accidentally unhooking
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 12:24
I (beginner) find myself accidentally unhooking in what seems to me almost random situations. It happened a few times after getting up on the board, on the 3rd or 4th power stroke, usually no big deal except for the annoyance of entangled lines after crashing.
Last weekend it happened during the launch though, which I liked a lot less. The launch itself was fine, it felt controlled and smooth, but the moment I steered the kite (slowly) to the opposite site of the window, I became unhooked and the bar got yanked out of my hands and went flying. I was far enough from the beach that the kite crashed into the water, not the beach, but I don't want this to happen under different circumstances.
Maybe I'm doing this myself by accidentally sheeting in too much. Or maybe it's a gear issue? My harness has a pivoting spreader bar (Dakine), and the donkey dick seems rather short and flexible on at least two of our bars, but if I remember correctly, this has happened with a different harness as well. I could also see the DD getting halfway dislodged at a weird angle and then actively pushing the CL of the hook, but I usually check for that before I launch. Maybe not enough.
Or is accidentally unhooking something that just happens to everybody now and then, and I just have to get used to it or anticipate it?
Thanks for any suggestion!
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 12:48
#1
Sounds like you need a bigger
Sounds like you need a bigger dick or a stiffer one!!! lol, No pun intended. I have seen people use a bic ballpoint pen tube and used electrical tape to extend your DD. I know its kinda ghetto but for the short term it will work.
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 12:49
#2
Also a pivoting spreader bar
Also a pivoting spreader bar sucks, trust me....
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 14:55
#4
This happens a lot when you
This happens a lot when you are hooked in with the DD, maybe take pressure off or slack the bar, and the CL can get slightly off it's hook. with added pressure, it can come off the CL and the DD won't help you.
I can show you next time i see you. it's a pain, but you get to know how to stop it from happening.
Wait till you unhook on purpose... fun fun fun!!
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 17:04
#5
Don't do it.
My two cents:
I see people do this all the time and it bothers me as I think it is fairly unsafe: most riders hook into their loop, put the DD in and attach their safety before the kite is launched. Again, I think this is very unsafe. If the launch goes bad you will not have the time to get the kite away. Or at least I would bet against you (anyone) being able to. Things just happen too quickly.
So, my opinion - do not hook into the loop until your kite is up and ready to be launched (assuming you have a launcher). Hold the loop with one hand and the bar with the other, then look down your lines while the launcher holds the kite upright. Once okay, then pull the loop over your hook. Personally I do not use the DD on land, ever. I'd rather be able to pop the entire thing off my hook quickly and ditch it. I know there are "safetys" now but sometimes they don't work, trust me. I'm able to let go of the bar completely, which depowers the kite somewhat and pull the loop off my hook with my hands fairly fast. This way still leaves the option of hooking back in or ditching the entire thing. Same thing with the leash, I do not ever hook the leash until I am out on the water. Or at least wait until the kite is over the water and pulling me toward it.
Some may not agree, but I think it is better to get the kite away from you if the sh*t hits the fan when launching. Assuming we are all smart about where we launch (as much as possible) and that there are no children or small mutant creatures downwind that would be adversely affected by your ditched kite.
As for the loop falling off your hook - sounds as though your hook is no good. I have no experience with a spinning hook but that sounds suspect. It does happen to everyone, but not all the time (or it should not happen all the time).
Another thing to get comfy with (which I mentioned above) is letting go of your bar and using both hands on the loop itself. Try this in light wind with the kite at the lower edge of the wind window (best if you are standing in shallow water not near anyone or thing). While hooked in (no DD) practice letting go of the bar, using BOTH hands to grab the chicken loop, pull it off your hook, then put it back on. Once you have that down, try doing it with one hand - one hand at center of bar, one hand grabbing loop. This is 10x easier and faster than pulling the bar down to your hook with both hands on it, which many do when they inadvertently become unhooked.
***Edit:
Forgot to mention this, when launching, after I hook in, I usually put one hand over the loop and kind of squeeze it around my hook, or pull away from me, so that the loop stays on the hook. Then if any slack appears in the lines, I'll still have the loop on my hook. Or I can pull the loop off my hook as mentioned above. I also do this on the water, as I usually do not use the DD anyway. It becomes fairly natural to do. Hopefully this was explained well enough.
Good luck.
Thu, 07/21/2011 - 07:13
#6
My first kite set up would
My first kite set up would come off about once every 10 to 20 sessions. I really didn't like the surprise. I could never figure out if the DD was too short but that's my guess.
Since I've gone on to other kites and bars I haven't had it happen at all.
It's possible that I was just being careless in the beginning about inserting the DD into the bar. I'm always careful now to make sure it is fully inserted with the end sticking up through the spreader bar.
Thu, 07/21/2011 - 11:40
#7
new chicken loop
If you ever do come unhooked, do not try to hold onto the bar, quickly grab the chicken loop instead. This way you are de-powering the kite.
I had the same issue with my 2010 Convert 12m, so I replaced the chicken loop with a 2011 model for $40. This one is very secure.
http://www.inlandsea.com/p-618-cabrinha-ids-chicken-loop-wquick-release.aspx
Thu, 07/21/2011 - 12:15
#8
I have had it happen to me on
I have had it happen to me on a few occasions. It is usually when I am really leaning to far against the kite and trying to pull myself back up which in turn sheets the bar all the way in and can then loosen the tension on the chicken loop. Actually just had it happen last weekend. The first time it is a bit unnerving, but once you have figured out what to do its not so bad. I like to hold onto the bar with one hand and quickly grab the chicken loop and pull it down and back over my harness hook. That way you still have control over the kite, but at the same time you are relieving pressure off the loop. Also if you turn downwind a little bit it will make it even easier. Its a bit unnerving the first time... but after that not so much a big deal. Just be careful about putting too much weight on your bar and not your chicken loop if that makes sense
Thu, 07/21/2011 - 13:12
#9
I kooked out my first launch
I kooked out my first launch at PB because of this. It happened to me a few times in succession and very dangerous IMO.
Simple solution, just keep tension on the chicken loop when launching. Do this either by holding the chicken loop or the line(
that pass through the center of the bar during launch. I have done this and never again had a problem.
Fri, 07/22/2011 - 09:50
#10
Thanks everyone. All these
Thanks everyone. All these comments are extremely helpful and reassuring! Gotta love this forum. Used the other harness yesterday and kept a keen eye (or hand) on the CL loop, and had no issues. We'll see if it lasts.
Fri, 07/22/2011 - 10:13
#11
What I like most is that
What I like most is that people are civil
Thanks Jay, I'll play with the DDs and see if the same thing happens with the regular spreader bar on my waist harness. I like that one better than the seat harness anyway.