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Bigbeezer
Since 31 Aug 2008
33 Posts
Portland, OR
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 Mon Sep 01, 08 8:59 am relaunch assist |
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| Was at the spit this weekend, helped two guys launch their kites. I noticed when I got their kites off the ground, I was pushed by the kite, so much that it knocked me over and one time I actually got tangled in their lines. I quickly got out and got their kite under control for launch. I'm new to sport and always want to follow safety protocol, as well as be able to help launch my fellow kiters. Suggestions... |
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pauls
Since 20 Jun 2005
564 Posts
Northern Portugal
Addicted
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 9:05 am |
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| sounds like you were standing too far downwind relative to the kiter |
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kristina
Since 14 Mar 2007
27 Posts
The Hood
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 9:33 am |
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Sounds like the kiter was standing too far upwind relative to you/their kite  |
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kitezilla
Since 22 Jun 2006
453 Posts
gorge
Obsessed
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 10:32 am Re: relaunch assist |
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| Bigbeezer wrote: | | Was at the spit this weekend, helped two guys launch their kites. I noticed when I got their kites off the ground, I was pushed by the kite, so much that it knocked me over and one time I actually got tangled in their lines. I quickly got out and got their kite under control for launch. I'm new to sport and always want to follow safety protocol, as well as be able to help launch my fellow kiters. Suggestions... |
Bigbeezer,
Welcome to the weird world of kiting!
Don't take that incident personally...people will do that to you and you will do it to other people. Even if the person launching the kite yells at you, don't let it hurt your feelings or ruin your self-esteem, or cause you to dislike the kiter... It is just a matter of physics. Always, come up smiling and don't EVER seek revenge on the f&*king A#**#le, who just knocked you down and made you look like a bumbling fool, by "pre-releasing" the kite, when you feel that the kite is just not in the right position.
There are many reasons for this situation to occur while you are the "kite b--ch", so be tolerant and do the following:
(1) If the kite is trying to "bulldoze" you in one direction, hang on tight and look at the kiter, and point the direction for him to move...that direction will be the exact opposite direction that the kite is pushing or pulling you.
(2) Hang on tight to the kite and struggle to drag it CLOSER to the kiter. This will depower the kite (of course the kiter could accomplish the same thing by walking toward you...but he usually won't do this for a number of reasons), and thereby, allow you to more easily (and gracefully) walk the kite into the proper position for launch.
(3) Remember that you have the ultimate, last chance, responsibility to properly position the kite, before launching-releasing it, because you can "feel" the position better than can the kiter.
If you have the moral fortitude to forgive someone for basically knocking you down, making you look like a bumbling idiot, then, yelling at you....well, then you might be a KITER.
It's like a rite of passage...welcome to the Sandbar...you're now one of us...you have learned the secret handshake (its the one where you brush sand off your butt). |
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tonyb
Since 09 Oct 2006
973 Posts
Stevenson in the summer & SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 10:42 am |
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^ well said 
Tony |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 3:20 pm |
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where did it say that he got yelled at?
At any rate, the above post has your answer covered. One other hint, I try to hold the kite right where one of the leading edge and canopy struts come together. You can wedge your hand in that intersection and its pretty secure. |
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hamlindp
Since 09 Feb 2007
358 Posts
I aint no lawnmowin' pump kite parker, I'm that dadgum
Channel Marker
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 5:24 pm |
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You can assist launch a foil in the same manner, just don't get your head stuck in an open cell 
_________________
(>====<|> ---< |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 7:08 pm |
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| hamlindp wrote: | | You can assist launch a foil in the same manner, just don't get your head stuck in an open cell |
As a rule, you should avoid people flying foils. Lest you get kook all over you. |
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Bigbeezer
Since 31 Aug 2008
33 Posts
Portland, OR
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 7:24 pm |
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thanks everyone, exactly what I was after
-and no one yelled at me, and even so, I know I have to earn my place & I have a thick skin |
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Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
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| Mon Sep 01, 08 8:53 pm |
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A couple of points from my limited experience that might help you be safer when helping to launch.
Face the wind, extend hour hands, they will point to the positions of the kite you will assist to launch and the pilot as relative to the wind. Do not assume person you are helping will go the right spot, it is best if you know how everything should be arranged too.
Make sure there is no lines to the kite upwind off you before lifting the kite.
When lifting, flip the kite over LE up first, and start lifting the upper tip from that position after the pilot tensions the upper tip line. Do it slowly, and allow pilot to back away and keep tension in the upper line while you hold lower tip on the ground. If things go wrong, revert to LE up position, it is easiest to assume full control of the kite that way.
Generally it is pilot's responsibility to appropriately position himself for launch. It is way easier for him to move around than for you to move holding a kite.
As a rule, when the kite is ready to launch in appropriate position, holding it should be almost effortless.
Oh, and when yelled at, YELL BACK 
_________________
just wear sunscreen |
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Bailey
Since 13 Apr 2008
87 Posts
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| Tue Sep 02, 08 4:35 pm |
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| When you are flipping someone's kite over make sure the lines are loose, then the kiter just walks backwards and as the lines start to come tight it is easier for the kiter to find the edge of the window and you are set. If the lines come tight as you flip the kite over and the kite is not at the edge of the window things go bad. So always walk towards the person that is flipping your kite over. |
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