Hi guys,

Just interested to know on which side of the window most people are launching their kites from the beach, with the kite closest to the water or the beach?

Personally I've always launched with the kite towards the water, less chance of hitting something if lofted,

Beachside or waterside?

Thanks
Matt

People will say ocean side, just because it seems safer. But i agree with Jonojonojono. If it hits the fan, your going straight downwind.

First up, modern kites with masses of depower make it extremely unlikely that lofting will be your biggest problem should a launch go wrong. If you are launching in conditions that are that sketchy you should not be on the beach at all ie Miami cyclone.

Biggest problems come from not having the kite rigged correctly in the first place, such as crossed stearing lines or lines back to front. Kook proof conections and colour coding should minimise this risk and should be mandatory. If your kite does not have this set up change it. Rig your kite the same way every time and double check especially if a friend has helped you rig.

Launching over the water makes the most sense if conditions allow because that is the way the kite will pull you - towards the water. Launch, keep the kite low, head straight in, sail away. Narrow beaches can make it imposible to launch this way, such as at Kurnell where kites are generally launched from atop a small dune. Not ideal or safest but the local conditions dictate.

Now just to confuse the issue, I have seen, more than once, a kite being launch over the water, the lower stearing line come off and the kite sail overhead out of control and crash into the car park. This comes back to careful preparation. Be prepared for a mishap.

Next, don't ask anybody you don't know to launch your kite unless first asking them if they have experience. Well meaning, inexperienced people can wreck your day. I would prefer to self-launch than have a novice do it for me. Inexperienced people can launch you from too far up wind, down wind or just fling it into the air when you are not ready.

I hope this ramble helps. In summary, launch the safest way for local conditions. Think what could go wrong and minimise risk. If fences are an issue go water side but this may mean the launcher has to get wet. Use common sense.

I think the main factor affecting lofting potential is the downwind lie.of the land. For example a steep embankment not far downwind such as in direct onshore conditions and a sand dune will cause updrafts which will loft you if you are unlucky.

If it is sketchy I would say, put the depower on full for the launch and then let it off when you are in the water. If you launch to the water side you don't have to put the kite at 12 o'clock until you are in the water ready to do your water start. But I haven't seen anyone be lofted in 18 months of kiteboarding (that's not to say it doesn't happen) but I have seen a fair bit of dragging face first along the ground.

KIT33R said...

First up, modern kites with masses of depower make it extremely unlikely that lofting will be your biggest problem should a launch go wrong.

Do not pass go or collect $200... always assume that the kite, for some reason, may not depower...

Also, the reason people in WA (pinnas particulalry) tend to launch with the kite beach side is that as the sun goes down, it gets hard to see the lines and check that everything is fine before launching.

oakie has a point there.. although i mostly launch kite on beach side with me next to water, just convenient because i set my kite up closer to land so person launching doesnt have to walk and so wen its launched i hit the water straight away

"I hear someone has already been injured by the councils new fence at Mullaloo."

Is it possible Darren, that WAKSA contact the local council about this fence. We contacted the local council here and had an unsafe fence repaired at Dolls following an accident.You may be able to have it removed or modified if it's a safety issue. Councils hate being sued after an accident following a formal complaint.

I always launch with kite beachside(now fenceside), me by the water. I figure Im at least 30 mtrs from the fenceline (not as far away as I would like to be) and have at least got water on one side of the window.

Kitehard said...



Always think first and last and err on the side of caution. Be safe! I hear someone has already been injured by the councils new fence at Mullaloo.

Good winds,

Ahhh but what a fence it is!! Streching along what was once a nice natural pristine beach there is now this timber and wire structure (kiter trap) that directs/funnels people onto the half dozen or so well worn paths across the foredunes that have been there for years anyway. Tell me again please someone from the shire council, why was the fence built, was it really...... "to keep the rabbits out"

kite towards land, can't really expect people to walk out into the water to launch me (cott is really narrow)

Wasn't meant to be criticism, just an observation that it's good to do what the locals are doing in the interests of harmony. That probably goes for how the lines are laid up on the sand for setting up etc.

I am a bit clumsy and, if possible, prefer to launch kite beach side with me standing waist deep in the water with the board floating next to me. That way there's less chance of me tripping over my dumb feet walking down to the water, stooping to retrieve my board on the way. I have got a few gentle hints there to do it like everyone else. No dramas.

One guy got a big narky last summer along the lines of "this is how we do it at this beach and it I want him to launch me then this is the way its going to be and if I dont like it then I know what I can do". Does that sound like you

Cheers.

Good question Vishy.

Most locations are cross on, so it doesn't matter all that much. However, given the choice my preferences for launching are in offshore wind, then side shore followed by cross on. Don't much like the full on shore, but will do that to

My rules are below.

Launching

CLEAR
Launch buddy preferred.
Flag leash to one line kill and depower.
Hold safety and visualize using it while being launched, or launching.
Test kite in air.
Clip from kill line to chicken loop.
Power up and ride away.

Landing

Depower.
Clip leash to one line killer.
Decide where to land....if alone and windy, I like to flog it in the water.
Undo donkey, bring kite down while making sure there is clearance if you have to release.
Bring kite down at window's edge and unhook just before it either hits the ground or caught

Always imagine pulling the release and best to have your hand on it while landing and launching.