hope that adds a whole element of deep & meaningfull thought to this topic.
What I would really like to know is whether you should sprinkle the sugar on your cornflakes in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
... or, do you put wettie on before you setup the kite, or after you setup the kite...
Semantics:
If you rig a kite upwind (bar and lines upwind of kite), you walk the lines downwind.
If you rig a kite downwind (bar and lines downwind of kite) you walk the lines upwind.
On 4 line kites, connect front lines first, walk downwind or across the wind to place of launch. Pull lines slightly tight.
Place bar on ground red to the right, grab one rear line in each hand and walk back to kite, keeping centre lines between legs.
Connect rear lines, no chance of a twist or tangles, one walk and BAM you are done and ready to launch!
Remember to put red side of bar in left hand when launching.
^^^ that's fine and I prefer to downwind rig for that reason too. It's the only way you can hold the bar and see the lines are connected properly for the full length.
There's a few complications/points:
- if you walk the back lines out with the front lines between your legs and a back line in each hand, when you reach the kite the colours of the pigtails will match or you have done something wrong. It's self-evident. You have to try and do it wrong.
- When ready to launch, particularly self-launch, you can walk around to the side, or I prefer to walk up to the kite and turn it a little side on to the wind. It's best to walk straight to the kite beside the lines so you don't risk introducing a tangle. It's important to not drag the bar and lines across the lines on the ground.
- When you back away to launch if you can see anything that looks like a tangle, it probably is tangled. Stop and double check.
For me the downwind launch method offers 4 points when I can check stuff:
1. when connecting the lines
2. When picking up the bar
3. When walking to the kite
4. When walking to launch/during launch
With upwind and side launches the kite is sitting on top of the lines. You can't really check anything until you're actually launching.
Back to the topic, if your beach is so crowded that you are having to line everybody up to launch you have far bigger problems than laying out lines upwind/downwind/sideways. You need to a) wait until it is less crowded, and b) ride off somewhere else. Just because you launch at a beach doesn't mean you have to ride there. The sea is big. There's lots of room for everybody.
PS It might be my Rain Man nature but I like to count stuff when I rig. 100 pumps for the big kite. 75 for the smaller one. 7 strut clips. 6 pulleys. 4 lines. 2 red. 2 black. 3 tuning knots each side. It makes rigging simple and much harder to forget things.
(wear it to work under your suit/uniform and saves valuable kiting time changing at da beach!)
I'd be tempted.
