Self Rescue in Side-Off conditions

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Has anyone ever self rescued in side-off conditions? I'm talking about pulling yourself in with your kite, not just swimming in. Is it physically possible to use your kite to drag yourself in?

I only had one chance to try it, and someone ended up towing my lame ass in instead.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

I think it is, but your dragging almost parallel to the shore line so it takes a while. You eventually get in. If you hit a big wind shadow along the shoreline you have to swim for it!

I haven't sailed too much side-off myself. Sure looks fun.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

depends on how good a swimmer you are
and how windy it is
my personal rule for easterlies is not to out over my waist
but friends have lost kites in San Carlos

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

San Carlos is exactly where I am thinking of. Going to be down there in a month, and thinking in advance how to save myself (and my kite) if things go wrong.

I've heard of a few kites lost at San Carlos as well. Some fisherman down wind probably has a nice wind break built out of all the lost kites he's picking up.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Or some kid in the Phillipines

- side off can turn into never getting back - you can always replace gear - make the decision to cut and run before you are exhausted

sonny · Since 24 Sep 2008 9 Posts Bay Area, CA New Member

You do not do a traditional self rescue using your kite at San Carlos. You want to flip the kite over as if your going to carry it and swim. I have done this at San Carlos few times when the wind died and could not keep my kite in the air.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, good advice Sonny. Gene and I managed to swim our kites in after they tangled at San Carlos last April. Use the waves to help you in as well. Try to make the Chili Bowl point if you can since otherwise you have to swim a good chunk further. The fishing camp ppl will pick you up for about $50 if you're drifting to Asia, but that's assuming someone notifies them (like Solo Sports) and someone's around to actually do it so do NOT count on it. Plus it probably takes a while before they come for you.

Hurricane Mike · Since 19 Jun 2006 128 Posts Stoked

Pete, I'm headed down to Carlos in November too. Hope to see you there.

I don't have any experience in a side off conditions, but I've self rescued by engaging my 5th and just turning around and swimming upwind. Hope I don't have to do it at Carlos, but at least I know I can.

On a four line kite, you can self rescue and then attach your leash to the kite pump attachment on the LE and swim in with the kite in the smiley position.

Good Luck

Can't wait to get to Carlos and beyond@!!!!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I have deflated a kite layed on it and paddeled in on a surfboard.

forrest · Wed Oct 08, 08 1:13 pm

San Carlos didn't seem heavily side off, just a hint of offshore.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

If you recall it got pretty offshore later in the day. It started with a mild side-off in morning and went to pretty serious side-off towards evening when you could tack all the way from Chili Bowl to Bombora in like one tack.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

i almost didn't make it back one night at san carlos when it clocked way offshore, i was underpowered, and there were huge wind holes whenever i got close to shore. i didn't enjoy it at all.

in that condition, no way i could have self rescued or swam the kite upwind. would have had to ditch everything and swim it. would be better to paddle the surfboard back of course, but i lost that when a wave pushed it toward the beach--way upwind of me.

that's one challenge of offshore riding i never thought about--hard to get the board once a wave grabs it.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Yeah, that sounds risky ... can you pay somebody on shore 10 bucks to watch you and get help if necessary?

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

You are already paying Solo Sports to stay there, and you'd think they would try to provide some sort of assistance. However, I have not found that to be the case. Rodney is as far away from being a "camp host" as one could be. After my first session there, immediately after we got out of the water, he was on us like flies on shit to collect his "day use fee", full well knowing that we wouldn't have cash on us while we were still in our wetsuits, and knowing that we had parked right next to his camp, and he could have waited until we started loading up to collect his money.

I'd have no problem paying the guy if he was out helping us land and launch our kites, and keeping an eye on us if we got in trouble. This, unfortunately, could not be farther from reality.

forrest · Thu Oct 09, 08 7:53 am

Yea, I've heard mixed reviews on Rodney. We had a decent time when we were there, and Rodney was courteous, yet made it clear we were on our own. He has kind of a tough situation taking care of the desert rat/camper-do-it-ourself-ers like us, and making sure the paying campo guests are getting their $1600/week out of it. It's kind of a hard thing to deal with once the campo and desert rats start mixing.

If I ever go back, I'd just pay to stay at the campo, and fly down from San Diego. Those guys had it so freaking GOOD for the price...

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

The fishermen hauling their asses out on their pangas at 0 dark thirty every morning to eek out a living for them and their families have a tough job too. How come they're so much friendlier than Rodney?

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

after staying in Abreojos
for a month and a half and getting to know
Fermin a late 30's former fisherman
working for the resort campo Rene
making his $8 a day(24 hours) with 3 kids and his wife living a 150 miles away
he said it's "so much better than fishing"

A very nice guy,
tipping him a couple bucks every day
plus paying him to clean our fish
felt like a good investment