i do not leash the kite because the point is to not have any attachment to the kite at all. I could almost guarantee that this method of launching would prevent 90% of kite launching accidents. SOO many experienced/inexperienced people grab the bar during launch and pull it all the way in. What is that all about?
Please try this method and let me know if any step along the way seems dangerous. At our local beach every single kiter launches this way and they all think it is very safe. it does take some time to reiterate it to kiters but then it becomes second nature.

I don't know if this topic has been added, but I simply launch & land with one hand on my safety release. As most of us know, when things go wrong they go wrong almost too fast to react and if I have my hand on my release I might be able to actually do something.

Where I kite is Sherman Island CA and it's all rocks at the launch (Big ass rocks) and not much beach to speak of so if things go wrong it could be bad, really bad.

having one hand on the safety is always a good idea. my method is more getting kiter and launcher in position safely.

The method sounds OK on second reading. You do connect the safety when hooking in.
Sorry, my misread.

safety advice would be it isn’t wise for a beginner to be teaching meaning if you just learnt how to ride Isn’t safe to be teaching family or ya buddy(just to save a buck). Board leash riders, take 15 minutes to learn board retrieval it’s easy as hell. Practice releasing your safety every so offton so when the times come it’s second nature and your not fumble trying to find it . Bad vibes , I’m experiencing this first hand, when you’re having bad vibes about the session package up and call it a day, he who runs from a bad vibe can kite another day( 7 inch mental plate ,7 screws, physio for god knows how long and can’t ride for 6 month possible a year.

I really like the method that montanna mentioned and plan to try it out when my water season starts. Even with experience kiters and launchers accidents can still happen before the kiter gets a chance to release.

I also think that this method would have the added benefit that the launcher would be very clear that you are still checking your lines and not ready to go yet. Because lets face it, a lot of people completely ignore or misinterpret the hand signals and this results in a lot of accidents and close calls.

Chris

Hey Crispy,
Glad you like the idea. I love it and feel SOO safe doing it. I see on a daily basis "experienced" kiters have terrible launches. This method also makes it easier for the launcher to handle the kite.

If you have any questions please pm me.

alll the best and safe flying.

[quote="montanna"]Hey Crispy,
This method also makes it easier for the launcher to handle the kite.

Yeah, it sucks if you're launching someone's kite and you have to fight to hold it down because the kiter walks upwind of you while getting into position.

Chris

We had a tragedy here a few days ago. I and some others saw a kiter being towed by his violently looping kite. By the time we got to him he was unrevivable. We don't know exactly what happened, but we found him free of his bar but attached by his leash, which was on backward, that is, with the emergency release away from him. And if he managed to hand-over-hand up to it, and pulled it, that wouldn't have worked because his release in that position needed to be pushed.

I suggest the industry standardize a leash whose emergency release is worked by a pull away from the short end. And there should only be one quick clip, and that at the long end of the leash. A loop or some such at the short end should encourage newbies to fasten that end to their harness, and leave it.

Did he also connect the leash to the wrong ring?