Grab it in the middle of the big inflatable condom type thing called the leading edge.

Then hold on to it with both hands, arms whatever you do, do not let go until the kiter has unhooked and walked up to you to take it off your hands.............you've done a great job, now go to the head of the class.

Surely someone more clever than me can show you a vid.

Dude - I had a poley bring my board back once, after it all went pear shaped so thanks...

Type in surfkite landing on Utube - should find some shorties there. Best option though would be to spend 5 minutes looking for a kiter launch / landing who looks like they know what there doing - and ask them to show you, say youve rescued a few of us as well.

NEBBIAN - Why would he want to spend his Beer money on a few lessons for kiteing.. when he windsurfs ???

Hes helping us all out, including kiters who are too lazy to pull the safety to land, wind it up and alls good.

nebbian said...

It's a good idea to get a kiting lesson or two if you can, since doing this I'll happily launch and land when needed.

Also it reduces the fear factor when you sail around kites, you have a better idea what they're about to do. Kiters are people too!

haaha
I believe it should be mandatory for all poleys to get kite lessons so they can be our bitches.
lol.

you could just tell the kiter in question to use his safety...

latedropeddy said...

Could someone point me towards a kite site - preferably with vids/animations on how to actually assist in safely landing a kite. There has been plenty of times I have been out (usually at st kilda) when the wind has picked up and some poor bloke with a "face of death" is trying to land a kite (and not get boosted onto beach road).

I've rescued plenty of kite boards & towed dudes in when the winds dropped out but have been reluctant to help guys land kites in case it goes wrong.

cheers

The advice you have been given here is all good. I have had a windsurfer pick up my board at St Kilda as well and I think its good for the community feel there.

I think, to draw parallels between kite and sail, think of the inflatable leading edge of the kite as the "mast" of the kite. If you stand on the outside of the kite and grab the leading edge in the centre as it comes down, the kite can flap all that it likes but it won't power up as long as the tension is released from the lines by the rider. If, after catching the kite you take a couple of steps towards the kiter you can take the tension out of his lines.

The is similar to if you stand a windsurf sail up and hold it at the mast end of the boom, it rotates downwind and has no power in it.

Don't worry about putting it on the ground, the grateful kiter should take it off your hand pretty quick.

Find someone on the beach who looks experienced, ask them how long they have been kiting etc./or walk up to an instructor and ask them. Almost everyone will be happy to show you.

I find it pretty sad that someone has to always make smartass comments when another water user is genuinely asking for help, inevitably to benefit the kiting community. Sad, sad little man.

We can all get along. Most of the windsurfers and kiters are good guys but some in both camps are dicks......waveslave you are an idiot- stupid inflammatory comment when someone is trying to be a good person....

The best idea for you to learn to land a kite is to be shown- nothing beats the hands on experience ! If you ask a kiter at your local I am sure they will help you out...

Drumroll...


Poley of the week award goes to.. Eddy!



Now if only most kiters could be so kiter friendly

Thanks for asking.

D_Meredith79 said...

nebbian said...

It's a good idea to get a kiting lesson or two if you can, since doing this I'll happily launch and land when needed.

Also it reduces the fear factor when you sail around kites, you have a better idea what they're about to do. Kiters are people too!

If only we had more poleys like Nebbian. Good on you mate.

D

I also did some kite lessons. Not to learn how to catch someone else's kite but to see if it was as interesting as windsurfing to me. I think one day I might take it up but the commitment to windsurfing seems stronger.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of windsurfers have tried kiting, but have not bothered to go past the initial few lessons and stuck to being a poley.

There might be a jibe here and there between kiters and windsurfers, but when it comes down to it, if someone needs a hand out there on the water, I would help and expect help.