Do Extended Kiteboard Handles Improve Big Air Tricks?

If you've been around big air riders or have watched some videos, you may have noticed that some people use oversized handles on their boards and wondered why, and whether you need one. Known as "extended handles", these can bring some benefits, particularly for board-offs, but they might not be for everyone. David has used them for a while now, and he's ready to break it down for us.

What Are the Benefits of an Extended Kiteboard Handle?

Once you start taking the board off your feet in mid-air, you'll soon realize that's the easy part. You still need to get it back on within a rather strict time limit. Having a taller handle puts the board a bit closer to your feet, saving you time and effort.

As you progress to tricks like flips or tic-tacs, the benefits become even more obvious. A standard handle sits relatively close to the board, so you need to be pretty precise as you line up your catch or you'll jam your fingertips against the surface of the board. An extended handle gives you a lot more room and makes the catch that much more forgiving.

What Are the Drawbacks of an Extended Handle?

If you're a new rider, it might seem like a big, beefy handle would make getting your board on easier, but that may not be the case. When you're sitting in the water with the board floating on the surface, the angle is very different from a rider doing tricks up in the air. If you've got an extended handle on your board, you'll have to reach farther to grab it. Sure, it's only a couple inches, but when you're trying to fly your kite while your board stubbornly tries to set out on its own voyage, that can make all the difference between you getting a grip and your board getting away.

It also changes the leverage you have over your board. The stock handle requires less torque as you wrangle your board onto your feet. So if you're a beginner, don't rush into replacing your handle. Stick with the one that comes with your board for now. You'll have plenty of time to explore your options as you progress into the tricks that can take advantage of the benefits of an extended handle.

What Are My Options for an Extended Handle?

If you like how your stock handle feels, you can get extensions and longer screws to lift your handle up higher. This is a simple solution that lets you keep your familiar handle.

There are also 3rd-party handles, often 3D printed. After using risers on his old handle, David settled on the Trap handle. It's significantly taller than a standard handle, has a larger diameter grip, and can be customized with a logo and contact info. Some riders will even add tennis grip tape, but David hasn't found a need for any extra grip so far, and he appreciates the way he can shift his grip angle without having to fully readjust his hand.

Extended handles are available in different shapes, so you'll want to do your research and find one that suits your style. They're a great way to help you get more consistent catches on those eye-catching board-offs.

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