June 2009 Issue of The Kiteboarder Magazine

THE TECHNIQUES OF TUNINGMost kiteboarding equipment works really well straightout of the bag, but there are a few things you can doto make sure your gear is performing as well as itshould. Even if your equipment is perfect at the beginning ofthe season, you should still check a few items every coupleof sessions as normal use can cause lines to stretch, screwsto work loose, and parts to wear.kite:• Check your kite’s bridle lines for wear. If a line starts to showwear, replace it now before it breaks to avoid a lengthy swim.• Pump up your kite on a no wind day and search the wholekite for small holes and rips. Use simple self-adhesive repaircloth to patch any small imperfections before they turn intolarge ones.• If your kite has pulleys, check them to make sure they runfreely every session. A stuck pulley will cause a lot of wear ina short amount of time.Bar:• Make sure all of your line lengths are even by hooking all fouror five lives to a line tied around a tree or other solid object.Your kite’s performance will suffer greatly if one line is off byeven a small amount.• Check your lines carefully for wear. Once the outer part of anyline starts to get fuzzy, it should be replaced.• Clean your quick release mechanism regularly and check tomake sure it is in perfect working condition.Board:• Tighten your footstrap and fin screws every few sessions. Theycan work themselves loose over time.• Repair the dings on your board with Solarez resin. It’s supereasy to use and hardens in the sun.• Try adjusting your stance until you find a position that feelsright. Those different inserts are there for a reason.Wetsuit/Harness:• Check your harness straps for wear. If you see any wear at all,replace the straps if possible or buy a new harness.• Wash your wetsuit. It stinks, and yes, other people can smellit too.By taking a few simple steps, you can ensurethat your gear is always performing at its best.Photo: Gavin Butler66 66 thekiteboarder.comthekiteboarder.com 67