I was down kiting in Costa Rica recently.
One session I was riding a 10 m kite (4 line bar) in 20 - 25 kt winds (73 kg).
My kite went down and tumbled and my front and rears lines were crossed. Since I was in shoulder depth water I thought not a big deal I will walk the kite the 75 m back to shore with the kite at the edge of the wind window closet to the beach. As I started to head to shore the wind picked up and started to gust to ~40 kts. The kite started to lift and wanted to go 'wild'. So I thought better to release the chicken loop. I have my safety attached to the ring below the CL. I have a lot of throw in my bar and usually have the stopper more then a meter away from the chicken loop. The kite was still sitting at the edge of the window fluttering but took off and went right across the wind window lifting me thourgh the air. Now the kite was sitting at the opposite edge away from shore which was OK. As I approached shore there was a certified kite instructor (wearing harness) on shore talking to a student (no kite). I called out to them for help and she came over. I said to her I wanted her to run out and grab the kite. It was ankle deep water (23 m to kite) . She said no just keep walking up on shore and she would grab it when it reached shore. I could see the kite fluttering like crazy and said no please go out and grab the kite. I believe she would be in no danger as she would be up wind of the kite and lines at all times. She continued to say no. I was worried that if the kite decided to power through the wind window then I could get launched into a near by tree. I couldn't argue with her forever so I started walking backwards pulling the safety leash. I went about 5 m and the kite took off. Luckily it only went up about 10 m but it happened so fast and powerful I was launched 3m into the air and landed head first into the hard sand. Luckily I was wearing a helmet and only had a sore neck the following morning. The kite was pushed into shore at that time and the instructor then grabbed it. I have been kiting for 10 yrs and am a strong intermediate. In my view the only two safe options in these conditions were 1. grab the kite 2. release the safety.
Would you have done anything differently?