I have Rebel 08s...

Drift launch it in the water and recover it by doing the reverse;
pop the iron heart safety and drop the kite into the water offshore, then wind in several meters of the 5th ONLY, then wind in all lines as you pull the kite to you or walk towards it....(depends a little on how strong the wind is which option is easier to do)..........
make sure you keep the 5th/safety line shorter than the others and you'll be as safe as you can.


Get to the kite, grab the LE, turn in over, walk in

Simple, never needs anyone to assist you, and it all happens offshore out in waist deep water away from the shore and the hard stuff!

I've launched regularly by putting sand on the tip, but I much prefer the water launch (sure you can get the lines tangled or snag weed, sticks on the beach if you're not careful....but it very seldom happens....some folks hook up the kite, then wind the lines back on the bar, walk out and unwind the lines off the bar so they float beside or underneath the kite (keep walking while you do this!)...this way your chance of snags on a weedy beach are minimised.....)

Works for me....cheers

Not sure why the cross on could be any trouble; that's usually what we kite in over here......

Its simply a matter of walking out at least 2 lines lengths from shore before launching and the reverse on coming in.......water is a lot softer than land....

Are you kiting in deep water with tricky launches/narrow launch zones falling away to deep water quickly??

Most schools here are now teaching the water/drift launch/recovery; it also gets potential problems away from that zone inhabited by dogs and small children...and makes kiters independent...not that we don't help each other launch when there is space and competent folks to help us

apparenty u can do this 5th line landing thing....

I don't understand why would you do it on hard ground when you can do it in the water safely?

ALL the snafus i've ever seen have happened on land in the launch/recover phase.

It just seems recommendable to do it where its more safe, in softer water.

But , hey, if folks are happy with it, go for it

brinm said...

apparenty u can do this 5th line landing thing....

I don't understand why would you do it on hard ground when you can do it in the water safely?

And your kite isn't eaten by waves!

Hi guys,

l have two Rebels, a 10m & 14m, and use three techniques.

1/ In light wind fly the kite to the ground and pull the 5th line like already suggested.

2/ In a stronger wind pull depower all the way in, fly the kite down to the ground and when your a few meters off the ground pull the 5th line in.

When pulling the 5th line you'll need a couple of meters atleast to get the kite to fall onto its leading edge.

3/ Wait till a tour buss drives down onto the beach and land in its wind shadow.(just try and not land on the tourists).