mort69 said...

im pretty sure ive got the window wrong but when i self launch in 20 kn winds i get dragged down the beach, a bit like bull riding,and when i get the kite up and im riding but i cant keep the power going ,the kite is either @12 with no power or down low with no power,the only time im moving is when the kite is powering through the range,but its pretty radical to keep it going cheers

I only just started but I do know what to do here... once ur up on the board keep on working g the kite up and down to keep generating power. Not too high or u will stall. Lean hard on ur back foot to put the 'brake' on and to go more upwind. Lean more on the front to gain speed going g down wind. Gain speed before you lean hard on your back leg..

Learned all this today haha so correct me if I'm wrong.

mort69 said...

im pretty sure ive got the window wrong but when i self launch in 20 kn winds i get dragged down the beach, a bit like bull riding,and when i get the kite up and im riding but i cant keep the power going ,the kite is either @12 with no power or down low with no power,the only time im moving is when the kite is powering through the range,but its pretty radical to keep it going cheers

Mate, if possible, don't be self launching in 20 knts until your reasonably experienced. If you have to, try and and be more side on to the kite in the window, rather than having the kite downwind from you when you launch. If it's downwind too much and you pull that top line to get the kite to launch, there's too much wind filling the kite causing it to go straight up with lots of power. This is known as a "hot launch" and not good for beginners in 20 knts. Get a set of self launchers. Easy to make, just do a search for instructions.
You won't go anywhere when on a board and your kite is at 12, just up if you move it there too quickly Find the sweet spot where your kite flys nicely without having to work it too much if the wind is good. This can change each time you go out depending on wind strength. Don't choke the kite by barring in too much when the kite is near the water. This will feel like a lack of power, but it's not, just bar out and let the kite fill.

mort69 said...

im pretty sure ive got the window wrong but when i self launch in 20 kn winds i get dragged down the beach, a bit like bull riding,and when i get the kite up and im riding but i cant keep the power going ,the kite is either @12 with no power or down low with no power,the only time im moving is when the kite is powering through the range,but its pretty radical to keep it going cheers

In another thread on the newbie forum, you gave someone this advice - "shop around for a saftey lesson,60$ very good" - You'd be rightfully told by a lot of people with a lot of experience, not to give out advice on saving money on lessons. Most sensible and considerate people get at least the 3 IKO recomended lessons.

Reading your post sounds like you've not invested a lot of money on your own safety OR people around you... "i get dragged down the beach, a bit like bull riding," Doesn't sound like you got much out of your safety lesson, does it?

If you're all about saving cash and don't care if newbies can't learn on beaches in future because we've been banned off them, at least spend some of your money on the Progression beginner DVD

@subculture,yes your correct i am a tight arse but i did pay 200 dollars for a lesson .with my wake boarding back ground i was able to get riding at end of lesson. with the advice from the instructor ,you should be good to practice on your own but dont get over confident,good advice.how ever they failed to show me how to self launch as id told her id had the kite up on an oval a few times,but only in light winds,with no one in sight to injure.but add a little bit more wind and yes things go wrong,my beach is almost deserted and i have since found pro lesson via kite shop for 60$,far more reasonable than 120 per hr,no wonder people skip them,but thanks for the dvd advice however your condasending downer tone was a bit much,lighten up we got to start somewhere **** happens especialy with people who think they can do any thing (me)theres plenty of warning signs but they come with every thing these days,i did as much reaserch as possible before a lesson,mabye you should have to sit exam and be licenced before you go on public beaches,im surprised its not illegal,very dangerous sport for beginers,but thats the problem,everyone must be a beginer at some stage.a pro sold me a 12m for my first kite mabye thats a bit big. to everyone who posted thank heaps good to get advice from someone whos done it before.

thanks for the repy dave i havent worked out the thread thing so i couldnt give you a direct reply i did try.thanks for your generous offer much appriciated,i found out today a guy who works for me has kited for 4yrs and will take me out in coming days.as to your comments of ignorant and arrogant,your out of line,im not interested in the warm social feeling or what ever i have other agendas.sorry for causing you experienced riders grief i understand how annoying it can be for the inexperienced coming into your world but try to show a bit of patiece and support and you might have a better chance of protecing your sport. no disrespect intended.

austin said...

you can improvise a tethere'd self launch off of a post on the beachif you rig up your leash to ride 'suicide' then change back once launch'd. same basic principle as a towbar launch......probally too much for this stage however

I tried the towbar launch (log on the beach) for the first time, out of curiosity, last week. Worked fine and not too hard to learn I reckon. I'll do it again when there is a lot of rubbish on the beach that could snag a standard self launch.

Details: Set up your kite as normal. Secure your chickenloop or safety line to an immovable object like a towbar, kitebag full of sand, fence post. Walk up to the kite and launch it like you would for a fellow kiter except you let the kite set at the wind window just bobbing up and down on its wing tip. Run back to the bar, connect safety to flagging line and connect chicken loop, launch kite.

Before you try this, I suggest getting the feel of a kite sitting on the sand with no hands on the bar. It's pretty stable though in too light wind the kite may fall over or fall back.

mort69, some information on:

* wind window (& power) kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/wind/wind-window

* self launching kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/self-launching-your-kite

Once launched, it sounds like you are bringing your kite to the edge of the wind window where it has little power - both above you and horizontal.

Self launching is an intermediate skill and should only be attempted when you have some experience handling the kite. Maybe after 30+ sessions, and then with some instruction.

mort69 said...

to any one who wants to know what i was doing wrong was letting the bar out to de power position after i got moving,now i keep the bar at about half and the power stays on and i stay on my feet,and i was launching the kite direcly down wind,oops,was ok when there wasnt much wind.

wow mate haha scary stuff! always launch with your kite on the edge of the window hey. Don't want to end up hanging of a tree have you booked in some lessons buddy?

The general consensus seems to be self launching & self landing are advanced skills rather than intermediate. So I reckon this is 30+ sessions.

^^^^unless your a tool who tried to self launch directly downwind when a 30 second google search and 5 minutes research would have told said tool otherwise.
People just have no attention span.

i now know how to launch,simple, but i couldt find any vids that were not confusing the cabrina one was best but the camera angle changes to much.how could somthing so easy be so hard to reserch

bene313 said...

^^^ disagree Peter. Self launch/land are basic and easy kite skills which should come before board skills.

^^^+1 its common sence


don't always have crew at hand so is a must know

i didnt know any one who kited when i started so i was as green as it gets,this is not the only sport i do,but there is a lot of negative energy when it comes to newbs,when i see somone about to get in trouble ill help as long as its wanted ,but to be critical and offer nothing but condasending ramble is a fast track to having this sport end up where you self rightious majority say it will,so try being proactive,newbs will always be in the way so change your attitude toward them or loose.i dont care how ****ing good you are if you cant stand learners get a new sport

bene313 said...

^^^ disagree Peter. Self launch/land are basic and easy kite skills which should come before board skills.

negative.......

I agree with Peter...self launch and landing is not for beginners at all........ in order to self launch and land safely you have to have a very good understanding of wind directions, wind deflections and the physics of your kite.... launching and landing are the most risky proceedures when kiting ...both are performed on land close to solid objects ..... one cluck up and you can be fckd up.

Beginners attempting self launch and landing are only going to get your local area under the spotlight....kites in trees, powerlines, over the road, people being dragged etc..... all lead to issues...
If you are a beginner get someone to launch and land you.

When you are proficient enough to kite totally on your own ( ie no-one around at all then you should learn to self launch and land ideally with at least 1-2 seasons under your belt and a thorough understanding of the wind and how your kite will react.