Hi guys, thought I'd share a story in the hope others may benefit.

Today at Orewa in 30 gusting 40, F-One kite attached to Dakine shorts harness at the loop just behind your hip (no other place). All the other F-one riders attach at the same place. Anyway, after a trick, I dropped the kite in the water and one line went over the wingtip and when it re-filled with wind it started looping. I couldn’t control it so I pulled the chickenloop release. This didn’t solve the problem.. maybe made it even worse. I was about 200 m out in waist deep water as it started dragging me through the water (still looping). I tried to reach around and get the safety release but I couldn’t ‘find’ it and when trying it dragged me under water so I would have to stop trying to come up for air. In the end I couldn’t try any longer and decided to wait til in shallower water.


The shallow water only lasted for 30m (two kiteloops) then it was onto a very shelly beach being dragged up the beach facedown trying to slow down. If I tried for my safety I sped up incredibly. I was being dragged just to the north of the rocks of the surf club Orewa. I tried in vain to reach my release but as it was half up my back I was stuffed. I couldn’t find the red fabric loop part to pull. I was being dragged towards the sand dune (luckily, instead of the rocks)where there was a bit of a lip – I was counting on that to stop me. But a kiter came from somewhere and pulled my release and my kite disappeared over the sanddune into the park. Luckily it stopped before going across the road.

Two things:


Understand the risks if you dont attach the safety at your front– it is incredibly hard to reach and you have to do it by feel. You end up in a strange position and cant see what is going on. If it was tied on the front it I would’ve been able to see where it was or ensure it is omni-directional (can access it from any angle).

Assess your safety and see if you could do it by feel. The F-one one is sort of directional. It has a loop on one side of the leash. The F-one safety is hard to do by feel behind your back. A big plastic knob like the Cabrinha (or Naish)one I would’ve felt and it is omni-directional. What I believe happened in this case the red release loop was on the far side of the release strap, so I couldn’t find the loop. What I mean is, when I put my hand behind my back I came to the release and could feel it but the loop was on the other side from where my hand was hence my difficulty finding the loop. Have a look at your one and see if you could do by feel. I will be changing mine to a Cabrinha one and will attach to the spreader bar from now on.

To the kiter who raced after me to pull my release ...thanks so much.. it could've been ugly. You disappeared, I didnt see where, after I had rescued my kite, but thanks.
Cheers
G

You are not the first person this happened to, I have seen many riders dragged by looping kites, one of them was a bandit last year also - bridle looped over the wingtip pulled rider for so long - they just could not get out of it - took someone else to jump on them and release it too - they were soooo lucky - just before rocks - again in 30 knots +, on other brand kites and maybe this one too it has been because of

failed / jammed pulleys / worn pullies - maintain

failed / jammed bridle / worn bridle - maintain

bridle wrapped over wingtip - get a kite where this is not possible?

Kite inside out/erratic sudden pull - pump your kit up hard

Kite half inside out - fastest death loop you ever seen...- pump your kit up hard


Bar wrapping up in depower when released powering up kite on leash deathlooping

Half hitch on bar with lines - kite going into deathloop because one line now shorter than other - stupid that some companies don't put on stiffer leader lines



With more wind comes waaaay more risk EACH TIME THE WIND IS DOUBLED THE FORCE OF THE KITES PULL IS QUADRUPLED - WAY MORE IF TEH KITE IS LOOPING /moving too but just thought I would write this to let newer riders know what can happen so riders are aware /can check your kits condition etc. In higher winds y much smaller kites are way better as are short lines - if things go wrong with a super high depower big kite in high winds - the outlook is not good - right size kite for the conditions. Things to think about, stoked it was a good ending, awesome wave session.

leash wise I been through cabrinha, slingshot, naish - all quite good to release, had them all go off by accident at one time or another though, using a slingshot one right now similar to naish - quite a long piece to grab onto and release.

Thanks, you make some good points there. We are probably all guilty of 'amping' to get out there and having a good look at our gear for frayed or worn bits. I have had the bridle/lines over the wingtip before without this problem, I dont understand what was different or why it got worse after releasing the chicken loop.

You dont know who it was that released me do you. I owe him a beer!!

Dude, you owe Brad Smith.... the legend....
go see Earl at the Naish shop in Orewa to make contact with Brad

James released your kite.

!! Now, Im really confused !! Brad Smith or James?

both of them helped

Thanks very much.

good stuff guys, thanks for your stories. any info that can save someone's life has got to be worth sharing. in my experience there is only one 100% reliable quick release system and that is called a knife. make sure it is tied on to your shorts or harness though as it would suck to drop it when you really needed it.

"there is only one 100% reliable quick release system and that is called a knife"

Sure do whatever you can to have the knowledge and equipment to keep yourself out of trouble but it is not a 100% sure way to release your kite.

Its rare but a couple of riders have ended up releasing/crashing their kite and getting dragged by their ankles or body ( line tangle) by a looping kite and in waves if you get pitched or kite looped and wrapped in your lines - and other stuff - trouble is it all happen too fast. Mind you when i got kitelooped and wrapped in my lines in 35 knots recently your knife would have been more welcome than a shipload of naked hotties had i been able to get to it. Most harness supplied knives are crap - i don't think they bother with them any more - and those that do you can't even get out in a hurry from the pocket! - the big parachute ones seem ok though.

kitesurfing is safer nowdays and something like rugby is probably less safe but it is not simply "safe" as some marketers/ companies have been saying recently, you got to give it respect - spreading the knowledge is all good.

Parachute knives are shaped like a J so you hook the line and dont have to 'saw' the line. Cutting a safety though would take quite a bit more effort. I cant help but think that we often wouldnt have the time to use a knife, as we often kite within 100m of objects. That 100m would be used up in a flash however... any bit of kit to help you out cant be bad. Now... where to find a good one.

Have carried a hook knife sailing for years now since I had a kite stall then drop above me... as it dropped the lines coiled around my neck.... the kite then fell downwind and powered up... that time I managed to get the lines off my neck without too much damage.. have never used the knife but its there just in case!

not pimpin business for the guy but have purchased several hook knifes from this guy on trademe ... see listing
www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/SCUBA-snorkelli...uction-258877003.htm

he also has smaller ones for sale that come with a pouch ... best thing about the hook/ z / net knife is that if a line is tight around your neck or whatever you can drag the knife over the skin to pick up the line and cut without damage to yourself...
the knife uses a scalpel or razor blade... does need to be kept well rinsed in fresh water to avoid rust tho
These knifes have a velcro webbing strap that hangs out of the pouch.. so easy to grab and pull out in an emergency... Chris

Thanks. That looks good, smaller wood be better. I will try and find a stainless one that can be sharpened. Cheers though.

Smaller version ... this is the one I use from the same seller
www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/SCUBA-snorkelli...uction-258879054.htm
Chris

That looks better. How long before they rust out?

had the current one for over a year, little bit of rust staining the ends where the blade is cast into the plastic, but blade still sharp as, but I always take it out of pouch when washing gear up and let it dry before it goes back in

Thanks very much.