How to prevent accidental chicken loop release

[@ethanobrien9747]

This just happened to me today in high wind and waves. As soon as it released, the safety line somehow got caught in the steering lines so it couldn’t de power and the bar was out of my reach from the length of safety line that did go through so I couldn’t get back to the bar. The kite was flying inverted with the bar dangling just out of reach blowing me back to shore into the breaking waves. Once I got to the breaking waves I had to release the kite completely as I was afraid I get wrapped in the line when the wave dumped me. Eventually got in, untangled everything, and went straight back out. Didn’t want to miss good conditions!

[@erbartlett]

Glad you were safe and got back out right away!! Your situation sounds more precarious than mine, but a cool / calm head seems to have helped you handle it with no issue? Any lessons learned?

[@ethanobrien9747]

I recently replaced my safety line and I missed a little plastic bead that I think stops the bar sliding too far out. I recommend checking in a light wind day if you can reach the bar when de powered and see if you can find a way to wind up the safety without wrapping around your hands as that’s not an option in strong wind. Maybe it can be wound around your board to help get back to the bar

[@OneWheelGuy1]

For a while my chicken loop was releasing about every ten to twenty sessions. I finally realized that the chicken finger (or whatever rude name you might prefer for it) was too short so it would pop out and then the chicken loop could easily work its way off of my hook. I got a slightly longer chicken finger and the problem went away. This clearly wasn't what happened to you (in my case the safety didn't release), but I had to deal with the same logistics of getting hooked up again. BTW, you shouldn't need to push the bar away - just let go of it while holding on to the chicken loop/safety.

[@erbartlett]

That would have scared the crap out of me! But I bet having it happen multiple times got you more familiar with how to deal with the situation! Why was the stick too short? Was it a new bar?

[@OneWheelGuy1]

@@erbartlett It was a second-hand bar. I think the factory stick is a bit long so the previous owner shortened it, but they shortened it too much. When I got a replacement stick it was too long but I was careful not to shorten it as much. It's been fine since then

[@andyrogers2578]

Nice! New foil board, too?

[@erbartlett]

Good eye! It's coming in a future video :)

[@kosmikmusa]

Do you have a video about self launching and landing? It looks like you are doing it so easily on this video.

[@erbartlett]

I don’t, it’s a more advanced skill that has some risk associated with it, so when I make a video about it I just want to be super thoughtful. Here’s what happens when things go wrong kzbin.info/www/bejne/boO3lWqtgZqIpbM

[@yanm4223]

you have a new board, tell me what's the difference with nobile does it make sense to buy?

[@erbartlett]

I got a slingshot dwarfcraft 110cm and it’s much lighter and shorter and more nimble. You loose surface area which makes it harder to water start in light wind, it’s also a little less forgiving when it touches down by accident. For my level of riding, it feels like the perfect upgrade. The Nobile was a great beginner board and travel board, but this slingshot is way more fun

[@mysweethubert]

You should be able to do all of that with your eyes closed and without breathing. Most of the time, I had to rehook with the kite down on the water, so the whole operation has to happen underwater while being pulled forward. Unless you live in a spot where water is clear, you won't be able to see what you do, and being pulled forward means you will have to hold your breath while doing it as you can't swim in the meantime. Make sure to practice it a lot on the beach!

[@erbartlett]

Has this happened to you a bunch?? Yeah, it was really good to get this practice and build this familiarity.

[@mysweethubert]

@@erbartlett most often, I get in this situation not because the chicken loop was not attached properly, but simply because I had to release the safety. A while back, I also ran into this issue where if I lose line tension and the chicken falls behind a bit, when I get the tension back suddenly, the loop could pull itself out by bending the little stick. This doesn't happen anymore on modern ones. But I had my fair share of kitemares for sure! 😄

[@erbartlett]

@@mysweethubert I've had that happen in the past, where I accidentally knock off the chicken loop with my hand, or I accidentally hit the release with my hand. one thing that made this more complicated is that I was using a surf spreader with a metal ring rather than a hook.

[@ryanjharris]

Yewwwww

[@MINDRAkitesurf]

That’s happen to me today 🙈