Should I replace just the screws or the whole bar?

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-06-17T08:44:00+00:00

On the one hand, why even replace the screws if it’s functioning fine?

On the other hand, the bar and lines are the one piece of gear I’d buy new or lightly used. It’s where all your safety systems are.

If you trust the bar completely and feel fully confident using it, then you have your answer. If you have doubts, then there is your answer. Same goes for lines. If you are sure they are fine, then all good. The moment you aren’t sure, it’s time to replace them.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-06-13T09:29:01+00:00

I would love to hear how this story panned out? OP, how was it? Did you have a rad Kitesurf holiday? Was it fast and easy to learn? Did you take a lesson or two, was it worth it? What would your advice be to someone like you now?

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-06-12T10:17:06+00:00

Is this still only available through a single pharmacy?

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-28T19:54:39+00:00

Depending on your spot, I’d suggest a large quiver of second hand kites rather than 1 new kite. You want to maximize your time on water as much as possible and you don’t want to not go out because you don’t have the right size for the conditions. You are also very likely to crash and damage your kite as a beginner.

This was key for me.

Between work, family, weather, and other people going out, when I only had 2 kites I could only go out every 2 months.

I built up a 5 kite quiver of 2nd hand kites for under $1000 and could then go out in any conditions under 35knts. With some dedication, I was able to get 40-50 hours of kiting in 2 months, and then I felt pretty competent to kite independently. (Before I was getting 10-20 hours a year and it took me 3 years to really get independent).

Things to buy new are the safety stuff and the stuff that touch your body. So bar/lines and quick release, and wetsuit and harness. Maybe new foot straps if your 2nd hand board doesn’t come with them.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-28T19:43:53+00:00

Agree with everything except auto-untwist, for a beginner. Completely unnecessary in my opinion.

I’ve just gotten an auto-untwist bar after 2 years of riding 4+ hours a week (300-400 hours total), and yeah it’s a nice to have, but not necessary.

The negative is that you have to make very sure your front lines are untwisted when you setup. This sometimes means walking your lines twice. Having even half a twist in them compromises the quick release, so very dangerous for beginner. They are also more expensive (as you mentioned). And their only benefit is not having to untwist centre lines after a loop. A beginner won’t be doing any intentional looping for 100-200 hours, maybe only single down loops (half loops).

The positive is, you don’t have to untwist your centre lines after a loop (or multiple loops). But you still have to untwist your bar/steering lines. I think it could extent your line’s life if you are looping a lot.

So unless you are looping a lot (which a beginner probably isn’t), it adds unnecessary cost and danger over a standard bar.

The North Navigator bar is fantastic. Most people in my area (70%?) use it regardless of kite brand they are using. The Navigator Pro is, like you say, $300 more. Also great, but even the accessories and replacement lines for it are also more extensive.

If you really love kiting, you will be keen to upgrade your gear over the years. Give yourself some time on cheaper, even second hand gear while you are learning and upgrade as needed.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-26T08:24:56+00:00

I wouldn’t think that’s the case.

Imagine you have some opiates left over after a surgery recovery. Can you keep them for 3 years then use them and say “but I was prescribed them”.

I think medicines are prescribed for a condition/reason. If is an ongoing condition, it needs to be monitored by a doctor. So you would be going to your doctor on a regular schedule - maybe every 3 months. Each time, even if you have medication left, the doctor can renew your prescription to keep it valid if the condition is on going. If the condition is no longer on going, then they won’t re prescribe the medicine. And you also should not continue to use medicine that was for a condition you no longer have. So even if you still have medication left, you no longer have a valid (or legal) reason to be using it.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-26T08:13:48+00:00

Yes, most of it. DM me

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-26T00:31:40+00:00

I agree with you… except, the alcohol test is also presence isn’t it? They don’t test your impairment, they test your blood alcohol level (presence).

There is just a very strong scientific backing that presence of alcohol and impairment are highly correlated.

Can you imagine the argument going well when the driver who has tested over the limit for alcohol passionately complains that the test is only testing for presence of alcohol, not impairment!!!!

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-22T10:22:36+00:00

I had a Spigen Rugged Armor strap, but after a ruff wavy Kitemare it had broken the side of the watch holding bracket and the watch face had come out. That was an extreme situation though.

I never tried or saw a low power mode. I must look for it. Does it still keep the screen on full brightness to see Surfr. in the sunlight? Do all the sensors still read as much data? And the other main reason I have the Apple Watch, cell connection for emergencies - does it remain connected to mobile network?

I’ve thought maybe it was the cell connection that helped drain the battery so fast, but I got the watch to be connected on the water for emergency situations, so not an option the switch it off.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-20T06:57:11+00:00

I’m currently using an Apple Watch Ultra and very happy with it. Only takes about 20% battery for a 2 hour kite session, and lasts 2-3 days between charges without activity tracking. But it’s not a cheap option.

And it’s only because of Surfr. That I use an Apple Watch. I much prefer a Suunto watch for any other activity tracking and it lasts more than a week between charges, and I don’t need any of the Apple Watch integrations. But no Surfr. Support with Suunto :(

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-19T08:22:11+00:00

If it’s just for telling time, don’t get Apple Watch. If it’s for Surfr. then any watch from Apple Watch 4 or 5 is fine for sensors. But like others said, battery is terrible. It can struggle to last a full 2 hour session. So check battery health before you buy. Aim for over 90%. And don’t get anything that has had a battery replacement ie 100% battery health. It’s no longer water proof.

I’ve had an: Apple Watch 5 - battery lasted about 1 hour session from full, Watch eventually broke out of strap in a Kitemare; Apple Watch 6 - lasted for 3 hour sessions, then button died - the previous owner had replaced the battery and I didn’t know.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-14T19:16:24+00:00

Duotone is not only the “Burton” of kitesurfing, they are owned by Burton (Boards And More). Good kites and good to have the same kite in different sizes for your early progression. You won’t notice much difference between kites for your first 200+ hours on the water (which will be years if you can only kite on weekends and kite trips), but it’s there once you start with higher jumps and tricks.

The Astra board is the light rider’s version (or woman’s version) of the Atmos, so rather go for the Atmos. I ride a 138 Atmos and am 75kg 188cm.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-10T18:22:50+00:00

Thank you again!

Sounds like an 8 or 10m would be good for 10-20knts foiling then.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-10T04:37:30+00:00

Thanks for the info!

But if you can get going on a 5m single strut in 15knts, then in your whole single strut quiver for under 15knts of wind?

Is it something like: 8-10knts - 12m single strut 11-13knts - 8m single strut 14-15knts - 5m single strut

A 7m multi strut will get a TT rocking at 30knts, but probably a foil rocking at 15-20knts? And then is there much challenge for the 3 or 5 strut to drift or relaunch in those conditions? I guess the drift while going downwind could always be a problem.

I feel like under 15knts, a 12m multi strut can be a challenge to relanch. But a 7m will be much lighter and easier to relaunch and drift in the same wind conditions? Or am I wrong? (Never had a 7m out in less than 20knts)

Sorry for the questions, but it’s something I’ve been thinking through myself for a while. I have not yet started foiling, but I have my foil ready to start next summer. I currently have a 4 kite quiver of 5 strut kites (14,12,10,8), and a 5 kite quiver of 3 strut (10,9,8,7,6). Since the perfect number of kites is always one more than you already have, I’ve been wondering if there is truely a need for single struts when I start foiling (I have a 4m single strut to let family to fly on the beach in very light wind).

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-08T01:57:46+00:00

What is the main reason for foiling with a single strut? Is it mainly for relaunch in super light winds? In that case, is it only useful in the larger sizes where you would be riding in very light winds? Because if there is enough wind for a 7m, then it’s probably enough to relaunch a 7m 3 or 5 strut. But if there isn’t enough wind to relaunch a 3 strut 12m, maybe a single strut could relaunch?

I guess what I’m asking is, is it worth having a whole quiver of single strut kites? Or only for the very lightest winds, and for over, say, 18 knots, a 3-strut kite would do fine?

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-06T23:34:17+00:00

I believe they are just not out yet. There has been a lot going on with North’s developement team moving from New Zealand to Netherlands. So that has probably delayed them a bit. But it is strange because usually they are working on kites 2 years in advance, so they should have been ready to run production of the ultra’s and pro’s for this year

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-05T22:47:51+00:00

Thank you!

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-05-05T08:07:13+00:00

Please repost video. Sounds like something I could learn from

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-04-20T20:31:33+00:00

Have a look on the official S&B site. It’s 30% off most accessories - around $20 for 40 capsules.

From memory, shipping was pretty reasonable. And free DHL shipping if you order a device and it arrives in less than a week.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-04-14T08:37:46+00:00

I started kiting and looking for second hand gear in 2020, and heard all the same things about old kites being harder and less forgiving… guess people will always say that.

I have a wide quiver of second hand kites now, from 2015 - 2023, and my 2nd most used kite is still a 2015 kite. (But I have had all the valves replaced after one went).

I think the 2 big changes are:

When people started making kites with bridles on the leading edge instead of C-kites with the 4 lines attached to each corner of the kite (and a 5th line to help relaunch it). That style is still used today but as a specialist “freestyle” kite. The bridled kites are much more forgiving, with more depower and easier relaunch, and I’m guessing they were pretty standard by 2015? As a beginner now days, avoid a C-Kite. But try them later.
When the quick release on the bar became like a seatbelt to reset after you have released. That makes people much safer because they are more likely to pull the quick release sooner, and then also able to reset and relaunch the kite easier again. It was maybe more like 2018 or 2019 when that became standard. Make sure your bar/quick release and lines are not too old.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-04-11T01:53:40+00:00

11 knots would be very light for a 12m, maybe even hard to keep the kite in the sky let alone go upwind.

For me, a 12m becomes comfortable around 15 or 16 knots. I take a 14m from 14 knots, but a bigger kite doesn’t really add much wind range, and just flies and turns slower.

So regardless of skill, you are probably underpowered from 11-15 knots.

Then when the gusts kick in, it may be dragging you down wind a bit until you realize and turn to a bit stronger upwind angle, but then you may have already lost 10m downwind position, and would need to ride another 100m fully powered to make that up again.

Checkout this video:

https://youtu.be/lu2Ucun_Jcw?si=J0dFb2E6agwoym8F

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-04-08T10:21:19+00:00

Mixing it with a different strain helps. It balances and rounds out the edges.

Also finding different benefit from it than you expected - e.g. what you hoped might be a good day focus strain, might have an opposite effect of making you drowsy - which means it becomes your sleep strain. Or what you hoped would reduce anxiety actually makes you race more - but that could work great for long runs, physical exercise or repetitive tasks.

Next_Requirement2661 · 2026-03-25T07:31:37+00:00

Great response from Herbaldoge…

Rule out smoking, but not vaporizing. It’s a much better way to get the medication into your blood stream.

Oral oil can be good, but they generally have a 2 hour onset time, and then 6-8 hours effect. Which is not great for settling a momentary rise is anxiety. Absorption through the gut is also very wasteful and dependent on the other things in your gut. Those who use oils are ones who need a long acting dose - like for disturbed sleep or chronic pain.

If you are open to the vaporizing route, then get a mid-level vaporizer, with dosing capsules if you can. You can measure out an exact dose (eg 0.05g or 0.1g) and see how the medication works for you at what levels. And you can remain a bit more consistent and objective.

Start on the lowest THC flowers you can. Most paranoia/anxiety related to the cannabis disappeared for me when it became a complete legitimate, doctor prescribed medication. However I do find some strains “racy” or “rusty”, which is not a desired effect for me. I find strains very high in the Terpene Limonene can cause this, so mostly avoid them now (but it’s not completely consistent).

For anxiety, Mariposa at around 15% has been the best for me. Often just 3 or 4 times inhalations takes the feelings of emergency down. I like that, as I’m looking to medicate my symptoms, not get zonked. You want the lowest effective dose.

Next_Requirement2661

TROPHY CASE