Stalled kite

> 10 years ago
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Buschy
Buschy
QLD
188 posts
QLD, 188 posts
22 Oct 2005 8:37pm
So you've had a great session and your headed back to the beach. All of a sudden the wind drops a bit, your kite starts taking a few deep breaths and drops from the sky. You try walking backwards to regain some line tension... but too late. Flutter, flutter... incoming...

Just wondering where the best place is to park your kite while on land. I've tried 12 o'clock, but many times the kite(s) end up upwind from my head. Not really sure how it got there or why? Power zone doesn't really seem like the ideal place either. A bit of a common problem. Suggestions... Thanks.
carbine
carbine
WA
1450 posts
WA, 1450 posts
22 Oct 2005 6:43pm
11, with the backlines just a little slacker then required to make it fly backwards.

The reason its going over your head is because your depowering it to much. Depowering decrease the AoA and decreases drag, the kite surges forward and overflys.
Buschy
Buschy
QLD
188 posts
QLD, 188 posts
22 Oct 2005 9:03pm
So much for the "make sure you keep your kite fully depowered while on land" advise you come across in much of the intro to kiteboarding literature
Mr Plow
Mr Plow
VIC
428 posts
VIC, 428 posts
22 Oct 2005 10:07pm

Its also recommended not to stand on land with the kite overhead - better to one side, on the side nearest the water - reduces risk of unforeseen lofting.

If the kite stalls/overflys grabbing the depower strap in one hand and pulling towards you to get some front line pressure can work.
jan
jan
WA
1119 posts
jan jan
WA, 1119 posts
22 Oct 2005 8:14pm
when on land keep the kite LOW... ie under 20-30 degrees, and either land the kite or enter the water
jan
jan
WA
1119 posts
jan jan
WA, 1119 posts
22 Oct 2005 8:19pm
i'll just add, for all the peli point newbs...

ALMOST ALL of the lofting accidents ive seen or am aware of at peli are as a result of launching the kite and insisting on raising the kite overhead and to starboard before moving clear of the launch zone

bad line setup or gusty winds 3 seconds after launching and zooming over head is going to put you into a tree

THERE IS NO NEED TO RAISE YOUR KITE OVER YOUR HEAD UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED UPWIND AND ARE READY TO GET ON YOUR BOARD

watch the regulars, do *any* of them launch their kite and pop it straight above their heads?

if you can't hover your kite a meter from your launch position either walk your kite with a partner into deeper water or go kite somewhere that is cross shore
HungLong
HungLong
WA
859 posts
WA, 859 posts
22 Oct 2005 8:31pm
well it would be best to land and walk the kite up to where your planning on packing up... however thats in a perfect world and were all not perfect...

I'd keep it low and over water, yes I know the temptation to keep it over land so if you drop it, it wont get wet (who like's putting away a wet kite !). If you must fly your kite at 12 o'clock kept it flying from side to side 11 to 1. This will ensure the kite keeps some relative airflow over the canopy and will prevent the kite from flying over head and luffing (not good)... Adding to this depower it and if you have any means of securing your chicken loop to your spreader (donkey dick) make sure it is out inorder to drop the bar away from you incase everything turns to crap and you need to bail...

regards browneee@bestkiteboarding
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