Anyone with a sinking kitebar should
add floatation. My friend was pulled under water last week when his
kitebar (Cabinha 2001 model) snagged on the bottom in strong current while he was snagged in the lines. Luckily he was able to free himself.

I note that Cabrinha and most other brands have floatation on their 2002 models. I believe that all Naish bars float and many other bars have external floats on the leader lines.

Chris G



Chris G

Friend of mine has a Naish Aero 16. His bar doesn't float

What is the best thing to use to add flotation to the bar (for a Cabrinha 2001 f.i.)? And where can you get it?

Tnxs!

the hand-protectors like on new wipi or all slinger bars make it float.

but if you ride with a snap shackle, it is not very important, i think - i don't know if my airush bar floats - because i never came into the situation

as far as i know, the naish arx bar does not float, but the cabrinha sinks like a stone ...

the 'floaters' are very good for short bars - i've seen situations, where the leader lines could have hurt rider's hands but with this protection, nothing happened.

Where can you buy "floaters"?

Another consideration for bars particularly those with wrist leashes is to effectively cover the winder forks on the bar ends. These forks can create dangerous situations with flying kites if a bridle line wraps over one making the lines uneven. I notice Slingshot has neophrene covers. I wonder if they are stiff enough to stop a bridle line from catching in the fork anyway. Firm rubberized plastic covers may be more appropriate. Of course these type of accidents don't happen all that commonly but it only takes one really bad one to do damage.

Rick Iossi

I got a note suggesting I perhaps try and make something like the 'floats' I have on my Slingshot bar. Too hard & espensive for me.

.....but my other idea was a product we have in home improvement stores in the US called: Jiffy Foam. It's that same sort of expanding foam they shoot into open spaces in boats. Most people just use it to seal air leaks around windows in the winter.

......but, maybe if the bar is large enough in diameter, it would work. The Slingshot is made for girl's hands - it almost needs foam on the outside!

Scary thought! Bars underwater trolling for rocks! Yeoow!

Jim
UP kite lines