kitingtopher said...
... if it is to windy to land pop your safety 30 metres from shore if possible, and swim in along the flag out or fith line . not hard ,Kites dry ...

Very good advice.

If things get extreme and I mean really extreme, not just strong (squalls, 40-50 knots on a 10m etc), then the last thing you want to do is try to land on the beach.

The best thing is to get well away from anything that will hurt you and ride it out. Park the kite on the surface and sit in the water and wait.

If things get too extreme then get yourself in a safe position and pop the kite onto the safety leash. If it gets really extreme then release the kite completely ensuring it is going to end up somewhere safe.

In the past I have comfortably sat out squalls 400-500m out to sea watching guys trying to deal with kites on the beach because they tried to land in the middle of the squall.

I was thinking about getting something similar to what is being discussed on this thread for reasons no one has mentioned, seaweed.

It is all fine if you have a nice big sandy beach to work with, but doesn't anyone else get sh1ted off with seaweed? It gets all tangled up and it can turn into a real hassle getting your lines free all on your own. If there is no one around what would be the problem with the devices mentioned?

I have launched off someone else's bull bar, (they were out kiting) and I thought it was a great idea. After seeing people using what looked to be a standard sand anchor from a boat, I was considering something similar to what is being suggested on this thread.

What is the consensus, yes or no?????

^^^^^^^^Is this an enigma ,its got me totally stumped even after reading it 3 times.
Maybe i've just had too much to drink.

lol. the best idea yet. takes some one from across the ditch to come up with such a simple practical idea. should sell well on ebay.

Interesting reading. I use an anchor to launch and land up to 30k of wind. I have a medium size sand anchor that I bury in the beach about two feet (600mm). About a 2m long piece of rope with a snap clip attached to one end anchor on the other end. Set the bar up in full depower mode, attach the kite and set the kite up as you would if you had someone helping you. Near the edge of the wind window. The kite will just sit there it may move back and fourth a little, but I have never had it power up. Move back to your bar, make sure to hook your safety on first and then kneel down and connect to your chicken loop. Away you go. Landing is much the same, full depower on the bar, land gently on the beach while kneeling next to the snap clip. As soon as the kite lands let the bar go, hook onto chicken loop with snap, then disconnect chicken look from your harness. Run to kite and secure. Cheers Egga

egga said...

Interesting reading. I use an anchor to launch and land up to 30k of wind. I have a medium size sand anchor that I bury in the beach about two feet (600mm). About a 2m long piece of rope with a snap clip attached to one end anchor on the other end. Set the bar up in full depower mode, attach the kite and set the kite up as you would if you had someone helping you. Near the edge of the wind window. The kite will just sit there it may move back and fourth a little, but I have never had it power up. Move back to your bar, make sure to hook your safety on first and then kneel down and connect to your chicken loop. Away you go. Landing is much the same, full depower on the bar, land gently on the beach while kneeling next to the snap clip. As soon as the kite lands let the bar go, hook onto chicken loop with snap, then disconnect chicken look from your harness. Run to kite and secure. Cheers Egga

wouldnt want the kite to power up and come flying at you with the anchor in tow!