a few issues i had at 3rd last night

[jono]

Couple more points:

* Imagine if the board leash was tangled in the lines. You hit the secondary safety (to fully release the kite) and it doesn't ditch the kite -- your board leash is still connected to you and tangled in the lines. WHAT NOW? You probably wouldn't be able to get the harness off real fast -- this would suck. Do not let this happen.

* Consider using a 5th line kite. If you can shorten the 5th line in relation to the other lines (even tangled), it should fully depower. You can even release it and still get the kite back under control and get back on the board -- unlike some other safety systems (prone to wraps, tangles, etc.)

* Imagine if your chicken loop popped right after you launched the kite. This just recently happened to me. The donkey dick was in place, but the loop just wiggled off the hook, got under load and popped. Kite went full power instantly. At sherman, no room to mess up. I sat down, dug heels in, drove the kite down and someone grabbed it. I was about to let go of the bar -- but that would mean kite repairs and I was sliding on heels, but not in too much danger. Now I check the loop before and right after I launch every time.

Pack a knife, I recently found this and I'm gonna test it (the kite knives often rust real fast, are flimsy, etc.:

http://www.benchmade.com/products/produ ... px?model=7
[may not be good for kite lines, use your own judgement]

[super_monkey]

When your chicken loop pops off, just grab it and let the bar go, reconnect the loop and take the bar back into your hands. It should take you less than a few seconds. Just don't panic.

[windhorny]

Ah yes, what monkey said is a really good thing to know! Easy to forget, but an easy solution.

[beachcarolyn2]

I knew i had it coming about the board leash - suprised it didn't arise earlier. I just bought the board leash from Windhorny last weekend and LURVE it!! but i can see why it would not have been good in this situation if i had to release the whole kite. Will try to wean from it ASAP. Would have to be pretty quick out the gates to master Supermonkey's manoever but will keep it in mind. Good idea about the knife Jono - do most people carry these? Thanks again.

[AntiJF]

Board Leash = Cranial Contusion Device

[windhorny]

She has a reel leash, my belief is that if you are aware of the boards possibility of crashing into your head, you normally can avoid it. Plus this is only a real hazzard if your head is floating at the same level as the board, like at sherman where your bouyancy is half that of saltwater. The few times I did use it, the board never flew at me as there was plenty of resistance on the water to slow it down. And this is why we wear helmets, especially with leashes. But yes, eventually Carolyn, you want to ditch it. My bad experiences with leashes have come more from getting a foot tangled in it while relaunching than being hit by it.

[Bulldog]

There are lots of things that can happen once your kite falls in the water. It doesn't matter whether you're using a 4 line bow kite or a 5 line kite. Things don't always work the way they're supposed to.

The important thing is not to panic. Evaluate the situation, try to solve the problem, and if you get too close to land, save yourself instead of your kite.

[gideonlow]

Good idea about the knife Jono - do most people carry these? Thanks again.

Always, always, always carry a hook knife--if not two! When things go really wrong (and if you kite your whole life, they eventually will), it is your last line of defense. Nothing else will save you in the ultimate on-the-water kitemare--a line getting wrapped around some part of your body.

I've only used it once--back in the kiteboarding stoneage of 2002 . . . my kite crashed and would not relaunch for some reason. Next thing I know, there's kiteline floating around my feet as one of the lines had broken near the kite attachment point, and 10 seconds later my legs are stuck together in an ever-tightening grip and I'm freaking. It definitely saved me that time.

Cheers,

Gideon

[beachcarolyn2]

I wonder if somehow these kinds of messages could get through to the instructors about things like this. I had 5 lessons and bought all my gear from very reputable instructors (and had spent over an hour and a half discussing the best options) and never once heard anyone mention the need for a knife. Perhaps it would be good if they sell that too when you buy the whole "package".

[adamrod]

You know, I've taught a good number of lessons, but never mentioned a knife...might not be a bad idea.

now, that said, a lot of harnesses come with knives. Mystics do, dakines do.

also, i'm not sure, but i heard that if you don't regularly clean and replace the knife, it can get really dull in all our saltwater. even the best stainless steel won't hold up.