ok so I guess fixed point or stake would work but not that easy. I usually land while my feet are still in the water as we have a narrow beach depending on where you land. The widest part of the beach usually has a couple kites sitting around. I guess that means there should be someone around to help land but not always true.

There are places where you could put a stake in the ground near the trees, fly the kite back towards the water and land. Although that would only work is someone didn't leave a kite sitting right where you want to land. Seems like fixed points are best on big open empty beaches.

Plus no one does it at our beach and I don't want to look like the wierdo. I already look silly being the only one around that wears a helmet and impact vest. Everyone just assumes I'm a total beginner since I wear a helmet. Although I guess they aren't too far off.

agree w gazxtreme. it's spaghetti if you swim up the flag line to the kite without wrapping.

Heyyyyy, RG, I have seen people in helmets and vests doing the coolest tricks and big airs, kiteloops etc! Also, a total beginner is identified by the "total beginner kiting", a very clearly identifiable way to kite. So don't worry, wear what you like and land any way you like!
(I had a lot of assuming smiles and subtle mockery when I appeared with my FS15 at my local spot, first foil kite, first lightwind board, first one to want to kite in light wind etc. Now that I can do my spins and jumps in sub-10 knots, my mates are looking for similar kites to buy... )

I have the bandit and the yoke is high up the front lines. What I learned was to semi-crash the kite ( bring it down faster than a gentle landing) just before you pull on the front lines, then it will drop and face the wind. In light wind, just grab the front lines and walk up them........or the old tested way, kite bag filled with sand and with a carabiner , there's your fixed point

Cool will try this..

Saw an interesting landing the other day.

Guy set kite on beach... I missed how, but he set the bar and chicken loop on the ground while holding the center two lines. Then walked up the center two lines while leaving the bar behind. Like the fixed point landing, with no fixed point.

This was right after I had another so so self landing. Still having a hard time getting the kite to lay down when I yank on the top center line.

When I had Cabrinha Contra, Crossbow or Omega which flagged to a front line, I didn't yank the line to make it park, as that seemed to pull the kite in an arc up off the beach - I pulled slowly with my hand near the sand.

Another way I did it in light wind, was to pick a spot to land it where the flagging line would be the upper front line and then fly the kite at medium pace down toward the beach. At a kite's width off the beach, I popped the Q/R, the kite levelled out and landed in the parked position.

I wouldn't recommend unhooking, but my method was based on this -
http://www.ikiteboarding.com/uploads/selflandkite.avi

I still think the anchored landing is the best and safest.

I have been using my own method for years and it works every time, even in extremly strong winds.

bring the kite to the edge of the window and let it sit, take a breath, grab your bottom center line and walk up the line hand over hand. The kite will lay down on its back and sit there until you get to it. The only trick is staying across the wind, if you begin to walk downwind the kite will reposition itself at the edge of the window. The kite CANNOT power back up due to the tension only being on that one line.



click on the image to start the video

jens, if you pull on and then walk up the top line instead, the kite usually falls down onto it's leading edge pointing almost directly upwind (just like it is when you set up).

In stronger winds your technique will lead to unpleasant albatrossing I fear?

the original poster posed this topic because when the method you describe goes wrong the kite is directed back into the power window( canopy up like when flying) my method brings the kite on its back ( like handling the kite from the leading edge) and it will not pick back up unless you walk downwind and change the angle of approach.

it actually works best in strong winds. i would imagine that if there were extreme changes in wind direction while doing the kite would jump around. I have been using this method for longer then I can remember in all conditions and have never had a problem.