I like to open a topic about security on windsurfing and windfoiling. Since a wile i use a Free Fall Hook from FRA, the inventers name is Franck Gressier and hes from france. This hook opens by specific force witch can be adjusted to personal use in windsurfing or windfoiling. It basicaly works just like a skibinding. If you get a catapult this hook gonna open and safes you not only booms, masts or harnesslines but as well your risk of Personal injury. check on the website www.free-ride-addicted.fr for more information.
what you think ehy this is not a standart since a long time?
It's always good to see innovative products in windsurfing and this one makes 100% sense although it's yet another item that can fail so time will tell if this is reliable. Not easy to have the components working in salty/sandy conditions longer term, opening when expected while still not releasing when sailing super powered up in heavy chop.
For that reason I'm always sceptical with things like this for critical parts like a harness hook. I personally won't be an early adopter but at the same time appreciate the efforts that went into this and hope it'll be a success. As soon as we see PWA riders using it, I'll be a good sign that it's mature and proven.
Harness lines that break serve the same purpose. Only problem is that you know only after the catapult if the lines were indeed weaker than the boom 
.
I've been using mine for well over a year now without any issues in terms of reliability/adjustability. I know several PWA guys who use it
I got mine for foiling since I'm trying to go fast on a foil and the crashes have been worse than when on a fin... It's definitely saved me a few times now. Highly recommend it. Though the price can be off putting for some.
Select to expand quoteptsf1111 said..
It's always good to see innovative products in windsurfing and this one makes 100% sense although it's yet another item that can fail so time will tell if this is reliable. Not easy to have the components working in salty/sandy conditions longer term, opening when expected while still not releasing when sailing super powered up in heavy chop.
For that reason I'm always sceptical with things like this for critical parts like a harness hook. I personally won't be an early adopter but at the same time appreciate the efforts that went into this and hope it'll be a success. As soon as we see PWA riders using it, I'll be a good sign that it's mature and proven.
The technology is mature, established and has been in use in snow ski bindings for over 50 years.
I use a product, developed by Bartlett Industries, that uses the same technology for use as a quick release for footstraps. They have saved my ankles from injury a number of times during awkward dismounts while foiling.
Interesting, I read the above as something new. Good that it has been proven already.
Does it need much maintenance? I'm familiar with ski bindings but they are not exposed to salt water and beach sand normally. I guess those things are a recipe for jammed bindings.
I got this system after a near zero speed full rib cage crush after hitting a sandbar last year. It was horrific not being able to unhook whilst the sail crushed the rib cage in slow motion against the mast and feeling all the ribs crack. Thought I was gonna die as couldn't breathe for a what seemed a minute. Could hardly move after for 2 months so for me is cheap insurance having something that can give before the body. Only sailed with system a few months (no catapults yet) but seems well made and if rinse it every session can't see it won't last as long as normal harness. Franck is super guy and responds to all questions. Highly recommended
Select to expand quoteBen1973 said..
Looks like it's ready to rip sails to shreds, very pointy
falling into the sail harness hook first will be bad for your sail irrespective of the hook. nothing particular about the shape or geometry of this hook. besides, that's the whole point of this system: you will be falling backwards as it releases in a crash, not forwards as you would be with a conventional harness hook.
Thank you Jan for opening this topic.
About maintenance, it is recommanded to rince it and put some wd40 from time to time. And of course beware of sand.
Note that it is easy to take appart for maintenance and that parts are sold separatly if needed.
Thomas Goyard has been using one of the first prototypes for I think 3 years now and also it was still working I replaced the hook in september.
A2 has been using it a lot also and was using it at the Fort Boyard challenge (he won..).
Nicolas Goyard was a big fan of it from the start and was kind enough to send me this short video where he goes flying at 35 kts.
Invoice for me a few months ago including shipping to Perth, WA for size M was 222.81 Euro or about $361 AUD. (Shipping was 37.20 Euro and you could probably avoid the 5% Paypal fee but it makes it easy as one click and its at your door) Prices are on his website www.free-ride-addicted.fr
Select to expand quoteFlex2 said..
Invoice for me a few months ago including shipping to Perth, WA for size M was 222.81 Euro or about $361 AUD. (Shipping was 37.20 Euro and you could probably avoid the 5% Paypal fee but it makes it easy as one click and its at your door) Prices are on his website www.free-ride-addicted.fr
There is 20% VAT in France so the taxfree price of the hook is 175?. Shipping is indeed about 40? and it all adds up to something like 230? including Paypal (5%) which is really the most convenient as otherwise my bank takes its share for abroad paiements...
Note that there is no more XL for this year and less than 10 L sizes left...
Only 7 hooks in Australia for now.
Berowne Hlavaty has 2, so does Tom Plodr.
Roland Schmid, Dave Morehead and Mark Addley have one.
So if you can to meet them on the spot, you could have a look at the product before ordering.
Note that with modern browsers it is easy to translate a webpage. Example with Edge below:
Just click on the icon on the right of the address bar and select your langage
After my big rib ****'n accident I bought Franck's harness but also a Forward Wip PFD impact vest. First few sails was annoying that the plastic cover surrounding the emergency release trigger would keep getting snagged under the impact vest. After every gybe had to release tension and manually untuck this bit of plastic from the impact vest. Big session today found solution that worked perfect for 100km. Impact vest harness loop needs to go inside harness/down then back around over top of hook. 'Just' enough elastic to make it work. Hopefully photos show. Zero snags today in ballistic conditions..
Franck recommends starting release pressure set at body mass. I did that but on slapper was too low, just dialled knob bit by bit so hook didn't release in the biggest chop. I think was a full turn more but playing around with it you get the sense it will actually work when it counts....plus the emergency release if you get stuck under sail is another bonus/option.
Some other picts on windsurfing33:
on this thread:
www.windsurfing33.com/forum//viewtopic.php?f=42&t=121422&start=105
or here:www.windsurfing33.com/forum//viewtopic.php?f=42&t=134924&start=15
Franck if you are ever going to stop making them please let me know and I will be buying at least 3. Mine is two years old and going strong. Its saved me and the nose of my board many times
Select to expand quotethedoor said..
Franck if you are ever going to stop making them please let me know and I will be buying at least 3. Mine is two years old and going strong. Its saved me and the nose of my board many times
It should still be available in 2025 but if you feel like buying a few spare ones, you're welcome.
L and M sizes available only at the time.
I havn't been foiling much this year so havn't given mine too much of a workout (I don't use it for fin, if I was sailing flat gusty speed spot I would likely make the effort to set it up for that).
The bar quick release a bit different, not bad just different. Pleased with the product & great to see some thought going into windsurfing products, so happy to support Franck.
Price of the hook is nothing compared to cost of the crashes without it.
