It would have been A good opertunity to learn to self rescue. I dont think the way your kite flags out would be an isue as you still retrieve the kite the same way by going along one line to get to the kite then sorting out and winding up your lines on the bar. you can then use the kite as a sail to get back in or just a raft to float on or you can deflate the leading edge and reinstall the plug so it doesnt fill with water then roll it up from the wingtip, you can use your leash to hold it all together and then try to swim in with it. A good instructor would teach self rescue or there are some good vids that will show what to do. some will be on you tube.

nebs said...

I have a 12m bow kite, that 'flags' to the two front lines.

The wind pretty much switched off. The kite drifted out of the sky directly downwind, and landed trailing edge first in the water.

I wait till I've drifted past some guys playing football in the water (yes it was close to shore), try to relaunch, not enough wind to get the kite to lift a wingtip.
So I flag the kite and try to swim it in. It's only 50m to shore.

I didn't make it without assistance.

In a somewhat related note, is it possible to convert a kite that flags to two front lines into one that flags to an outside line? Or is it safer to leave it as it was designed?

some kites do have the option to connect to a steering line but being above the bar gets in the way for little benefit.practice self rescue you will need it

ahhhhh! light wind kiting!....the desperation has begun(and the water is still warm).

No matter which lines I pulled the kite wouldn't do anything. I tried both front, single back, nothing. Pretty hard in 3 knots or so...

waxman said...

It would have been A good opertunity to learn to self rescue. I dont think the way your kite flags out would be an isue as you still retrieve the kite the same way by going along one line to get to the kite then sorting out and winding up your lines on the bar. you can then use the kite as a sail to get back in or just a raft to float on or you can deflate the leading edge and reinstall the plug so it doesnt fill with water then roll it up from the wingtip, you can use your leash to hold it all together and then try to swim in with it. A good instructor would teach self rescue or there are some good vids that will show what to do. some will be on you tube.

I'll definitely try self rescue next time... towing just doesn't work. I thought that if it flags to one corner then it would be a piece of pizz to swim in the 50 metres, instead of acting like a big water brake. Yes my instructor taught me how to do self rescue Unfortunately my kite has a one pump without locking valves on the struts, so once you hit the dump valve all the flotation goes.

surfingboye said...

if it was sitting trailing edge first. just grab a handful of the two centre lines, and give them a good pull. usually works in pretty light wind too.

exactly how it is done ...grab a good metre up the centre lines and give it a big tug back to your body ...the kite will lift and you may need to give it a quick one or two more and up she goes.......sound like an AMI ad