How to drift launch a kite safely / properly - self launching from the water
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- How to drift launch a kite. In summary, let your lines our before letting go of the kite. Your safety system will be fully functional. Works in all wind conditions. I've done it in 15 knots and also in 35 knots. This video was recorded in about 30 knots. A special thanks to the kiters from the Central Ohio Windsurfers group (COWs) for teaching me this method. SteveB and Don in particular.
If you have an older cabrinha, the ones with soft lines that tend to tangle by themselves, this launch will be harder. Give the lines extra time to float downwind as you let out more line and constantly check to make sure they aren't catching in the bridles. New cabrinhas have better/stiffer lines now.
Great video. I use a similar method but instead of leashing to the kite, I hold the kite upside down with one hand and let it "hover" in the wind. I then pay the lines out under the kite (one handed) so I can see that they are drifting out without tangles. I then flip the kite over and launch the same was as in the video. This requires an extra hand so I can't also carry the board with me. It's a trade off but I don't like the idea of letting the lines go under the kite without seeing them.
Tony - if there are tangles at that point you need to release the safety and start over. Basically you didn't attach the lines correctly or passed the bar through the lines at some point. To avoid passing the bar through the lines, remain hooked in while you roll up your lines on the beach, while transporting the kite to the water, and while unrolling the lines during the launch.
I generally agree with your method. The only thing I do different in a drift launch is I pump up on grass/beach right by the water's edge and lay my lines out there and attach as Ive im doing a normal drag or assisted launch. I then hook myself in and walk to the leading edge making sure my lines are not getting stuck on any debris. I then pick up the leading edge as you have done and walk kite out with lines dragging behind to a safe distance upwind. Again, making sure lines do not touch or tangle on anything. Then get water on canopy and let the kite drift. As lines tense allow the kite to flip on its side and spin bar to relieve any tangling (if at all). Obviously the location will dictate if you can lay your lines out ahead of time but im generally not a fan of unwinding them while attached to the kite. Too many tangles can happen.
I never tried dunking the leading edge, I'll try that next launch. Apart from that I launch exactly like you though.
Good tips, though I generally prefer to play the lines out myself while walking upwind as opposed to letting them drift risking a loop knot if it's windy / tangle / snag. Additionally I would always choose to launch cross wind with a carabiner rather than drift launch in any situation with steady wind and an open anchor point like a dock end.
Jeffrey J Davis Hi. Do you mean walking upwind while letting the lines out still holding the kite? I did that in the video, ua-cam.com/video/Oq3PB2G7b88/v-deo.htmlm15s, the less wind the more you need to walk. You could also let them out slowly and wait for them to drift if you don't have space to walk upwind. If, on the other hand, you are talking about letting the kite drift while unwinding to have tension in the lines, your safety system is completely non-functional, quite dangerous. Loop knots are an issue with soft lines like old cabrinhas. Slingshot lines never bunch up. Most current model kites have stiff lines. I guess the dock thing is a matter or preference, I'd rather not worry about another piece of gear like a carabiner/rope.
cinciphantom I drift launch frequently , but it's really my self launch of last resort. I've never had an issue in 13 years, but I'm always waiting for that one time to change my mind. I usually just dunk the kite, walk upwind NOT holding the kite. Also I fly 5th Element and I always pull 2 m of the 5th line, so that the kite is prevented from powering up in case of an issue.
Nice job! Thanks 😀
My lines always get tangled when I release it into the water.
Andrew Buensalida . You probably have an older bar with soft lines. Unwind the lines very slowly allowing them to drift and stretch out before unwinding more line. While unwinding, lift the kite a few times to check that the lines aren't getting caught in the bridle.
Anothe option: wax your lines so they stiffen up. not sure what the product is called but you can just apply it to your lines and they get stiff.
yes my lines are old and soft. i also wasnt moving upwind, since i was on a stationary boat. i found swimming away from the boat while unwinding is more effect. it will less likely result in tangled lines.
thought you are supposed to pull some of the safety/flag line through first..then wrap the lines around the bar..this way as the kite drifts you pay the lines out and the flag line/front line keeps the kite at a safe angle towards you?
If you let go of the kite and then unwind the lines, you have no control over the kite and people end up having to let go of the whole thing when the kite powers up or flips. By keeping the kite secured until after you finish unwinding your lines, your safety system is fully functional.
@@kiteandspear I stand corrected, tried it this evening and it works well...loading the kite by dunking it to get water on top of the canopy works a treat. Certainly solves my dilemma, quite rough and snaggy ground at my usual spot...and if the tide is up I dont have any beach to otherwise launch from. I see what you mean about streaming the lines slowly. I got one bar and line set where the lines are very 'snaggy' so will be doubly careful with those.
how do like the brokite board? What mode do you have
In any situated where it is necessary to drift launch how are you landing your kite
Awesome thank you for the reply
What should be done if there are tangles in the kite at 3:15?
Punch out.
Just edits to when he’s already going 😅😅
How can you walk up wind if your in the water :-) lol
This method assumes you can touch bottom and walk upwind. Not for deep water.
Great colors on that board. What is it ?
brokite.com/
Never make the drift launch like shown here when you got Extension on your lines !!!
The Lines are always tangled.
What kite and bar do you have? I have extensions on my 18m and no problems. I don't see why extensions themselves would be an issue. Tangles usually mean you are not handling the bar properly before or during the drift launch. Some soft lines (on old bars) will tangle into themselves, don't let them bunch up while drifting.
The problem for my Bar System (Naish 4 Line System ) with Extension are the Conection between normaly Lines and Extension. But i ride a North 4 + 5 Line System und a Blade 4 LIne System, there are always the same Problems with the Knots at the Extension. Some Guys here say, ok the Lines are old and soft, but should i buy a new Bar/ Lines after every 10.th Session ?
The number of sessions doesn't matter (unless it's in the thousands maybe), it is when the lines were made and whether or not they are waxed lines. Now, I think all lines are waxed so they are stiffer. If you want, post a super short video in this comment thread showing the bar/lines and connection points. I assume the lines are bunching up around the connection points from what you are saying.
This is probably the most dangerous way to launch a kite I have ever seen.
Chris Tovey this is actually the best and safest way to drift launch and the best UA-cam video I have found explaining it
it works...and works very well. I realise the implications of kiting on your own (because why else would anyone have to resort to such methods) I wouldnt teach a learner to do it, until they had a fair bit of experience under thier belt.
@@xaviertort agree!