towing in a surfer by a kitesurfer

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kiterdan

680 posts

kiterdan

WA, 680 posts

11 Apr 2006 11:16am

hey
Saw an article in kiteworld a few months back about a tahitian bloke towing his bro in on 15 foot waves with a kite.
Anyone seen it done? Thinking about trying it up north with a surfer mate just for a bit of fun. What sort of rope would you use? Length?

sunseeker

QLD

1203 posts

sunseeker

QLD, 1203 posts

11 Apr 2006 2:12pm

Saw a guy at Alexandra Headland on Sunshine Coast about a month ago towing in a guy on a surfboard.

Looked like a short rope about 2-3m attached to the harness. I think the rope had a small loop on the end so that it doesn't drag too much for the kiteboarder when going back out. Kiteboarder was on a directional board. He had to work the kite heaps to get up and riding but once they were on a plane things were fine. The surfer started on the board lying down and then stood up once they were going.

carbine

1450 posts

carbine

WA, 1450 posts

11 Apr 2006 1:06pm

seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9447&SearchTerms=tow

Kitepower Australia

NSW

4382 posts

Kitepower Australia

NSW, 4382 posts

11 Apr 2006 5:17pm

There is some excellent footage on spare change of people doing this Teahoupo? in Tahiti. Rope looked to be about 5-7M long.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

Kitehard

2782 posts

Kitehard

WA, 2782 posts

11 Apr 2006 4:07pm

Hey Kiterdan,

I have towed many a surfer, and other kiters without their kite ie on a wake board or twinny.

I have usually used the old suicide leash which is about 1.2m long. The surfers I towed across the channel between Lancelin Island and the North point which tends to be a big paddle and a bit sharky so they were stoked for the lift. Start with them laying on the board.

Also towed a mate on his twin tip, provided you are well powered the only hard bit is getting both of you out of the water, once planing it is really easy. Make sure your buddy doesn'y edge hard upwind of you or he will pull you off the water. Gybing is difficult unless you downturn the kite and keep lots of power throughout the turn otherwise you lose planing speed, sink and then power up to be lifted off the water.

It's fun! I've not towed into large waves, but it is only an extension of riding behind a kiter anyways so go for it, ya mates will be stoked!

Good winds,

silviu

VIC

663 posts

silviu

VIC, 663 posts

11 Apr 2006 7:23pm

Hi,

I am working on a similar method, for 'towing" in kitesurfers in distress.
We try the following method which worked very well:
The kiter in distress should pack his staff on top of his board and tie the stuff to the bord with the kite leash.
The "towing" kitesurfer has to present his harness handle to the kilter in distress, which should grab the handle and lie on the water.
The "towing" kiter should use his board as a “rudder” and should power the kite as much as to go beam reach back to the shore body surfing on his back.
In these cases the board leash is very useful as, the kiter in distress has both hands free to hold on the harness handle.
This is one of the rescuing techniques I am trying to develop.
If anyone out there use a similar technique, it will be good to change some ideas.

This technique could be applyied to anyone in distress in the water, as long as he is capable of holding on the harness handle.

Thanks

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