What Is a Kite Bar?

The kite bar is the equivalent of your steering wheel when you are out kitesurfing. Helping to transfer the power from the kite to the rider, it is what you use to accelerate, slow down, jump and turn with. When talking about a kite control bar, it is assumed that we are referring to the entire kitesurfing bar and lines.

There are two types of kitesurf bars: 4-line and 5-line. A 4-line bar is the simpler, more common system where the lines are less likely to tangle. With a 5-line kite, the control system is more advanced but is easier to relaunch in light winds.

A popular question is whether kite bars are universal. While this is not always the case, in many instances it’s possible to mix the brand of kite with the brand of the bar. This is more common with a 4-line bar.

Choosing the Right Size Kite Bar

Having the right-sized bar is key to a good kiting experience. It’s important that you get the width right - the larger your kite, the larger your bar should be. If the bar is too small, then you will get a slower response and it will be harder to control. The average bar width is around 52 cm.

Another important measurement is the length of the kitesurf lines. On average, this is around 20 - 24 meters. With a shorter line length, the kite will hang lower and it reacts quicker and more aggressively. Using longer lines enables you to get the kite higher in the air but will have a slower reaction speed.

If you want a new kite to go with your bars, check out our selection of Kitesurfing Kites.