I would definitely recommend checking your QR on a secondhand kite..

So, I've been riding my second hand kite around for a couple of months without needing to use the Safety..

I finally did need the safety - after a spiralling self-launch..

*It turns out whoever had the kite before me didn't know how to reassemble the quick release.. Meaning my kite released the 'whole' kite from me on the 1st release!! And I ended up running down the beach after it!

Obviously this is not good for me or my kite and totally unsafe for people around me.. Fortunately no one was downwind so it was somewhat ok..

But, I did double check my other kite before using it yesterday.!

Agreed Smithy, but I didn't.. that's kinda the point..

"I would definitely recommend checking your QR on a secondhand kite.. "


I take it you check all kites QR's before you ride? Like when you borrow one from a mate or on a kiteshop demo day - pretty much doubt it..

Rosie, good point mate and hopefully some one that reads this may benefit BUT!!!

I Agree with Smithy and cant believe you didn't check it worked before/while you were setting up it takes like 2 seconds

you made you bed on that one I'm glad you or anyone else didn't get hurt

Rosie since you obviously have no idea about the gear your using, you need to have a look over your entire kite, line, bar and harness. If it took you a couple of months of riding a second hand kite and never check the QR. There is most like wear and tear which will need to be rectified before you continue to fly.

Knots in lines, stuck pulleys, wear on lines where pulleys run, larks heads and connectors worn through sheath... Just look over the entire thing in detail to see what is going to fail.

Good on you for posting this, but I think it a disgrace that it came to that. Be diligent especially if your flying on city beaches

And yes at a minimum i check my QR everytime before i launch. Even check another blokes kite yesterday cause i wanted to see how it worked, then told him i did so and for him to check i had put it back right, I had, it was a new Naish one, a good design i think. I was holding his bar while he was untangling lines.

Be safe

What is so hard to understand about kites and kite surfing?

A kite is like the wing of a plane.

Would you attempt to fly a plane (with TWO wings even!) without checking, double checking everything, especially the safety system?

Do it every time friends.

Thanks Chino for the insight into your last trip to Banga's - not sure if we bat for the same team bud but horses for courses :)

Who should I blame for not knowing to check my QR? No one told me I should. QR's seem pretty simple to put together so I never thought anyone else would have trouble doing it.

Everyone seems to bash kite instructors for everything on this site, I'm not about to. Only so much you can learn in 3-5 hours.

Smart people learn from others mistakes, which is why i jump on here and read up.
I'd rather let people know about my mistakes - even if it apparently makes me look clueless.. (I don't think it does) Point being - perhaps it might help someone else..?

Anyways.. interesting reading the above comments.

I'd already learnt my lesson on this one...
Hope a few of the above comments don't make others shy away from letting people know about their own mistakes..

chino said..
Keep your embarrassing mistakes private!

RosieKB said..

Everyone seems to bash kite instructors for everything on this site, I'm not about to. Only so much you can learn in 3-5 hours.

Maybe it's just me but I consider the QR the most important piece of equipment and it should be the first thing you learn when an instructor introduces you to the kite. I am surprised this was skipped.

Check out this thread and scroll down to the second post. The article is in german but you'll find the translation a bit further down. It highlights why you should keep you QR clean and check it regularly.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Overview-of-safety-systems/

Yes, this an excellent reminder for everyone.

Ask yourself "when did I last check my quick releases - chicken loop AND safety leash?".