Can one fly with a broken inside line?

pmax · Since 17 Aug 2007 80 Posts

I launch from the original kite spit yesterday and ride all the way up to the White Salmon bridge when the inside line detaches upon boosting a jump,not the fifth line of my 5 line kite,therefore I have 4 points of attachment.
Rather than risk a relaunch that could cause the kite to be uncontrolable I deploy my quick release and safely go up the fifth line and secure my kite.
Friends immediately help me out,Randy takes my board and John Doyle drags me to the Wash. side near the White Salmon bridge.I climb up to the highway and within minutes windsurfers stop and give me a ride back to the spit.

Proof once again that the gorge community DOES look out for one another.
Thanks to all for your help.

My question is this.

Could I have flown the kite back safely?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

You did the right thing! The kite's going to want to turn towards the side which broke the line making it pretty hard to control.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

If it was any line other than the 5th line that broke, you wouldn't want to try to fly it.

It either won't fly or it will go into a death spiral. Would you want to drive your car if one wheel fell off? Wink

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Mike Hawk · Tue Jun 09, 09 7:56 am **chuck norris would...**

...go check out cape horn

Mike Hawk · Tue Jun 09, 09 7:56 am **chuck norris would...**

...go check out cape horn

not on board · Since 08 May 2009 39 Posts United States

As all have said it is best to not try and fly if you are somewhere where you can drop the kite. But I have been way off shore and one center line broke and I was able to relaunch the kite and fly it so that I could get to shore. It flew allright but I had to hold it heavy on one side as it did want to go one way more then the other.

A real big risk is the loose line.
Myself and another rider have had a broken fifth line and thought to body drag to shore.
Well the line trailling in the water completely hog tied me to the point that I could not stand up when I reached the shore. If I had not had the kite dragging me across the water, I would of drown. Same thing for the other guy. If you are ever in said situation, wrap up that loose line before relaunching from the water and attempting to body drag.
Hope you never are in said situation.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

From what I've heard a broken front line is worse than a broken back line. Either way it's a good reason to keep you front lines fresh and thick. SS has created thicker lines on the t3 and other kites just for this very reason.

Think of your kiting lines as climbing lines. I actually role mine out every week in the park and inspect them.

The rocks at rufus, snags, and sand that build up in the twist of the line cause wear.

clean them, replace them love them respect them..

Very Happy

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

I had my Rebel gull-wing on me and crumple into a ball on the water yesterday. Nothing I tried was able to get it back into shape. I finally stuck my bar between my legs to keep it from getting tangled, and pulled myself to the kite. Once the kite was unfolded, I fed the lines back out and managed to relaunch it. The lines were fairly messed up and somehow, the fifth line was holding all the pressure and the two inside lines were hanging slack. The kite launched itself and, while I was ready to pull the safety, it seemed to fly okay and I managed to limp in with absolutely no inside line pressure.

Not recommended, but it did work. BTW... If you fly Rebels, get the extra 5th line bridle that they offer at no charge and also make sure you pump it higher than the recommended 6psi.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

dude did your kite fly with one of you front lines unattached???? the answer is no!