Agree... looks like plastic junk. I've used a plain old dog screw stake and it worked fine, just don't stub your toe on it. Not my favorite method leaving a metal screw in the ground.

You can get a canvas bag with handles on it. Fill it with sand a put a carribiner through the handles.

But, 75% of the time I use my trailer hitch, the bench at lassing, or the garbage can at PAG. The other 25% of the time I put sand on the wing tip or bury my board in the mud and attach to the handle. Once in awhile I use a canvas bag if I can remember to bring it.

For landing you can do the same thing or just release to a front line.

Self launching is easy enough without any of these launch gimmicks but if forced to choose one it would be the canvas bag filled with sand.

I don't really understand how self launching and landing has become such a mystery.

Don't instructors teach this stuff anymore?

Oh ok... 60 bucks is highway robbery. Do not buy it.