Kitesurf Drift Launch 

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I love your videos. I would like to recommend one thing. I think that the method shown for drifting from a wound bar is NOT SAFE. I say this because with your lines warped on the bar, if you lost your grip on the kite, once the kite reached the end of the lines, you would have no control and NO WAY TO FLAG OUT. So... when I drift launch from a wound bar, I recommend one of the following methods. 1. wrap a kite length of the safety line on the back of the bar first. (pulling the safety line through the chicken loop and wrapping it on the back of the bar is helpful to not cause tangles) ( this will place the bar in the flagged out state if you loose your grip on the kite.) or 2. Attach your safety leash to the kite, walk the kite out. Only AFTER you unravel your lines, move the leash to your bar. (there is the small chance that you will lose your grip on the kite when switching the leash from the kite to the bar. however, this can be eliminated by holding or securing the OSH (or flagging line) to you harness. or [ Even Better] by using a second leash to use on the bar after unwrapping the lines but before unhooking the leash from the kite) (one long and one short leash is nice to have for this) both Thank you so much for your wonderful videos. I only mention this (My opinion) because I want to try to help keep people safe.

As an intermediate kiter, launching is by far the thing that sketches me out the most. I learned in Cabarete where the beaches are huge and there's always someone to help you launch. Where I'm at now I have to get more creative with techniques like this. Thanks for the video.

This is a very helpful video. It's step-by-step with an emphasis on safety. If shoreline is hostile environment for kite, then it's a great option for kiters who have access to shallow water.

Thanks Alex! I watched a bunch of your videos when I first started kiting in 2014. 🙌

Well explained, this can be tricky, especially if there are currents present

Great video, with good emphasis on a plan b when the unexpected happens. thanks!

First time I tried this it went perfectly and I thought this is an awesome way to self launch. Second time I tried this I spent the whole afternoon untangling my lines and didn't get to kite. Don't think there's gonna be a third time :)

Thank you so much. I have been releasing my lines and my kite at the same time, this method gave me many headaches until I watch this.

And while holding your board in your teeth... or sig other Great alternative launch for being alone Thanks for this video. Very easy to understand. Just spent four windless days in Phuket!

I would recommend that when letting your lines out in the water, while walking upwind that the kite be placed on the water(faced up or down) with one arm through the bridals - such that the bridal is hooked on the inside of the rider's elbow. This technique frees up both hands for ensuring the lines can be let out carefully, without them knotting on themselves. Other than that, this is yet another fantastic tutorial.

Thanks for the video - Very well explained! Good idea to walk crosswind - I always walked straight upwind so far - which works for me in lightwind - but you need to be careful to be prepared for the pull when the kite catches wind. For me a version where the kite is positioned ca80% in the water and 20% on the beach also works well when the wind is side- or sideonshore and not much waves - one can put it fully on the water from this position for the drift to launch

Thank you for this video! Been looking for a good drift launch video for a while... tried this technique a few times now that I know the steps and what to look for 🤙

Man this answers a huge question of mine as I have to do everything alone. The only thing now that I wonder is how you do this in deep water. Most of our lakes drop off either right away or 15 foot from the shore so it's really a challenge I'm seeing to get away from obstacles and get out in the lake.

Really enjoying these more vlog style videos, keep them coming

Nice! Very good tutorial!

Incredible !

Lovely jubbley!

Great content as always!

Well done!

Good tips 👌🏻🤙🏻

I’ve always held onto the center line which you put water on to keep the leading edge planted on the water too

Good video.

Alex I’m digging your lessons bud. Awesome. It would be nice to know what the wind strength is during your class

Good video bud 👌

Brilliant

I had my share of mistakes, rule number 1, if the lines can get tangled, they WILL, rule number 2, real life begins at 18kt and there is no rewind nor retry

I would like a tutorial that includes handling your board while performing the drift launch. Thanks 🤙🏽

Hi, love your videos, very helpful! I see a lot of them are filmed in the lagoon that forms at Noordhoek. I have heard some comments from people that you are not allowed to kitesurf there. Have you guys had any problems? Would be such a pitty, looks like such a great flat water spot and very keen to try it out

ah man. Trying to navigate locust beach in Bellingham. No beach at high tight and tons of seaweed.

Great video but what if your drift launch is in deeper water that you can’t run around in. Maybe waist high water? I have wrapped the bridle lines 2-3 times first and then started the steering line wrap so that I can use the bar and keep the kite leading edge down and into the wind. Is this a safe alternative to your method for deep water?

Always great explanations. 😊. I would be interested by a deep water version with many wind directions, as we can find on many lakes, with quite steep shore, rocks, trees shadows, and plenty of vegetation anywhere on the shore if not plenty of seaweeds, or peaces of dead wood inside water .Due to deep water the side or upwind move is quite difficult (only by swim) and must be very limited, as in your case the shallow water helps a lot.😎

I had success drift launching smaller kites in moderate wind. Then I managed to wrap a line round my foot and get pulled through the water by a 17. Was ok, I released it. But it could have been a nightmare.

I kite alone and most always drift launch when in flat water. I've had bridal tangle even after I was careful. You gotta be ready to flag because things happen very fast. When kiting in ocean with shore break drift launch doesn't work.

Please, make a video launching from a boat. TKS !

This spot looks great. Where is it?

What is the explanation on why isn't the rider hooked in the harness @3:20 ? When ever I am doing drift launches, it usually involves busy beaches or no beach at all. Why would I want my expensive kite not secured?

great tuition. Out of interest what mouth piece is holding your Go Pro?

In the last method why not just lay down the kite on the leading edge on the water and then start unwinding the lines ending with the kite down in power zone ?

Where is this flat and slow wind place?

ONCE more a very nice video. How can I support you without using Paypal? How do I geht access to your ad-free parts of your channel?

The lines of my duotone trust bar always get tangled when unrolling them wet in all the drift launches I have done. Any tip?

I have drift launched many many times, with a 12 meter rally and approx 16meter 1 strut infinity. I can tell you drifting from a wound bar is NOT recommended. I have even swam out of wind shadows by leaving the lines drift fully behind as I pulled the kite by the leading edge. 10 of 10 times it has worked great as long as the kite is facing directly into the wind when you let it go. I have also pulled the kite by a center line as I moved out laterally with the kite. You just spin it around when ready. Drift launches are my preferred method due to a lack of space where I live. There are always alot of people, rocky shore, or no real shore at all.

ive been kiting years and wouldnt try this on a windy day no chance its like asking to get taken to the a+e

Видел бы этот чувак, как запускают кайты у нас))

What wind was this done in ?

Where was this filmed? I need some flatwater!

Great video as usual! 🤙Those who use this method, what is the success rate?

Buen vídeo pero la cosa se complica cuando no haces pié en el mar.

is that a stingray in the beginning?

kann man machen, aber wenn du lange Spaß an deinem Material haben möchtest, dann mache dieses nicht zu häufig, gerade bei den heutigen Preisen, hast du einen Spot an dem nur du unterwegs bist, so gehe lieber Wingen😉🤩🤙

Hello,what spot is it?Thank You

Where is this location?

looks not too bad. But the instructor is not managing their board which adds complication. Next time show it managing the board also. Or do you suggest walking back to the beach after all this to get it.

What’s in his mouth?

Drift launch from land is a sure way to damage your kite. Avoid at all costs! Only from water it won't cause damage

This launch is ridiculous and too risky compared to other launch methods and seems like a recipe for having a bad time

How overly complicated

worst self launch ever seen...