Flying the 8m Neo at the beach this past weekend. Wind was steady at 10 to 12. Having fun skudding and doing a few small "pops".
Next thing I know the kite is torn from my grip and is heading downwind! Somehow, the chicken loop came off of the spreader bar. Yes, I had the "finger" inserted correctly. I do know the bar was twisting upward while flying the kite higher in the window.
Fortunately, the wind took the kite over the dunes where it settled unharmed. My feet were not so lucky. They each had about 10 or 12 LARGE sandspurs buried in them from my futile attempt to chase it down.:o
What can I do to prevent this from occuring in the future?
I use a leash on the 3m but can't imagine this would be appropriate on a larger kite.
Suggestions?

Thanks,
Mel

Wear shoes next time!..............aj:evil:

I always fly with a leash with my FS's... Theyre the only way to activate the safety line. You flyin w/out a safety?

leash it. or loose it. without a leash it could hit or entangle someone down wind.

practice ALL safety gear attachments EVERYTIME in the beginning you need to have these reflexes down cold for your safety and the safety of others.
starting with the safety activated allows for a solid understanding of the rig start to finish

if the loop distorts and the finger is a little short if any slack occurs on the main it will just float out ...you relax and its gone.

every kite needs a leash. and yes it's appropriate

Hello Mel,

Did you take out "safety system extension line" as HQ recommended? Then, you should have an extra ring where you can hook your leash in.

Make sure your leash has safety system as well so you can separate yourself from the kite completely if you have to.

The HQ de-power rigs use a "Leashless Safety System" that is predicated on the notion that you will not become un-hooked accidentally. I have found however that it is possible to pull the donkey dong out in some circumstances such as when the rig is stretched across your chest at an odd angle, such as when the kite gets behind you a bit. Then the next time the rig goes slack, such as in a luff, you are un-hooked. This has happened to me in a poorly timed jibe in the bug, for example. So a lot of this will go away with practice and improved skills, but I think it could still happen in the case of sudden evasive action that put s the kite and rig in an unusual position for a moment.

A safety leash is a good idea if you have a quick release on it. Your Warrior Harness handle-pass leash could be used for example if you put a small 'beener or clip on th end and attached it to the center line above the chicken loop.

A mistake you make only once when getting un-hooked is to grab the bar and not the chicken loop. That's why I suggest putting the leash to the center line.

Edit: Some have had success stiffening the donkley dong with small diameter but stiff plastic that fits inside the vinyl tubing that comprises the finger.

Hello All,

Thanks for the help. Other than this little episode, It was a great day flying the 8m and the 11m. My son and I scudded for what seemed like miles. The de-power is remarkable.

I did in fact remove the safety extension as recommended. Yes I can connect a leash to this point.

The kite did not come with a leash and I made an incorrect assumption that one was not required or that it was not safe to be "tied" to this type kite. Luckily, the only harm was splinters in my feet. The kite was fine and there was no one downwind.

Follow-on questions.
Are there kite specific leashes available or should I make one from webbing, climbing cord, or perhaps bungy cord?

There is a quick release ring on the Mystic harness. I assume it would be ok to attach the leash to it, allowing complete separation if necessary?

Mel

Quote:

Originally posted by mgatc Follow-on questions. Are there kite specific leashes available or should I make one from webbing, climbing cord, or perhaps bungy cord?

Buy a kite specific leash with a safety on it. Lots of companies make them. I wouldn't suggest making your own.

A leash will also be a must if you ever get into any unhooked tricks. Sometimes I use a leash with my kites and sometimes I don't. It mainly depends on what is downwind of me (i.e. people, roads, powerlines).

Quote:

Originally posted by mgatc Hello All, Follow-on questions. Are there kite specific leashes available or should I make one from webbing, climbing cord, or perhaps bungy cord? There is a quick release ring on the Mystic harness. I assume it would be ok to attach the leash to it, allowing complete separation if necessary? Mel

Take the handle pass leash off the back of the small warrior harness (and do the same when you get your large one shortly) and attach the small end to the pin in the quicke release on the Warrior Spreader bar. Now take the end of the bungee leash that came off the back of the harness and either larks head it to the center line of the kite or, for more conveninece and leash length, get a clip of some sort.

Got It.

I'll use the quick release on the warrier harness (Angus, I think we were typing at the same time) and begin shopping for a couple of leashes.

It's a bad feeling to watch your kite begin to float up and away...Don't want to see that again.

Mel

Flexifoil makes a nice one with a quick release and bungee inside of tubular webbing- but that is essentially what you have with the Warrior harness already- minus a clip. But if when you get out on the water and actaully want to use the handle pass system, then you might want to suppliment it.

Sorry for not suggesting this earlier, but the last time I have seen this happen was on earlier iterations of the Montana and Apex rig and have not seen this on the newer bars. But your experience is compelling...

Those sand spurs suck. you'll find them here on Jekyll too (in the dunes).