Only for bows. Don't try this with a C-kite
Straight downwind has worked everytime for me (probably 20 times so far in varying conditions.) Launch it like a foil kite. Might be called a hot launch by some - but with a bow its more of a luke warm launch.
Daniel at Wind Surfing Perth showed me.
a) lay out kite flat and unpumped up on its back (ie the struts on top) with the TRAILING EDGE (not leading edge) into the wind
b) put a little sand all along the trailing edge to make sure the wind doesn't get underneath
c) lay out lines directly upwind and connect
d) pump up kite (SS Turbo Diesel is one pump so a bit quicker than the Xbow)
e) pick up bar - fully depowered position - walk back and put tension in the lines (you can take time at this point to check lines are all straight and connected properly).
f) put more tension on the lines
g) up she comes - sweet.
Prior to the Turbo Diesel I had an X-bow and I tried the conventional sideways self launch - but the bow design make its it difficult and IMHO there is a degree of line/bridle/kite tangle risk.
The warm luanch procedure above allows you to fully check the lines are free and straight before committing.
