www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/bets-way-to-selfland-a-bow-kite/
AKS Online said...
Some interesting replies ^^^
Many of which seem to involve diving the kite "hard" onto the ground. This is generally not a good idea although I know what you're all trying to do.
A better and safer method is to let the bar go from a few metres above the ground, the sudden release of the bar, reduces the angle of attack and lets the kite fall back into the wind window a few metres. When it hits the ground, pull the bottom steering line to keep it on the ground (friction), and walk upwind about 5-10 metres so the kite is well down wind of the neutral zone.
Pull your quick release or the upper wingtip center (front) line of the kite and it will drop onto it's leading edge neatly without all the running and slamming into the ground. Make sure your leash is connected to the flagging ring option and you just can't go wrong.
It pretty much works in all wind strengths
Works every time with my four line bridle kites. I grab the upper middle line rather than pulling the QR.
Before you pull the upper middle line you need to get upwind of the kite. Once you grab the upper middle line it is your flagging line so don't let go, even if the kite fails to land at first, it will do a flip and land second time round - just keep hold of that flagging line.