I religiously close mine. Cabrinha one pump system. If I get a puncture in a strut atleast the leading edge won't deflate. No problems if you don't use them. Though inthink the 3 seconds to close all of them up would save me a big swim.

Hi mate

I like to use the clips, because if a bladder bursts whilst flying/crashing, the clips will always ensure part of your kite remains inflated/buoyant in the water.

If a strut was to burst whilst flying, then the clips would still mean the kite was flyable and you would make it back to the beach easily.

If your leading edge burst, or the valve popped out on a heavy impact crash, the clips would keep the struts inflated. Although the kite would not be flyable, a self rescue would be much easier, with a kite thats still floating.This has happened to me and I was glad I had the clips.

A friends kite burst near the shore, with no struts clipped off and it would have been near impossible to drag the kite out if it hadn't been in knee deep water.

Granted these scenarios are all 'ifs', and 99.9% of the time you don't need the clips, but there could be that one time you do need them.

Ben

Also clipping off your struts is the best to to discover if you have a slow leak anywear. After an hour or two on the water it will be obvious when you unclip and air rushes through that valve.

Come on Martin....you are an instructor!!!!!
Delete the post before Waxy gets back on or he will paste you!!!

martynbone said...

Does anyone actually use the clips that close off the LE bladder to the strut bladders? The only company that has a compulsary shut off is Naish with the Octopus System. Other than that I don't think I've ever shut them off.... ARE THEY REALLY NEEDED? (I hope not as I've removed them now!)

Are you seriously asking this question ?????
Here's some purple grapes


Someone told me that they make wine with them but I'm not so sure.

They are there for good reasons.
Burst a leading edge - then you still have something that will enable a self rescue and/or keep you afloat till you are rescued.
AND, you kite will perform better. If the clips are not closed then air can move between the struts and LE gives a slightly soggy feel to your kite.

martynbone said...

Does anyone actually use the clips that close off the LE bladder to the strut bladders? The only company that has a compulsary shut off is Naish with the Octopus System. Other than that I don't think I've ever shut them off.... ARE THEY REALLY NEEDED? (I hope not as I've removed them now!)

Wait for it... I am sure there is more to this 's question...

martynbone said...

Does anyone actually use the clips that close off the LE bladder to the strut bladders? The only company that has a compulsary shut off is Naish with the Octopus System. Other than that I don't think I've ever shut them off.... ARE THEY REALLY NEEDED? (I hope not as I've removed them now!)

The Naish system, is not like that Martynbone, the valves from the LE to the struts are one way, they do not lock off like normal clips.
In the event of a LE blowout they prevent air from flowing out of the struts, but in the event of any strut blow out or puncture the whole kite deflates. Also if the kite is crashed hard air is forced into the struts through the LE/Strut one way valves and the increased pressure can cause zips and stitching to fail.
The LE to strut connection is internal and is hard to detect leaks from, and can also be difficult to work on, because you cannot see if the teflon tape has sealed the connection properly.
Kites generally fly nice, one pump system is not so nice.

If in the water with SS kites u could always pull off the link hose and blow up the struts with ya mouth then clip them off

Sigh, whatever happened to seabreeze being a happy place?

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