Who has ever said, "If you want something done right..."

For all of those people who want it all in one bar, I am posting my method for building your own 5Line bar with Cam Cleat for on the fly adjustment. The final bar is clean and simple and allows for multiple safety connection points.

Disclaimer: Kiteboarding is a dangerous sport. Any changes or modifications you make to your equipment you do so with the knowledge that it is at your own risk. Safety is first and foremost about using sound judgment. If you don't understand the changes you are making, use good judgemnt and leave it unchanged. This post is considered a guideline, each circumstance is differnet and may require additonal modifications. Use these suggestions at your own risk. You have been warned!

Having said that I think these changes have provided me with more safety options and better mangeability of my 5th line tension. Personally this has allowed me to return safely to land when the wind picked up and I was flying in overpowered conditions. No safety is 100% safe however, and accidents can still happen. I have used the 5th line safety several times to avoid potentially dangerous situations successfully. However, twists in the center lines can reduce the effectiveness of the 5th line safety so be careful when doing tricks and kiteloops to reverese the direction too. More than 5 twists may cause too much friction for the line to slide properly.

What You Will Need:
ClamCleat CL203 Junior W/Fairlead ~ $5
2 X Stainless Steel Countersunk Machine screws No. 10 X 3/4"(or more if your strap is thicker or double layered) ~$1.50
It is good to buy a couple lengths of screws, it is easier than cutting them to fit with the dremel and doesn't cost much.
4 X 10 Stainless steel washers
Autolocking (plastic ring) Stainless Steel Nuts to match (No. 10) ~$1
Slingshot surefire Leader Set (Optional but adds two safety options - Highly Recommended) ~$30
3 X 3/4" stainless Steel rings ~$10
Floats (Optional) ~$5
3 X 5M Leader Line with Loops in each end (Can make loops yourself with a little time and patience) ~$15
Airrush Chicken Loop and Line W/safety (Has a Ring on the collar which is where the 5th line anchors) ~$20
Carbon Bar of desired width with a large center hole ~$50
Slingshot Surefire Leash w/safety (Or equivalent leash) ~$25
Sheeting Strap (Must be Webbing) ~$10

Other Needed Items:
No 10 X 2" self tapping machine screw (Does Not need to be Stainless Steel, used to make holdes in webbing)
Lighter or other heat source (torch, fire, stove burner)
Rubber handled pliers (For holding above screw while heating it)
A Clamp or vice is helpful but not necessary

BAR Cost:
~$175 (You might save money if you find the items on sale or start with a ready made bar and just add the 5th line part.
Add Lines:
5 Line Set (I used 19M K.I.T.E.S. Lines for my small bar and 25M on my bigger bar) ~$75 (check Ebay)
Total cost:
$250 (this can vary a bit if you find the items on sale)

5th Line Cam Cleat Setup:

1. Lay the sheeting strap out on the clean basement floor or anchor it in the vice (Do not damage the webbing)

2. Mark the spot for the Top Screw (Make it in the middle with sufficient distance from the end to avoid pulling out).  Grab the Screw with the Rubber handled pliers and apply the heat source until the screw is glowing red.
3. While holding the opposite end of the strap, Quickly and carefully send the screw through the webbing near the center of the strap so the washers won't interefere with Trim Strap operation. 

Note:  Be sure to melt the edges of the hole sufficiently to avoid fray.
4. Place one washer on top and the other on the bottom and secure the Clamcleat with the fairlead closer toward the kite. Do not fully tighten the screw yet.
5. Use the screw (Not hot yet) to mark the next hole (hold strap snug and push through clamcleat mounting hole into webbing until visibly marked)
6. Rotate Camcleat 180 degrees (to avoid melting it)

7. Heat and make second hole in webbing.
8. Rotate camcleat and secure with second stainless screw.

9. Lock 5th line to 5th line leader by looping through and running down the line.
10. Run leader through camcleat, bar, and Chicken Loop anchor point. Larkshead to Stainless Steel ring.

Note: I keep a leader extension I can attach at the kite side because my BFKs have the ASS. I tie knots at 2" or 3" intervals for the last meter so I can customize it for each kite.

Finsihed Bar (No Lines Attached):

Surefire Leader Setup:
1. Attach Floats to Steering line leaders close to bar. Add plastic washers and tie not to hold in place.
2. Make a loop in the leader lines as close to the end of the floats as possible. (Make it just big enough to fit over the stainless steel ring)
3. Larks head the leaders to the stainless ring.
3. attach the hanldes to the Surefire leaders. Loop and lock the appropriate steering lines to the Surefire Leaders (Based on color)
4. Run the steering line through the correct ring
5. Fold the supplied center line and cut in half. Tie knots at 2 inch intervals and add to your existing Center lines at the bar end. (allows adjusting lines easily to compensate for the longer steering lines)
6. In Light wind hook up your kite and find the right knots on the center line (mark or make a mental note).

This location is very good in South, West, and North winds. The biggest obstacle are the Softball diamond backstops around the edges of the fields. The ground is pretty even and the grass tends to be short most of the time. The diamonds turn into a muddy mess if the dirt is wet, but can be easily avoided. 

Yesterday I flew my BFK 16 in a SSW wind blowing 8-10 MPH with gusts to 15. I was practicing my jumping technique by standing in the same position as you would when you load your board edge and sending the kite. My Landings were pretty soft and the height was incredible, I guess 15 feet at times.

I would enjoy flying as it looks like it will be good wind but I am traveling out of town tomorrow.

For a SE wind I would fly the south fields at Berliner Park. Spindler park would work well too, but the gates were locked last weekend.

More recently I purchased a 19M Slingshot Fuel, it is a low wind power house. For a beginner ktier I would recommend a trainer foil in the 3M range. In all but the most extreme wind this size kite will be very manageable. Once you gain some experience this kite can also be used as a traction kite for your mountainboard in stronger winds. A good place to shop for Trainers is:

http://www.kitemare.com/Contact.htm

I have the New Tech Ballistic 3.6M and find it performs well for landboarding with the spider Bar modification in winds from 20MPH and up. The 3M Airush is also a fine choice for a first kite.

I have purchased most of my Kites used on Ebay, but be sure you do your homework and purchase the proper model/size. While I love my Fuels, they are difficult to relaunch for the beginner which can be a source of frustration when on the water.

www.racekites.com is a good site for kite reviews. Kite behavior and flying characteristics can change drastically between sizes so make sure you know what size you want.

I have reviewed many kite safety guidlines on many different websites across the Internet. From these I have compiled a list of Guidlines I think make sense for Ohio Waters. This is a work in progress and all feedback is appreciated. The Right of way rules are very similar to what sailboats currently use.

Guidelines for Responsible Kiteboarding on Ohio Waters:

• Whenever possible, fly your kite over water as your chances of being hurt in a gust are decreased. Keep your Kite low and pointing towards the water if over land. Move to the water quickly and safely bodydrag 100 feet away from shore before attempting a water start.

• If you must walk your kite upwind, please only do so where the kite can be flown over the water and where you can maintain the 200' safety zone. If you need to walk upwind, and you cannot meet these guidelines, please land your kite in the water and carry it upwind.

• Whenever possible please land your kite in the water unless you have an experienced assistant who can "catch" your kite for a landing out of water.

• Whenever possible fly your kite downwind of any people, roads, buildings, or other obstructions.

• Please clearly announce when you are launching your kite by loudly saying, "LAUNCHING."

• The use of an assisted launch is highly recommended. If you see someone ready to launch please help them in order to maximize safety for all.

Right of way “Rules of The Water”:
(Note: You are on “starboard tack” when the wind first crosses the right side of your board (relative to the direction you are riding). If the wind hits the left side of your board first you are on “port tack.”

• When two kiteboarders converge in a way that may lead to a collision, the kiteboarder on port tack must give way to the kiteboarder on starboard tack. Starboard tack has right of way in this situation.

• When two kiteboarders converge, and they are on the same tack, the kiteboarder most upwind must give way to the kiteboarder most downwind. The leeward kiteboarder has right of way in this situation.

• When two kiteboarders converge in a way that may lead to the kites colliding, the upwind kiteboarder must fly their kites as high as possible, and the downwind kiteboarder must fly their kite as low as possible.

• A kiteboarder passing someone must give way to the person they are passing. The kiteboarder being passed has the right of way.

• A Kiteboarder returning to the beach must give way to a kiteboarder leaving the beach. Kiteboarders leaving the beach have the right of way.

• Always give right of way to anyone who enters the 200' safety zone downwind of you.

Required Equipment:
• A kite leash, which will depower a released kite must be worn to protect the safety of those around you.
• Windsurfing/kiteboarding harness is optional but recommended.

• A PFD (lifejacket) is required, and helmet is optional.

• A whistle to signal to approaching boats when you, or your lines, are down in the water.

• A knife (preferably a hook knife) to cut tangled lines.

General Safety Guidelines:
• Only kiteboard as far from the beach as you are able to swim. This distance may be shorter than if you were fully rested. Know your limits and Kite within them.

• Learn and practice self rescues until you are certain you can get back to shore safely.

• Safety means kiteboarding with at least one other person whenever possible. Always let someone know where you are going, and when you intend to return.

• Using brightly colored lines and kites when possible will helps others avoid entangling themselves in your equipment. Wrap up your lines when not in use.

• It is important to maintain your equipment in top working order. Check and double-check your equipment carefully before launching your kite. Once in the air an improperly rigged kite can be a hazard to you and those around you.

• Remember to stay well hydrated, and to wear sunscreen. Your welfare and happiness is your own responsibility.

• Always look downwind before every jump or turn.

• Refrain from jumping if there is anyone within the space 200' downwind of you.

• RESPECT the Lifeguards, Police, and ODNR  Park Officers or you may find your kiting day come to a sudden end.

Have fun, be safe, and use common sense!

According to Fishing reports posted on Ohio Game Fish

http://www.ohiogamefishing.com/forums/archive/index.php/f-5 

The Water Temp around most central Ohio lakes is in the Lower 50s. For Full Wetsuits 55 is about the lowest comfortable temperature. As the weather stays consistently warmer, water temps should rise to a more agreeable level.

For Current Weather Conditions in Central Ohio check out Accuweather.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecast.asp?zipcode=43212&partner=accuweather 

Yesterday the wind was gusty and shifty and not especially consistent. It had a tendency to pull you off balance when riding the land board.

I have flown in Hilliard at two places. My favorite is Spindler sports complex. off of Spindler Rd, near Renner Rd (just north of Interstate 70). Take the Hilliard Rome Rd Exit (first) and turn left at the first light. Take Renner to Spindler and the park is about a mile up on the right. The south entrance is usually locked s use the north parking lot. There are very few obstacles once they move the soccer goals off for the year. Kite Skiing here is excellent in North or South wind. I have not flown at the fairground fields (or seen it yet) but that sounds cool if it is good in all wind conditions. Are there any trees to block the wind during summer, how often is it used for soccer?