Hey guys,

Just been watching some videos around the internet and getting an itch.

A couple of years ago I had a scary accident as a result of a launch gone wrong. I was only really a beginner at the time and never got back out there as a result.

I paid about $350 to get my kite repaired by the best person everyone on here recommended but never got the courage to go back out, and now that I have I've realised that my one of the bridle lines is broken and I never got a new set.

So two questions, firstly the kite is a Switchblade 2, I remember back when I started that often people go on about having outdated gear being stupid and irresponsible. Are many people still riding these around this year?

Secondly, if the answer is yes, does anyone know where to get a replacement set of bridle lines for them? Can't seem to find any!

Thanks in advance.

maybe set up and ask for help ? someone may have time on a lightish day
what year is your kite ? +1 new kite\lesson if you got the $$$

Correction, It's the 2008 Switchblade 3, my mistake.

Be sure to fix why the launch went wrong.

Usually its through human error, not the equipment.

As a beginner, go to the beach and talk to the local kiters about where you could get the bridle line made for you. It has to be an exact copy of the same piece from the other side.
Ask one of them to check the kite after you have finished repairing it.

conor said...

Thanks for those last two replies, that definitely sounds good!
Yeah terminal, it was a combination of my few months experience and I didn't realise till afterward the the guy I asked for a launch was just as inexperienced as me!

Gusty day, had the kite thrown right into the middle of the wind window, couldn't get it under control and got hit by a gust!

Not fun when it ends up in the powerlines across the street!

The couldn't get it under control bit shouldn't have happened, as you should have hit your release and flagged the kite as soon as he threw it. Then the problem would have been solved.

You have to be in control of the launch. If its someone you dont know, when you ask them for a launch you would normally explain which way you want to do it and may be able to tell then that they are inexperienced.
Sometimes as soon as they are picking up the kite you can tell they are inexperienced.
Best to be ready to release and shout at them to hold onto the kite and walk to them and decide if they are capable.
As a beginner, you may not like doing that in case the guy is experienced.

I have seen a video on Youtube where a guy in wetsuit and harness threw the kite in the air. To me it looked like he was deliberately doing it to cause the kiter to be dragged. The kiter was dragged along the beach but got the kite under control at the waters edge and didn't seem to be injured.

You need to be ready for the launch to go wrong.