From my expirence don't hold the bar when a wave looks like its gonna hit your kite or you'll have 2 kites that's completely useless lol

if its dierectly down wind with lines tight in a wave zone, then immediately to single flag and hand on the bye-bye release
if i have some side on it and possible relaunch scene then will steer with top leader line (letting bar all the way out) and have other hand one CL release.
this is if its my kite, if its a loaner I may just hold on

White water, flag out

Wave breaking on kite let it go.

All depends on size of waves

do you guys risk wearing a board leash?

I wear a helmet (have been hit in head before),
Impact vest for flotation (have asthma/ small lung capacity),
and no board leash usually.

throw in my sea specs and some zinc and you you can imagine i look pretty awesome out there.
Lucky its about fun and safety cos if it were a fashion show id be in trouble.

Question one.
Can you relauch in time for the next wave?
yes? Do it!.
If no try like hell anyway?!. If still no.

Small white wash. keep on trying to relauch.
medium whitewash. punch to flag out swim in.
heavy white wash. punch out completely.

small for me is shoulder high waves or less
medium is shoulder to 1.5 head
heavy is 1.5 +

However there are some instances when you want the flagged out kite to drag you into shore with the white wash. If that's the case its better to sacrifice your kite in favour of assistance by getting dragged in.


One time (at band camp) I punched out completely to find myself in a double head and a rip. took me 40 mins to swim sideways then into the beach.

Also if you are still attached to your kite and a wave hits your kite it
Can drag you under the water for a while !

Plummet said..


Question one.
Can you relauch in time for the next wave?
yes? Do it!.
If no try like hell anyway?!. If still no.

Small white wash. keep on trying to relauch.
medium whitewash. punch to flag out swim in.
heavy white wash. punch out completely.

small for me is shoulder high waves or less
medium is shoulder to 1.5 head
heavy is 1.5 +

However there are some instances when you want the flagged out kite to drag you into shore with the white wash. If that's the case its better to sacrifice your kite in favour of assistance by getting dragged in.


One time (at band camp) I punched out completely to find myself in a double head and a rip. took me 40 mins to swim sideways then into the beach.

Cool thanks for the tips.

I thought u may be more likely to rip the kite if u flag out?

Where's Waveslave when you need a laugh ???

So many variables, you can't generalise. You just have to prioritise. Your safety 1st..... Then your gear.....depends on wind direction, shoreline, size of surf, type of break, how kite is sitting in water etc. I've released a kite to save it from a wave, only to have my board wash into it and shred it. Kites, boards and rocks are like magnets. Relaunch is always your secound best option..... Never dropping your kite in the first place is your best. Coming a distant third is releasing your kite. I have a friend that releases instantly every time they drop their kite, but they have torn a kite, so I guess it depends on your history as well. I'll fight for a relaunch, or let myself get washed with kite to put as little pressure as possible on it. ie like you aren't attached. Totally release only when i have to, shoreys or large waves.
I don't bother with a leggy on beachies! only on reef waves or rocky shorelines.

moon waxing said..
^^^ You'll be lucky to get the wind right at "Super Sucks"

looks like scar reef to me

variable

cross off, gnaraloo, big = prepare to lose gear or else take on the bombie (not recommended, ask keysie)

i'm happy to ditch if i have too, life or limb not worth a kite

i use leash in some circumstances when not having it, or getting board back critical, big surf + windy and a long way off shore eg greeenhead sometimes

but extra careful and aware of it loading up