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The other way to do a drift launch is to lay out your lines on the beach and then go through the motions of a self-rescue while still on the beach. Then walk into the water with your bar wrapped up and proceed with a self-rescue reset (unwrap the bar, attach the chicken loop, and slowly let out the flag line.) This way you know the kite can't power up until the very end when you are letting out the flag line. It's arguably the safer way to do it, but I only do that when I have to swim out with my kite and board into deep water before doing the drift launch. That way if I accidentally let go, the kite stays depowered and next to me. The most important safety thing is making sure there's nothing to snag on. The only times I've had problems with drift launches were when there was debris in the water that snagged the lines.
5:55 I prefer using the safety line to control the kite drifting away, essentially keeping the kite flagged until it's nearly all the way out. But most of the time I hold on just long enough to make sure no lines are tangling and then let go of the kite and brace.
been doing it for a year, and recently had my first ride in a seat harness (mystic aviator). maybe my waist harness (pro limit something) isn't the right fit, but the seat harness is so much more comfy especially with big gusts of wind. instead of fighting the kite i can now just lean back against the wind. the diaper style is huge bonus.
Totally agree... Way better for the back, and you feel you can hold more in strong wind from my experience... I just wish they lasted longer when going out in strong winds and looping :P I guess most of them are not built for that, but there are things u can do to help - just keep monitoring the straps after strong sessions - and put some electrical tape or ductape whenever you feel they are thinning, or possibly try to use spreader bar with rounded edges if you have one lying around so it doesnt cut into the straps?
I'd be that poor guy, saying "Help, I can't stop. Whoa, whoa, get me off this thing, whose idea was this?" while almost killing the experts around me...
Haha he was a weird individual. Few days later i saw him riding around totally out of control turning left and right and singing to himself loud. Definitely in his own world :P
Are these guys considered "good"? They kept losing their footing on the boards and flinging them around while flying. They must have been learning, like 2nd or 3rd day into the sport. :)
Hey there. I think its a very good board. Its not totally flat it has a wee bit of rocker. Which makes it good for light wind but also not bad for landings and cutting through small annoying chop. I ride 140x42 so quite big. Board is great quality - lasted me very long time - compared to boards i had previously... I used to ride duotone jaime and those fell apart quite quick and warranty was not cool... (Keep in mind I am quite tall and heavy and durability for me is important :P) Maybe a bit on the heavier side for fin boardoffs? But i can make it happen when there is enough wind. The footpads... Well they are quite flexible for boardoffs - cos they dont stick to your feet or booties... But the construction is pretty basic... Unfortunately the durability of footstrap is horrible, they break and fall apart all the time. Since i put airush binding on the board no complaints. (But i might have learned to land softer hahaha - but prolly not :P) Hope that helps.
Haha - yeah its not that its dirty - its just very muddy haha especially on low tide. The water was brown - which was such a contrast after carribean blue :D
My experience in Cabarete is that you have to kite defensively. There are a lot of newbies who don’t really know what they are doing and can get themselves (and you) into a lot of trouble. I stopped going to Cabarete for that reason and now chose less frequented destinations.
Yeah i am not sure what is the deal... Its nice that you are right there at the spot - its definitely a win. Also theres some really good people. But also its just super crowded with people learning and bodydragging and surfing... And its not like its an easy spot... U got small shorebreak. U got chop, Reefs, Sometimes big waves its puzzling why it gets that crowded... But i guess on the good day the waves and the reefs could be amazing... I dont mind it but there are other places where this is not happening at all... Buen Hombre or Puerto Rico for instance... It might also be the vibe? The vibe in Cabarete is unique and beaches and activities are super awesome - for relatively low price
You have a point for sure. I dont recommend that for everyone. But in this case water is super shallow all along. Also there are spots like our homespot squamish where you only kite offshore (but there is rescue service). Another spot we have is ferry terminal also offshore but the beach curves and you will always end up on shore. Or rufus in hood river which is excellent but yeah... if things go wrong youre on the other side of the river... i guess there is a price to pay for flat water magic...
for me 90% of the time I don't sheet OUT enough as I pop and send the kite. When I do remember I get much higher - you can see them sheeting out and sending the kite and popping all the same time
Yeah it kinda depends on what kite you are using - for bar pressure too. And there is something to be said on sheeting out too much - which in light wind will kill all the power. There is some kind of a balance there. Only Loren Will and Matt get it :P I feel like if you are edging hard - and u can keep more power u can sheet out less and still go high and vertical. U just dont want to be pulled over or out of ur edge - then ure in for a long low flight downwind. Its hard LOL
That guy is a total idiot, there is no way he didnt see your kite, he just decided he was going to hold his line and ride right through it - crazy. Could have ended very badly for him, being tangled in lines in surf can drown you easily. Looks like he was on a foil and a total beginner which might explain it.
That guy :D wow... we also thought he wanted to help you somewhat, just wanted to tangle i guess. Btw nice jumps to the right aswell, guess im the only one who cant do shit to his weak side :/
@@cadthunkin haha yeah - he was kinda unusual. I saw him the other day riding around and singing to himself loudly - and being totally out of control so yeah... Haha
I’ve had that experience of a deflating kite, it was my first kitemare. It can be really hairy if you’re in a tricky spot far from shore. Very unnerving when you sheet in and the kite just folds. Glad he made it in ok. My culprit ended up being delaminating valve(s), hopefully the issue is a quick fix!
