Ocean rodeo Sle kite User manual

SLE KITE

MANUAL

NOTES

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TAKE A LESSON!

Before you launch any kite, it is imperative to take

certified kiteboarding lessons.

For Information on lessons in your area go to www.

oceanrodeo.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Notice_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4

Introduction_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4

Caution___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5

Selecting Kite size__________________________________________________________________________________________________6

Location________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6

Assembly of kite________________________________________________________________________________________________________7

SLE Kite bar___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10

Attaching flying lines to your OR SLE kite_____________________________12

Launching Your SLE Kite______________________________________________________________________________15

Kite care and maintenance ______________________________________________________________________20

Strut bladder removal_____________________________________________________________________________________20

Repairing the bladder______________________________________________________________________________________22

Strut bladder replacement_______________________________________________________________________22

Leading edge bladder removal____________________________________________________________24

Leading edge bladder replacement______________________________________________24

Warranty___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________26

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.

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

For simplified warranty claims and product updates

please register your product with Ocean Rodeo (via our

website www.oceanrodeo.com or mail in coupon found

on the back page of this manual). 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.

• Get instruction specific to the type of kite power craft.

• Obtain first aid training and carry first aid and safety/

rescue devices.

• Consult your physician prior to beginning kite powered

sports training.

• Always wear a nationally approved personal floatation

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.

CAUTION 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:

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, 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!

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

ASSEMBLY OF KITE

Your kite has a speed inflation system to allow for

quick and easy inflation.

1. Inflation: Before you inflate your kite make sure you

have a suitable “anchor” to weigh down your kite (sand,

fine gravel, weight bag, etc).

Important

• Before inserting pump nipple into bladder, make several

pumps to clear nipple of any debris (sand, stones, etc)

Debris in the bladder can cause small punctures.

• Always use the largest nozzle size possible. The back

draft valve can be damaged if the nozzle is inserted too

far.

• When pumping up a kite for its first time, make sure

the inner bladder is filling up all corners of the strut.

If not, see strut bladder replacement section.

2. 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).

3. Unroll the kite completely, attach the pump leash to

the kite. [1]

4. Inflate the kite. 8-9 psi is recommended.

5. Close the valve and secure with the velcro flap. [2]

6. Pinch clamps to seal off the struts. [3]

7. To deflate use the deflate dump valve.

8.Holding kite at center of leading edge rotate so that kite

sits leading edge down and into the wind. Use a weight

(sand, fine gravel, no sharp objects) to weigh down the

leading edge of the kite. [4]

Helpful Tip

• We recommend using a bag that contains sand, fine

gravel, etc for weighting the kite. This reduces your

kite’s exposure to abrasion.

SLE KITE BAR.

Ocean Rodeo “SLE” kites should be used with the SLE

kite bar. We recommend you read and become familiar

with the contents of the SLE bar manual in addition to

this manual.

The increased de-power of the SLE kite design can only

be realized when used with a bar that offers excessive

sheeting control as offered by the

SLE Bar.

For up-to-date information on this bar

please visit:

www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/slebar.php

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 and look like the kite pictured [1].

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 [2].

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

Wingtips Parallel Wingtips Angled inwards

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 flat style kites

will make your total line length longer. E.g., Combined 3m

bridle and leader line length plus 24 m lines = 27m

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

drysuit on (if required) before laying out your lines!

Be considerate 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.

[5]

• When storing lines re-wind in a figure 8 pattern around

the bar ends to avoid twisting the line set.

Helpful Tips

• 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.

• Unwinding lines directly into the wind stops the lines

from twisting together.

• 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!

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 flat kite has two front line attachments and two

back line attachments supported by line bridles, locate

these line attachment points.

• Front line attachment pigtails are located about 1/4

of the way up from the wing tip on the leading edge

tube. [6]

• Rear line attachment lark’s head connectors are

located at the very tip of the leading edge tube. [7]

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. [8]

5.The rear lines connect to the kite with a foolproof

connector that prevents the front and back lines from

being incorrectly attached. [9]

6.Make a final inspection of your bar system.

Important If you are using an Ocean Rodeo SLE bar with

your SLE kite make sure your SLE 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.

LAUNCHING YOUR SLE KITE

Assisted Launch

Never let a person unfamiliar with handling a power

kite launch your kite! The ideal launching assistant is

another kiter!

Find a wide open area with steady wind and easy access

to the water. Make sure there are no power lines, trees,

logs, boulders, cars, people or other obstructions down

wind or within your wind window before launching your

kite.

In preparing to launch the kite the lines should be 90

degrees to the wind direction with the leading edge

facing the wind. The trim line on the bar should be set to

reduce the power during launching. (Sheeted in) [10]

Give your launching partner slack in the lines to allow

easy positioning of the kite at the edge of the wind

window. Once he is in position take a few steps back to

put some tension on the lines.

At this time do a visual check to ensure your bridles and

lines are tangle free and attached to your kite correctly.

Ensure your bar is in “free ride mode” giving you the

ability to achieve maximum de-power by sliding the bar

stopper up the trimline. Picture.[11]

10 11

If all is clear signal to your partner to let go and SLOWLY

raise your kite. Get into the water as quickly as possible.

Tip If you are on the beach never position your kite where

you would not want to go. If a gust hits you want to be

pulled in the direction of the water.

Water Re-Launch

If the kite lands leading edge down in the water you must

bring the kite to the edge of the window. To achieve this

first determine which direction you want your kite to

re-launch.

• If you want the kite to go to your left pull on the right

side of the bar and grab the right outside leader line

and pull it towards you.

Note You may have to pull a couple of meters of leader

line to make the kite roll up on its wing tip.

• Once the kite is on its wingtip continue to hold the

leader line as the kite moves to the edge of the

window.

• When the kite is ready to launch slowly release the

outside leader line, place both hands back on the bar

and fly the kite to neutral. You are now ready to go!

Note If you decide to launch the kite to the right carry

out this procedure on the left side of the bar.

If the kite lands leading edge towards you pull in as

much outside line as you can until the kite starts to turn

around. Once the kite starts to rotate pull the opposite

outside line to complete the rotation. This is not an easy

technique and requires practice. To make this technique

work you must be aggressive with your leader lines.

Note When pulling leader lines avoid line tangles on your

body and equipment!

12345

TOPVIEW

LANDING YOUR OCEAN RODEO

SLE KITE

Never let a person unfamiliar with power kites land

your kite! A kite grabbed by the trailing edge while

landing can send the kite back through the power

zone!!

Assisted Landing

It is always best to have a fellow kiteboarder help with

landing your kite. Be prepared before your landing. Ready

yourself with your release systems in the event of your

partner losing their grip on the kite and sending it back

into the sky.

Fly the kite to the edge of the window and have your

partner catch the kite by grabbing onto the leading edge.

As soon as possible unhook from the chicken loop.

Self Landing

If you have no helper available you can land your kite by

use of a front line re-ride handle. Ease your kite into the

water at the edge of the window, unhook, release your

leash, grab the front line re-ride handle and let the bar

go. [12] The kite will de-power and swing down wind on

the front line leash, so make sure there are no people or

obstructions at least 2 line lengths down wind of you.

Note Do not use rear line re-ride systems on Ocean

Rodeo SLE kites as the kite can spin with force before

setting down

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

• Deflate 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 body 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

• Check bridles for wear

• Check pulleys for wear and rinse to remove salt and

sand.

STRUT BLADDER REMOVAL

1Lay the kite out in a clean, non windy area.

2Recruit a friend or get a couple of weights (sandbags,

heavy books, etc.)

3Disconnect the clamp from the valve stem by twisting

the overlapping pieces on the clamp and then remove

tubing (1)

4 Attach a line that is approximately 1.5 times the as long

as the strut to the valve stem. (2)

5Push the valve stem inside the strut. (3)

6Open the Velcro flap at the end of tube. (4)

7Have a friend hold the valve end of the strut of the

strut or use a weight around the area.

8Pull out the bladder (5) and remove the line form the

valve. (leave it threaded in the valve housing)

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