Thought this might be a good place to ask this.
I was reading recently about where kiters attach their leash when doing progressive moves with boots on. A lot of people say that they attach their leash to the spreader bar so that when the kite drags them while wearing boots they are not pulled sideways or backwards and can easily recover the kite and not be in a dangerous situation where they cannot release from their boards. On the other hand, if you are doing progressive moves with boots, this would normally mean handle passes right? So...?
Progressive kiters are usually riding suicide, and keep a safe distance to recover.
I attach leash to zip line around back of harness to allow handle passing without getting wrapped up.
Getting smashed learning a new trick, is all part of the fun.
The kite will either crash or make its way to edge of window if you can't get back to bar quick enough.
Sometimes you can land the trick but miss the bar, if your quick enough you can work your way up leash and grab chicken loop, No dramas.
I've never been dragged for ages? It just doesn't happen.
I've had to pull leash safety before, it's not as impossible or difficult as some would make you believe.
Backwards or forwards. Your leash release will always be easily within reach.
This is yet another NON ISSUE in this ludicrous debate.
Pay NO ATTENTION.
Leashes are as important as any other essential item to make kiting possible .... like a kite for instance.
BUT I guess if you are planning a session without your kite then leaving your kite leash at home would also be quite OK.
This would be the ONLY exception.
Well I put my edge in the drink today. First time I have had a kite drop in the drink and invert for farq me, 9 years! Just wasnt paying attention and looped the bloody thing square nose into the drink. What a dichead!!
Anyhow without a leash the only other option would have been to let the bloody thing go and go it would parrallel to the shore and probably into rocks. The pull was taking me with it..and those who have flown edges, even inverted the damn thing pulls! Hey apparent wind on an inverted kite...lol!
Released, then swam inshore...kite all water logged and sh1t on the shore. Redone lines, relaunched, back out there for a two hour sessions.
Kite leashes are not death leashes. They provide a situation with a simple solution.