QLD
48 posts
Was riding along yesterday and all of a sudden kite lost all its air like the valve had popped .
On inspection found a 2inch gash on the leading edge thru the kite and bladder . Suspecting it happened on the self launch . Was just wondering is this a common problem when self launching. Funny thing was i rode for about an hour before it popped and had not dropped the kite once. Lucky i was at Sangate and could walk back in .
VIC
942 posts
yea Sandgate has loads of sharp shells and **** on the beach. Best to suss out the area that your gonna self launch in , or get someone to launch ya.
QLD
209 posts
Yep sandgate/ Brighton is common for this, I'm assuming you did this on the low tide and not by the regular launch area.
Most common mistake is ppl clear the area around the kite but don't account for the kite drifting 5-10m along the sand because they are standing too far up or downwind when launching, so yeah always clear the sand 5m either side if self launching.
QLD
191 posts
I always find the further out you go the more shells there are, just try find a spot not super close to the water line at low tide but a little back where the sand is cleaner, even then I still scout around the kite to make sure there are no hidden nasties, have nearly done the same thing to my kite awhile back, I have put some canopy repair tape along theleadingedge to give it a bit more strength where the kite pivots to come up in position, seems to work ok?
WA
8407 posts
tethered self launch, simply walk your kite out , when it engages in the wind roll it over and check the beach for debris within the area, then launch, happy days for the kite, and water time for you,
