Does anyone actually use the clips that close off the LE bladder to the strut bladders? The only company that has a compulsary shut off is Naish with the Octopus System. Other than that I don't think I've ever shut them off.... ARE THEY REALLY NEEDED? (I hope not as I've removed them now!)
I religiously close mine. Cabrinha one pump system. If I get a puncture in a strut atleast the leading edge won't deflate. No problems if you don't use them. Though inthink the 3 seconds to close all of them up would save me a big swim.
Yeah, i forgot to engage the clips last session and was surprised when all the struts went down with the kite afterwards. Darn it, i was only going to a different spot and didn't want to deflate the struts.
Good point though, proved i don't usually need them.
Hi mate
I like to use the clips, because if a bladder bursts whilst flying/crashing, the clips will always ensure part of your kite remains inflated/buoyant in the water.
If a strut was to burst whilst flying, then the clips would still mean the kite was flyable and you would make it back to the beach easily.
If your leading edge burst, or the valve popped out on a heavy impact crash, the clips would keep the struts inflated. Although the kite would not be flyable, a self rescue would be much easier, with a kite thats still floating.This has happened to me and I was glad I had the clips.
A friends kite burst near the shore, with no struts clipped off and it would have been near impossible to drag the kite out if it hadn't been in knee deep water.
Granted these scenarios are all 'ifs', and 99.9% of the time you don't need the clips, but there could be that one time you do need them.
Ben
Yep, I clip mine off every kite. Never had a leak or puncture yet, but if it happens and the clip saves me from a long swim, I'll be happy. My clips and hoses are showing no signs of wear or perishing after two years of fairly solid use on my main kite.
Also clipping off your struts is the best to to discover if you have a slow leak anywear. After an hour or two on the water it will be obvious when you unclip and air rushes through that valve.
I clip my struts off mainly because if the leading edge suddenly goes down I still have a kite that will float. Not real sure if the performance of the kites are affected by the clips being left open.
Come on Martin....you are an instructor!!!!!
Delete the post before Waxy gets back on or he will paste you!!!
Is Martynbone a instructor in Adelaide?
I just moved to Adelaide, well sort of got a house in Aldinga and was looking to get some lessons for my GF. Is there anyone south of Adelaide that teaches kitesurfing? I really hope this guy is not the only one.
I clip the valves off on my rev2. I haven't been kiting long but know that all the little tips you get in your lessons can save you when things go wrong. I cant imagine how hard a self rescue would be with a fully deflated kite.
I had issues with my leading edge valve opening under a heavy crash a couple of years ago, I thought all the strut clips were closed but turned out only two were so the rest of the kite deflated.
500m out with a kite that barely floats is not fun and if it weren't for being pulled in by another kiter I doubt my kite would have made the trip with me.
They are there for good reasons.
Burst a leading edge - then you still have something that will enable a self rescue and/or keep you afloat till you are rescued.
AND, you kite will perform better. If the clips are not closed then air can move between the struts and LE gives a slightly soggy feel to your kite.
I have kited many times with two instructors and they never clip off. Come to think of it I never notice people clipping off after pumping up or after deflating.
's question...
I can guarantee I have never ever clipped mine off for a session- pain to do and longer to pack up. I have been kiting a fair while and the old rule of thumb is to not go out further than you can swim in anyway...I agree they might be a good idea- but I know that none of the crew I ride with use them.
Now with a Naish kite I don't even have them anymore anyway.
If in the water with SS kites u could always pull off the link hose and blow up the struts with ya mouth then clip them off
Sigh, whatever happened to seabreeze being a happy place? 
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