How to relaunch a kite from flat on its back?

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

While practicing some carving transitions last weekend I kept letting the kite hit the water at the end of the transition and the lines went slack before I could turn away which caused the kite to fall on it's back.
Now the kite drifts directly downwind of me. How do you relaunch from this condition?
I have been just waiting for the kite to hopefully jump up on it's own and land leading edge down (it usually does this eventually).

However this past weekend it jumped up and went inverted. A couple minutes later it flipped over and now the lines are crossed.
(note to self: do not ever try to fix the lines by detaching and passing the bar thru front lines while it is blowing 30) (thanks again for the rescues dkrep!)

So what IS the best way to relaunch a kite when its on it's back??

fwiw: the kite is a 4-line Naish Park

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

that is a tough position for all kites.

you can try to finesse lines like i am sure you were doing, here are a few things to try, in order of likelyhood to help:

pull in one outside line hand over hand enough to flip kite over (6-10ft)

pull one centerline, and opposite outside line

use both outside lines at same time to rock kite one way then other or pull on both wingtips at once

the first technique is usually going to help.

if messing with lines isnt doing it: disable onto leash (naish bar uses single centerline leash system) will turn the kite, fix the issue, and allow you to reset and keep going. disabling onto leash will fix many issues in kiteboarding, trust your leash system.

here is more stuff to know:

be aware of lines in water around you, or of lines wrapping around bar end when messing with lines/having slack lines in water like in these situations

line crosses are likely in situations like this. ignore them and fly back in to land kite and fix on beach. (like you learned)

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

If I'm understanding your question correctly, kite on its back with the leading edge facing skyward, I would first try grabbing the front lines and give them a good pull. This will give you a hot launch so be ready for that. Otherwise, everything that was said ^^.

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

Flat on its back meaning the kite is laying in the water, leading edge into the wind (toward you), trailing edge down wind and the kite tips are pointed skyward (just like when you pump up your kite on the ground).

hoarhey · Since 20 Jul 2008 63 Posts the corridor

The good news is you have a 4 line kite, so if it rolls, who cares. As Sean Sean can tell you, don't worry unless the kite rolls 3 or more times, then fly it to the beach and redo your lines. The bad news is you have a bridle on your kite, so your direct connection is diminished.

Relaunching a turtle-kite takes skill and patience. The basic idea is to pull on the back (steering) line until the kite wants to fill with some power and flip over on its own. Now the kite should be leading edge down and facing you (like its on the beach). Once again, grab the steering line and start reeeling it in until the kite begins to look like it normally does when you relaunch it. Need me to draw you a picture?

The big trick is when you spin the kite, but it might only be a big deal for 5 line kites. When the kite spins there is a chance that the line will go over the back of the kite and cross everything up. Once again, don't panic. just relaunch it like normal and fly that crossed up crap into the beach and redo your lines.

Yeah, and dont try to pass your lines through your bar. Only Sean Sean lnows how to do that successfully. For the rest of us it is just a disaster in the making.

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely try using the steering line method next time.

PieroPDX · Since 22 May 2006 109 Posts Stoked

Went to Youtube to find a video of this for illustration.... nothin.

How can it be that nobody has a video for this type of relaunch challenge?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1488 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

4 line kites - 9 out 10 scenarios i can recover from by pulling on either one of the outside, back lines. i may have to swim backwards and jerk on the line to get tension.... but eventually the kite will flip over and relaunch.

if that doesn't work.... usually pulling the center lines in until you feel strong resistance and then letting go will cause the kite to flip over.

quite often it will have inverted and the outside lines will be crossed.... but the kite will fly ok and you should be able to get back to the beach and fix your lines.

by the way - i encourage people to practice this in shallow water (sand bar, wells island). have a buddy help you by flipping the kite over to simulate these awkward situations.

hoarhey · Since 20 Jul 2008 63 Posts the corridor

Recap: pull one steering line till kite flips over. Then grab the opposite line to spin kite and take up slack in lines. relaunch like normal and check for mess

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

While attempting to swim against the kite to create some line tension, I pull hard on the two center lines like a MF and wait for hot launch. I love a good hot launch when I'm ready for it.

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

as other people have mentioned pulling one of the rear lines will cause the kite to turn, you may have to pull it in and let it out "feather" the line to get the kite to turn over.

Alternately you might be able to reverse launch by pulling both rear lines enough so the kite lifts out of the water, then you pull one of the lines to get the kite to turn over which immediately turns into a hot launch. You want to let go of both steering lines immediately to avoid getting yanked.

If you practice uncrossing lines on land it isnt that hard. You will get pulled downwind a long way so make sure you have plenty of room.