How safe is your kite gear?
Kitesurfing is classified as an extreme sport, but back in the day, it was mostly the daredevils who gave it a go. The gear existed, but the safety? Not so much. Or maybe it did, but anyone who used it was labeled a chicken.
Kiting back in the day
Fortunately, times have changed. Kitesurf brands got serious about safety, and every year the gear gets better, easier to use, and safer. Safety has become ingrained in the sport, and now it's one of the first things you learn when you start your kitesurfing journey.
Remember: It’s not just you out there, other people can put you in danger too.
So, before you hit the water, here are a few things you should always check. It is easy, it is quick and you will thank yourself for it:
Pre-check your gear: Make sure your kite is fully inflated and your lines aren’t twisted or incorrectly attached.
Close those valves: It could save you on the water.
Check your chicken loop release: Make sure it works properly.
Kites
These days, kites and bars are pretty safe. How so? Modern kites are more durable and incorporate the latest designs, which help not only your performance but also your safety. Durability means fewer tears and leaks, which is always a plus.
One pro tip that not everyone learns (I didn’t until recently) is to close the valves on your struts. Why? If there’s a leak in your leading edge but the valves are closed, you’ll still have air in the struts, or vice versa. This can be a lifesaver. A kite without air is just dead weight, so if you’re on the water and still have some air left, you can either kite back to shore or use the kite for a self-rescue. Plus, it can help with buoyancy if you’re in a pinch.
Bar and Lines
Your bar and lines are where most of the safety features come into play. After all, your kite is at least 18 meters away, and you’re using the bar and lines constantly.
The first line of defense is the ability to power and depower with your bar. If things get out of control or you’re overpowered, just release the bar. It’s designed to depower and let the kite drift to the edge of the wind window.
But that’s not all. You’ve also got your chicken loop release. It’s super easy to use—just pull it, and your kite will flag out on one line, attached to your safety leash. This is your go-to if simply releasing the bar isn’t enough, like when lines are twisted or the kite has a tear.
Speaking of which, your safety leash might be the most important piece of safety gear you have. Yes, you can kite without it, but if something goes wrong, like getting unhooked or your chicken loop accidentally releasing, you’ll lose your kite. Always use your safety leash from the start to the end of your session. If it all goes south, and the chicken loop release isn’t cutting it, use your last resort—release your safety leash.
And then there’s the dreaded death loop—just as terrifying as it sounds. This happens when a line wraps around your bar, making one line shorter and causing the kite to loop uncontrollably. Luckily, bars are more advanced now, and features like floaters help prevent this from happening.
Speaking of floaters, ever crashed your kite? Floaters help your bar stay on the surface, reducing the chance of twisted lines. But still, always keep an eye on your lines.
If your lines ever get tangled around you or stuck somewhere, you’ve got your line cutter. Almost every harness has one, though I have a bone to pick with harness manufacturers—why do I have to buy the knife separately, and why is it so hard to reach when you need it most? Do better!
One last tip: line adjustments. Sometimes lines get longer, and occasionally one line is longer than the others. You’ll feel it if it’s significant—your kite will steer hard to one side. It can make your session frustrating or even dangerous. Thankfully, brands have incorporated line adjustments into the bar, so you can tweak the length easily.
Kiteboard
People often think the kite is the dangerous part. But with all the safety features, it’s pretty safe—if you know how to use it. The real death machine? Your kiteboard.
Did you know some companies sell kiteboard leashes? Crazy, right? If you’ve got a death wish, go ahead and use one. Otherwise, steer clear.
A board leash might sound like a good idea, but it’s not. I’d rather body drag back to my board than have it slingshot into the back of my head. Even with my directional board, I avoid using a leash—it just feels sketchy. Sure, body dragging is annoying, but a board to the head is much worse.
The best way to stay safe?
Know the rules, get plenty of practice, and use your safety gear. Things can still go wrong, but remember: your life is worth more than your gear.
Fun fact to lift the mood: The term "chicken loop" comes from back in the day. The kite was designed with a bar loop you could hook into for easier and safer riding. But back then, using it meant you were a chicken. So if you used the hook, you were using the chicken loop.
xox Berit