North Kite Solid 10 User manual

user manual
solid 10

Thank you,
for choosing a North Kiteboarding product.
Before you use your kite, please read this manual attentively.
Apart from all the important information on setting up and packing the kite,
we have compiled comprehensive safety information and useful tips for
your first steps with the Solid in this manual.
We hope that you will enjoy your kite for a long time. Kiteboarding is an
incredibly fascinating sport. If you wish to know more about NORTH
KITEBOARDING and the latest products, please visit our homepage at:
http://www.northkites.com or
our special snowkite site at http://www.north-snowkites.com
Thank you!
Your North Kiteboarding Team

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content
WARNING: Kiteboarding is an inherently dangerous sport
Always be extremely careful when using this product.
Only use this product when you are in good physical conditions.
For safety reasons you should only use North kites if you are familiar
with the use of power kites.
Never act carelessly when using this product.
Remember that you are not only responsible for your own safety but
also for the safety of third parties while using this product.
1. release of liability 2
2. safety 3
3. rigging the kite 4
4. launching 6
5. using the adjuster 7
6. relaunch 8
7. landing 9
8. packing the kite 10
9. vario trim 12
10. maintenance and care 13
11. warranty policy 14
content

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1. Limitations of Liability
WAIVER OF LIABILITY, RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS,
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
By assembling and/or using this North Kite product you agree that you have read
and understood the entire user’s manual, including all instructions and warnings,
before actually using the product in any way. Furthermore, you declare that
you will ensure that any additional or subsequent user of this North Kite product
(who temporarily or permanently receives the product from you) has read and
understood the entire manual, including all instructions and warnings, before
you allow such a person to use the product.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
The use of this North Kite product involves certain inherent risks which can
result in physical injury or even death of the user or non-user third parties.
In using this North Kite product you agree to assume and accept all known and
unknown, probable and improbable risks of injury. The risks inherent to this
sport can be greatly reduced by strictly observing the warnings listed in this
manual and by using common sense when practicing the sport.
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS
By purchasing this North Kite product you agree to the fullest extent permitted
by law to the following points:
TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS against Boards & More and all related parties
that may result from using this North Kite product now and in the future.
TO RELEASE Boards & More and all related parties from any and all claims and
liabilities for any loss, damage, injury or expenses that you, your next of kin or
any other user of your North Kite product may suffer as a result of the use of this
product, including negligence or breach of contract on the part of Boards & More
and all other related parties in the process of designing and manufacturing the
North Kite product and any of its components.
In the event of death or incapacity, all provisions contained herein shall be effec-
tive and binding upon your heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns
and legal representatives. Boards & More have not made any oral or written
representations and expressly deny any such representations other than those
contained herein and in the North Kite product’s manual.
1. Limitations of Liability

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2. safety
Rules and what you should know about flying kites
Always act responsibly when using your Solid kite.
Never touch the flying lines when flying the kite.
Never attach yourself permanently to the kite or to the bar.
Never allow anybody to walk between the bar and the kite.
Never launch the kite right in the power zone (straight downwind).
Never fly the kite above other persons or animals or close to overhead
power lines.
Make sure that the space in an area of approximately 100 m around
you is clear of persons, pets and obstructions.
Never use the kite during a thunderstorm or in lightning activity.
Remember that buildings, trees, mountains, rocks and other large
objects can interfere with the wind and produce gusts.
Always be prepared for a strong pull of the kite and remember that
the kite may knock you over and drag you along.
Make sure that all the material you use is fully functional and in
good conditions. Never use damaged lines, kites or bars.
Prepare yourself thoroughly for flying a kite and familiarize
yourself with the theoretical basis of kiting.
Safe Location
Before launching, make sure that flying a kite is allowed in your
chosen location.
Never use your kite close to obstructions such as telephone masts,
overhead power lines, trees, fences, bridges, airports or roads.
Never use the kite on crowded beaches.
Make sure you have enough space for safely launching and landing the kite.
Wind and Weather Conditions
Make sure you understand wind patterns and never underestimate
the power of wind.
Never use the Solid in high wind conditions.
Never practice at wind speeds that exceed 12 knots!
The following table will help you to determine without a wind gauge whether
the wind conditions on a given day are suitable for flying your kite.
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3. Rigging The Kite
The kite is supplied ready to fly, all you need to do is unpack it and lay it out.
For safety reasons you must check the lines each time before launching the kite.
For this purpose, spread the kite out on the ground with the trailing edge facing
upwind and secure the trailing edge with a sufficient amount of snow or rocks.
The kite’s leading edge is now pointing downwind. Now unwind the lines from
the bar while walking upwind. Put the bar on the ground with the red side to the
left. The lines must run free and untangled from the bar to the kite. Untwist the
lines if necessary.
Attaching The Safety Leash
After securing the kite on the ground with sufficient weights on the trailing
edge and untangling the lines you must attach the safety line before launching
the kite.
3. Rigging The Kite

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Iron Heart Safety release
The special designed safety device Iron Heart can be easily triggered by pushing
the red slider away from you. After releasing the safety system the kite will
remain connected on your safety leash and sink to the ground.
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4. Launching The Kite
Remove the slack from the flying lines until the leading edge of the kite is lightly
in the wind and hook into the chicken loop. The wind will now start to fill the
kite’s chambers with air. Completely depower the kite for launching by pushing
the bar far away from your body.
In high wind conditions you should walk to the side after securing the kite on the
ground in order to launch it from the edge of the wind window. It helps to keep
the brake line pulled behind you to prevent the kite from launching prematurely.
Another good possibility is to have an assistant hold the kite down on the ground
and then release it at the edge of the wind window.
Flying And Depowering The Kite
Our kites are steered through a bar, just like any conventional kite. Always make
sure that the red side of the bar is to your left. By pulling the right side the kite
will fly to the right and vice versa. Pushing the bar away from your body will
depower the kite. Pulling the bar closer changes the angle of attack and increases
the kite’s power by exposing a larger part of the kite to the wind.
4. Launching The Kite

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5. using the adjuster
The adjuster at the bar offers you the possibility to increase the kite’s depower
range by simply pulling the lower red plastic grip.
Similarly, you can increase the kite’s power by pulling the upper
red loop toward you.
Additionally, the North Bar offers you the opportunity to change the depower
travel at the adjuster. For this purpose, simply untie the large knot at the adjuster
and change the line to the desired length. Please remember that these changes
significantly affect the kite’s trim. The kite is delivered with optimum default
settings.
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6. relaunch
If the kite should collapse and land in the snow there are two basic methods for
relaunch. If the kite comes to rest with the trailing edge on the snow and the
open leading edge pointing upwards, pull gently at the completely depowered bar
or use a little gust to relaunch the kite. If the kite is not in a suitable position for
relaunch, sit down, hold the bar securely in your left hand and grab the break
lines from underneath the bar with your right hand. Pull the break lines far
enough behind you so that the kite rises, turns around in the air and falls down
on the ground again. Now it is ready to launch. Let go of the central line, depower
completely and relaunch the kite. Be prepared for a little pull since the kite will
fly through the power zone.
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7. Landing
There are two basic methods for landing the kite.
The first one is through releasing the iron heart or unhooking the chicken loop.
This pulls the 5th Line taut and causes the kite to fold up and collapse
completely depowered.
Now you can either secure the safety line to a solid object or ram a ski or snow-
board into the snow and use it as an anchor. In strong wind or with limited space
in lee you can also land the kite at the edge of the wind window with the help of
an assistant.
The second method is to land the kite with the help of the diagonal line.
By pulling this line, the kite slows down, begins to fly backwards and eventually
collapses on the ground. In strong wind it will, however, retain a certain amount
of pull. Therefore we recommend the first method at high wind conditions.
Generally, you can also land the kite with the help of an assistant who catches
the kite at the leading edge so that it depowers completely.
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8. Packing The Kite
Always secure the kite on the ground first before you start winding up the lines.
Pull the safety line to shorten the flying lines and keep them shortened during
the first few windings.
For safety reasons the safety leash should be disconnected from your body while
winding up the lines. Now you can wind up the lines on the bar in a figure of
eight until you reach the diverters.
8. Packing The Kite

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Then secure the lines with the rubber bands on the bar ends to prevent uninten-
tional unwinding. Place the kite with both ends on top of each other and put the
bar carefully on top of the kite.
Now you can roll up the kite from the sides towards the center
and squeeze the air out.
8. Packing The Kite

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9. vario trim
With this function, North offers you the opportunity to trim the kite according
to your preferences. The Vario Trim enables you to influence the kite’s flying
characteristics.
Please remember that the kite is optimally trimmed for most kiter’s needs when
it leaves the factory. Do not change the default setup before you have gathered
sufficient experience with your kite.
In the default setup, the steering lines and the brake lines are tied to the knots
that are marked in black.
By moving the steering lines at the bar leader lines from the black knot up to the
white knot, you can increase the kite’s speed. This setup is suitable for unhooked
moves and freestyle maneuvers. It also reduces the steering forces.
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If you want to increase the kite’s agility as well, you can tie the brake line to the
white knot. Warning: shortening the brake line increases the kite’s tendency to
backstall when you pull the bar very close to you. It may be necessary to shorten
the front lines with the help of the webbing adjuster.
10. Maintenance And Care
Do not expose your kite unnecessarily to UV radiation and sunlight.
When the kite was packed in a wet condition, unpack it and dry it carefully
before storing it over extended periods. Always keep the kite in a dry place.
Minor damages of the canopy can be repaired with spinnaker cloth. Clean the
kite only by wiping it with a moist cloth and clear, lukewarm water.
10. Maintenance And Care

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11. Warranty Policy
North Kiteboarding warrants this product to be free of major defects in material
or workmanship to the original purchaser, for a period of six (6) months from the
date of purchase. This warranty is subject to the following limitations:
The warranty is valid only when the product is used for SNOWKITING, and does
not cover products used in rental or teaching operations.
North Kiteboarding will make the final warranty determination, which may
require inspection and/or photos of the equipment, which clearly show the
defect(s). If necessary, this information must be sent to the North Kiteboarding
distributor in your country, postage prepaid. If a product is deemed to be defec-
tive by North Kiteboarding, the warranty covers the repair or replacement of the
defective product only. North Kiteboarding will not be responsible for any costs,
losses, or damages incurred as a result of loss of use of this product.
This warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, abuse, neglect or normal
wear and tear including, but not limited to, punctures, rigging with other
than North Kiteboarding components, damage due to excessive sun exposure, or
damage due to over inflation of the bladders, damage caused by improper
handling and storage, damage caused by use in waves or shore break, and
damage caused by anything other than defects in material and workmanship.
This warranty is voided if any unauthorized repair, change or modification
has been made to any part of the equipment. The warranty for any repaired or
replaced equipment is good from the date of original purchase only. The original
purchase receipt must accompany all warranty claims. The name of the retailer
and date of purchase must be clear and legible. There are no warranties, which
extend beyond the warranty specified herein.
Warranty Claims
Warranty claims must be processed and be issued a return authorization prior
to shipping to North. Please call or write for claims processing to the national
North Kiteboarding distributor.
11. Warranty Policy

For further information please visit:
www.northkites.com
cover
rider: fabio ingrosso
PIC: bertrand boone