Wind on Sunday

LSUKiter, if you launch hooked in, don't just look at your quick release, keep your HAND ON IT until the kite is overhead and stable... if it suddenly loops you will have to look down to grab it and trust me when I say you are not going to succeed.

Honestly I don't recommend connecting to an outside line during launch (on a waroo or other bow kite). If you have a bar with velcro on that ring, and you forget to undo it, or if you clip into the wrong ring (there are two on the end of the bar) you are in for the worst possible kitemare you can imagine.

Odds are good you will forget or get the wrong ring at some point in your life.

My personal solution is not the best solution, but it is the most convenient solution.

1) I launch hooked in with my hand on the QR, and I do not connect my leash until the kite is in the air. Not the best, but safe from kite loops as long as I pull the release.

2) A an even safer method which Steve-O mentioned awhile back is to launch with the chicken loop in your hand (unhooked) and one hand on the bar. Done that too... also no leash connected until after launch. Works ok, but you could loose your kite if you slip and fall or something.

Whats the safest method to launch a bow with "full" depower?

3) Launch unhooked by holding the chicken loop (fully depowered) in one hand,one hand on bar, with leash connected to a front line.

[Steve-O]

All good advice Tom.

Just to clarify, I never mentioned the chicken loop in hand idea. Might be confusing that with someone else. No biggie.

There are all kinds of methods to be safe, you just have to find what works best for you. The time to figure this out is not when you are in trouble, but to practice releasing the kite in a controlled area with lighter winds. Just to see what is going to happen so you know what to expect.

Center line rings are the best option IMO, and can easily be put on alot of kites that don't have them. Usually kites without pulleys on the bar have the rings on the back lines which as stated can be a mess. Yes and if hooked up wrong, you are even in bigger trouble.

Moral of the story, educate yourself on all aspects of the kites safety and practice using them all.

I like the kites that have the below bar safety ring and allow you to flag the kite in this same ring. What could be better???

I know of some.....are there others?

Ozone
Rev
Flexi ION (in 5 line setting)
North Kites
5 Line C kites
Blade

What other companies are using this safety as part of their design???

Yes Danny, that rings a bell.

[inferno]

this is why i switched to 5th liners for higher wind, anything over 15 and im on 5 lines...
the good thing about 5 lines is that if you do get in trouble and cant find the QR, all you need to do is grab your leash and pull a good 1-2ft... that will pull the nose of the kite just enough to dump most of the power, unless its a 16m + kite, that would require more then 2ft.... but on my 12m, if i pull one foot of the 5th, the kite starts to fall out of the air, it obviously wouldnt stop a looping kite, but the pull would be reduced drastically

[kite-4-life]

Freak Dog Kites also have below the bar safety (front line) and it works excellent. Instant flagging with no looping or pull.
Slingshot surefire spreader bar adds a very simple way out(hit the button) in addition to the normal quick release. Easier to hit the button than to find a loop, grab it effectively and pull it. I use these for all my students as an added safety precaution. I would like to see manufacturers improve this already smart design.