Yes, it can. But I think the point here is not really seen.

It is a kite of a size that would not stand easy/safe for long with a normal tethered launch (that takes longer too) in extremely light wind.

Also, making a normal "slide" launch could be done - but NOT easy or possible to turn the kite up from the LE down in such low winds. And more difficult to check the lines this way.
Most likely if light, the kite will slide fully downwind and you have to launch it reverse - easy to do, but not nearly as "simple" and clean.

And - the lines can be checked much easier with Supa'z way, as they can be slightly tightened before you pull the dead weight away.

Finally, in REALLY light wind, you walk a bit further upwind, so the kite is launched deeper in the window - as it can not be launched to the side, if really low winds (f.ex at the beach, even if okay wind up higher and further out).

So if I am not mistaken, this method is AWESOME for big kites in really light wind, besides being fast of course.

Although, the "softer" (thinner) LE is almost necessary in order to have the kite lie down so stable with
the dead weight on the tip, right ?
As big kites with stiff thicker leading edges will need a lot more weight on the tip, to keep in place

Just guessing a bit here, as I havent seen your launches...

In more wind, there are also many other methods - tethered, standard easy/fast slide, on its back.

Peter

Nice vid/technique and nice vibes, SupaEZ + NJOY, you guys must be great folks.
I also enjoyed your slomo opera (ok I didn't see the whole thing). The warning was a good idea.
Happiness = perception - expectation, as someone said.

I'll film a normal sliding launch and a QR land for you if we ever get nuking winds. I self launch and land most all the time, because there are usually never other kiters at my beach.

No worries. SupaEZ can do the same launch in 40 knots. I've seen it. As for sliding launches, in high winds you have the possibility of getting yanked out of your wetsuit. SupaEZs way keeps the kite at the edge of the window.

i got my sliding launch dialed in, but always nice to see someone do a self in high winds. Self land when it's nuking I usually just hit the safety.

Yes i totally agree about filming the kite taking off...
...that's why we are thinking of re-shooting another kite take-off

Yes the method works in 30-40kn...using my Rebels 8-6 or 5M...in soft sand or hard sand

P.S. if hard sand...that is where the "flat base" of pump comes in ...
....to scrape off some loose sand to fill sandbag

As the wind increases you put more sand in bag ..........weight wise

I use an empty "hurricane" sandbag that cost 0.79 cents at our hardware stores

I only had about 20 lbs for the 19m....but higher winds i fill more to 25 or 30 lbs

With higher winds and smaller kites something else need to be done to prevent kite spin out

Spin out happens when leeward wingtip that is raised up catches the strong wind....
.....and turns the kite off axis into the wind window...windmill type effect

So to prevent that...once the kite is pumped at 1 to 2 psi ...and leeward wingtip is about to go up...
...you put a pile of sand 5/10/15lb (depends on wind) on "trailing edge"..(it will slide off EZ at launch)
....at about 4 to 5 feet of the kite's wingtip

This will anchor the kite from moving...and keep the trailing edge kite totally in line with wind flow
In addition...in high wind...the leeward wingtip (when kite fully pumped)...will not flap in the wind...

When i use this method of launch in a grassy field for the river sessions in high winds
....i have already 2 filled sandbags in my car....one is 30 lbs and the other is 20 lbs

When i ride at beach...i travel light and bring "one" empty bag...and when session done....
...i just spill the sand right out..........that is how EZ it is to self launch..no matter what....
....for "where i ride" (some people have rocky or tricky surfaces to launch off from)

............................. .........................................................................................

SupzEZ,

I noticed that the lines were already attached to the kite in the video.

Do you normally leave your LEI bar and lines attached to your kites (aka "Flysurfer Style")? If so, how do you pack your bar? (In the kite or outside of the kite?

-joedy

Watch some kite videos and you will quickly notice that 99% of the people shooting the videos appear to be epileptics.

Great job.

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