Launching foil kites on snaggy /abrasive beaches

[Jugglajon]

Hi

I'll soon be getting a large foil kite but the beach I'm going to be mainly kiting on has a lot of little snags on the ground.

Was thinking of securing a tarp on the beach to facilitate easier launches.
|Some of you must have encountered similar situations, do you have any tips.

The other option I have is very shallow water for about 100m from th shoreline. Is it possible or feasible to drift launch a large foil? wind is side shore, water flat and no deeper than waist deep.

Cheers
Jonny

[andrewjohn]

Depends what the beach is made up of. If it's razor sharp shells etc then I'd be very weary.
But launched properly, foils slide nothing like a self launched LEI.
Side launched may slide back a bit on the upwind tip, but if it's safe to do so then hot launched they don't really slide at all, just lift straight up.
I'd be very worried about a tarp lying on the beach for a couple of hours. Only takes the wind to get under a small part of it and it'll be gone.

[Jugglajon]

Its a sandy beach with small twiggy protrusions. I'm mostly concerned about snagging lines (especially bridles) really. I've plenty of prior experience with foils just not launching in such conditions.
The drift launch appears feasible but tricky with the old flysurfers but how about the modern High AR Chronos, sonics and R1s?

[plummet]

tarp idea might work for launch. But landing back on the same tarp? Good luck. Do you have any grassy patches close by? I usually launch mine on the beach then walk behind the surf club and dump it on a small field for landing.

[davesails7]

Send a message to KYLakeKiter

He flies inflatables, but I know he uses a tarp because his beach is pretty rough. He should be able to let you know what has worked for him.

As for landing, if you back stall it by pulling the break strap then stake it you might be able to get it on a large tarp. If the wind picks up though and you have to pull the release to land, you'd have no chance of hitting the tarp.

I know someone who drift launches his Sonics, but it sounds pretty sketchy haha. He holds the wingtips and lets the kite inflate over his head. Then once it's inflated pretty well he lets it drift back and unwinds his lines. I have enough trouble launching and landing these things on my wide open sand beaches

[Jugglajon]

Thank you davesails.

The landing should not be an issue as there should usually be someone around to catch it or I can land it in the shallows.

The drift launching of sonic would be really interesting to k now more about.

[Kamikuza]

If landing is no problem, then launch off the tarp. Side launch, but be sure to jog backwards into the wind so the kite lifts straight off, rather than slides downwind into the zone...

[balticswell]

...
I know someone who drift launches his Sonics, but it sounds pretty sketchy haha. He holds the wingtips and lets the kite inflate over his head. Then once it's inflated pretty well he lets it drift back and unwinds his lines....

Need to see it caught on tape, sounds freaky weird

[edt]

...
I know someone who drift launches his Sonics, but it sounds pretty sketchy haha. He holds the wingtips and lets the kite inflate over his head. Then once it's inflated pretty well he lets it drift back and unwinds his lines....

Need to see it caught on tape, sounds freaky weird

+1

love to see this type of launch sketch but fun

Here's my feeling on foil kites: I love them but they are not very forgiving compared to inflatable. if you need something that you can launch from the most sketch location maybe you don't want a foil kite after all just get a turbine or dyno or fat lady or something.

[KYLakeKiter]

Standard vinyl tarps should work fine. Our beach here is sharp flint and the tarps we use have protected the kites fine. Just lay your kite out for measurement and make sure you get one bigger than your kite. I have not launched a foil from one, but it should work fine.

We have used a couple of methods to keep the tarp on the ground in high winds. I usually just use flat rocks laying around, but my friend prefers to use stakes. The stakes could pose a snag hazard. You can also use sand bags full of sand, dirt or rocks. Best of luck. Let us know how it works.