How to survive and recover from a death looping kite
But why does it happen? One of the most common situations is when the central depower line gets wrapped around the control bar resulting in an uncontrolled kite loop. When it happens, you will not be able to activate the quick-release system because the safety line is also blocked and entangled. "In fact, activating the quick release can make it even worse. When the bar gets away from you, it will make it impossible to fly a kite manually and to untangle the lines," explains veteran kiteboarding instructor Anton Chernyshov. "Simultaneously, the kite will remain powered. So, the only thing left to do is to activate the safety leash quick release, in case you can reach and have some practice doing so."108
Kite control bar: when it gets away from you during a death loop, make sure to activate the safety leash quick release | Photo: Shutterstock The Worst-Case Scenario However, there's another unpleasant example that might take place. It's when one of the steering lines wraps around the harness hook. The kite starts looping with the control system stuck tightly to the harness. In this scenario, you cannot activate the quick release since your control bar cannot fly away. So, how can you fix that without injuring yourself or losing your life?109
Whenever your kite enters a death loop, and you notice the safety system is blocked, make sure you force your kite to stall by grabbing and pulling hard on the furthest steering line. It actually works, even if the kite was fully powered just a few moments ago. "You may also pull the tensioned steering line, but it is much harder to do," adds Chernyshov.110
Kite: if you experience a death loop in shallow waters, grab its leading edge and get back to the beach Recovering, Relaunching and Self-Rescue Once the kite lost its power, it's time to analyze your options. If possible, untangle the lines, check if the bar is working correctly, and relaunch your kite when you're ready. Once the kite is flying, untwist your lines and resume riding.111
"In case you are unsure about your lines, or you have obstacles around you, think about activating the self-rescue procedures," states Anton Chernyshov. Finally, and if you're standing in shallow waters, you can always just walk toward the kite, holding the steering line, until you grab its leading edge. Remember that the kite knife is not always the best solution. It may not be practical, and it may not work with thicker lines.112
Have you ever felt that your old kite is not behaving as it used to? Maybe your kite bar and lines need an adjustment. With time, lines tend to stretch, and when you pull your bar, the kite tends to back stall. Why? Because small particles of sand and dust will get into your lines, making them thicker and, overall, slightly shorter. So, nothing like a smart kite hack to bring the old feel back to your favorite wing. A good practice is to check your lines regularly and see if they're optimized and well-trimmed, even when you think your kite is flying great.113
Having your lines correctly set up will improve the kite's performance dramatically. Time to check your lines' condition. To do so, fly your kite at 12 o'clock with your trimmer bar set at full power. Now, pull your bar. If the kite doesn't look and feel good, it is probably due to shorter steering lines. There are two ways of fixing the problem:114
Kites: take your time to trim your favorite wing 1. The Quick Fix The fastest yet least effective option is to depower the kite and ride it as it is. It's a temporary solution that will, however, not allow you to use the full range of your trimmer. But there is a better option to solve the problem.115
2. The Ideal Solution Find a comfortable and unobstructed area and unroll your bar. Make sure all your lines are untangled and find a place where you can attach them. Ask someone to hold the lines. Open your trimmer and check the bar. You will notice that your bar is not trimmed correctly, and the steering lines are slightly shorter. Different kite manufacturers offer different solutions to this problem.116
But in many cases, you can find extra knots under the floater, move the knots and make the steering lines longer. If you don't have this option, add extensions to your steering lines with extra pigtails. The extensions will not be the exact size needed, but you can always add an extra knot to fit your needs. If you don't have extensions, another option is to shorten your power lines by adding a knot for one or two centimeters. If you need more, you can add a knot where you attach your power lines. Finally, go back to your bar and check if all your lines have the same length.117