I noticed a few brands put a knot in the wing leash connection loop. I assume it's for a larks head loop connection. My Vayu has one and the leash has a little tag for one but just wondering how reliable they are?

All mine are attached by larks head, no issues

Sometimes the leash has a rather thick cord on the end. If this is the case you can make the connection more secure by adding a loop-loop pigtail (known from kiting) on there. Loop through the leash end and 'roll' thr other loop of the pigtail into the connection loop. I have pigtails on all wings, really nice and one leash (connected to impact vest) for all!

I've never had one fail.

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Relapse said..
I noticed a few brands put a knot in the wing leash connection loop. I assume it's for a larks head loop connection. My Vayu has one and the leash has a little tag for one but just wondering how reliable they are?

Although unlikely, I'd be worried that the larks head could slip off it because that knot looks a little small. I've used a larks head (on the leash) to attach to a bigger knot with no issues the last couple of years. I've either made my own connector from some spectra/dyneema rope or used the ones that came separately with my wings.

Great to know folks, will give it a go

There's no way I would trust a lark's head knot for a wing leash. If it fails you've lost your wing, possibly forever.

It's not the same as kite lines where the lark's head is under tension the whole time and the loops are relatively thin and lock in under the stop knot.

The chances of it failing are slim, but it's not worth the risk.

I add a larger spliced loop to the wing leash loop. It's easy to put a velcro leash end through that.

I've also experimented with a soft shackle for attaching the leash to the loop. They're easy to make and pretty much infallible.

Are you sure that us for the leash and not the string that holds the strut's bladder in place?

It's definitely for the leash. Mines been banging off the larks head in winds up to 60 knots for 150+ sessions this year without issue. Solid.

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BWalnut said..
Mines been banging off the larks head ..........Solid.

There's a phrase I never thought I'd hear...

I thought the little black piece was for sandwiching between the velcro tabs when you connected the leash on Naish wings.

As a non kiter I never really trusted the Larkshead. Its too easy to slide off imo.Loopt it through and pull it back seems more secure or simply use a smal small harp.

You don't have to be a kiter to understand that if an entire industry relies on it, that it will probably be a good working solution . As said above, only make sure that the female cord is of a smaller or equal diameter as the pigtail cord and you'll be fine. Loop through is fine as well, only more work. Would advocate against the harp connected at the wing, as this can put a lever on the attachment point on the wing due to the solid material against the LE.

They have worked without fail in kiting..BUT, they work because kite bridles are in high tension all the time. So it locks on rock solid.

That is NOT the case with wing leashes. They are not under any load and may not totally lock on.

So this kite shop adds a stopper ball to the larks head system of attaching a leash. You'd be wise to do the same.

kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=pks_2022_quick_connect_pigtail_with_stopper_ball&cat=82

?si=nvevFpNMXJ3wjrVi

^^^I've got a bunch of the pigtails and dog bones from Kiteboarding.com/PKS/Jeff Howard...all very nice quality and super handy...Jeff seems to think about this stuff more than most and I learned a lot early on watching his videos on system setup...

I use a larks head attachment, but also add a stopper ball like seen in the pigtails above. The larks head is plenty strong when held tight, the added stopper in to make it less likely to accidentally release when in the water and not under load.

I also use this to attach my board and foil leashes.

Stoppers i use are 3d printed and modeled after harken halyard stoppers.

+1 for the PKS stopper ball lark's head solution. Never had any issues.

The stopper ball just acts like a bigger knot doesn't it? Doesn't actually keep tension?

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The stopper ball just acts like a bigger knot doesn't it? Doesn't actually keep tension?

Correct. On my wings that didn't have the knot (just a loop) I just took a spare piece of cord and made a stopper knot on the loop (I used an EDK, works the same as a stopper ball). I did this with my harness too. Everything attaches with larks heads at the wing and at the harness.

I just stuff my wrist cuff through the loop... can't fail.

Vayu include this neat little locking clamp to prevent it coming loose too.

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The stopper ball just acts like a bigger knot doesn't it? Doesn't actually keep tension?

correct..the stopper ball is big enough, that a not totally tight larks head, will not slip off. You can use even bigger stopper balls if not convinced of the safety. Once you try Jeff's system you'll have confidence in it.

Here's a home made soft shackle. It's length of dyneema with a small loop at each end, a tab of webbing that serves the purpose of the knot but is more positive, and piece of ribbon to make it easier to undo.

The BRM parawing uses a simplified form to hold the lines on the bar. It's got the two loops at each and a pointed bit of webbing in one of the loops.

You just loop it through the leash loop on the wing, pass it round (in the form of a reef knot), then close it and pull it all snug.

The leash loop being snug against it makes doubly sure the soft shackle can never accidentally open. You could make the soft shackle as simple as you like. A length of dyneema with a loop at one end and a knot or webbing tab at the other. It's forming a reef knot shape with the loop on the wing and the soft shackle that makes it ultra secure.

If you want to be super simple, just have a big loop on the wing, or on the end of the leash. Just pass the whole leash through the loop and it'll never come apart. It's a tiny bit fiddly with coiled leashes. You just have to hold the coils together while passing the leash through the loop.

I've standardised on a larger spliced loop on the wing, and a velcro leash swivel attachment. I've got dozens of those from all the leashes I've owned over the years.

I just got for each wing an decent leash from ozone or kaohi.
that couple of euro,s is peantuts to the risk of loosing a big $$ wing and helps to pack the wing tidy on the beach.

I use an anchorman so clip in using old Ozone kite clip. I adjusted the anchorman so the board leash is attached to the back of the waist leash . www.cloud9surffoils.com.au/products/cloud-ix-anchorman%E2%84%A2-wing-leash

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Gorgo said..
Here's a home made soft shackle. It's length of dyneema with a small loop at each end, a tab of webbing that serves the purpose of the knot but is more positive, and piece of ribbon to make it easier to undo.

The BRM parawing uses a simplified form to hold the lines on the bar. It's got the two loops at each and a pointed bit of webbing in one of the loops.

You just loop it through the leash loop on the wing, pass it round (in the form of a reef knot), then close it and pull it all snug.

The leash loop being snug against it makes doubly sure the soft shackle can never accidentally open. You could make the soft shackle as simple as you like. A length of dyneema with a loop at one end and a knot or webbing tab at the other. It's forming a reef knot shape with the loop on the wing and the soft shackle that makes it ultra secure.

If you want to be super simple, just have a big loop on the wing, or on the end of the leash. Just pass the whole leash through the loop and it'll never come apart. It's a tiny bit fiddly with coiled leashes. You just have to hold the coils together while passing the leash through the loop.

I've standardised on a larger spliced loop on the wing, and a velcro leash swivel attachment. I've got dozens of those from all the leashes I've owned over the years.

Do you have a picture attached to wing as I am unsure I understand correctly.

Pictures below:

Soft shackle and loop.



Soft shackle ends through the loop.



Close the soft shackle and pull the loop tight.



Back view of the closed shackle and loop showing the reef knot form.

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hilly said..
I use an anchorman so clip in using old Ozone kite clip. ...


....

I am not a fan of snap hooks on board or wing leashes. I don't like the idea of a heavy metal thing banging against my board.

More importantly, if the loop you connect the snap hook to is the right size and thickness, the snap hook can turn and open itself. I know of at least one board that has been lost because of that.

In the kite application the snap hook usually goes through a small ring on a swivel reducing the chance of self release. Even then the wire gate has been known to hang open.

You can probably eliminate all those problems by sewing a neoprene cover for the hook, but then you lose some of the quick attach and release functionality.

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Gorgo said..

hilly said..
I use an anchorman so clip in using old Ozone kite clip. ...


....

I am not a fan of snap hooks on board or wing leashes. I don't like the idea of a heavy metal thing banging against my board.

More importantly, if the loop you connect the snap hook to is the right size and thickness, the snap hook can turn and open itself. I know of at least one board that has been lost because of that.

In the kite application the snap hook usually goes through a small ring on a swivel reducing the chance of self release. Even then the wire gate has been known to hang open.

You can probably eliminate all those problems by sewing a neoprene cover for the hook, but then you lose some of the quick attach and release functionality.

I clip it to the Velcro connection when walking to and from the beach. The whole thing is removed by undoing the Velcro board connection and dried between uses so no issues hitting the board.
Struggle to unclip it no hope of itself releasing. They were clipped on to a loop on the kite so no different.

Specially for those who already distrusted the larks head: