I don't kitesurf or know if this is good advice, but seemed to make sense? so I thought I'd share.

Sounds like solid advice to me. I hope none of us ever have to use it.
Thanks for sharing.

That's weird. I was just listening to that tune. Carbon Based Lifeforms - World of Sleepers

That guy is asking for donations for his continued work, claiming that its his raw footage he edits, but I know some of that work belongs to others.

Its good info . Alot of people never even bother to test out their quick release to see if it even works . I could never understand that type of mentality. Back in the day ive seen many types of accidents all on lei c kites but i knw stuff happens fast in the kiting world but if u have never practised pulling your quick release believe me u wont in an emergency. A quick release should be checked often just for muscle memory and proper functioning especially before u go out in sketchy conditions.

used these myself and works fine.

couple things that are missed in practically.

THE MOST important element in safely handling kites ---->GLOVES! fail on this point and you will pay, it allows the techniques to be used with ease.

as the slack steer line is drawn in during the looping action , if done so TOO slowly kite will actually relaunch creating a tangled flight scenario without much resolve of anything AND without gloves a move you will regret...so quickly draw in the line to control kite. rescue to kite is most safe and predictable.

handling lines in an INTENSE situations can result in an entanglement in a flash.
practice all!

Good info Phree. I've heard you emphasize gloves before and since then, I always wear them when I'm hooked in no matter the kite just in case I need to grab a line.

2nd having gloves. For us in the winter it's obvious that we usually have some flavor of glove on but anytime I ride I put on gloves. If nothing else it makes handling lines much more comfortable.

This is a good reminder that when things go bad you can always haul a line in to flag out a wing. Even if your safety system is disabled.

Speaking of disabled safety systems. The portion of the video that covers it shows what happens when you cut the kite loose and the safety is locked and cannot flag out the kite. Now you are really at the mercy of the wing as you no longer have the bar in your hands and easy access to a line to flag out. We generally use short leashes so this is not a problem.


As Windrider points out, we should all test our safeties on a regular basis. So few people do and learning to do it in the heat of the moment is a bad idea. Practice your safeties to the point that they are muscle memory. To the point that you can activate them while you are tumbling and not looking at them. Practice single line self rescues as well. It's rare that things go bad but when they do, being able to activate your safety systems can really make the difference between getting scared or getting wrecked.

gloves are more important than helmets...and helmets are real important even on the beach...i fly w/ both at all times
there are no do overs

Very informative video. Nice find.

Safety is very important to me and I'm always looking for ways to be safer in the water.

I always make sure to wear a helmet, impact vest, a knife and I've recently purchased a Dynobar harness with a safety at the harness bar. I also never go out in winds that are too strong (over 25mph).

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

gloves are more important than helmets...

I disagree. If you suffer a concussion or mild head trauma and can't think clearly, it doesn't matter if you have gloves on or not as you may not be able to string your thoughts together. If you are knocked out, gloves become even less important. The head is the most important thing to protect. That's why when you fall you instinctively put your hands out because your head is willing to sacrifice your hands to save your brain. That being said, I understand that you are emphasizing the importance of both and I too always ride with a helmet and gloves.

I saw a rider winding in a Frenzy one day when it self launched and he tried to wrestle it to the ground in his bare hands by the lines since the bar was useless given half the lines were already wound in. It was not pretty.

Drives me nuts when I see riders without helmets but I recommend gloves too. Too many riders think helmets are unnecessary because "they never fall" or they "always fly in control". They are called accidents for a reason. We don't go out planning to get into a car accident or suffer head trauma while recreating. One must always prepare as if an accident will occur to minimize the risk of harm when one does occur. If one can't afford the proper safety gear for whatever sport they participate in than they surely can't afford the medical bills associated with an injury. If one doesn't respect the fact that they can be injured than don't expect sympathy when you are injured. An ounce of prevention... (these comments are not pointed at abkayak and I will step off my soapbox now).

This was a helpful video but depending upon how powered the kite is and how bound the lines are you may or may not be able to stall the kite as the lines may cut through your hands or be too bound to tension. That's why, as others mentioned, you must be familiar with your safeties including the one that cuts the kite away :-(

^^^^
i only say that because i have needed the gloves many more times than i have needed the helmet...which has always
been part of the plan....you dont risk the head, there are no do overs in this game

Bye the way be carefull of the type of winter gloves or cold water gloves you use as i remeber many years a go i had a kitesurfing friend get dragged all the way up the beach and injured becaue he could not release the kite after a bad launch because of twisted lines on the beach , and this was in 25mph + winds . After chasing him down the beach i finally got to him he said the the gloves prevented him from releasing te kite as they were bulky. this was back in the old days with the pin type releases so be aware if you have one of those older bars to upgrade it.

old gear had some handicaps for sure , the more unhooked stuff i tired the more twist lock issues as well... if THE reason(unhooked) they occured.

windrider brings up exellent point! definitely pilot choice on wear goods, hinderance should be ruled out on dry practice.

for me regular sailing gloves give considerable range of use and open palm mits over gloves for water extends range significantly.

i use both 3/4 finger and closed finger gloves....and wear a helmet WAY more than i ever thought i would!

Thin full fingers for me if it's not too cold. Something leather with good dexterity. If it's really cold Black Diamond Guide gloves for me. Leather, minimal bulk and warm. Some heavily lofted nylon skinned winter glove, just asks to get pinched in the hole in the bar or snagged.

Also, if your gloves have the little clips on them so you can clip them together, cut 'em off. Just a matter of time before you tangle one in a line.

I'm in a helmet every time I ride.

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd

Thin full fingers for me if it's not too cold. Something leather with good dexterity. If it's really cold Black Diamond Guide gloves for me. Leather, minimal bulk and warm. Some heavily lofted nylon skinned winter glove, just asks to get pinched in the hole in the bar or snagged. Also, if your gloves have the little clips on them so you can clip them together, cut 'em off. Just a matter of time before you tangle one in a line. I'm in a helmet every time I ride.

Too true about the clips! These were the first things I cut off my Snowkiting mitts. First session hooked up about 3-4 times with the bridle lines (what a pain in the seat meat that was). Good call on the BD Guides. I use the lobsta mitt variety for skiing with a thin liner and hand warmer pack inserts as my ultimate cold weather weapons!