First of all, we recommend everyone take kite lessons before they start kitesurfing on their own. Kitesurfing can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. If you don't know how a bar works yet, we recommend a few more kite lessons first. If you just want to learn a bit more about a kite bar, you can gather some more information here :)

A kite bar is made to control your kite or kite. When we talk about a bar, we often mean the bar plus all the lines together. These bars can withstand immense forces and are made to transfer the power of the kite to the kitesurfer. The bar used in kitesurfing consists of a control bar (bar), steering lines, power lines, depower system, chicken loop, quick release, V-split, safety line, and depower line. Each brand has its own preference for material use and line lengths, but in general, the operation of a bar always comes down to the same thing. The two steering lines are located at the back of the kite. These steering lines are directly connected to the bar that the rider holds in their hands. By making the left or right line shorter than the other, the kite will fly in that direction. So if you pull on the left side of the bar, the kite makes a movement to the left. If you pull on the right side, the kite steers to the right. Simple, right? Always make sure to counter-steer in time, because if you keep steering in one direction, the kite will make a kite loop! The forces of the kite are transferred to the kitesurfer through the front lines (power lines). These power lines run through the bar to the harness.

Another important aspect of the bar is that you can power and depower the kite with it. This ensures that you get more or less power in the kite. When you pull the bar toward you, more force is applied to both steering lines. This means you tilt the kite slightly more into the wind, causing more wind to hit the kite's canopy. This is called powering. So when you pull on the bar, you immediately get more power in your kite and your kite responds more directly when you make a steering movement. If you need no power or less power for a moment, you push the bar away from you. By letting your steering lines out, the wind spills from your kite and the power of your kite will decrease. So if you make a steering mistake or accidentally fall/crash, it's best to let go of the bar. In 99% of cases, you'll be safe.

A bar almost always has a depower system on board, which ensures that the total power of the kite becomes more or less during kitesurfing. This often works through a clam cleat on the power lines. By making these longer or shorter, you power or depower the kite. For example, if it starts blowing harder, you can depower the kite a bit more.

In general, you don't immediately need a separate bar for each kite. For example, if you have 3 kites in your quiver, you could easily manage with two bars. Just make sure you use the right size bar with the right size kite. Also, not all bars fit all kites. So if you have multiple kites of the same brand/type, you might be able to get by with one less bar. The downside is that the bar will wear out faster if it's used more often.

Kite bars come in many types and sizes. It's important that you choose the right bar width for your kite. A larger kite flies better on a larger bar and vice versa. This is because a longer bar has a greater turning ratio than a smaller bar. So if you fly a small kite on a large bar, it steers too directly. You'd prefer a smaller bar then. An average bar width is 52cm. If you have a small 7m kite, you can fly it better on, for example, a 44cm bar. If you have a 12 meter kite or larger, we recommend a bar larger than 52cm. Most bars can even be adjusted in width, so you can make your bar somewhat larger or smaller if you switch kites.

The length of the lines also determines the flight behavior of the kite. A longer line ensures that the wind window of the kite is enlarged. This also provides better low-end performance. If you shorten the lines, the kite becomes more direct and aggressive. Great for freestyle kiters who love kite loops etc. The standard line length is about 24 meters. Kiters like Ruben Lenten often have 20m lines on their bar for a more extreme turning circle. For most freeriders, 24m is just perfect.

Sooner or later, most kiters break a line at some point. If this happens to you too, we can easily replace it. However, be aware that this is often a sign of wear on the bar. It may be that the entire bar needs replacement. If the rest of the bar is still in good condition, then replacing the line is an option. We often replace the paired line that goes with it directly. For example, if you've broken one power line, we put two new power lines on the bar. We do this because lines almost always stretch or shrink. To ensure that your kite is perfectly "aligned" again, it's necessary to replace both lines.

The length of the lines also determines the flight behavior of the kite. A longer line ensures that the wind window of the kite is enlarged. This also provides better low-end performance. If you shorten the lines, the kite becomes more direct and aggressive. Great for freestyle kiters who love kite loops etc. The standard line length is about 24 meters. Kiters like Ruben Lenten often have 20m lines on their bar for a more extreme turning circle. For most freeriders, 24m is just perfect.

Sooner or later, most kiters break a line at some point. If this happens to you too, we can easily replace it. However, be aware that this is often a sign of wear on the bar. It may be that the entire bar needs replacement. If the rest of the bar is still in good condition, then replacing the line is an option. We often replace the paired line that goes with it directly. For example, if you've broken one power line, we put two new power lines on the bar. We do this because lines almost always stretch or shrink. To ensure that your kite is perfectly "aligned" again, it's necessary to replace both lines.

A lot of English terms are used in the kitesurfing world. It makes sense that you might not fully understand some English terms yet. Below you'll find a brief explanation of the most common English terms used with kite bars:

• Bar: Control bar used to steer the kite
• Steering lines: Back lines used for steering which are attached to the bar
• Power lines: Front lines where all the tension comes from, running through the bar to your harness
• Depower system: System to get more or less power in the kite
• Chicken loop: Round eye at the end of the bar that you attach to the hook of your harness while kitesurfing
• Quick release: Safety system to release your kite
• Bridles: The lines attached to the front of the kite
• V-split: Where the depower line is split into two lines which are attached to the front bridles
• Safety line: Line to which your kite is still attached when you have released the kite
• Depower line: Line that runs through the bar to your harness
• Pigtails: Small lines at the ends of the lines and bridles to attach them to each other
• Floater: The two rubber parts on the side of the bar that prevent the bar from sinking
• Leash: Elastic cord used to ensure the kite doesn't fly away completely when the kite's safety system is activated
• Swivel: Ensures that your lines can untwist during kitesurfing
• Larks head: Form of knot to attach the lines to your kite using a loop and knot

Kitesurfing lines are almost always made of Dyneema. Dyneema is an extremely strong material with polyethylene as its main raw material, one of the most commonly used substances for plastic. The great thing about Dyneema kite lines is that they keep floating on the water and are water-resistant. It's also even stronger than steel! Kite lines often have a strength of 300 to 500 kg. Often more force is applied to the power lines, which is why they are sometimes slightly thicker. After a few years, the strength and quality of the kite lines can decrease. So watch out for light spots etc. and make sure you replace your lines/bar in time to prevent accidents.