I didn't have time to read all the posts, only watched the video and don't speak German so it's possible the below points have already been made and or resolved.
Although our advice is geared toward conditions found in southern California and especially the Los Angeles and Ventura counties area, at
Malibu Kitesurfing, when discussing this subject with beginner students during their kiteboarding lessons, we would say:
First, I have to point out that although I was impressed with the CL QR as described below, I was AMAZED at the
DANGEROUS MISTAKE of using a spring gated clip IN BACK of the leash QR. Whenever a line becomes snagged on a kiter, it becomes impossible to release the kite and the line must be cut. Spring gated clips such as the one shown not only t
rap lines very easily since the pressure of a line instantly opens the gate, but also once trapped it is
impossible to extricate. They are not as serious a problem when IN FRONT of the kite leash QR because the kite can still be released if necessary.
AS TO THE NEW TWIST TYPE QR:
It would seem to
fix the most serious problems associated with push-aways which are:
1. Most have nothing to prevent the bar from being pressed back onto them which then can prevent pushing the necessary 1’. A few things that could do this include a board, kelp, pet, the kiter etc. It may also be possible to get a line wrapped around the kiter which holds the bar back.
2. Many have a gap around CL line that might allow sand or other debris to become wedged and prevent or slow the ability to push it away. Where a kiter is getting dragged forward on land and probably forcing the QR into the ground by being on top of it, the possibility of debris entering is increased.
3. Accidental release. Although this is usually not as serious as a failure to release, should it happen at a particularly bad moment, it can still result in serious accidents and problems. I think the most common way this happens is that the kiter gets dragged into their board but sensitive ones may also release from more common accidental contacts.
As to the action possibly being “less intuitive”, this should not be a problem.
First, it’s questionable as to what action is more “intuitive”. Personally, I think pulling back on stuff is more natural in situations where the problem is that something is pulling you.
More importantly though, QR activation should be made an
AUTOMATIC RESPONSE. Once an action is automatic, the question of intuitiveness is not present.
A POSSIBLE PROBLEM however, is that it seems likely that
it requires more finger dexterity than a push-away. This could decrease reliable release if the kiter’s primary hand was disabled, perhaps by broken fingers, wrist, arm , dislocated shoulder or being tangled in a line. Perhaps also dexterity lost through numbness caused by cold could prevent or slow activation.
Richard M.
Malibu Kitesurfing - since 2002
(310) - 430 - KITE (5483)
http://www.MalibuKitesurfing.NET
kfRichard@MalibuKitesurfing.NET