It is important to trim your kite to ensure that the kite is safe and fly's efficiently. Kites are trimmed to achieve the correct amount of power the rider desires. We can also tune a kite to fly either faster or slower. There are lots of different kites and they all have different aerodynamic characteristics and therefore have different tuning techniques and effect.

• Tune the kite to turn slower:
  1. While learning
  2. In very strong wind if the kite is too nervous
• Tune the kite to fly slower:
  1. While learning
  2. In very strong wind
• Tune the kite to turn faster:
  1. In light wind
  2. When using a shorter control bar
• Tune the kite to fly faster
  1. In light wind
  2. If you prefer to use longer lines (40 m)
• Tune the kite to resist luffing and nose diving
  1. In gusty wind

2 Line Inflatable

2 line inflatable kites can be tuned to turn faster by tighten up the bridle and turn slower by loosen up the bridle.

Using a longer bar can also turn the kite faster and a shorter bar slower.

4 Line inflatable

Most modern 4 line inflatables have multiple connection points (usually 2) for the the front lines and back lines.

• Use the "front most" front attachment for more depowering capability
• Use the "back most" front attachment for more power on the harness line (chicken loop line)
• Use the "back most" back attachment for fast turning of the kite
• Use the "front most" back attachment for slow turning of the kite

Overall, use the connection points further apart for more control and wider wind range.  Use the connection points closer together for more stability and lesser bar sensitivity.

Foils

Most 3 line foils have both of the front lines attached to the ends of the bar and the brake lines attached to the center of the bar.  Such arrangement normally need a power steering line that attaches each front line to its corresponding trailing edge.  By tuning this power steering line properly (when the kite is flying straight overhead, the power steering line should have no tension nor slack), the kite can be made "unluffable" even in very gusty wind (the power steering lines are acting as an "automatic" brake to prevent the kite from overflying).

2 Line control bar

If you are using a 2 line control bar, you have to select the right length of the bar for the kite you are using. Use shorter control bar for smaller kite and longer control bar for larger kite. You should be able to find the optimum lengths for all of your kite after a number of trials. As a general rule-of-thumb, if your kite is too nervous, use a shorter bar and if your kite is too slow to react to your command, use a longer bar.

4 Line control bar

If you are using a 4-line inflatable, you can tune the angle of attack of the kite by shorten or lengthen the front leader line.  Less angle of attack means less pull and the kite flies faster; however it's slightly harder to turn the kite.  More angle of attack means more pull and the kite flies slightly slower. You should tune the neutral angle of attack of the kite such that when the kite is flying straight above, the back line will get loose when you hooking in to the chicken loop and fully extending your arms (your hands are holding the control bar).  Both front lines and back lines should be in full tension when you are not hooking in the chicken loop and the kite should be a bit "flared out" (the front leading edge looks larger than the trailing edge).  You can adjust the AOA of the kite using the chicken loop or via a trim strap.

Foils

If you are using a ram air foil kite with a pair of 4 line handles, you can tune the "camber" of the kite while you hold the handles in their neutral position (the "neutral  camber"). You can decrease the neutral camber by connecting the main lines to the closer knots and back lines to the farther knots on the lines that attached to the handles. You can increase such camber by connecting the main lines to the farther knots and the back lines to the closer knots on the lines attached to the handles. You should tune the neutral camber of your 4 line kite such that when you hold the handles in their neutral position, the kite should fly forward with full power - the front lines are in full tension and the brake-line is slightly loose.  Increasing the neutral camber will make the kite generate more pull. 

For the new generation of foils using 3 line with a bar such as the Concept Air New Wave, you can change the "camber" of the kite by adjusting a strap while sailing thus change the characteristics of the kite.  Such arrangement increases the wind range of the kite.

Some newer generation of foil such as the Jojo Rage can have an optional 4th line which one can be adjusted to change the shape of the kite (neutralize the middle section) to reduce the pull of the kite. 

You can also use a foil/sled depowering system that can turn a foil into a sled.  More information about the foil/sled depowering system can be found in the Tips section.

Similar to inflatable, modern foils have the ability to change its AOA, thus use the same control bar as 4 line inflatable and require similar tuning.

Lines

You can use longer or shorter line length. Use the following general guidelines to select the right line length:

• Use longer lines (40m - 45m):
  1. If the wind is light
  2. If the wind is gusty (with smaller kite)
• Use average lines (25m - 30m)
  1. For most condition
• Use shorter lines (15m - 25m)
  1. If the wind is strong
  2. If you kitesurf in wave

Using different line length increases the wind range of your kite.  The standard line length is 25m - 30m as such line length is best for all-around kitesurfing (going upwind, jumping, moving the kite to generate more power, etc.).  By using 15m lines, you can add another 10 - 20% to the upper wind range of the kite and by using 45m lines, you can add another 10 - 20% to the lower wind range of the kite.  So be adventurous and use different line length with your kites.  The only disadvantage of using too short lines (15m) or too long lines (45m) is that it would make jumping harder as you have to change the timing you normally use with 25m - 30m line (also jumping with 15m line is difficult as it's hard to generate enough power to lift you up using such a short line).

Line strength used is actually a function of your weight. The lines in a 2-line kite should have a minimum strength equals to 2.5 times your weight. For a 4-line foil, the main lines should have the minimum strength equal to 2 times your weight while the brake lines should have the minimum strength equal to your weight. For example, if you weights 200 lb., you should use at least 500 lb. lines for your 2 line kites and 400 lb. main lines, 200 lb. brake lines for your 4 line kites.  For a 4-line inflatable, all the lines should have a minimum strength equals to 2.5 times your weight.

Tips:

• How to Kitesurf
• Trimming Your Kite
• Upwind Riding
• Rigging Tips
• Safety

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