Hey couldn't you easily just connect or tie a thin rope or something around one foot strap, or the middle handle, to put around your arm/shoulder when you need to relaunch kite? Your board would be connected to you and then you're able to use both hands to relaunch again. Easy as!

Just a thought anyway, haven't hit the water yet so I apologise if it sounds stupid


like this:

/images/misc/forum-image-missing.gif

sounds like trouble just learn to body drag really well

I don't mean to wear it while your standing, just as soon as you eat ****, grab the board and hoop it around your arm, them relaunch and you don't have to chase your board.

totally theorising here lol..

Here's another crazy suggestion

I vote you 'hit the water', and actually see what kiting is like first... Then come and share your crazy idea's with us

high flyer said...

Here's another crazy suggestion

a backfull binding? thats just gay enough that it might actually work

Gorgo said...

You want the board on your feet when you are relaunching. It gives you something to push against to tension the lines which is what you need to make the kite fly.

Mmmm..... When I'm relaunching, my board is quite often in another time zone.
I hate that........ (A homing device would be helpful sometimes)

However, far worse is a board in the head (after it has stretched its leash to the end of its existence, before rapidly making its way back to you.)
Leash = Bad.
Upwind body dragging technique = Good.

I do see what deXtrous is getting at though. A loop you can put your arm through to keep the board nearby while you deal with a kite problem (Before you're riding). I've been in this type of situation before on a beach which was a bit sheltered from the wind and notoriously gusty for the launch. Kite suddenly doing a Hindenburg, board getting washed away, and not enough arms to deal with everything going on. Get kite back under control, chase board way down the beach, and walk back up to desired launch spot, try again before next possible lull - not fun.

deXtrous: Generally one hand for the bar, one for the board until she's on your feet, and time on the water, you'll be right mate.

Seriously tho, I do have a bit of string and a clip I use when I go far out. If I have to self rescue, it makes it easier to keep the board close. But for reasons mentioned here and elsewhere, I wouldn't use that if my kite was powered up.

Critical bunch of tossers aren't they deXtrous..

if you have a problem relaunching, and the kite drops into the power, or worse does a loop... and you are tethered to your board....... its very likely going to turn nasty.

Body dragging is seriously so easy. Watch any decent kiter out there.. if they lose their board, they will usually be back with it in minutes...
(unless there is an outgoing tide or something)

deXtrous said...

I don't mean to wear it while your standing, just as soon as you eat ****, grab the board and hoop it around your arm, them relaunch and you don't have to chase your board.

totally theorising here lol..

Yep. you won't think that is a good idea once you've kited. not practical at all. Just try to enjoy body dragging and fetching your board. They are important skills. It won't be long before chasing your board will be easy as.

If you are in the surf, I suggest relaunching your kite (if possible) should be your first priority in most situations.

leashes are bad news,

i tried a reel leash a few times when learning, i found that if the kite was powered up and pulling me, the board would sometimes react and get pulled under water, (submarining ) and leaving the kiter getting caught in the middle trying to stay afloat and struggling to breath not to mention if the board springs back and takes you out altogether. Needless to say I got rid of it straight away and learnt how to body drag properly. just be careful in river mouths on tidal movements...

"Your leash method may come in useful if the wind stops and you need to swim in with the kite."

This is what I though as well. I've had to self rescue a few times when gear has failed and a couple of times I've had to ditch the board, sort the kite, self rescue then swim back out for the board. A spare "leash" to clip on to the board to free up both hands with you while your sorting out the kite would have made life a lot easier.

^ NAh! If the current is taking your board upwind faster than you can body drag...

you'll need a friendly kiter / windsurfer / etc to get it for ya.

Eg with strong winds, and a board lying with straps down, you may not be able to body drag back up to it.

Or offshore / surf conditions.

Need to choose based on conditions. Early on, instructors, forum of more experienced people, etc would be good for advice on how to choose. Keep posting deX, don't worry about the abusive people - always some around! And enjoy kiting... hope you get good quick!

We all agree kite board leashes can are bad news, but when you are learning keeping the board with you is a bonus and increases time getting on your board and the learning curve.

However there is a way to have a leash and be safe...I did this while I was learning was to attach to your harrness ring 10 very small cable ties and hook the leash to one of them.

If you happen to come off the as we all did while learning and the board stayed in close. If you have a big wipe out the cable tie will break and then attach the leash to the next one and off you go...

As the kiter gains more expierence on the board get rid of the leash and start to body drag.

Just my 2 cents and it does work!!

Fooosh said...

^ NAh! If the current is taking your board upwind faster than you can body drag...

if you are in the body of water which is moving your board, you WILL move together, imagine standing on a train travelling at 100km an hour, you drop your keys, you and the keys are travelling together so its like being still. So if in dead calm water you can body drag back to your board, so you will be able too in a current, as long as you stay in the current with your board. Here on the sunny coast we have 3 amazing tidal rivermouths and rarely do people lose their board unless they have had a wipeout of epic proportions and take several minutes to sort themselves, or panic and drag out of the current. like i said its rare and then there is 99% of the time a friendly kiter who grabs the board and throws it on the beach.