I went out yesterday at Pallarenda and stupid me sees a kiter sitting watching the action next to his kite. So I naturally ask him to help me launch. Little did I know (I didn't know!) that he was not even a beginner but well... a nice guy wanting to know the sport I guess. Well... why not bring your kite to the beach and see the action? I guess. But when he lifted my kite, without me giving the thumbs up or any signal he just throws it into the wind (yes UP WIND!). I shout... Hey... wait!! He does it again. Luckily I have some self launch experience, so I take over and self launch it whilst it's upright. And luckily it was under 20knots!

I did politely "educate" him for next time.

the EXACT same thing happened to me last week- except he had a harness and everything on. Just reminds you not to become complacent and spend the 30 seconds to chat with your launcher! I had a little rethink about it all afterwards and I've never had a botched self launch....

yeah,

if your don't know the guy just say.

"don't let go until I give you the thumbs up"

I have had a few total bystanders that know nothing about kiting help me launch.......they are usually just standing there enjoying the spectacle of the kites. If you take a few minutes to show them how to roll the kite on it's side, how to lay it back down if something is wrong......and mention 3-4 times not to let go until you give them the thumbs up.........they really enjoy the fact they are able to get up close and personal with a kite, ask a few questions and help someone out to boot.........I get my kite launched in "relative" safely and get to share the kiting stoke.......win/win!