Test Your Quick Release Systems

The best thing you can do when it comes to testing your quick release systems is to never listen to other kitesurfers speaking about their equipment manufacturers or dealers, as some safety systems totally rely on the quick release systems. You must test your own systems, biologically or mechanically speaking, everytime you want to go kitesurfing. Here are some tips on how to do that properly:

1. Put 2 tables of 4’ height at about 40-50 cm apart.

2. Put one end of the control bar on one table and the other end on the second table.

3. Always use your harness, impact vest and all the other clothing or gloves. Repeat each test with each clothing and glove type, when doing summer kitesurfing and winter kitesnowboarding or kiteskiing.

4. In case of using a fixed loop, hook in to your fixed loop and suspend yourself in the air.

5. Find out if you need more up exercise or a longer fixed loop or a quick release on your fixed loop by holding the bar and testing if you can unhook from the fixed loop within 10 seconds.

6. Make sure that the quick release on fixed loop works within 10 seconds. This can be done by locating it and activating it while suspending yourself attaching to the fixed loop.

7. Should you be using a chicken loop, tie the loop tightly with the bar. You must be able to suspend yourself by attaching to it.

8. Find out if you can unhook from the chicken loop within 10 seconds by holding the bar. Should you succeed, you are lucky. Should you fail, get a quick release on your chicken loop.

9. Locate and activate your quick release on the chicken loop, while suspending yourself attached to the chicken loop. It must work within 10 seconds.

10. Tie the shackle line to the bar in case you shackle. Locate and activate the quick release system of the shackle and assure yourself that it works within 10 seconds.

Some kitesurfers have 2 or 3 quick systems of two distinct types, in case one of them should fail. A cautious person repeats these 10 steps , without steps 5 and 7, after he has put the quick release systems in water and mixed them up in sand.

Only then you can say that your safety systems are well installled on your bar and that they they will surely work with your harness and clothing set up with the load of your weight. To be extra sure, put on some more weight while testing these systems.