Why dont you just take a couple steps backwards to tendion the lines?

Alysum said..

Agreed

Agreed!

+ get them to WAIT until you give the THUMBS UP!

Agreed, particularly with bigger kites.
Could do with some small kite weather right now

For a bow kite, the proper method is to hold it up vertically while the tip rests in the sand. The kiter walks upwind till the kite gets powered up.

I find assisted launches where someone holds the kite up as you said prematurely powers the kite up before I am ready to launch and in the right position in the wind window. I usually have to rush the launch because the kite is already pulling. Its the kiters responsibility to power up the kite not the launchers.

I totally agree that it's the pilots job to tell the other what to do, pull the lines to tension them and walk back. No question about that.

It just bothers me that the people who assist me and whom I ask to hold the kite up, are also kitersurfers themselves and still have to be told to hold the kite up ? For me it's automatic and needed.

I've also had experienced kitesurfers let go my kite before I gave the thumb up...

Alysum said..
I totally agree that it's the pilots job to tell the other what to do, pull the lines to tension them and walk back. No question about that.

It just bothers me that the people who assist me and whom I ask to hold the kite up, are also kitersurfers themselves and still have to be told to hold the kite up ? For me it's automatic and needed.

I've also had experienced kitesurfers let go my kite before I gave the thumb up...

It'll come up and fly when the lines are tight.... As you tension them, the launcher should LET it come up. And It's my experience that there are few people who can handle a kite well enough and get it "up" without trying to muscle it and make it look like they're ttying to wrestle a giant soggy pool noodle.

I'd rather self launch and land...

Had the Naish dealer for the next state over actually THROW my kite into the air. Tumble weeded downwind and nearly made a nasty mess, not to mention nearly dragging me through other peoples gear...

If you aren't sure on someones launching ability watch them hold the kite, if they are good just say, "hey mind doing mine too?"
If they are **e just look the other way.

I understand this is very complicated and may confuse some, but if you just remember to look first, you should be ok

then just say "its ok i was going to self launch always" or, "its ok my mate is about to do it" or "its ok I have to teach my mate how to do it"

Those are very hard to think of on the spot so write them down and practice before your next session.

I hate it when faarkheads want me to give them a launch but they are too deep in the window and they expect me to walk the kite!!

Total agree with nick

Just to add my 2c in case there's noobs reading this looking for tips on how to be a good launcher.

Once lines are tensioned and you're holding the kite up, but before you get thumbs up, loosen your grip on the kite to the point where you're almost letting it go but not.
You can then feel whether the kite is happy. If it's pushing forward hard you can move a step or two around closer to edge of window, if it's flopping down you can move the opposite way. If it's holding position and just pushing forward slightly then it's perfect.

If you practice this it becomes 2nd nature to correct the launchers angle (provided they're in the ballpark) without them even noticing, and your launches will be super smooth.