STAR Kites EXA Version 3, SBOW V.6 User Manual

VERSION 3

User Manual

Thank you for choosing STARKITES, please read this entire manual carefully
before using your STAR KITE. Your ExA or SBow kite sets the standard in
safety, performance and usability for the next generation of water and snow
kites.

WARNING

• Always store your kite dry to increase lifespan and avoid color run.

• Always take a lesson from a properly qualified instructor before using any kite.

• Always wear a helmet when using Kiteboarding equipment.

• The location in which you learn is usually different from the one you will practice in.
Therefore, make sure you have the necessary knowledge to be able to practice in a
different spot.

• The location for practice must be evaluated in order to make sure the wind strength and
stability are safe, to see if there are potential obstacles and to verify that there is a secure
area to launch and land your kite.

• Never practice alone, do not go away from the shore any further than you can swim
back from.

• Almost all accidents occur on land so before going out on your own, make sure you
have proper abilities to determine correct kite-size.

• Train to use all safety system before using the kite under power.

SAFETY FUNDEMENTALS

1. Letting go of the bar, but staying hooked in will completely depower the kite.

2. Releasing the chicken-loop will completely depower your kite.

3. Releasing the leash will separate you completely from your kite (provided you are not
in the chicken-loop).

4. Remember, maximum fun comes from maximum confidence; maximum confidence
comes from maximum safety.

5. Get proper lessons before trying on your own.

6. Wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.

7. Know your limits.

8. Know your equipment.

9. Know the spot.

10. Know the weather.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

VERSION 3

User Manual

DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT UNLESS YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Before using this product, the purchaser/user has carefully reviewed, understood and
agrees to comply with the terms of this User Manual.
Use of this product and any of its components involves certain inherent risks, dangers
and hazards, which can result in serious personal injury or death.
The purchaser/user of this product understands that the seller is not responsible for any
damage to property or injury caused by negligent operation of this product by the pur­chaser/user, and the purchaser/user releases the seller from all such liability.
In the event of your death or incapacity, this Agreement shall be effective and binding
upon your heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives.
The purchaser/user of this product expressly assumes the risk of any and all bodily injury,
death and/or liability which may result from the purchaser or user’s participation in kite­boarding.
The purchaser/user agrees to hold Ride Best, LLC harmless from any and all liability, and
waive and release any and all claims or potential claims against Ride Best, LLC and any of
its respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, employees, instructors, officers, directors,
shareholders, suppliers and manufacturers in the event of any such bodily injury or death
which may result from the purchase and/or use of Ride.
For all the latest info on Starkites, including new products, press-releases, safety-an­nouncements and the latest photos, check out www.starkites.com.
Your S-BOW11/ExA11 kite sets the standard in safety, performance and usability for the
next generation of water and snow kites.

Featuring:

• Genuine 100% de-power

• “Just let go” Safety system

• Super-easy, super-reliable “no swim” relaunch

• Pull-pull power trim

• 360 degree emergency chicken-loop release handle

• Tough, durable construction

• Simple/high/safe performance bar

VERSION 3

User Manual

VERSION 3

SBow 2011

Progression and Versatility

Sizes Available: 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Now on its 6th year of R and D, the
fill the expectations and ambitions of our most passionate clients, we have optimized the
SBow using feedback from our pros and numerous kite schools.

TThhee SSBBooww iiss vveerrssaattiillee ffoorr aallll ddiisscciipplliinneess aanndd ccoonnddiittiioonnss,, bbuutt rreemmaaiinnss aa ffaavvoorriittee ffoorr
wwaavvee rriiddeerrss aanndd sscchhoooollss llooookkiinngg ffoorr aa hheeaavvyydduuttyy kkiittee wwiitthh qquuiicckk rreellaauunncchh,, ffaasstt rree--
ssppoonnssee aanndd eeaassyy ffeeeelliinngg aatt tthhee bbaarr..

This

year we gave the
dictability when driven hard. The highly efficient profile offers tremendous power with­out penalizing the ability to fully depower at any given time. A 16 meter has been added
to the collection for extra light wind conditions. We also gave the SBOW a onepump sys­tem and reinforced the Leading and Trailing edges to maximize durability.

SSBBooww

SSBBooww

’s reputation speaks for itself. Designed to ful-

a more athletic response by enhancing the kite's pre-

Exa 2011

Power and Performance

Sizes Available: 791113

The 2011
freestyle performance. It is intended for demanding riders looking for big/lofty jumps,
and high powered tricks.

EExxAA, SSttaarrkkiitteess

hybrid model is designed and built for one purpose, top notch

Now on its third R and D year, we specifically focused on dynamic stability control.
This enables the
extremes, and steering comfort in order to stay focused on the actual trick instead of the
kite. Keeping our competition riders in mind, we have maximized upwind ability in order
for them to throw more tricks during their heats. Reinforcements have been added at
the leading and Trailing edges for maximum durability.

EExxAA

The
and easeofuse, this kite stays at the top of the charts.

com

es in onepump system. With its huge wind range, heavy duty construction,

Performance Features and Kite Set Up:

When you first open up you kite, we recommend that you take some time to familiarize
yourself with the product and design features that make your kite unique. This will help
you set up the kite correctly the first time, ensuring you gain the maximum potential
from its design.

EExxAA

otential to be fully exploited at high winds, enhances safety at the

’s p

VERSION 3

Rider Level #

Versatility & Evolution Performance & Sensation

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Rider Style#

Freeride

Freestyle

Wave

Performance #

Stability

Reactivity

De-power

## # # # $$ $ $ $

## # # $ $ # ##

## # # # ##

## # # # $ $ ## #

$$ # # # ## # # #

## # # # $ $ ## #

## # # # $ ## # #

$# # # # ## # # #

## # # # $ ## # #

Re-launch

Upwind

Lift

Hangtime

Kite loop ability

Quality construction

Wind Range #

4m

6m

8m

10m

12m

14m

16m

## # # # ## # # #
## # # # $ ## # #

$# # # # ## # # #

## # # # ## # # #

$$ $ # # ## # # #

## # # # ## # # #

6 10 14 18 22 26 30 34 36

26

18

14

14

12

10

10

20

28

26

24

36

36

36

7m

9m

11m

13m

6 10 14 18 22 26 30 34 36

18

16

14

12

36

34

26

22

International

The Starkites warranty guarantees everything we sell to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship. This warranty is valid for a period of 3 month for standard exchange and
1 year for free repair from the date of purchase of the original customer. Starkites
products are covered by the Warranty only when purchased from an authorized Starkites
dealer.

For any questions about the Starkites warranty or procedures for making claims, please
contact your local dealer or e-mail us at [e-mail]. Starkites will determine
if a product is covered under this warranty.

If a customer returns a defected product within the first 3 month, Starkites will exchange
the product and ship it back to the customer free of charge. If a customer returns a
defected product 3 month to 1 year after original purchase Starkites will offer free repair.

Customer must have the invoice and serial number of the kite/product upon returning any
Starkites Products. All returned Products are to be sent clean, dry and freight prepaid.
Starkites will cover the freight for the return shipment.

The Starkites warranty does not cover damage due to normal wear and tear, sun fading,
improper usage, bad storage, seam failures due to over inflation or heat exposure,
teaching, renting, use in waves/shore break, loss of kite due to carelessness or improper
use of safety gear, damage caused by anything other than defects in material and
workmanship.

This warranty will not be covered if unauthorized modifications or repairs have been

carried out.

Functionalities

User Manual

Trailing Edge

Leading

Strut

Leash Release Handle

To connect to Harness

Chicken Loop Main

Safety Push the Red

Handle Away firmly

Front Bridle

De-power Strap
(-)Red less power
(+)White more Power

Connect Leash to the ring
under the chicken loop release

Rear Line
Adjustment
Push floater
up and down

VERSION 3

User Manual

Adjusting the Power

To de-power your

SBOW pull down

(towards you)

on the red part ().

To powerup your
SBOW pull down
(towards you) on
the black part (+).
Pull as many time
as needed, webbing
is released gradually.

To release in an emergency, grab the red handle and firmly
push it away from you (in the direction of the arrow).This
action will disconnect you completely from your chicken-loop
and the kite power will be killed.

Resetting Chicken Loop
Release Handle

1) Grab the chicken loops’
open side.

2) Stick the open side back
into the release system.

You are now ready to hook
back into you harness.

Kite Set Up

The first time you setup your SBOW, it is strongly recom­mended that you have an expert go through the process with
you.
Ensure that all the bridles are untwisted, and that everything
on the bar is untangled and running freely. The kite should be
placed leading edge down, facing into wind as in pictures.
You should then attach the lines corresponding to the diagram
below. If you don’t understand this section you MUST take a
lesson from professional instructor who will explain everything
clearly.

Kite Set Up

If you don’t understand this section you MUST take a lesson from pro­fessional instructor who will explain everything clearly.

Self Launching

WARNING:

DDOO NNOOTT UUSSEE TTHHIISS PPRROOCCEEDDUURREE WWIITTHH SSTTAANNDDAARRDD CCSSHHAAPPEEDD KKIITTEESS
OORR IINN SSTTRROONNGG WWIINNDDSS..

The launch area needs to be big and clear of obstructions.

•

• Always double check the lines setting before launching your kite.

• Train in light wind and do not disable any safety system.

1) Your kite is inflated

and secured and you are ready

to go in the water.

To secure your kite:

• Position it facing the wind

• Put enough sand so it won’t

be lifted by a gust.

2) Your lines are set. Position

your bar so the lines have an

angle of 45 degrees to the wind.

If the wind is strong, apply some

depower before you launch.

3) Pull on the further tip to the

bar, until the kite takes the

wind, up to the second strut.

IMPORTANT:

IIFF YYOOUU LLEEAAVVEE YYOOUURR KKIITTEE UUNNAATTTTEENNDDEEDD FFOORR MMOORREE TTHHAANN AA FFEEWW
MMIINNUUTTEESS,, AALLWWAAYYSS DDIISSCCOONNNNEECCTT TTHHEE LLIINNEESS..

Position yourself like

for a standards

launching, walk

backward to tense

the lines. The kite

will automatically fill

with air, rotate and

with a slight turning

input it will launch.

Release the power
by pushing the bar
away once the kite

takes off.

Self Launching

Note: the kite may move on the
sand to reach the correct angle for
launching according to the wind.

Water Relaunching

WWaatteerr rreellaauunncchhiinngg iiss tthhee ssaammee tteecchhnniiqquuee aass sseellff llaauunncchhiinngg ((sseeee
aabboovvee)).. IIff yyoouurr kkiittee ccrraasshheess iinnttoo tthhee wwaatteerr,, ssiimmppllyy lleett ggoo ooff tthhee
bbaarr,, wwaaiitt ffoorr tthhee kkiittee ttoo ffiillll wwiitthh wwiinndd,, tthheenn ppuullll oonn oonnee sstteeeerriinngg
lliinnee.. TThhee kkiittee wwiillll sslloowwllyy rroottaattee uunnttiill iitt ttaakkeess ooffff.. RReemmeemmbbeerr ttoo
ppuusshh tthhee bbaarr aawwaayy jjuusstt aafftteerr ttoo kkeeeepp iitt ffrroomm bbaacckk ssttaalllliinngg..

• Never swim toward the kite.

• Pull the bar toward you

(like for maximum power)

• Bend over and grab a leader line (on the side
of the bar) as far as possible

• Pull on the leader line while keeping the bar
as close as possible to your body.

• Push the bar away and release the leader line
when the kite starts relaunching.

If you don’t understand this section you MUST take a lesson from professional instructor who will explain everything clearly.

Front Bridle Adjustment

TThhee tthhrreeee ddiiffffeerreenntt ccoonnnneeccttiioonn ppooiinnttss oonn tthhee LLeeaaddiinngg EEddggee
aalllloowwss yyoouu ttoo ccuussttoommiizzee tthhee ffllyyiinngg cchhaarraacctteerriissttiiccss ooff yyoouurr kkiittee iinn
oorrddeerr ttoo ffiitt yyoouurr rriiddiinngg SSttyyllee.. YYoouurr SSbbooww oorr EExxAA wwiillll ccoommee wwiitthh tthhee
ddeeffaauulltt aaddjjuussttmmeenntt ((cceennttrree ccoonnnneeccttiioonn)).. WWee rreeccoommmmeenndd yyoouu ffllyy
iitt wwiitthh tthhee ddeeffaauulltt sseettttiinnggss ffiirrsstt..

If you attach the bridle to the

closest point from the center of

the kite it will more like a

hybrid/Bow kite, big depower,

slightly longer bar travel for

sheeting in and out, and slightly

more bar pressure.

If you attach the bridle to the

closest point to the wingtips it

will have less bar pressure, but a

slightly more of a consistent pull

like a c shape, and a little less bar

travel is necessary to sheet in

and out.

The Attachment in between the

two is the optimal point for

versatility.

Rear Bridle Adjustment

TThhee ttwwoo aattttaacchhmmeenntt ooppttiioonnss ffoorr tthhee rreeaarr BBrriiddllee AAlllloowwss yyoouu ttoo

iinnccrreeaassee oorr ddeeccrreeaassee tthhee ttuurrnniinngg rraattee ooff yyoouurr kkiittee..

If you use the connection
furthest from the centre of the
leading edge, the kite will turn

fastest; this will also give it a

slight pivot feel, and have less

bar pressure. It will decrease the

power generated in a kiteloop.

If you use the connection closer

to the centre of the leading

edge, the kite will turn slightly

slower, but will create more

power during a turn or a

kiteloop, the bar pressure will

increase a little bit.

Folding the Kite

TThhee lliiffee ooff yyoouu kkiittee wwiillll llaasstt lloonnggeerr iiff yyoouu ffoolldd yyoouurr kkiittee pprrooppeerrllyy..
YYoouu wwiillll pprreeffeerraabbllyy wwaanntt yyoouurr kkiittee ttoo bbee ddrryy aanndd rreemmoovvee tthhee ssaanndd
ssttuucckk ttoo iitt.. DDoo nnoott ffoorrcceeffuullllyy ppuutt tthhee kkiittee iinn iittss bbaagg;; iitt sshhoouulldd sslliiddee
iinn ffaaiirrllyy eeaassyy..

1) Deflate kite and lay it out.

2) Fold wingtip at the small strut and rollup all the way to the center.

3) Do the same for the other side, then fold the two sides together.

4) Fold wingtip at the small strut and rollup all the way to the center.

Thank you

for choosing

Have a nice flight!

Visit www.starkites.com for the Latest info.