MarkWorth
Since 02 May 2011
149 Posts
Hood River
Stoked
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 Tue Jan 24, 12 9:23 am Line entanglement |
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Over and over on NWKite we hear about kiters getting dragged by lines during a failed self rescue.
And the comments focus on knifes. Cutting lines while being dragged is a chancy proposition.
The solution is not a knife, the solution is learning to stay the hell out of the lines during a self rescue.
I strongly recommend treading water throughout the self rescue process. If you kick with your feet you can swim away from the slack line in the water and be in position to fully release the kite at any time.
I have self rescued dozens of times since 1997 and have only once allow any line to get near my legs or up wind of me during the self rescue process. I learned in that single incident to move to the side as I wind the front lines.Before winding any lines start moving to the side, fully detached the chicken loop and safety. As you wind the front line, the tensioned lines go directly from the bar to the kite as you tread water to one side. The slack lines are on the side and away from you because you are moving instead of drifting.
At any time, letting go of the bar should allow the kite to blow away and allow you to swim to shore safely.
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Have More Fun!
Mark
Gorge Kiteboard School
http://gorgekiteboardschool.com |
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