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#1
03-06-2008, 01:16 PM
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Here is the "real deal". http://www.rapidanchor.com/ if you want an anchor.
Just not sure they are in the U.S. yet. 
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#3
03-06-2008, 02:30 PM
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if i were an instructor i would not teach self launching or landing.
i would explain to my students that it is possible but not recommended until they are very comfortable riding and piloting their kite. i *think* once riders get to that point where they feel they are good to ride by themselves they will have educated themselves on how to properly launch and land solo.. i would teach how to solo emergency land their kite *which could be taken as a self land*.. but i would not teach it as such and knowing that all kites have a little different technique to self land.. i might just teach riders on how to flag their kite out in the case of emergencies and they are stuck by themselves and have to put their kite down. ive had one solo launch that went sour.. luckily i knew how to handle it only due to the hours i'd already put into the sport.. if the same thing had happened on my first solo launch attempt i'd probably have to have been scrapped off the sides of one of the buildings down at cypress park.
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#4
03-06-2008, 02:48 PM
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Perhaps, but in my opinion, not teaching riders how to self launch safely is probably the #1 reason so many self launch attempts go bad. I was self launching and landing from day 1. Guess I should thank my instructor.
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#5
03-06-2008, 03:24 PM
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Not teaching to self launch and self land is much the arguement of not teaching teenagers the proper way to use condoms. On one hand if you're not having sex you can't get yourself in trouble, but on the other hand, if you decide to try you would want to have some clue as to how to work it properly, by work it properly I mean a self landing and launching
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#6
03-06-2008, 03:46 PM
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don't bother with that gimmick
Quote:
 Sorry, couldn't resist  I have to agree though.. that thing is a piece of junk. Just find someone to show you how to self launch and land. Plenty of helpful people in this crew. It's not difficult at all once you've practiced (under supervision) a few times.
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#7
03-06-2008, 03:49 PM
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I had posted about the kitebuddy thing a couple months back cause I had seen it on ebay when i was bored at work. It made for a good couple of dirty jokes in the thread. That rapidanchor wombat thing was on kiteforum about the same time and the aussie posters raved about it. From what I saw on that forum its not available in US at all and I don't believe they'll ship here
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#8
03-06-2008, 03:49 PM
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Exactly, Danimal. I personally can't relate to not knowing how to land and launch by myself. It was basically a necessity when I started due to not having many other kiters around. I guess since each spot is loaded now it may not matter as much (?). Still seems like something you should know, though.
It'd suck to have to wait for someone to show up at the Skyway or somewhere just to be able to ride. :cry:
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#9
03-06-2008, 03:51 PM
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That's a tough one. I agree with Brian and I don't teach to self launch. I would prefer the student focus on assisted launches first then explore self launching down the road. A clear understanding is needed to get a successful self launch and most don't want to pay for the instructors time to learn something that may cause them problems or they feel they aren't ready to do.
I would teach someone if they wanted to learn however. I do give my students some info on self launch and guide them to some good video resources when they feel ready to try it. Self land/self exit....that definately gets covered no matter what.
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#10
03-06-2008, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
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Hybrid Mode
