We were always taught that the safest kite launch was with your back to obstacles, kite nearest to the water. Makes good sence, if you're going to be dragged anywhere it will be into the water. But I've noticed on more than one occation if, for what ever reason, someone has rigged back to front, or crossed rear lines the kite goes straight up and over into obstacles - not out to sea as would be prefered. I have never seen anyone dragged into the water after a stuffed up launch. So that said, in these days of full depower kites shouldn't we be launching our kites with our backs to the water?

Your thoughts?

i look down wind, if there's a car parked there i launch the other way, ie kite on beach me on edge on water.

Hey peeps,

In this day and age of modern "kook proof" line setups, how hard is it to connect the lines the wrong way? I haven't seen anyone caned from messing up the line connections in ages so we always teach kite towards the water. It's obviously dumb to stand a few feet away from dangerous obstacles and launch either way.

The main reason of launching with the kite towards the water not because of the impact possibility, it's that the wind along the shore or closest to the water is always cleaner and less turbulent ensuring a more trouble free launch.

Launching with your kite close to, or against the <insert dangerous wind spoiling objects of your choice here> is more likely to end in a kite stalling on take off in a gust/lull situation, crashing backwards, rolling and setting up for a nice burn through the wind windows hot spot, two feet above the ground and dead downwind.

Set a good example for others and keep your kite in clean wind. It's usually laziness that prompt people to launch the other way. ie the kite is setup near the dunes and it's closer to walk to the water from take off. DUMBARSE!

Good winds,