Ocean Rodeo SLE Series User manual

KITE MANUAL

KITE MANUAL
Important Notice
This is not a kiteboarding instruction manual!
Reading this manual does not eliminate the need for
professional instruction in the sport of traction kiting.
The user is therefore advised to obtain such instruction
in addition to familiarizing himself or herself with the
information contained in this manual prior to flying this or
any other power traction kite. Competent instruction may
be obtained through an authorized Ocean Rodeo dealer
or local professionally qualified kiteboarding school. For
information on lessons in your area go to
www.oceanrodeo.com/kiteboarding/L2K
Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing an Ocean Rodeo kite. We
trust that you will find it to be a superior product. Our
kites are the result of years of passionate R&D mixed with
technical expertise. Enjoy!
A label showing your serial number is sewn at the
underside of the leading edge center strut.
Important
A user manual and release of liability agreement is
included with each new kite. Read it. (Release of
liability is printed at inflation point on leading edge tube.)
Replacement manuals may be obtained from the Ocean
Rodeo website: www.oceanrodeo.com. If additional
outfitting is required use manufacturer’s approved
materials only. Do not impair or remove any safety release
systems. The user of this product acknowledges both an
understanding and an assumption of the risk involved in
kite powered sports.

SAFETY WARNING: Kite powered sports can be very dangerous and physically demanding. The
user of this product should understand that participating in kite powered sports may involve serious
injury or death and agrees to observe the following safety precautions:
• Get instruction specic to the type of kite power craft.
• Obtain rst aid training and carry rst aid and safety/
rescue devices.
• Consult your physician prior to beginning kite powered
sports training.
• Always wear a nationally approved personal oatation
device when using a kite on water.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions; cold water and/
or cold weather can result in hypothermia.
• Check your equipment prior to each use for signs of wear
or failure.
• Never kite alone.
• Do not kite in overpowered, gusty wind conditions.
• Do not kite in offshore wind conditions.
• Before launching from an unfamiliar site be aware of any
dangers (rocks, reefs, currents, changeable weather, etc).
• Scout unfamiliar sites before launching.
• Never launch from an area with any obstacles closer than 2
line lengths downwind (people, rocks, etc).
• Do not kite near power lines!
• Do not ask a non-kiter to assist in the launching or landing
of a kite.
• Always use the kite with a functioning safety system.
• Always prevent kites from inadvertently launching on land
by weighting with sand, gravel, etc.
• Always announce when you are going to launch your kite
so people can be prepared to move in the event of a gust or
a problem.
• Disable an unattended kite by: removing the lines; placing
the kite leading edge down, facing the wind; and weighting
with sand, gravel, etc.
• Do not exceed your kiting ability. Be honest with yourself.
• You must not use alcohol or mind altering drugs prior to
using this product.

KITE MANUAL
Selecting Kite Size:
Select the right size kite for the conditions, your ability and weight. This chart is a rough guideline. Many factors can
affect your decision of which size of kite to use: body weight; wind direction and steadiness; kiting ability; line length,
board size, etc should all be considered. When in doubt ask someone who is capable or, if there is no one to ask, err on
the side of caution with a smaller sized kite!
4m
6m
8m
10m
12m
14m
17m
SLE Kite Windrange
510 15 20 25 30
WARNING: This is just a basic guide. The wind range can very depending on ability, board size and wind quality.

Location:
Safe site criteria
The site for your kiteboarding must meet the following
criteria to ensure your safety and that of others:
• No power lines within 3 line lengths (100 meters)
of beach
• No trees 1 line length (30 meters) from beach
• Free from beach obstructions: logs, boulders, slippery
seaweed, etc.
Ideal site conditions:
• Side shore wind
• Smooth, steady moderate strength wind (8-15 knots)
• Wide sandy beach
• Shallow water close to shore
• Large area of beach downwind free from obstructions
• A clear bottom free of rocks, corals, excessive
seaweeds, etc
Organize a kitesurfing area
• A take off area
• A water entry area
• A landing area

KITE MANUAL
Assembly of Kite
Your kite has a single point, speed inate / deate system
to allow for quick and easy inflation.
1. Select an area free of obstruction, the same or larger
than the span of your kite. Avoid areas with sharp objects
(thorns, sharp stick, etc).
2. Unroll the kite completely, attach the pump leash to
the kite.
3. Make sure lower (dump) valve is closed and upper
(inflate) valve is open. Connect pump and inflate until
leading edge is firm and maintains it’s shape.
Important!
• Before you inate your kite make sure you have a
suitable “anchor” to weigh down your kite (sand, ne
gravel, weight bag, etc).
• Before connecting the hose to the valve, make several
pumps to clear any debris (sand, stones, etc)
Debris in the bladder can cause small punctures.
• When pumping up a kite for its rst time, make sure the
inner bladder is filling up all corners of the strut.
• Under inated kites can cause kite distortion in
some conditions.
• Over inating a kite can damage your stuts & leading
edge tube.

4. Make sure top cap is free of sand and screw “snug”,
yet not so tight you wont be able to unscrew later.
5. Pinch clamps to seal off the struts.
6. Holding kite at center of leading edge rotate so that kite
sits leading edge down and into the wind. Use a weight
(sand, ne gravel, no sharp objects) to weigh down the
leading edge of the kite.
7. To deflate use the deflate dump valve. First unscrew the
top cap, as this will make setup faster next time. Unscrew
lower cap to release air. Store with both caps unscrewed!
Helpful Tip: We recommend using a bag that contains
sand, ne gravel, etc for weighting the kite. This reduces
your kite’s exposure to abrasion.

KITE MANUAL
Use The Correct Kite Control Bar:
The increased de-power of the SLE kite design and
sheeting range can only be realized when used with a bar
that offers a long sheeting throw. OR bars are designed to
allow the bridle of the SLE kite to depower when the bar
is sheeted out. Maximum depower can be achieved on
Ocean Rodeo kite bars that offer a single front line
flag out.
Ask your Ocean Rodeo dealer or visit oceanrodeo.com for
up to date information on kite control bars.
Line Lengths And Tuning :
All lines must be of equal length when measured from bar
to end of lines with the center line un-cleated and fully
extended. With all lines equal the kite will perform well.
Wingtips parallel.
Note: Wingtips are parallel.
If the rear lines are shorter than the front lines the kite
will be prone to stalling! It would look like the 2nd kite
pictured
Note: Wingtips angle inwards towards rear of kite.
Line length can affect turning and power of kite. Optimum
line lengths are 15m to 35m. Shorter lines increase kite
turn response but reduce the power window of the kite.
Conversely, longer lines decrease turn response but
increase the power window of the kite.
Note: The bridles and longer leader lines on SLE style
kites will make your total line length longer. E.g. Combined
3m bridle and leader line length plus 24 m lines = 27m
Back corners pull inward.

Back corners pull inward.
Line Management:
Kite line management is a very personal thing. Stored
incorrectly they can cause hours of frustration in
tangles. Attached to the kite incorrectly they can create
a dangerous situation for you and others. Develop a line
storage strategy that works for you and do it the same
way every time!
Here’s what works for us:
• Don’t be a kook! Have your kite pumped up and your suit
and harness on before laying out your lines! Be consid-
erate of others and recognize that tangles and confusion
can result from lines left un-attended!
• Place the loose end of your lines near the center of the
leading edge tube
• Unwind your lines walking upwind
• Identify lines at bar end and work your way down to the
kite separating the lines
• Before attaching any lines to the kite physically separate
the left front and rear, right front and rear.
• Lift your kite over the separated lines, leaving enough
line length behind the kite so you do not have to drag the
bar to make contact with the pigtails on the kite.
• When storing lines re-wind in a gure 8 pattern around
the bar ends to avoid twisting the line set.
Helpful Tips:
• Put some weight on your bar to stop dragging as you
untangle your lines.
• Stand between the front lines and separate the front and
back lines between your fingers
• Carefully work your way towards kite. If your lines are
severely twisted, work in short segments starting near
the loose end working away from the bar.
• Always remove seaweed from lines as it dries and can
cause tangles.
• Be sure there are no knots in your flying lines
as they create a weak point!

KITE MANUAL
Attaching flying lines to your
Ocean Rodeo SLE kite.
1. Before you attach your lines have your kite pumped up
leading edge down and weighted with sand or gravel.
2. Your SLE kite has front line attachments and two back
line attachments supported by line bridles, locate these
line attachment points.
• Rear line attachment lark’s head connectors are located
at the very tip of the leading edge tube. (1)
3. With the front and back attachment points free from
their Velcro storage tabs pull the pigtails / lark’s head
connectors forward so that the bridles are in clear view.
Note: Make sure the bridles are free and clear with no
twists and any pulleys are free and clear of debris. (2)
4. The rear lines connect to the kite with a foolproof
connector that prevents the front and back lines from
being incorrectly attached.
5. Make a nal inspection of your bar system.
Important: If you are using an Ocean Rodeo bar with
your SLE kite make sure your stopper is pushed away
from the bar as far as possible. This will allow the bar to
freely slide up the front lines and de-power the kite in the
event of a gust during launch.
1
2

ADJUST KITE TURNING SPEED
BY BACK LINES:
By moving back line leaders forward you will slow the
turn input.
Moving back line leader back towards the trailing edge
will increase turning input.
ADJUST KITE DEPOWER:
Some Ocean Rodeo kites have the option to ne tune the
kites depower range.
By moving this bridle attachment forward you will
increase the depower range and increase bar pressure.
By moving this bridle attachment back you will decrease
the depower range and decrease bar pressure.
VARIABLE LINE LENGTHS:
Maximize the performance of your kite by using variable
line lengths.
• 15m - Faster turning & smaller power strokes.
• 20m - Good overall length.
• 25 - 30m - Allows for more power, big lofty jumps &
improves light wind riding

KITE MANUAL
BRIDLE LOCK:
Some Ocean Rodeo kites offer the ability to lock
certain pullies on the bridle to change the handling and
performance of the kite.
Unlock the bridles for days that demand the added
sheeting range and overall depower modern SLE kites
now afford. (1)
For advanced riders, lock your bridle for a tight,
snappy feel and less overall depower, reducing your
sheeting range ensuring your next handle pass remains
as explosive and powerful as your riding can handle. (2-3)
Warning:
When using bridle lock, it is critical to use a kite control
bar with a front line re-ride. The roll over bridle action
will not function and the kites usable depower range is
reduced.
1
2
3

KITE CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Proper care and maintenance will provide you with many
years of enjoyment from your Ocean Rodeo kite. Important
things to remember include:
• Keep your kite out of the sun when not in use.
• Deate the leading edge and roll the kite when left on
the beach to eliminate flutter damage.
• Dry the kite after using, as failure to do so can cause
mildew and color bleeding.
• Rinse the kite with fresh water after extended salt
water use.
• Check on the inside of the leading edge tube (where the
canopy material sews on) for rocks, etc.
• Inspect the kite regularly for small tears, loose stitching
and general wear, and have repaired as soon as possible.
• Beware of heat in vehicles if storing your kite with
struts inflated. Excessive heat can damage valves on the
kite bladder.
• Check bridles for wear.
• Check pulleys for wear and rinse to remove salt
and sand.

KITE MANUAL
WARRANTY
All standard Ocean Rodeo products are covered by a
One Year Warranty offered to the original purchaser on
workmanship, with a One Year Warranty on materials.
Warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of Ocean
Rodeo product at our option. The warranty does not cover
damage caused by normal wear and tear, fading, misuse
or negligence including, but not limited to punctures, sun
exposure, seam failure due to over ination, damage in
the sun, damage caused by use in waves or shore break
and damage caused by anything other than defects in
material and workmanship. This warranty is invalid if
unauthorized repairs have been carried out. Repairs or
alterations not covered by warranty will be billed to the
customer. Factory seconds and clear out products sold at
a discount carry no warranty.
Ocean Rodeo also offers an unconditional, 60 Day
Satisfaction Guarantee on every product we sell. If for
any reason you are unsatised with your purchase, you
can return it to your original point of purchase for a full
refund within the 1st 60 days.
This offer is valid only with participating retailers, current
season product, and is offered only to the original
purchaser. For orders placed online, your refund will
not include shipping charges, though almost everything
bought online ships for free within NA and Europe.
This offer is also only valid for non-professional users.
If your company or organization is considering Ocean
Rodeo equipment for your eet or school, get in touch
with us to talk about how we support professional buyers
and their clients.
This isn’t a demo program! Customers found to repeatedly
take advantage of this offer will be disqualified from
further returns. If you simply want to demo some gear, get
in touch with your local retailer and they will gladly get
you out on the water to try before you buy.

oceanrodeo.com
[email protected]
NA Toll Free 888-544-4969
EU Toll Free [phone]
Intl [phone]