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Hi All

I use the 2011 Naish universal bar. I want to simply half the length of the lines without having to get a whole new set of lines.

I've literally just done it on my ITC but can't remember the exact process as it was a rock solid week.

Anyone have any tips on how to help? Anything to watch out for? Especially with the centre lines.

Thanks

fold the lines back and larks head/attach ends to the same connections points they come from on the bar. create larks head at line end (with doubled back part). use a line connector at this point as well if possible as apposed to larks heading actual flying line directly to kite. this kind of thing is general used in low power/low load situations. there is something important to consider tho: the leash system. you will probably have to switch to a single outside line or single inside line above the bar leash system.

lot of different bars out there, some may not be possible to do this to, but thats the basic idea.

i can't remember exactly what the naish uni bar looks like and if there is anything specific about that, but good luck

Before even worrying about the caveats that bnthere mentions, this will only work if the lines you're doubling are all the same length.

I can't think of a modern bar system which has outside line leaders that extend as far as the center swivel or trim straps. You'd probably be better making your own linesets.

Starting short and gradually increasing line lengths looks like a good teaching method. Probably the best part is that it puts the student on a standard bar and safety setup right away.

There's a guy in Cabarete who's developed his own instruction program around the concept:

http://methodlodge.com/kite

I'm sure it is a hassle to permanently create the line set you want, instead of having an adjustable system. It might work by folding the lines to double, but it might weaken the line connections, because the lark's head you make halve way the line is done from a thin line, instead of a sleeve.
This creates sharp turns in the line, which lowers the breaking point of the line.
Since the lark's head is done over a pigtail, it might not be such a big problem, but still something to consider.

As a side note, using thicker extensions I regularly use an adjustable loop knot to adjust the fifth line of my ozone 2006 bar to fit my old north kites (whenever I had to lend my north bar out for instance).
This one does the job, it really holds!
http://grumpyoldgits.org/images/Loop3.jpg

It might suit you as well, as long as you do not try to tie it in thin kite lines.

Would you REALLY want to have a secure knot on kitelines that does NOT weaken the line, IMHO this is the way to go:
http://www.kitehigh.nl/i/gallery/upload ... 0small.jpg
It should just be tied really really tight, that's all. And use plenty of folds (at least 20 or so).
I do not encourage this course of action, but if you must, please use this knot.

Just out of curiosity what is the purpose in doing this? What advantages do you get rather than just learning on normal lines?

Less length = less power from diving kite, less chance of lofting, therefore able to teach on a medium kite instead of a tiny one, less distance from launcher/lander/instructor to student, more sensitive steering so student learns to center hands on bar,
also kite less able to tumble through its lines on a crash -hits water first....etc.

Sort lines are an excellent way to teach just having learned the method myself. Not only are the flying lessons easier, when you teach with shorter lines important skills like self rescue are easier to teach and lines are easier to untangle to keep the lessons going. I highly recommend shorter lines.
Also, I don't think that making larkheads weakens the lines, and if it does it is sooooo negligible compare to the benefits of what you can teach using these methods