Drift launch at Stevenson

lawnmower · Since 14 Dec 2007 153 Posts Stoked

I was wondering if anyone has any experience drift launching at Stevenson, and would be willing to go through a blow by blow description. In light of recent events I think safety would be a primary concern. I helped a guy get his kite off the rocks over the weekend, and when he finally got it to go he got lofted. Can this be done safely? Temporary board leash so the current would not wash it away?

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

The way I've done it is I set my kite down on the rocks and had my lines running up the steps and to the south of the tree. Then put the kite in the water and grab the bar and walk it down to the water as the kite is drifting downwind. Then you can relaunch while standing on the rocks. Grab the board and go!
This would work best if you could anchor the bar first.
Alternate method is wrap your lines up and unwrap as the kite drifts, but I don't like that one so much.
Wait until the economy gets a little better to use the board leash so my inheritance will be better...

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

I have seen Ken Winner (North Kites) do it from the boat launch harbor.
You have to have everything ready to rock and roll (kite pumped up, lines attached correctly and wrapped on your bar), you want to be approximately half way between the boat launch and the wind line. Drop your kite in the water leading edge down with wing tip pointing at you. Pay out the line off your bar......make sure you unwrap the line in the sequense that you wrapped them. Do mess this part up or you will have to redo your lines. Allow your kite to drift out to the wind line and pull you out into the wind. Once you are out in the wind you can water start and off you go.
I still think the best way to launch from Stevenson is the "Chris Anderson Launch"
In sketchy conditions thats how you will see me launch.
Heading out right now.......see you kats on the water Very Happy

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

First impression: if you have to ask then maybe you aren't ready for it? Wink

Second thought: someone just got majorly jacked up at Stevenson, be careful!

finally: when drift launching you can turn your kite into the wind (like it would be on the beach) and put some water on it to weigh it down. This way it won't power up as fast or roll unexpectedly.

Unless it does! in which case, be ready to ditch everything to leash if you have to. Always drift launch unhooked and be ready to drop the bar.

Chooch · Wed May 27, 09 11:55 am

Another good idea for a drift launch set up is a heavy duty roap slung around a heavy stationary object with a carabiner on the end. You can hook up the chicken loop to the carabiner this way you are not attached to the kite if "shit hits the fan".

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Can someone comment on the needed precautions due to the eddy and river current, at different times of the year, while a person is attempting to do a "drift launch" off the point?

For instance, if the wind is a little bit more NW than W, does the kite drift out into the main current and get turned around in a weird way? or Does a SW cant to the wind tend to make the kite drift up against the bank?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

yes (both cases)

if the wind is weird your kite might sucked downstream around the big rock - then you can jump in and work on your swimming technique

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 27, 09 1:55 pm

I'm going to have to take the PKH approach. An article spelling out how to drift launch at stevenson could be titled "how to maximize your chance of fucking yourself up".

If you pull up to stevenson and there is nobody else riding and you don't know how to drift launch...you need to be going somewhere else.

to the original post: if you had to rescue a kite off the rocks, the best thing to do would be to untie the lines, take it up top, and start the whole process over again. People should not be afraid to deny someone a launch if things could get hairy. No need to be a dick about it, just say your not comfortable that's all.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

good advice

also don't hand your bar while your kite is in water to some bare foot guy in street clothes to hold -while you swim to retrieve your board - they may have some fun relaunching it for you Evil or Very Mad

DVS · Since 02 Mar 2009 69 Posts Mt Hood

How about winding up about 10 feet of your safety line, before wrapping your lines on bar? That way, if things go wrong, there's no way the kite can power up.

Nak · Wed May 27, 09 8:49 pm

DVS · Since 02 Mar 2009 69 Posts Mt Hood

Yeah Nak, I guess you're right. the one time I tried that technique was in very powered conditions and the kite came off the water and tangled lines--- Launch aborted.

I have also used the technique you've mentioned about attaching chicken loop to fixed object successfully. Only on land though. I don't see how this will work at stevie.

You can't deny, a solid drift launch would be a wonderful trick to master. Think of the possibilities.... launch sites!! [/quote]

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

one word - TurboLauncher

http://www.kitelauncher.com/product.php?product_ID=5

buy mine for $50 - your experience may vary - offer not valid for totally fucked up launch sites - its red and you will love it

trailboss · Since 08 Aug 2006 96 Posts HR

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu May 28, 09 9:27 am

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

side note:

If you're looking for a foolproof way to pay-out line without twists etc.

I'd recommend the bucket method, this is a time tested method:

The Phoneticians were the first to dump the pickles out their five gallon PVC buckets,

and usher in a fresh new use of plastic, circa about 2800 BCE.

Least that's my understanding, and swinging, salty dicks have been doing it this way ever since.

Please be informed, the garbage in garbage out maxim applies...

One "must" feed them in in an untwisted state, once done you're looking at nothing but butter coming out...

fo

love any chance to put two "ins" back to back...sweet