The Safety Topic: please post your experience and advice!

[K-School SafetyFirst]

Mind you, even left on the safety leash I was being dragged and the kite spinned and launched/crashed uncontrollably, so I had to self rescue pulling a back line..!

Good that you weren't hurt!
What kind of kite? Pulling a back line was for the old C-kites.
To which line was the leash connected?
Kite should be in smile position after releasing.

[kitevan]

9m2 Waroo, limited edition (that doesn't really matter but I was told that I must be proud of it ). 4 line bridled hybrid. The leash was attached to the front line assembly. I guess that the wind was so strong that even in this fully depowered mode there was enough power for adventure..! Also it did spins and twists around its lines that might have resulted in shortening of the back lines, thus increasing power. This was a very very strong squall!! When held from the one steering line it turned into a flag and lost every power (as expected). The first couple of yards where fairly hard to pull though, I would have preferred to wear gloves!

[kitevan]

Very good advice from Montanna for those who missed it!

Hands down i think this is the safest way to launch an inflatable kite:

I have seen too many bad and dangerous launches in my years of kiting. We practice the following launch method which has been flawless EVERY time. Let me know your thoughts.
1. pick up only the chicken loop in one hand. do not grab the bar, just hold the chicken loop.
2. have your experienced launcher grab your kite and you should be heading to the edge of the window at the same time
3. when you are both at the edge of the window you are still only holding the chicken loop in your hand (do not grab the bar).
4. now there is no tension on the lines so your launcher has an easy time holding the kite. in the event that something goes wrong you simply let go of the chicken loop.
5. when all lines look to be clear and all is a go, simply attach chicken loop and safety and give thumbs up to launch.

i have seen too many times people hooking in before someone even picks up the kite. then i see that while they are walking to the edge of the window they have the bar sheeted all the way in. as the launcher gets near the edge of the window they are literally fighting the kite. this is never good.

give it a try and/or offer some feedback

safe kiting

[K-School SafetyFirst]

9m2 Waroo, limited edition (that doesn't really matter but I was told that I must be proud of it ). 4 line bridled hybrid. The leash was attached to the front line assembly. I guess that the wind was so strong that even in this fully depowered mode there was enough power for adventure..! Also it did spins and twists around its lines that might have resulted in shortening of the back lines, thus increasing power. This was a very very strong squall!! When held from the one steering line it turned into a flag and lost every power (as expected). The first couple of yards where fairly hard to pull though, I would have preferred to wear gloves!

[K-School SafetyFirst]

Sorry, wrong button in previous post.

When held from the one steering line it turned into a flag and lost every power (as expected). The first couple of yards where fairly hard to pull though, I would have preferred to wear gloves!

The Waroo must have been pumped up way too soft if it could flag on a steering line.
A well-inflated SLE keeps it shape and cannot flag out.
A half-inflated SLE behaves dangerously in gusts.

[johnlcostillo]

Kite surfing is such a breath taking water action, but not having enough knowledge and training will lead you to hazardous possibilities. What I can recommend above all else is to wear safety gears and practice the basics.

[Ned Divine]

Sorry, wrong button in previous post.

When held from the one steering line it turned into a flag and lost every power (as expected). The first couple of yards where fairly hard to pull though, I would have preferred to wear gloves!

The Waroo must have been pumped up way too soft if it could flag on a steering line.
A well-inflated SLE keeps it shape and cannot flag out.
A half-inflated SLE behaves dangerously in gusts.

If the wind was that strong - I understand this was not a gust but a squall - then even a well inflated SLE will lose part of its shape (maybe not exactly turn into a flag but still flatten a lot). The weight of the water on it will also help. I understand that losing its shape in this particular occasion was far from dangerous, rather welcome I can tell. Agree otherwise.

[K-School SafetyFirst]

Ofcourse it will lose its shape a little, but holding it on a steering line in strong wind will normally result in uncontrollable pull. Except when it's not pumped well.

[Ned Divine]

Not if one has pulled several yards of the line that is being held, so that the rest of the lines are loose. It will pull a lot only if any of the other lines is tight which will happen if one doesn't pull enough length of the line he is holding on to.

[Kamikuza]

Here's a simple couple ...

When you've finished with your kite for the time being, it's a good idea to WRAP UP YOUR FUCKING LINES not leave them strewn over the beach.

When you relaunch your kite, it's a good idea to make sure nobody has laid their lines over the top of yours - launching your kite AND that other guys at the same time just cements the impression that you're a STUPID BITCH who never does the basic safety checks.

/rant