Launching etiquette

pdx_prophet · Since 22 Jun 2006 3 Posts Portland Kook

I am new to kiteboarding, and I was wondering was is the etiquette to asking someone to help you launch?

Mark · Thu Jun 22, 06 11:50 am

Just ask nicely! of course beer is always good! Wink

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 22, 06 11:55 am

Just asking is all it takes. If you need some time to get everything set and double check things just tell the person your kind of new at this and they will totally understand.

Pass the favor forward by helping people land their kites.. someone tapping their head means they would like you to grab their kite for them.

Have fun and be safe!!

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Karma and common sense go a long way. If you are rigging somewhere new sit back and see how its done, catch a couple of kites, and don't be afraid to say that you've never kited there before.

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

ahhhhh .........perfect words of wisdom.........thanks to all Exclamation

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

here is one thing that is not always covered by common sense.

I am launching Joe. Joe gets in position, his lines look good, etc. I am holding the kite high so it is easier for him to see how it is reacting to the wind. etc.

Joe gives me the thumbs up. In my opinion, Joe ought to put the kite a little deeper in the window. Do I let go, or direct Joe to move, or move myself or what?

(Joe is NOT a beginner).

IMHO, the answer is pilot decides, and I should let go. But there may not be consensus on this as I have let go in that situation and then been told "you should have moved the kite deeper for me".

But I say you're the pilot, it's your ass, you look at the kite reacting to the wind and decide for yourself --- a little deeper and it will tug you on launch, a little more forward and it might drift.

pdx_prophet · Since 22 Jun 2006 3 Posts Portland Kook

thanks for all the advice. look forward to seeing you all on the water.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

PJC,

Yeah, the pilot should be paying attention... But sometimes from 75ft away the kite does look and feel full. As the guy standing there with the kite in his hand, I would recommend you communicate what your actually feeling in the kite... Personally I'll take a little tug on the launch rather than the evil out of control into the sticker bushes, ooops ripped my kite launch. I would rather have my launcher help me out a tad if he knows whats up!!!

Going Coastal this weekend, NOT Postal...

Jon

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

damn double post...

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

My thought is if I give the thumbs up and something goes wrong it was my ultimate decision and i have noone to blame but myself.

That being said, if I get the thumbs up and I am launching someone if I notice a problem with the lines, or I know that the wind just died and the kite will fall backwards, etc.. then there is no way I let go of the kite until I think it will alunch without an issue.

kiteboard117 · Since 02 Mar 2005 450 Posts PDX McLovin

i have always taken the thumbs up as more of a ready gesture not as a let go. after that when i feel that the kite will fly i let go.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Etiquette dictates that you as the launcher can speak your mind, move to the best spot, or put the kite down have them recheck their lines. Its nice when you have someone who has launched a 1000 kites - it sucks when someone dressed in kiteboarding garb (waiting for their first lesson) throws your kite backwards and it does 3 loops and hot launches.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

sometimes it's hard to tell though. I was launching a guy yesterday, and he acted like he knew what he was doing, but the kite wasn't ready to fly and he was telling me to let it go... after once of that, i figured out he had no idea.

i ended up wrestling the kite for a while until i walked up a bit and filled it with wind. even then, he was oversteering making it really tough to hang on to.

Onad · Fri Jun 23, 06 12:48 pm

Go HOT or GO HOME!! Wink

Seriously, the guys above have pretty much covered it all.

I’d just add to always ask for a launch with a Very Happy

Not a

Good luck. ~D

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

A couple other things to add here I guess. Launching in the gorge is defintely a lot different than launching on the beach. There are tons of rocks and small trees or branches laying around for the lines to get stuck on. If you are just chilling on the beach, keep an eye on people launching, it is always appreciated to have a third person around to tend the lines and make sure they don't snag. This isn't such a big deal on the beach, but can make a huge difference in the gorge. I always appreciate the extra help.

Also, I think this has been said before, but if you are new to a spot, watch a few people lay out there gear and launch before doing yours, or ask someone who kites there alot for advice before setting up. Thumb's Up

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 475 Posts Obsessed

launch and land 4x times as many kites as you request yourself. this makes you valuable instead of a hassle to others at first, and you also learn a lot by doing it.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Kodiak taught me da etiquette. Now I always launch with my salad fork in my right hand.