a few issues i had at 3rd last night

[beachcarolyn2]

and i wanna get one to use on the bastards that break into our cars and steal stuff whilst we are out having fun!!!

I'd love to see how fast they can run if i pulled that baby out of my harness! I want one! 8)

[MehYam]

...loop was still connected to the hook. It was the red connector part that somehow came unclipped

This happened to me last season with a Cabrinha setup - I think my board hit the QR during a wipe. Had the bar in one hand, powered, looping... didn't have the presence of mind to grab the chicken loop.

[Blackbird]

Cabrinha safety systems have this issue. As mentioned here, the issue is the safety can release unintentionally if you accidentally push out on the red safety ring. I had this happen at Waddell, about 200 yards out last year.

The only sane, useful solution is as mentioned, attach your safety leash just above the release, before the bar. The Omega bar probably has a little red ball that slides freely. Put it between the kite release and the red ball, before the bar. Then, MAKE SURE YOUR SAFETY LEASH HAS A RELEASE!!! So, kite pops out of the release, if your fine with it, pull it back in, rehook, all set. If not, then quickly pop your safety release. Practice the 1, 2 full release in your head often. I had to do this, again at Waddell recently, because my kite stalled, and ended up floating through someones lines standing on the beach. My bad, but managed to full release, in the end no harm, no damage, just a weird incident.

[wavie_gravie]

Fairly normal stuff but this is exactly what concerns me more and more these days. NOT that it happened, but that you were not prepped on it by an instructor.

That was a classic tangle scenario that EVERY kiter should have had explained to them and made aware of. 6 years ago when I started everyone was well aware of this because it happened a bit, and the leash was tied to you wrist, and we all took SEVERAL days of lessons and placed in rescue situations. fully aware of this scenarios likelyhood. Nowadays people are damn near teaching themselves this sport because the "DePower" is so eveident in the new kites.

I am sure you had a lesson, and that makes it even worse because it should be covered.

I am seeing a lot of new riders without a clue about how dangerous it can be if anything goes wrong, even with bow kites

When people say things to me like "hey aren't you the guy who told me I could try your kite-thing next time I was out here". A kiter that would say that or make that offer must be lulled into thinking that nothing can go wrong and "Total depower means safe". "here stranger in street clothes, try my kite" ....true story ..I swear.

Anyway, I applaud your sticking with it and asking questions. I just hope others read it and stay safe.
Lessons really are for learing safety, way more than skills

[beachcarolyn2]

Blackbird, i am trying to picture what you are describing, and i think i am a little confused. I thought that if you attach the safety leash below the bar (the place where i think you are describing), that is what is known as the "suicide setup"..I thought this was the exact place i was told to not attach it as you are really unable to fully depower in this configuration?
Perhaps i am just not understanding it properly.

[windhorny]

He is describing a suicide leash. Basically he is saying to mentally prep yourlself to pull the leash safety if you really need to get out of a situation since pulling the,ain one will simply release the kite from you. And I still disagree with this for beginners. the suicide setup is good for most conditions but it is really intended for the pro who unhooks and simply doesnt want to loose their kite. What most of us want is a 1 pull release that either flags or depowers the kite using a 5th line. So for now, your best bet is to attach your leash to that flagging ring. This way if the shit hits the fan you can eject completley depowered, no matter what your lines are doing-unless they are wrapped around you. Dont let all this worry you too much either. Its just good to know how your safety works before going out.

[Blackbird]

Well, close Windhorny. This setup works very well with Bow and SLE kites that are 4 lines, and no fifth line. Because letting go of the bar is the 'depower' for the kite, if you accidentally pop the kite release, your kite detaches from you, being held by your safety leash, and the kite depowers completely as the bar also is let out. If everything is functioning properly, you can then just pull it all back in and reconnect. However, if you were pulling the kite release on purpose, you will have to then also pull the leash safety. It's a mental preparation for a 1-2 release rather than a 1 release kite detachment. A few years ago before fifth line, or Bow kites, this was the suicide leash because the kite technically did not have a 'full depower' ability built in to releasing the bar. Every safety system has its flaws given certain situations. I prefer this method as I would have lost my kite at Crissy, by a cruise ship once as well. Just pulled it back in and on my way...

[steve]

Beachcarolyn2:
if you are doing tricks involving spins then connect the leash as Blackbird is describing. If not, connect the leash to the "flagging" ring.
Again, I am available anytime to discuss in person the pros and cons of each method and assist you with your Cabrinha gear.
steve

[beachcarolyn2]

Thanks Steve, I think i will work on standing up on the board and actually riding before i think about tricks involving spins!! :-)
I am planning to come to 3rd tonight. I would like to come and chat with you. Are you around tonight?