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Sudden boost in winds...

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seaplus
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Sudden boost in winds...

Postby seaplus » Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:52 pm

Setting:
Winds: 16 knots, steady, onshore
Beach: Hard-packed sand, gravel, and head-sized stones, some twigs and small stumps. No trees or bystanders...just another kite-bud and myself.

Scenario:
Kiting parallel and close to the shore on a fully-powered 12m kite and wind cranks from steady 16k to 26k. No time to depower and skidding towards shoreline fast.

What would you do?

This situation happened to me not once but twice last week! Both times sucked and I don’t know if there is a good way to recover .


The first time I basically just rode onto the beach resulting in the board coming to a sudden stop, I boosted out of the straps and landed on my bum, skidded across the beach on my ass and back until I regained control of the kite.

The second time, I sheeted-in and kicked off my board and floated onto the beach. I landed hard and tumbled to a stop while kite crashed down-wind in the wind window.

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edt
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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby edt » Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:55 pm

throw the safety

pj sofine
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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby pj sofine » Wed Oct 09, 2013 1:19 pm

edt wrote:throw the safety
x2 .discussion over, problem solved.

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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby Toby » Wed Oct 09, 2013 1:44 pm

Great example showing the problem in the sport!
Very few people are ready to pull the quick release!
They rather get onto shore and hurt themselves.

Too much power and you are getting close to obstacles? RELEASE!

DISTANCE IS YOUR FRIEND!

And another problem: learn how to handle power! Then you would easily be able to ride in gusts of 26 knots with a 12. keep kite low, edge hard and ride slow. No problem!

What is your weight?

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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby flyingweasel » Wed Oct 09, 2013 1:58 pm

.
Last edited by flyingweasel on Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby SupaEZ » Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:26 pm

More accidents happen with onshore winds....less buffer zone in case of danger

Keep a "better eye behind you" for subtle change in weather...clouds etc..as you ride and have fun

Riding close to shore is nice because the water is smoother but it has it's obvious risks

It did not happen all of a sudden

There had to be clues and telltales that you missed of the approaching wind increase

Either you come in few minutes before the gust hits

Or you go upwind away from shore to manage the wind better and/or have more room to hit the QR

26 knots on a 12 m2 is manageable if you are prepared to handle it

But caught with your pants down near the shoreline is just asking for trouble

Most people ride in the moment and forget to look around and behind them for weather changes

Often we say to ourselves...one more run....i think i have time...even if we see the weather changing

seaplus
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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby seaplus » Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:42 pm

Thanks guys...you all are so right ! There is so much to know in this sport and I appreciate any and all advise.

Tim

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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby Peter_Frank » Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:46 pm

As said - let go of the bar, and activate the QR !

There is absolutely no better way to recover, in your situation :-?


I dont understand what you mean by "no time to depower" ???

All it takes is stretching your arms out ? (unless you are on a C kite - was this the case ?)


If you were in a different situation, with more sideshore wind, or further out - the very best you can do, is to STAY OUT there, if overpowered.
If you go ashore, in powerful squalls (overpowered), you will NOT be able to hold the kite :o
Whereas, on the water, you can hold much more kite down by edging - so to "survive" that is the way to do it.

DONT go ashore, if overpowered :x

Release the QR and go or drift ashore, or ride it out on the water - but NEVER go ashore with the kite, if powered way too much.

:D Peter

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edt
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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby edt » Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:40 pm

Kiter with 10 years experience died last month because he didn't throw the safety in a similar gust

www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2382011

He's dead so we can't ask him and I just realized this is a great time to ask because you are still here.

seaplus why did it never occur to you to throw the safety? No criticism just trying to figure out the psychology here.

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Re: Sudden boost in winds...

Postby Kite2Heaven » Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:40 pm

Seaplus can u explain to us why you kite the shoreline ???


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