Buddy broke his back with a static line and parachute which picked him up and line broke. Hospital and recovery took close to 2 years.
Static lines with hang gliders and paragliders are a big no no due to "lockouts" and even with constant pressure payout winches, weak lines are required because lockouts easily occur and you need a controlled break to occur between the tow line and tow bridle.
Here's a lockout in a paraglider and its the weak link that breaks...
Hang Gliding/Paragliding tow winches are constant pressure payout and are designed to apply a specific pressure to the tow line so when you do go sideways, the line will start paying out (releasing) but pressures in a lockout situation build up very quickly and any pressure on the line will make the lockout worse. Tow line operators are trained to dump pressure in the case of a lockout but normally its too late to recover from and controlled release or weak link break is the only recovery.
Since kites don't have weak links, its going to be the static line or kite line(s) that break with predictable results.
The guy that recently towed up and released had the same safety systems as a hang glider/paraglider tow system including a back up parachute. Not exactly a "pure" kiteboarding setup.
Rollo Tomasi
Since 17 Mar 2005
983 Posts
Attractive
Fri Oct 11, 13 8:45 am
@Jason/Slither.
That's Union Island - The Grenadines. Beautiful, warm kite spot.
We keep talking about going back. _________________ Send It! (>-----🏄♂️
Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
Fri Oct 11, 13 11:38 am
Who is the guy who used do that tethered near the bathroom at the marina - seemed he was having fun - somewhat unnerving to watch... _________________ Go Deep!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
