The following thread on KF was just the most recent discussion of one of the many problems related to the conventional (industry standard) "hook and loop" rider-to-kite attachment system.
viewtopic.php?t=2385281&p=846183
In this thread, I stated:
"In the last 13 years of closely observing the evolution of the sport of kiteboarding and of the design of the equipment, used to control the kites and kiteboards, I have come to the conclusion that there is a need for one more "evolutionary" step... that step being, the development of a "kiteboarding- specific SHACKLE"... and this shackle, to be used instead of a hook-and-chickenloop, for about 95% of kiters. The small minority of expert riders, who actually perform "unhooked" maneuvers would continue using the conventional hook-and-loop system.
Mainstream kiteboarding has been around for about 15 years, and "conventions" are hard to break, but, based on the history of the many problems that have been encountered with the "windsurfing-inspired" "hook-and-loop" attachment system, the time is ripe for the development of a "shackle" designed specifically for kiting, taking into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of "off-the-shelf-marine" shackles, which have been used in the past.
Haven't we had enough already of crushed fingers, accidental releases, line-and-hook tangles, not to mention the compromised "throw" of our control systems, along with other wear and tear problems due to the hook and chicken loop devices?"
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So, let's give it a try... and see if we, members of Kiteforum, the largest group of online-kiters on the planet, can come up with a design for a kiteboarding "attachment device" (most likely, a type of shackle) that will be an improvement in functionality and safety over the conventional "chicken loop/bar-hook" mechanism. If we are successful, then, maybe the manufacturers of our kiting equipment will begin producing the new and improved product, to be used by the majority of kiters, rather than the "one design fits all" 'hook and loop' product that presently dominates the market.
I think that the first step would be to list all the good qualities of the conventional "hook and loop" system, so that the design that we hope to develop will not fall short of including these characteristics in the design. Examples of this consideration would include (1) the ability to quickly and easily connect the rider to the kite and (2) the ability to easily connect and disconnect the powerline to a fixed object in the performance of a "tethered self launch". It might be challenging to duplicate these 2 characteristics in a shackle design, but let's give it a try.
There already exist a number of reliable emergency release devices, based on different mechanisms, and we should begin by considering modifications to such devices to be incorporated in the "shackle" that I propose that we design.
I have a lot of ideas, but would like to hear the opinions or other members on this forum. Let's put our heads together, as we have in the past, and try to "progress" kiteboarding... and at the same time not fall victim to... as they say... "throwing out the baby, with the bathwater".
It may turn out that the "hook and loop" system is the best design, even for the 95% of kiteboarders, who never perform intended 'unhooked' riding...............but only perform UNintended 'unhooked' riding...