Here are some launch mistakes, reviewed in the kitemares series: Launching with steering line caught on bar: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xSJHixtNiTk.htmlsi=kTfiLX7_DQ1vrOJh&t=284 Launch in the wrong conditions ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xSJHixtNiTk.htmlsi=mfsHkrSsNAcBD0Ab&t=226 Bar and lines abnormal on launch ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R5K9BoRp0fY.htmlsi=ybkNQeJ9-paQW_6x&t=429 No steering slack on launch ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R5K9BoRp0fY.htmlsi=f8twBUX_LYRP8671&t=662
This is by far the best clip I've seen on the correct technique for launching a kite. The graphics showing the proper positioning of the kite and pilot relative to the wind are priceless. Thank you for taking the time to put this together with such comprehensive explanations. It's exactly what I needed.
It is always good to remind to each kiter the key safety issues, and possible hazards of a kite launch ! I would just adjust your procedure by only hook the safety line before turning to the launching angle, just grabbing the front lines above the eject part. I would only hook myself when in perfect launch angle! I would neither grab the bar during the turn. In case of any issue during the turn (sudden wind turn , big gust, assistant issue) , I would just have to open my hand to release the front lines and any power. I must admit that it is an option but a bit safer one! Anyway, thank you for your very good vids 😎
Hi Nicolas, not holding the bar during the walk into position is a fine habit I would say. Sometimes I'll rotate the bar earlier just to see the lines are in order much sooner. But you can also walk into position without touching the bar, and then rotate the bar into the correct position and check the steering lines only when the kite is at the correct angle for launch. In terms of walking into position unhooked and holding the CL, I considered that carefully and decided against covering it. I do like the lesson it teaches that when getting into position you're not trying to control the kite at all, plus the benefit that you can simply let the chicken loop go. I think it's worth a lot of people trying sometime. It can really help with certain self launches. In the end, however, I decided against showing that method here, since even if I show it, 99%+ of kiters will still want to walk into position hooked once they have enough experience. It's quicker it's better for line checking and keep lines in order etc. Only a few people will do the unhooked version after lessons (although I've never seen anyone do it, so we're talking less than 1 in a 1000. So by explaining that unhooked version I'd be helping only a handful of people be safer rather than the majority.
@@kitesurfcollege to be more specific, the process to hook yourself only at the launch angle is teached by the French RU-vidrs Philippe Ancelin (OLK) since 2013 and Pierre DuPont more recently . They are by far the most popular tutorials in French langage, and this method is very popular in France. They also give most of your good advice for launching, among lot of other vids It is why so many French people practice this way. Indeed very few English speaker recommend this way… Pierre DuPont (les Coaching de Pierre) recommend the same process for self launching without fix point (advanced kiters) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dVp5Z32f8OQ.htmlfeature=shared
I now do a modification of this technique. With my vision, it is not possible to see the lines always before the kite is up and tensioned and even then it is more by behavior. When walking the arc to go upwind, I HOLD the chicken loop in my hand. Only when I get a little bit of tension in the kite and see it behaving properly, I connect the chicken loop. In this way, even if I trip, fall, or the launcher lets go, the kite will be attached by the flag-out line only. Yes, it is inconvenient to connect while under some tension, but you can take a step to release the tension while connecting the chicken loop. This is even more inconvenient for me as I must open and close the chicken loop as I only use a surf slider.
Hi David, I think that's a fine way to be launching, hooking on to the CL after getting the kite in position. There are some safety benefits, although as you mention it can be inconvenient and slow. I'd say stick to that method. I just didn't cover that in this launch tutorial as it's extremely rare that kiters will be launching like that after lessons.
This is a great video and many times I am on the beach telling people these exact things. They took IKO certified lessons and still they are often in the wrong place when they try to launch their kites. One other thing.... I think I have seen IKO certified instructors teaching people to pull on the top line for assisted launch. I think this should only be done on water relaunch or with assisted launch in very light wind or else they could be thrown like the girl in the red cap in this video. Please comment on that, maybe in a video? I try to tell people to not do that, but not being an instructor, I have no clout.
Hi David, I'd recommend holding the upper steering line directly during a relaunch for sure. For an assisted launch there are pros and cons to holding the upper steering line directly. It could help students for example who tend to pull in the whole bar and pressure both steering lines by mistake (although I would say teaching them to understand the principles of steering a kite should be the solution to that problem). It has the downside some might steer up too quickly in stronger wind and give a bit less control. Overall I'd say it's better to teach better one handed piloting, and teach students to know when they're tensioning both steering lines by mistake because of a tense grip. Then after that you can learn to launch properly or as normal using the bar.
Very informative, thanks a lot. Just a remark about a method for positioning oneself safely before launching, which I find great but that is not very known: one connects only the safety line, and take the chicken loop by the hand (and leaves the bar, it is not needed), and then start walking upwind. If things are clear, then when one reaches the right position to launch, one feels tension in the hand, and the bar will position itself automatically how it should. Only then one connects the chicken loop to the harness, and take the bar. And if anything is badly connected/entangled before connecting the chicken loop, then in case of emergency there is no safety to activate, one just needs to open one's hand to get the same result.
Another good tip is to take 2-3 small steps backwards (away from the kite, not downwind) as the launcher lets go as this keeps the tension in the lines so avoids the drift downwind
I completely agree with hand ON the eject during launching and landing. I thought I was too good for that and just kept my hand ready and nearby. One time during self-landing in gusty conditions, the kite got unstable and took off. As my hand was reaching for the eject, I was launched into the air and my flipping in the air and flying kept my hand from the eject. NOT FUN!
One last comment, in light wind I tell people to take another step or two upwind after they see the canopy stop luffing. In very light wind, launching from the position where the canopy has stopped luffing can still result in the kite going backwards way downwind as you show in the picture when the kite was launched from an inadequately powered position. What do you think about that? It has happened to me a few times but luckily I am fast enough with the kite to not get into trouble.
Hi David, good issue to raise I'd say. Yes, definitely in light wind at the point the kite first stops luffing, it may well not be able to lift its own weight. That's why in the video I said you want the kite to look solid, plus added you also want to get some decent line tension. I would also add a good sign is when the kite's pushing forward a little into the launcher. The kite's launch position definitely changes in lighter and stronger wind. In strong wind, as soon as the kite moves onto your downwind side you can control it. In light wind you need the kite a bit further downwind of you (maybe 4 or 5m). The drone shots at the start were in only 9 knots and therefore the kite was further downwind than normal before I launched it.
