I am not sure how many of us on this forum started kite boarding on two liners, with no depower and no QR? A lot happened since (for us who survived 
). After the introduction of varius QR systems, we still have heard about serious accidents. So What is the problem with QR? Nothing. The problem is that in an emergency situation we rely on reflexes, (like stepping on the break of a car) instead of reasoning. There is no chance for QR becoming a reflex, since we use it so rarely (if at all), so in an emergency we may or may not remember...... furthermore, each brand uses different systems........therefore we cannot rely on QR alone for safety.
On the other hand, the (full 80-90%) depower of modern kites becomes a refex as we use it all the time, and in an emergency it is as easy as letting the bar go. It is unlikely that a fully depowered modern kite would loft or drag someone into hard objects. In fact unhooked riders already rely entirely on the depower for safety.
So while I see QR absolutely necessary, I believe the #1 priority is a well working depower system. Especially for beginners, buying an old kite with limited depower is leaving the door open for a possible disaster....
You still need to make going for the QR a natural reflex by going for it with your eyes closed every time you ride just to practice (not actually pulling it). The people who get seriously injured or hurt often happens when lines are twisted, board caught in lines etc where the depower doesn't work.
Don't forget the 'death grip'. I have seen novices paralysed with fear, or whatever it is, and not release the bar leaving the kite fully powered. Depower won't help then. Nor will QR for that matter...
I see what you're getting at now, I was taking the letting the bar go as an obvious given. Nothing will stop the instinct of trying to hold on when in trouble for some people.
Maybe more drumming in when having lessons and practicing letting the bar go then heaps of practicing pulling the QR when powered.
I launched with tangled lines once on a 14m in wind that was a bit too strong for the kite. The kite was fully powered up even though I had let the bar go. I managed to pull the QR before the kite had even done half a loop and probably saved me from being pulled through a fence. Have your mind ready to hit the QR when launching.
It's not either/or depower or QR, it's both.
I think people should have their QR on their harness rather than their kite, as all kites have different QR's. You change your kites more than your harness and this way you are more likely to get used to it.
The first brand to make a cheap, reliable swiveling spreader bar with QR built in, for less than a million dollars each, will sell heaps!
). After the introduction of varius QR systems, we still have heard about serious accidents. So What is the problem with QR? Nothing. The problem is that in an emergency situation we rely on reflexes, (like stepping on the break of a car) instead of reasoning. There is no chance for QR becoming a reflex, since we use it so rarely (if at all), so in an emergency we may or may not remember...... furthermore, each brand uses different systems........therefore we cannot rely on QR alone for safety.
Depower is like taking your foot off the accelerator - it will slow you down.
But if the accelerator gets stuck - you need to instinctively know where the brake is - that's where the QR comes in.
The death grip is a real factor. A mate came down the beach the other day and thought it was ok to teach his mate on a C kite in 20kts. WTF!! i said. So I drove home and got them my small 3m foily. Even after explaining when landing or in an emergancy that all you have to do is let go,it'll pull on one line and land, the dude was paralised with fear and wouldn't let go.LET GO, LET GO, LET GO, LET GO!!!!.
isn't that what you use?
I would have thought steering clear of a pile of rocks would be good insurance against gettin smashed
Obstacles such as these also tend to distract pilots from the flying task at hand .I remeber a good tip when I was in hang gliding .Don't look at the stump in the middle of the paddockthat you are going to land in ,you'll hit it for sure ..
Sure enough one day when coming into land in a paddock with one tree in it I was so focused on avoiding the tree I didn't notice that the wind had changed and hit the tree (well a few leaves anyway ) a close call and could have been worse
). After the introduction of varius QR systems, we still have heard about serious accidents. So What is the problem with QR? Nothing. The problem is that in an emergency situation we rely on reflexes, (like stepping on the break of a car) instead of reasoning. There is no chance for QR becoming a reflex, since we use it so rarely (if at all), so in an emergency we may or may not remember...... furthermore, each brand uses different systems........therefore we cannot rely on QR alone for safety.
you are so onto it . more time should be given in kitesurfing lesson on QR drills
you have to practice countless times before your safe.
3 lessons for kitessurfing lesson only teaches you how to kill yourself. I tell my students 3 months of practice before your able to be safe on an inflatable.
There are going to be some major incidents at Cronulla this year, all because of the way the sport is taught. It's so unsafe!!! we have a duty of care and I don't think we are supplying that to the newbees.
what do I know only been teaching for 10 years
My near death experience on a so called fully depower sle kite.
I have been kiting for a few years now and one time when setting up my last kite a 7M best waroo, I accadently connected up the lines wrong in my haste to get out on the water. I was given an assisted launch and both of us did not notice that on one side I had the steering and depower lines reversed.
I launched, and the kite whent into a fully powered up death loop dragging me. I pulled the quick release which sent the bar down the lines out of reach still fully powered doing death loops. After being dragged by the safety leash for 100 meters or so with people running and trying to jump on me. The kite finally hit the ground and with the help of the people around at the time was able to get me sorted. After that near death experience, I double check my lines and now have a quick release on my safety leash as well.
Set it up right and keep it low when you are over powered. You can't get lofted when you kite is 1m above the ground. Learn to edge and hold a rail when your kite is low before you ride near other people or hard objects.
Sorry Slave and Echo, I still don't get it. Maybe I'm a bit slow. Can you please explain?
You are saying I should remove my kite leash as I kite in the surf. (It performs no function if connected to the CL, so why have a leash).
If I drop my kite in waves and can't relaunch I first pull the the QR. What do you advocate I do - first response is to let the kite go?
Please explain ?
