Kite Control Bars: What the Features Actually Do & Why They Matter
What Makes a Great Kite Control Bar? Benefits, Features & FAQs
Choosing the right kite control bar isn’t just about brand or price, it’s about performance, safety, and comfort. Your bar is the central link between you and your kite. It’s how you steer, how you tune, and how you stay in control when it matters most. Whether you're just getting started or upgrading your gear, understanding what each feature does (and why it matters) can make a huge difference in how your kite performs on the water.
In this blog, Aaron from Elite Watersports in St. Petersburg, Florida, breaks down one of the most feature-packed bars on the market: the Reedin DreamStick X V2. We’ll cover everything from SK9 lines and auto-unswivel bearings to short-line conversions and bar tuning tips. Plus some lessons learned from putting this bar through real sessions.
What Is a Kite Control Bar and Why Does It Matter?
Think of the control bar as the cockpit of your kiteboarding setup. It’s not just a handle, it’s the brain and heart of your ride. Through the bar, you steer the kite, add or dump power, and trigger safety when you need it. A good bar gives you confidence without making you think about it.
Aaron always tells students that a great bar blends four things seamlessly: steering, power control, safety, and tuning. When all of that works together, the bar feels like an extension of your hands. You don’t want to fight your gear. You want it to disappear in the background while you ride.
That’s the difference between a bar that just “works” and a bar that makes every session smoother. After a hundred salty, sandy rides, you want something that still clicks, rinses clean easily, and keeps you in control without surprises.
Aaron points out that what sets a great bar apart is how all these systems come together. You want something that’s intuitive to use, durable under stress, and easy to maintain, even after a hundred salty, sandy sessions. Here is a link to a bar Aaron recommends: DreamStick
What Are the Benefits of SK9 Kite Bar Lines?
If you’ve ever flown a kite that feels sluggish or a little “mushy,” chances are the lines are part of the problem. That’s where SK9 lines come in. The DreamStick X V2 comes rigged with them, and the difference is immediate the moment you launch.
These lines are thinner and lighter than standard sets, which means less drag in the air and a faster‑responding kite, especially in light wind. They’re also stiffer, so they don’t twist up or knot themselves every time you set up on a breezy beach. Aaron points out that they come from the same style of tech used in foil racing, where speed and precision really matter.
Durability is another big win. SK9 lines are abrasion‑resistant and low‑stretch. They hold their tune session after session, so you’re not constantly re‑tying knots or wondering if your kite is flying a little crooked. For anyone upgrading from softer, stock lines, the feel is night and day. The kite reacts faster, loops cleaner, and feels locked in.
If you’re curious to see how SK9 lines change your ride, swing by Elite Watersports and check out our kiteboarding kites collection. Aaron can show you the difference in person, and you’ll probably feel it the first time you sheet in.
Aaron notes that SK9s are inspired by the custom setups used in foil racing. You’ll feel the difference right away, especially if you’re coming from standard, squishier line sets.
If you're looking for a new kite setup with SK9 lines, check out the full kiteboarding kites collection.
How does an auto-unswivel system improve kite performance?
If you’ve ever looped your kite a few times and ended up with a spaghetti mess in your lines, you know how frustrating that is. That’s exactly what the auto‑unswivel system on the DreamStick X V2 is built to fix.
Aaron explains it like this: inside the bar, ceramic bearings quietly do the work for you, untwisting your center and safety lines as you ride. You don’t have to pause and spin the bar by hand or worry about your flagout system getting jammed. It just stays clean and ready to fire if you need it.
What’s nice is that this system isn’t fussy. Sand rinses out easily, and even if the bar feels a little gritty on the beach, one dip in the water before your session gets it running smooth. If you’re a rider who loves looping kites or just doesn’t want surprises mid‑session, an auto‑unswivel system is one of those features you’ll appreciate every single day.
This means smoother transitions and fewer surprises mid-session. Aaron explains that while dry bars may still feel a little gritty, a quick dip in the water before riding flushes everything clean. For anyone who rides hard or loops often, this is a must-have.
Why ergonomic and adjustable bar width matters
Bar comfort doesn’t get talked about enough, but if you’ve ever finished a session with sore hands or cramped forearms, you know it matters. Aaron laughs about the old “shovel handle” bars that felt like holding onto a piece of PVC pipe for an hour. The DreamStick X V2 is the opposite, narrow, natural, and easy to grip whether you’re cruising or throwing tricks.
Another thing riders love is the adjustable bar width. This bar can quickly shift between 43 and 49 cm without tools. Narrower settings are great for small kites or lighter wind when you want precise control. Wider settings speed up your turns on bigger kites or when you’re trying to make the most out of gusty conditions.
The adjustment system is simple: a twist‑lock tab and hook lets you set it and forget it in seconds. If you ride multiple kite sizes or get hand fatigue on long sessions, having an adjustable, comfortable bar is a game‑changer. Once you ride one that feels right, you’ll never want to go back.
If your hands cramp on long rides, or you ride multiple kite sizes, bar width adjustability is a game-changer.
How do adjustable tuning knots maintain control?
Even the best lines stretch over time. Yeah, even SK9s. It’s not a big deal, but if you don’t keep your kite tuned, you’ll start to notice it flying slightly off. That’s where the adjustable tuning knots on the DreamStick X V2 come in.
Underneath the floats, you’ve got clean, hidden knot options that let you tweak line length without digging through a mess. You can make small changes to even things out and keep your kite flying balanced in all conditions. It’s quick, it’s simple, and once you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why every bar doesn’t make it this easy.
Aaron’s advice? Don’t wait for something to feel wrong. Just check your line lengths every few weeks. Especially if you’re riding a lot or swapping kites. Even if you’re not a gear nerd, this is easy maintenance that makes a big difference. If you want a walkthrough, the Elite blog has step-by-step tuning guides to help you dial everything in. Here is Eliet’s kiteboarding tips and tricks blog that will walk you through it.
How to shorten bar lines with the short-line fold conversion
Short lines aren’t just for freestyle riders, they’re a secret weapon for teaching, high‑wind sessions, and anyone who wants a more controlled ride. Aaron uses them all the time for lessons because they keep the kite slower and more forgiving, which is perfect for beginners or small riders.
The DreamStick X V2 makes this easy with its short‑line fold conversion. Instead of swapping to a completely different set of lines, you can fold the front lines through the yolk, tie into the included pigtails, and re‑route the steering lines with a simple lark’s head. Just like that, your 24‑meter lines are effectively 12 meters without a full gear change.
Aaron likes to remind riders that this isn’t a “perfect” solution, you are doubling line thickness in a couple of spots, but for real‑world riding, it works great. If you’ve ever wanted to try short‑line riding for loops, lessons, or heavy wind days, this is a simple way to experiment. Even better, book a kiteboarding lesson in St. Pete and you can try it under the eyes of an instructor before rigging it yourself. You can book a kiteboarding lesson and test it yourself.
What maintenance makes your bar last hundreds of hours?
A well‑cared‑for bar can last hundreds of hours, even in salty, sandy Florida conditions. Aaron has proven it. He rides hard, teaches students, and runs demo gear, and his bars still hold up because he follows a simple routine.
First, rinse your bar after every session. A quick dunk in clean water is usually all it takes to keep sand and salt from grinding down the bearings or wearing your lines. If you launch from a sandy beach, pay extra attention to the center lines and the area around the chicken loop.
Next, check your bungees and lines once in a while. Reedin includes extra bungees with the DreamStick X V2, and swapping them only takes a couple of minutes. Aaron also suggests giving your lines and tuning knots a quick inspection monthly if you’re riding a lot. Catching frays early can save you a line snap on the water.
Finally, store smart. Don’t leave your bar wet in a hot garage or car trunk. Heat and moisture are a bad combo for any gear. A quick rinse, a shake dry, and a shady spot will keep your bar ready for the next session.
Follow those simple steps, and your bar won’t just survive. It’ll feel smooth and trustworthy for years.
FAQs: Common Kite Bar Questions
Common Kite Bar Questions
What does the auto‑unswivel actually do on a kiteboarding bar?
It automatically keeps your center and safety lines untangled as you ride. Ceramic bearings spin the lines back into alignment so you don’t have to manually twist the bar or worry about your flagout system getting stuck.
Do I really need SK9 lines for kiteboarding?
If you want a kite that feels faster, cleaner, and more locked‑in, yes. SK9 lines are thinner, stiffer, and more abrasion‑resistant than standard stock lines. Most riders feel the difference on their first session.
Can I shorten my Reedin Dreamstick lines without buying a new set?
You can with the DreamStick X V2. Using the short‑line fold conversion, you can fold the lines and connect them with the included pigtails for a 12‑meter setup, perfect for strong wind, loops, or lessons.
When should I replace the Reddin Dreamstick chicken‑loop bungee?
This isn’t a point of concern but you can check it every few weeks. If it starts losing elasticity or showing frays, swap it. The bar comes with backups, and replacing it only takes a minute.
Ready to Upgrade Your Bar?
The right bar changes everything. Whether you’re chasing smoother loops, easier control, or just a setup you can trust, the DreamStick X V2 delivers. Come check it out at Elite Watersports in St. Petersburg, test one in a lesson, or talk gear with Aaron and the crew.
Got questions? Call or visit Elite Watersports in St. Pete, we’ll get your setup dialed and your next session ready to rip.
Ryan "Rygo" Goloversic
Rygo is a globally recognized kiteboarder, digital marketing expert, and Airush team rider and an advocate for wakestyle kiteboarding. When he's not writing articles or producing kite videos you can catch him competing on the KPLxGKA world tour or grinding it out in the gym.