A new kite is very exciting, and the temptation is to rush out and try and fly it as quickly as possible.  However this is a mistake.  A few minutes going through this setup procedure in a methodical manner, will save hours of pain later on when the kite won't fly as it should.

Its sometimes worth doing the initial set up of the kite first in the garden or local park first, to avoid frustration at the flying site.

Line layout

The first aim is to get all four lines fully unwound from the winder they were supplied on and laid out directly downwind parallel to each other without crossing or tangles.

Unwind a few  loops and use a ground stake to secure all four loops at the ends of the lines.  Walk upwind unwinding the lines as you go.  The lines may have been wound either end over end, or in a figure of eight. If you unwind the lines in the same way, as they were wound then they come off without twists.  However if you unwind a different way you will put hundreds of twists in the lines and have frustrating hours of patient untangling in front of you.

So the basic rule is unwind a few loops using one method, and if you see you are introducing twists, stop at once, and try a different method.  There are three methods to try:

• Hold winder in left hand, use right to unwind the lines going round and round the winder
• Hold winder in right hand, use left to unwind the lines going round and round the winder
• Turn the entire winder end over end to unwind the lines

Unwind the lines fully and hopefully they will be untwisted.  If they are twisted at all, pick them up in pairs, pull tight and apart.  The twists will work their way down to the pegged out end.  Doing this a few times and hopefully the lines should be seperate.  If not walk to the other end and un-peg them to undo the final few twist.

When done you should have all four lines separated, and lid out parallel.

Checking the lines

While the lines were pegged out its a good idea to check they are all the same length, and if not adjust them.  Please see our other guides for information on this.

Then check each line itself for tight twisted loops or flaws.  Walk along each line running it between your fingers, to find and investigate any changes in thickness.

Attaching the handles

The flying line sleeving will be colour coded or numbered.  The basic rule you MUST follow is:

• The thicker lines are the power lines and connect to the top of the kite and handles
• The thinner lines are the brakes and connect to the bottom of the kite and handles

Most kites use left and right colour coding, so one set of powers and brakes have the same colour, less common in the powers / breaks colour coding.  However as either is possible its important you have laid the lines out parallel and hence can guarantee you have connected them right.

The handles also sometimes come colour coded, the usual convention is red is left.  If the handles are not coded its a VERY good idea to use a bit of tape or marker pen so you can instantly know which is which.

Use a Larkshead knot, to attach each the lines to the handles in turn, making sure the thicker power line go to the top, and you know which is attached to left and right.

Lay the handles out on the ground with the brake ends together powers apart, and use the ground stake to peg down the loops behind the brake lines securely.

Laying out the kite

Walk back down the lines take the kite with you still in its bag.  You can separate the lines either side of your body and through your fingers as you go as a final check. 

Unroll your kite carefully and don't let it flap about.   Use sand or water bottles on the the trailing edge so it wouldn't blow away.

The bridle attachment points are usually attached to a velcro retaining tab in the middle of the kite, or they may be secured with a simple larks head to one of the bridle lines at the corresponding wing tip.   UNDO them one at a time.  Do the brakes first, this will be the bridle with fewer lines, and attached to the trailing (back) edge of the kite.

The bridles should come apart easily and seperate into main bridle and brake bridle. Sometimes there might be a a twist to undo, or say the brake bridle has passed through a V leg of one of the main bridles. By holding them apart you should be able to see what need to go where to resolve any minor tangles.

Use a Larkshead knot, to attach each of the bridle end loops to the lines in turn.  Ensuring you connect the Power lines to the top of the kite, and the brake lines to the bottom, and obviously Right to right and left to left

Walk backwards holding the middle of the kite, and it should pull out into its characteristic crescent shape, and as the wing catches the air intakes, sit up at half height like this

The kite should not take off as its is now held by the brakes at the handles.  At this point its important to do a final check.  It is REALLY worth taking your time on this ...

• Check the lines are still parallel back to the handles, and right really is right!
• Look at every leg of the bridle to ensure there are no twists or loops.
• Its worth pulling on each connection of the bridle to ensure they are all seated correctly and not caught.
• Check and double check!
  

Walk back to the handles.  The kite is now setup, ready for flight. 

Please see our other guides for how to launch, trim and fly your new kite.

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