Forum for kitesurfers
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FloatableCat
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Postby FloatableCat » Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:31 pm
Hi guys Im looking to get some kitesurf lessons soon, and I've looked at a few clips online etc to get some information.
I was wondering if its possible to surf alone? When I say alone I mean like with others around but launch / land the kite solo etc as I don't know anyone else in the local area that I could surf with right now.
Also how much of the year can you surf for realistically in the UK? I probably would invest in a good wetsuit to surf later into the year but I'm just curious about how much use I'm going to get out of any gear this year if i were to buy it now.
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JGTR
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Postby JGTR » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:39 pm
You can land and launch by yourself, there are various techniques, they are usually for the more advanced or intermediate kiter as things can go wrong but if you need to self launch it can be done - what kite do you have and what is your beach like (ie big, flat and open or rough ground with obstacles etc)?
You can kite in the UK all year round, been kiting for 6 years all year round, aslong as it blows then you can kite
The best months of the year are still to come!! Oct/Nov
Jan - March coldest, need decent wetsuit, gloves etc
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onein5
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Postby onein5 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:29 am
I thought I might chime in on this one having had no option but to teach myself to kite as I live somewhere that lessons are not offered.
Firstly – don’t teach yourself unless you really and honestly do have NO OTHER OPTION (and even then please consider it carefully) – I wave surfed for 17 years before I ever touched a kite so had a much greater comfort level in hairy situations in the sea than a ‘normal person’ might. If you have never done more than swim the sea on holiday – forget it – you will come to serious harm unless you have lessons from a qualified instructor.
Lecture over!
Self landing - As long as you have a modern kite with proper safety (which you should test-release at least once every two sessions) that allows the kite to flag cleanly onto a single line, self landing is not an issue. Just make sure there’s nothing at all downwind of you, and pop the quick release, then drop the bar and the kite will look after its self. The worst that you may find is that the kite starts to hover (Albatross) on the one line and you have to climb up the flagging line to it, in order to push it down onto the ground. Annoying and avoided if you put the kite up at about 45 degrees when you release. This gives it enough impetus to drop to the ground and stay there.
Self launching is the time when you are most likely to come to harm – and trust me, you will have a number of close calls as you are learning – everyone does.
There are some good vids on youtube but what can never really come across properly in the videos is where you need to be in the wind window – your kite has to be at the very edge of the window where there is the least power, and you need to be at the other edge with the wind on the side of your face.
There’s nothing a forum can tell you about this, you need to pick a technique (again search ‘Kite Surf Self Launch’ on you tube to find one that works for you) work your way up through the lighter wind days, and very careful build your launching confidence in a safe fashion. Wear a helmet too (I never used to wear a helmet for any of the ‘extreme sports’ I did but kiting demands respect in a way that few other sports do).
Above all – talk to other kiters and if you have the slightest lack of confidence in your ability DO NOT LAUNCH.
I am sure the more experienced guys on the forum will help out with more advice for you too.
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ChickenTikka
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Postby ChickenTikka » Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:03 am
Id suggest getting/borrowing a training kite if you don't have someone to teach you. A small kite in light wind is also a decent way.
If you are teaching yourself you really want to make sure you're in a really safe spot and probably in relatively light wind. If the wind is light and there aren't any sharp objects around and you lots of space you will be fine.
Surfing alone is no problem, but it's always good to have someone keeping an eye on you in case things go wrong. They don't have to be kiters themselves. In India I taught my driver how to catch and launch my kites for example.
If you search for self landing and self launch on YouTube cabrinha has some videos. With modern kites it's usually not a problem.
I self launch pretty much any time I have lots of space. If I'm not putting anyone else in danger than I don't see the problem. Therefore I do not do it when other people are near. If the wind is strong I will make an effort to find someone and set the kite in the right spot and tell them when to let go. If you are on your own you should be confident about your lines being correct.
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FloatableCat
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Postby FloatableCat » Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:10 am
Thanks for the replies.
I am going to be buying myself a 2 day course to teach me the basics before I even look at buying a kite, and probably get a couple of lessons a bit later when I have grasped the basics.
Mainly I was just curious if it was possible to self land, I've seen the videos of self launching / relaunching but never anyone landing the kite solo, which is kind of an issue if I want to go surf after work or spontaneously go on a weekend and dont really know anyone on the beach.
Bit surprised (in a good way) that oct / nov are the better months, I was thinking by then it would be getting too cold, at least now I should be getting more use out of any gear I decide to buy this year
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onein5
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Postby onein5 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:33 am
Yes this is one of those pleasant times when you don't see any instruction on self landing, because it's actually pretty easy as long as you maintain your equipment well. It's always worth putting a hand on your Leash release after you have QR'd and dropped the bar just in case there is a tangle that prevents the kite from flagging. That way you can cover all the bases... All this stuff will make much more sense once your instructor has introduced you to how all the gear works.
Good luck
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Mr_Weetabix
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Postby Mr_Weetabix » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:13 pm
Best to get some experience under your belt before you start kiting on your own, even if it means that you have to drive a bit further for a session. I'd suggest that you don't go out on your own until you can reliably get upwind.
Self launching, self landing and self rescue are all things best attempted for the first time when there are people around who know what can go wrong and know how to help you out (remember that, if everything goes really pear-shaped, a helpful non-kiter can be just another potential casualty).
Also, you don't want to have to discover any hazards the hard way - go to a beach where you can see what size kites other people are using, where they're launching and landing and which areas they're avoiding. You can always pioneer beaches closer to home when you're more confident.
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ronnie
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Postby ronnie » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:20 pm
These are some videos showing the 2009 Cabrinha IDS system being used to land a kite. They have improved it slightly since 2009. I use this system a lot myself. If you drop the kite from about 45 degrees to one side, it will almost always flip over into the parked position and its very easy then to wind up the lines.
http://www.kiteu.com/kiterelease/
Its more awkward if the kite is dropped from directly overhead, as that would usually result in the kite staying in the smile position, and it can then hover about 20' or 30' in the air, which gives more pull on the lines as you wind them in, and in strong winds, you may have to roll the bar end over end to wind them on.
There are many different flagging systems and they all have pluses and minuses.
Kiters are usually friendly and helpful, so its best to introduce yourself. You can do that and learn how to assist in launching and landing kites, which will both educate you and give you a good way to introduce yourself.
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rubalt
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Postby rubalt » Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:05 pm
just found the way how to self launch and land, 14 kite, 27 knots...may translate if interested
http://www.wintershop.ru/news/660/kayti ... yiy_veter/
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Larse
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Postby Larse » Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:37 pm
You wont be kiting alone. And you shouldn't! Use a interactive spot map like kitemekka.net to find other people to go out with. In 6 years I've never surfed alone. Nevet needed to. There is always other people on the spot. Or I find someone to go out with on a forum.
I can land and launch my kite alone, but would only go out alone in light winds. Because it's just easier to do self rescue etc in low winds. And things happen slower, so the risk of injury is lower, I think. But still it's a risk to go out alone. You are screwed if you blow out a knee and has to land your kite yourself, get to your car to call for help, pack down your gear etc. You're just screwed, when you're alone and in trouble...
If there aren't other people on the spot, it's probably a crap spot and not suited for kiteboarding.
Kiteboarders are always very social and easy going. It's the same all over the world. And you'll get to know people fast. Just go to the spot and say "hi, I'm new" and people will help you. Of course there are some ass holesin the sport, but 99% of all kiteboarders are cool and have surf spirit. We are kiteboarders and we help each other out...
I live in Denmark and we have the same weather and temp as you. And I surf all year round. Had to stop kiting in february this year though, because there was too much ice. But if there is water, you can kite..
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