TAKOON would like to thank you for purchasing this TAKOON kite, and for your confidence in the high quality of our
products. Before any attempt to use this product, please ensure you pay full and careful attention to the contents of
this manual. Although exciting and attractive, kitesurfing can prove to be highly dangerous and, in some cases,
even fatal if essential safety rules are ignored. We recommend proper instruction from a certified kitesurfing school.
Reading this manual will help you for safe and enjoyable use of your new kite, but nothing replaces proper
instruction. Safety, assembly, flying and maintenance are explained in this manual.
TAKOON vous remercie pour l’achat de votre nouvelle aile TAKOON, ainsi que de la confiance que vous avez bien
voulu nous porter. Avant toute utilisation, nous vous prions de bien vouloir lire ce manuel pratique avec la plus
grande attention. La pratique du kitesurf, aussi attrayante qu’elle soit, peut s’avérer très dangereuse, voire mortelle
si les règles élémentaires de sécurité ne sont pas respectées. Ce manuel vous aidera à faire connaissance avec
votre aile, et vous fournira toutes les informations nécessaires pour une bonne utilisation. Il vous guidera dans votre
apprentissage et votre perfectionnement. La sécurité, le montage de l’aile, son pilotage ainsi que les conseils
d’entretien y sont expliqués en détail.
1-Introduction/Introduction
2-Safety/La sécurité
3-Wind: basic principles/Le vent: Notions de base
4-Contents of this product/Présentation générale
5-Assembly and adjustment/Mise en place de l’ aile
6-Quick releases and rules for launching the kite/Systèmes de largage et règles de décollage du kite
7-Tuning the TAKOON kite your kite/Régler votre kite TAKOON
8- Common mistakes/Les erreurs les plus fréquentes
9-Maintenance/Conseils d’entretien
10-Repairs/Réparation
11-Right of way and courtesy/Regles de priorité et de courtoisie
12-Glossary/Glossaire
Table of contents/table des matières
1- Introduction
You must read and understand the entire contents of this manual before any attemp to fly your kite. This manual
is made to help you operate your new kite, but nothing replaces proper instruction.
You must be fully aware of the risks that go with this sport, and know that you are exposing yourself to real
danger. Inappropriate use of traction kite devices can cause severe accidents or even lead to the death
of the user or third parties. It is heavily recommended to undergo an initial training in a recognised kitesurf
school.
TAKOON is a partner of IKO international school network. As defined by this user
manual, the distributors of our products are under no circumstances liable for
material or bodily damage sustained as a result of inapropriate use of this product.
2- Safety
2.1 – Essential rules
• Never forget that you are responsible for any material or bodily damage sustained while using this product.
Check that you are insured against damages resulting from the sport of kitesurfing.
• Use your common sense at all times.
• NEVER kitesurf ALONE. An assistant is a considerable safety asset,on land as well as at sea.
• NEVER attach yourself permanently to your kite by any means (e.g.tying the lines onto your harness).
It is imperative that you are able to disconnect yourself from the kite quickly if you are experiencing difficulties.
• Always use the kite leash when operating your kite. You must not dismantle or modify the quick releases built
into your control bar.
• Respect local regulations pertaining specifically to this sport.
• Kitesurfing is an exhausting sport, especially for beginners who will tire more quickly. Learn to recognise the
early signs of fatigue and come in to rest.
• It is essential to know how to swim.
• You must be fully comfortable with procedures for launching, landing, and returning to the beach in case of
difficulties.
• Never operate your kite while you are attached to a fixed object such as a car or a tree.
• This kite is designed specifically to be used as a traction device for kitesurfing, and must never be used for
paragliding or any other forms of unassisted flight.
• Never touch the bridles or flying lines while they are under tension.
• If your kite is not in use but is inflated, it must be secured in the neutral position using sand or heavy objects.
• Never lend this kite to anyone who is unfamiliar with the power developed by dedicated traction devices.
• For your safety and for others around you, never accept assistance from a person who might not be
competent in landing or launching procedures.
2.2 – Operating space
On the ground
• You must check that your chosen operating space is free of any
obstacles, people or animals. To manoeuvre your kite, you need AT
LEAST 100 METERS DISTANCE on either side of your kite, as well
as DOWNWIND (the area in front of you when your kite is air-borne).
Be especially careful about obstacles downwind of you.
• Before launching, be sure to have identified a safe landing area
further downwind, in the event you are not able to return to your
departure point.
• Never use your kite near people, animals, posts, trees, buildings,
cars, power lines, airports, roads, etc…
On water
• Your operating space must be completely free of boats, buoys,
rocks, pontoons, piers, jetties, etc… Stay as far away as possible
from swimmers, and don’t sail in shipping lanes.
•Avoid vertical areas bounded by rocks or cliffs where the wind might
be extremely turbulent.
Min 100m
Danger zone
Avoid this area
Flying Zone
(= zone between kite & pilot)
STAY OUT OF THIS AREA
wind
Min 70m Min 30m
2.3 - Weather
• Never underestimate the wind and sea conditions.
• Consult the local forecast before setting out.
* Never attempt to kitesurf in changing or stormy weather conditions.
* Never attempt to kitesurf if the wind is strong and gusty.
* Never attempt to kitesurf if the wind is off shore, blowing you away from land.
* Never ride in or near electrical storms as the lines will massively increase your chances of electrocution.
• Find out about tides and areas with strong currents.
• Beginners must sail in calm sea conditions.
• Take time to gauge the wind speed once you have reached your chosen sailing area.
• If you are not confident in evaluating the forecast, speak to someone who is competent in forecast interpretation.
• Wear suitable equipment to avoid hypothermia-related accidents (wetsuits and drysuits).
* Safety helmets and impact vests are strongly recommended.
2.4 – Beginners
• TAKOON kites (specially Skoop2) are a performance kite which is not suitable for beginners.
• We highly recommend practising on a very small traction kite before attending a kitesurf school, as you will find
this dramatically reduces the time it takes you to learn the basics.
• Learn how to fly the kite on land in wide open spaces before venturing to the water.
• Always choose the size of kite that corresponds to your weight and level of competence.
2.5 – Good conduct
• Be respectful of other people out on the water: swimmers, surfers, windsurfers, jet skis, pleasure craft etc…
• Follow the rules of priority on the water.
• Make sure your lines are not laid out in an area used by pedestrians. Wind up your lines when not in use.
• Do not let anyone move between you and your kite.
• Help other kitesurfers with launches and landings. You’ll appreciate their help when it’s your turn!
• If necessary, explain the essential safety rules to other kitesurfers.
• Don’t touch other kitesurfers’ equipment unless specifically asked.
• Usually check and test your quick releases
2.6 – Appropriate clothing
The following is a list of indispensable kitesurfing
gear:
Never forget: it’s easier to kitesurf if you’re alive !
3- Wind: Basic principles
3.1 – Wind strength
Wind strength can be measured with the
Beaufort scale, miles/kilometres per hour, or
knots.
Important:
merely for guidance and should not be your
only criterion for gauging wind strength: you
should also take into account its ‘density’ and
how gusty it is.
Never use your kite in extremely gusty
conditions : even if you do escape injury you
won’t enjoy the experience anyway!
the wind scale supplied below is
1 knot = 1,852 km/h
essential recommended
Neoprene wet suit
helmet
Life jacket/impact vest
sunblock
Line cutter Gloves and boots
Bft Km/h Knots Description
0 <1 <1 Calm, smoke raises vertically
1 1-5 1-3 Light air
2 6-11 4-6 Gentle breeze
3 12-19 7-10 Flags extended
4 20-28 11-16 First white caps appear
5 29-38 17-21 Trees begin to sway
6 39-49 22-27 Sand blows on the beach/not for beginners
7 50-61 28-33 Breaking waves blow in streaks
8 62-74 34-40 Resistance felt in walking against wind
9 75-88 41-47 High waves and large spray
+ >89 >48 Go home and drink a beer
10
3.2 – Choosing which size to operate
YOU MUST ALWAYS USE THE RIGHT KITE SIZE FOR
THE GIVEN CONDITIONS.
The weight of the rider is a major factor in choosing the
surface area of the kite .
Wind direction
Make sure the wind direction is suited to the spot you have
chosen for sailing.
The ideal is cross-shore that is blowing parallel to the
beach.
NEVER launch your kite in an offshore or cross-offshore
wind.
Onshore wind can be good for the competent kitesurfer but
is dangerous because of objects down wind. Sail well off
shore.
3.3 – Turbulences
Cross-shore wind
side shore wind
w
wind
e
r
o
off
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h
s
f
f
o
-
Cross
e
d
i
s
w
e
r
o
h
s
w
n
onshore wind
on shore wind
d
n
i
wind
off shore wind
Offshore
i
s
e
d
o
-
o
r
C
n
o
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s
s
LAND
Land
Obstacles situated upwind of
you can create turbulent airpockets, which often lead to
your kite stalling & depowering
abruptly, falling from the sky,
and suddenly powering up
dangerously.
Turbulence is present for a
down-wind distance equivalent
to approximately 7 times the
height of the obstacle.
d
n
i
d
n
i
Warning: wind is always stronger at altitude than it is at ground level, be sure not to let this catch you unaware.
3.4 – The ‘wind-window’
This is a theoretical concept which you must have clear in your mind before using this kite. The windwindow is the region of 3-dimensional space in which your kite will operate, and resembles one quarter of
a sphere.
IMPORTANT: The power generated by your kite will vary according to which part of the window it is flying
in.
Wind Window & Power Zones
Neutral zone
Power zone
Minimum power is at the ‘zenith’(directly above you),this is
called the neutral zone. Maximum power is generated when
the kite is located at the centre and towards the bottom of the
window, which is in effect dead downwind of you. Never fly
your kite in this power zone.
On the extreme right and left-hand edges of the window, the
power generated is moderate. These are the zones you will
mostly fly your kite in while sailing.
4- Contents of this product
struct
Trailing edge
PARTS LIST
•TAKOON kite
• Flying lines
• Control bar
•Kiteleash
• Complete harness loop with
quick release
•Storagebag
• Hand pump
• Repair kit and connectors
Leading edge
Adjustement strap for
center line
Your TAKOON kite comes with our 4 lines control
system, which is made for more refined flying
characteristics and better power control thanks to the depowering mechanism.
The result is more comfortable and controlled sailing in
irregular winds, and the option to spill excess power in
severe gusts.
never forget that 4 lines flying is
Back lines
Warning:
more complicated than 2 lines flying.
This kite is not intended for beginners, and you
must have mastered dedicated traction-kite
flying before attempting to launch this power
tool.
Never over-estimate your own ability.
Front lines
kite leash
Quick release
5- Assembly and adjustement
Before assembling your kite, make sure the operating space you have chosen is
suitably free of obstacles and measures at least 100m by 100m.
The bar is supplied with lines attached- you only have to connect the line to the
kite before launching.
5.1– Setting up the kite
Your kite takes its shape from several vertical inflatable
struts, and one large horizontal inflatable strut called the
leading edge.
Unroll your kite with its outer surface on the ground, and
the leading edge towards the wind. You should stand with
your back facing the wind as close to the leading edge as
possible, especially in high winds.
Before using the pump, operate it a few times to eject any
sand left in the tube. This will prevent any sand from
entering the kite’s inner tubes, thus increasing the life of
the tubes.
Inflating the struts:
You can hold the pump perpendicular to the valve. Stop to
inflate when the pumping become hard. Close the valve and
secure it shut using the velcro strap.
If any air escaped while closing the valve, the strut will be underinflated and you should repeat the whole procedure. Inflate the
leading edge strut last. Use the pump leash to attach the valve
of the struct of the middle to the pump. Like this you can pump
easier using your two hands to handle the pump (see pictures).
Important
touch, they are sufficiently inflated. Over-inflation can lead to
burst inner tubes, especially if the struts are left exposed to the
sun for a long period. Equally, you should not under-inflate the
struts as the kite will not hold its correct shape. This can lead to
poor flight characteristics and, more importantly, difficult
relaunching from water.
Once the kite is correctly inflated, flip it over so that the the
leading edge is on the ground and perpendicular to the wind.
The fabric of the kite (canopy) should be down wind and the kite
should not be catching the wind.
To secure the kite from blowing away, place sand on the fabric
of the kite (canopy), just behind the leading edge. This is the
neutral position on the ground.
: Do not over-inflate the struts. If they feel rigid to the
sand
5.2- Connecting the lines to the kite
Your bar is supplied with yellow and grey back lines (yellow for the
left side and grey for the right side) and white front lines. Connect
your back lines to the back connectors of your kite using a Lark’s
Head knot (grey to grey for the right side and yellow to yellow for the
left back line). The front lines have to be connected to the connector
of the kite with the right color (grey to gray, yellow to yellow).
Your bar is made to avoid accidentally switching back lines and front
lines and between right side and left side connections. Be sure
lines are not tangled. Setting up the lines wrong is a major source
of accidents.
6- Quick releases and rules for lauching
6.1– Quick releases
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, OPERATE YOUR KITE WITHOUT THE KITE LEASH AND THE
QUICK RELEASE. TRY AND CHECK THEM BEFORE RIDING. USING INSTINCTIVELY A QUICK RELEASE
NEED A REAL LEARNING. THE QUICK RELEASES NEED A MINIMUM OF CHARGE TO WORK.
IMPORTANT:
Before launching your kite, you must have understood the purpose
and operation of the quick releases in place on your control bar:
• a leash with Quick Release and attachment to your harness
• a quick release on the chicken loop (de-power loop)
• a quick release on the large harness line
The leash allows you to let go of the control bar without losing your
kite. The kite leash is fitted to one of the front lines close to the
adjustment strap, and should reach your harness.
Releasing the control bar (using the quick release on the harness line or the chicken loop (de-power loop) will
automatically depower the kite, which will land by itself. Make sure you have enough safe room down wind.
The Quick Release also allows you to kill the power developed by the kite. The Quick Release should only be
operated if you want to release the control bar (e.g. the power is too great to unhook the harness loop from your
harness, the situation is dangerous).
Harness line quick release:
Chicken loop quick release:
Pull the red bowl
Pull the red loop
leash quick release:
Pull the red bowl
Use it only in dramatic situation, the kite can be dangerous for other people.
Note : most riders have the wrong instinct to hang on desperately to the bar if they get into difficulties. You should not
hesitate to dump the bar and retain the kite via the leash.
Warning
: You have to be used to the quick release before a critical situation. Most riders have the bad habit to
try their quick release for the first time in dangerous conditions and they are not aware about its use.
Reload the chicken loop quick release
Reload the harness line quick release
6.2– Pre-flight checks
Before launching your kite, check all the equipment one last time.
The following is a check-list of the main points:
• general condition of the kite
• pressure in the struts
• flying lines with the right length, not crossed and free of
knots
• lines connected to the correct sides of the kite
• harness loop centered on the control bar
• kite leash in good condition
• quick releases in good condition
Points to remember:
• Always make sure you are fully equipped
before launching: harness, personal
floatation device, helmet, etc…
• Always wear some kind of foot protection
when launching, as you risk injuring your
feet if you slide a few yards while the kite
gains altitude.
6.3- Basic rules for launching
YOUR KITE MUST ALWAYS BE LAUNCHED FROM THE EDGE OF THE WIND WINDOW, NEVER FROM THE
CENTER DOWN WIND.
The power would be far too great for you to control. You would endanger your own life and those of others around
you. This still holds true in light winds.
Get into the habit of connecting the leash to your harness before even picking up the control bar.
YOUR CHICKEN LOOP (DE-POWER LOOP) ON YOUR CONTROL BAR MUST ALWAYS BE HOOKED INTO THE
HARNESS BUCKLE.
This will allow you to reduce the power during launching by de-powering fully (pushing the bar away from you).
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