Ever have your leash hang up your QR?

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

I thought I was increasing safety by attaching my leash under my spreader bar so that it was right there "dead" center. It's been there for three years. But when I came in the other day, I was standing in knee high water and went to release my QR and it got hung up on the leash, which was somewhat wrapped around my spreader bar. It scared the hell out of me in the immediate sense and also what potentially could have happened had I needed it in an emergency. I have moved the leash to a fixed point on the side of my Nitrous harness shorts but still wonder if this could still happen, has ever happened to anyone or can be completely avoided?

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

I don't attach to the front or the side of the harness for the specific issue mentioned. The leash will eventually get caught and wrapped around the spreader bar.

The back attachment point, on the harness, is not just for handle passes but also to keep leash clear of entanglements..

I think there are many others who are attaching to the front of the harness and unaware of the potential dangers.

-A.K.

Pepi · Mon Jun 17, 13 12:05 pm **Re: Ever have your leash hang up your QR?**

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

- another point to consider with "push away" Quick Releases on your leash is to test them occasionally and clean them - sand and muck can make them stick/jam - or worse freeze shut - when snow kiting (this nearly ended me )

- if you have any older "pull toward" you style leash you might want to replace - the assumption that everything is under tension (or extreme tension) when you need to eject may not always be the case - had a chicken line snap while scouting for halibut on a full retard day last year - was highly motivated to disconnect the leash before the next sun blotting set wave collected me (i exaggerate the presence of sun) - took a couple of pulls on slack lines before i realized this not worky - i just barely got the carabiner unclipped as the kite got detonated (probably could of grabbed the leash above the disconnect point with my right hand but really wanted to hang on to the surfboard for the swim home)

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Had and still have a similar issue every once and a while with my SS leach, especially when doing back/front rolls or riding in strong winds. I think it's because the leash is pretty darn long, light and loose so it wraps around surrounding objects easily. I'm considering buying mystics fat leash. It's shorter, heavier and really wider in diameter so I suspect it will not wrap as easy.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

Something else to consider is if you are not unhooking, make a much shorter leash. I think kite companies should offer a short leash as well as the longer unhooking one.

its_kite:30 · Since 29 May 2009 108 Posts White Salmon/ Beaverton Stoked

I have a long one too. I throw in about 3 knots and magic it is shorter. I know I am reducing the strength a bit but....

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Sounds like the solution is the start of a that's what she said joke: short, thick and around the backside. My only question is if the leash is attached around back whether on a slider or a fixed point couldn't it be hard to find in an emergency? I think I might prefer a fixed point on the side.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

NSI has leashes in different lengths. And they have looped ends so you
can put on what ever clips and releases you want.

http://www.northshoreinc.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=94&idcategory=20

Another great Hein designed product made right here in the Gorge with local labor.

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

a_b · Since 30 Oct 2010 36 Posts

A quick and free solution to shortening your leash is by bunching up sections of your existing leash and then using 2 wide elastic bands (I use cut up mountain bike inner tubes) to secure the bunched sections. This shortens your leash temporarily, which keeps it from accidentally snagging. And should you need a longer leash for unhooking, the bunched section will release once tensioned. It's very easy to re-bunch if needed.

Just make sure you bunch up near the QR but not so close to it that it won't release if you need to engage it.

This is what I do with my Cab leashes and have worked perfectly for the last few years. I bunch up 3-4 6" sections about 3" from the poly tube, making my leash about 12" tip to tip.

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

That Mystic harness looks good: short, thick however, it looks to have a carabiner clip on it. Carabiners and kiting never mix. Lines can get pulled in there.

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

Seems like some argue it's better to have the leash in front though as it can be difficult to access the eject if it's in the back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caDLkoOJODY

After some research, I think I've decided to use a short leash attached to the side as most have mentioned. I just made sure it's enough on the side that I can get to the release.