Time to go without

[Mark Johnson]

Without a LEASH
After reading this about a kitemare at Sherman Island. http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/view ... 9439#39439

I think its time to go leashless.
I know that most people have lost them already. I have resisted and liked the convenience of it but I think I am well past needing it.
My leash was a distraction in my close call at Deer Creek and cost me a few seconds that could have been spent better doing other things,
like getting hooked to my flag out line or ready to ditch my kite.
Though it did feel comforting to have it in the shark infested Oregon coast .
One thing I feel I did do right at DC that the guy in the story might have done better was, when becoming overpowered head out not in.
This gave me more time to react. Also a buffer between me and anything hard. Problem with coming into shore is that many others are probably doing the same thing,
making for a bad situation.
Anyway just some things to ponder while waiting for some wind.

[bradsaxe]

Well this guy was heading in from a downwinder so I am not sure that heading out again was part of the program.

This does not take anything away from your point, however and I am glad that someone has referenced this story here. Leashes are hazards on numerous fronts. This is the first time I have heard of this type of problem (leash wrapping around chicken loop so as not to allow for proper release) but there are several others such as....
getting hit in the head or face, pulling rider underwater, rider getting lofted and someone on the beach getting hit by board etc. etc.

Gotta loose those things. Once you do you will learn how to drag back to your board before you know it. Besides everyone is looking out for someone having trouble getting back to their board...or should be.

[bordy]

What a bummer hope he heels up. Board leashes are bad news just like Brad said, there is just to much going on to add another line that may get wraped up. last year at rufus I borrowed a mystic harness from a cat on the beach to try it out. He never did unhooked stuff but had a kite leash attached to the spreader bar While working on some s-bends over by the flat water I blew the rotation and let go only to be dragged under the water face first I placed my hand on the leash loop ready to pull it and bail just when the kite hit the water and I got back up to the surface. Of course this was a kite leash and not a board leash but I was really happy I didn't think about any thing but bailing since then I have let go of the kite 3 times, Every time I have gotten my kite back and not gotten hurt. I really like the idea of pulling your loop every now and then to have it be second nature. I also know many companies have used to much velcro in the realese pull meaning some times "velcro lock" can happen making pulling your saftey almost impossable. The cure it to just under your velcro then put it back to gether befor your kite is ever in the air.

Keep the vibe and your friends alive. Brad hit the nail on the head when he said everyone is looking out for each other. And a lot kite or board is alot cheaper then a hour in the hospital.

[Constance Mallula]

I found out the hard way about a board leash already. I wasn't actually hooking it to the board. But the result was the same. I was looping a leash through the board handle while relaunching. Bordy said not to, but I am stubborn sometimes.This is not the sport for that tho. If some one tells you something, it is most likely, info that they aquired first hand somehow. Anyway, I did a water relaunch,and the kite pulled hard. I traveled 15ft or so in the water. The leash did not unloop, in fact it tightened itself around the handle. The board went under and catapoulted out of the water, and hit me in the back of the leg. I felt it seperate the calf muscle and smack the bone. I am fine now, no lasting damage.

Moral... listen to your kite friends.

No Board leashes!!!!

Well wishes to Matt, hope he is back on the water soon.