If you get yourself a drawstring laundry bag, i.e.:

http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-Cott ... _sim_hg_22

Fill that bag with sand (it will be crazy heavy), attach to a large carabiner, and attach that to chicken loop. With trim straps also pulled in (and kite lines of course properly tuned), there is no f'n way that bag is going anywhere.

Even if it should drift into the powerzone (never seen that happen but understandable), you could try and correct from back at bar, it still is not going anywhere properly attached to a good tether. I still say that for all intents and purposes it is foolproof in experienced hands.

For those trying it, make sure downwind space is perfectly clear (as for any launch), and when going back to bar after setting kite in launch position, first leash into whatever safety system you use, then hook into CL. Then release carabiner from CL and go.

https://vimeo.com/18805230

check out 6.04. you will see the launch site at half tide. Thats still teatherable. But when the tide is in there is either no beach at all or a 5m slither or beach. not enough for a teather launch in cross on conditions

In real gusty conditions and turbulent conditions it can be hard to teather launch. I've had some interesting teathered launches gusty 20-40+ knots. while on the teather the kite surges foward in the gust and then drifts back in the associated lull. It can then catch a wing tip on the ground and be rolled over and launch towards the powerzone.

Also in really powered conditions make sure you have a damn solid teather point. i've had BIG logs get dragged out of the sand in some of those mad days.

lastly different kites work and better on a teather. generally i find the lower aspect the kite is the better.[/quote]

exactly. these are generally kites that have no problem with tethered launch, but we have winds in the launch area the is super shifty and gusty..if a gust is followed by a 180degree shift in wind direction, it goes without saying that a tethered launch will be problematic...pretty much regardless of kite.

Tethered kites might still fly off the ground when a squall changes the direction of the wind...if that is followed by a complete lack of wind and then some wind from a different direction again...well then you have a kite that will behave oddly.

Regarding the tethered launch. I always hesitate recommending anything but something that is solid int he ground. When the wind hits here...I've seen sand bags go...the ice twirl thing...even a huge branch that looked really really solid...that also unfortunately took the pilot with it...so that day the kite, branch and rider got launched...even if the guy only had his kite leash on the kite. In any case,

My point isn't really that my spot is fickle...it is that one prescription might not fit all. People need to evaluate themselves. If they get an impression that something is bullet proof whatever happend..well then they are definitely in for a surprise at some point.

Exactly. I have paid several NZ$1,000s over the years for the same brand and model of kite. I have never made a warranty claim. I would have been happy with at least an acknowledgement of the problem, instead of a rant about how to self-launch so you don't wear the seams out.

In my mind, its a design flaw. I launch in the same way I did 6 years ago, on the same beaches, with the same brand and model of kite. None of my kites suffered from excessive wear until Cabrinha changed the seams for the leading edge from overlapping seams to taped seams in 2011. Ironically "to make the leading edge stronger and more durable". I had expected the 2012 kites to have some protection after this problem with the 2011 design. When my 2012 kite arrived, I was surprised to see that it was unchanged. The leading edges on my 2010 kites are in better condition than my 2011 and 2012 ones.

No change for 2013 either so I will be looking for more durable kites. Durability is far more important than the look. It is just arrogant to blame the customer rather than accept some constructive criticism that would improve their product, not to mention retain a loyal customer.

From my experience usually count six month to one year of HEAVY use before rips, leaks, holes, canopy stretch etc... starts slowly showing up. A bit more if your extremely careful and tidy.

Tethered launch really works well in most conditions providing your spot has the clean clearance.
People mentioning tethered being dangerous shouldn't even be launching in those conditions...comon 20 to 40 knots, variable winds - wheres the fun??!

I have 2010 and 2011 Xbows. All the kites have 80-90 hours each on them. I always self-launch. My kites all look brand new.

I changed from SB to XB in 2010 and I had a problem with drag launching. I modified my technique and now I have no problems.

Tr3v's technique sounds fine to me.

Our local Cabrinha dealer used to be excellent and we have some stories of legendary good service from them. There are new guys there now and the service has plummeted. Maybe Cabrinha/Neil Pryde are tightening up on warranty claims. What does your local shop say?

Usually a sensible person knows if their claim is reasonable and would have an expectation for the manufacturer sorting out the problem. Tr3v sounds reasonable.

BTW My record is 160 hours on a single kite with no repairs. A little fraying around the edges of the LE material. Even that doesn't happen with my modified technique.

My technique is just to stand well upwind. Tension the lines and roll the kite over onto its nose where it parks nose down. I can keep it there all day if I want. Check the lines etc. I then walk downwind a little and pivot the kite to fly it up and away from the beach. You need to control your line tension. Too much tension and it starts to fly too early and can fly forward dragging a tip in the sand.

More BTW I've tried tethered launches. I can accept that there are situations where it is a good thing to do (crappy, obstacle strewn beaches). Doing them because you can't self launch reliably is a bit slack and exposes you to all the problems that come from not mastering some pretty basic techniques.

well thats an extreme example. but to explain the launch site on certain wind angles has a upwind obstacles and wind shadow turbulence. you launch and fight through the shitty wind to get to the good wind out back.

ps OZ got a vid of your technique?