SLAMMED - I Forgot to unhook

[John-]

jesus Rick did this just happen to you?

I need to show you the sand bag solo land/launch trick, it's really easy and works,,, and if it doesnt it just drags the sand bag down the beach.

[The Kite House]

I self land all the time and to be honest, sometimes i trust it more than the people landing me!

I am a firm beliver do what you know and also at your skill level. I got into this sport to be solo, alone, not waiting on anyone. They are many safe ways to self land and launch.
The best sugestion is to know your equipment, and if you dont ask the person you bought it from what works and how. Then the next test would be to activate your system so you know what to expect. As i am sure rick can tell ya, there is no time to do research when the shit hits the fan.

Self landing is an advanced skill, which canchange on condtions, equipment and area. You can learn how to do it, but dont guess at it, practice in light winds after someone has SHOWN you.

All kite gear is different, you are worse off onsome gear if you unhook for a self landing, and others because because because theyare a cross between a c and a bow. The answer is in what kite you have as they all dont act the same anymore like "c" kites did.

be safe and glad ricks ok

[ricki]

Good points, Paul and I felt the same way about assisted launches and landings with traditional C kites and 99 % were solo. Things became more complicated with flat kites though, at least on land. If you learn a technique that works with a given kite, go for it allowing for the odd error as we were talking about. Trouble can come when you start mixing techniques with new kites. I think I've owned about 8 flat kites of various brands and there are differences among them in solo landing. I still feel ALL kiters need to be comfortable solo landing in an emergency. Sadly, I think there is a fair number that never have bothered to learn. That is like driving a sports car but relying upon the guys in the backseat to be awake and put on the brakes when you need them to.

[The Kite House]

One other point i should have brought up. Mishaps are 45% less likely to happen if you put the kite on the water or over it and kill it. Kite will stick to water, but will be static on the beach and also have no resistance and can then tumble and roll fast and end up who nows where. I will take the problems with landing, as they are fixable, rather than the days with no depower and people gettting draged, hurt and worse on a steady basis.

Again Rick, glad you are ok......where is the sport going when rick starts getting hurt.....?

[ricki]

Originally Posted by The Kite House

Again Rick, glad you are ok......where is the sport going when rick starts getting hurt.....?

Thanks! Many of us, including yourself Paul, get banged up on a semi-regular basis. I will confess it seemed to be more frequent years back particularly with traditional C kites but even today it still happens on occasion. The last dragging I had was probably four years ago and the last bad one, eight! It is a motivating factor and basis for learning in the sport. I prefer the less painful, disabling lessons myself, ha! If we retain the lessons or better anticipate and avoid the problems, things work out a lot easier all around.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by John-

jesus Rick did this just happen to you?

I need to show you the sand bag solo land/launch trick, it's really easy and works,,, and if it doesnt it just drags the sand bag down the beach.

Yes, sad but true, screwed up yet again. It has been many years since I've had a bad dragging while kiting. I've used holdfasts too since flat kites have been out. There is a number of ways they can let you down though. Some kites aren't that stable for instance. Another time, again first session with a new kite, I came in late and had to solo land. No worries, I had a proven holdfast nearby and just hooked the chicken loop up to it. Surprise, the retaining pin pulled out unlike all the previous flat kites I had done this with and the kite went flying off downwind. I took about five sprinting steps after it and tore the gastroc in my right leg. Was still tight from skiing. Whoops. Few single magic bullits when it comes to solo landing ALL flat kites. Techniques and response will differ among different kites and conditions to a degree.

For these and lots of other reasons, I have felt for a long time, it is a bad idea to try out a new, unfamiliar kite in strong conditions. Had I made yesterday's mistakes in strong conditions, good chance I would have been messed up big time. We were just talking about this last week. Input on this Marina?