sturds wrote:I thougth it went something like this
under 25m shorter lines:
*Lower jumps
*increased turning speed
*feel gusts more
*Need more wind then usual for kite
*Better for doing proper kiteloops (easier to get higher then kite
*longer hang time???????
* Possible better pop for wake style??????
Over 25m longer lines:
*Increased jump height
etc
I cannot agree with some of the facts you highlight. With shorter lines, you lose some hangtime, that's sure,
-since you've got a faster turning and more responsive kite, you can jump higher, even if there is maybe more technique and skills required.
-For the pop, it depends... just because the wind window is smaller, it's easier to go downwind and put the kite down in the powerzone then edge and pop. Maybe you don't pop better, but you can pop quickly and be more responsive hence a nice skaty style.
-You ride faster, for sure, just because you don't have the choice! With shorter lines, you are committed to speed otherwise, you're stuck! If you ride fast enough, you don't really need more wind than with longer lines, but you have to keep this speed!
-For the kite loops, you feel more the effect of the kiteloop, but it's not easier (at all!), it's just more hardcore... because the kite loops right through the power zone, whereas it may just loop on the side of this powerzone with longer lines.
-Where it's very noticeable is in your transitions, you'll feel that it's really hard to keep the planning after a transition unless you downloop the kite or whatever, but it's not the smooth hangtime you can have with longer lines.
So different length = different style but it's nice to play with these aspects of the sport.
I use mostly 22m on my 9 and 12 kites and 28m on the 15.