The horizontal bar a kitesurfer holds to steer the kite and control its power, connected to the kite by two or four flying lines.
The control bar is a kitesurfer's primary interface with the kite. It's a rigid bar, typically 40–55 cm wide, attached to the kite via 20–27 meter flying lines. Pulling the left end of the bar steers the kite left; pulling the right steers right.
Sheeting the bar in (pulling it toward your body) increases power by changing the kite's angle of attack, while pushing it away (sheeting out) reduces power. A depower strap or cleat above the bar lets you trim the kite's overall power range. The center lines pass through the bar and connect to a chicken loop that hooks into your harness.
A quick-release safety system on the chicken loop lets you instantly dump all kite power in an emergency — an absolutely essential feature. Modern control bars also include a leash that keeps you connected to the kite after releasing, so it doesn't fly away.
Example usage
"The new control bar has a much smoother sheeting range — I can depower gradually instead of it being all or nothing."
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