Kite inverted, self-rescue did not work. What to do.

cnett · Since 23 Aug 2010 115 Posts PDX Stoked

Thought I'd ask for some tips.

I was on a 6m yesterday in gusty high winds (30+, I think) and my kite inverted into itself several times and then became uncontrollable. It was flying out of control like a ribbon and would not de-power with sheeting or pulling a steering line. All lines were powered.

After trying everything with the control bar, I decided to release to see if I could sort it out or go to a self-rescue. This did not improve things. Now the kite was still powered up and I was beeing dragged by my lease-- it would not flag out.

In a lull in the wind, I was able to quickly get to my bar and to try something else and after grabbing a steering line, it powered up and put me in a worse situation and I had to eject. The out of control kite was tackled by some guys on the beach and secured (thanks!) and I had a swim back.

After watching some videos, I know the root cause was that I was over-powered and flying my kite fully depowered (sheeted out), creating too much slack in the steering lines in gusty winds. During a transition on a wave, the kite inverted through the center lines. Lesson learned-- too much kite, gusty winds.

My question is, what could I have done or what should I have done between the time the kite was inverted several times on to itself and before I decided to sepearate myself from the kite? Self rescue did not work.

Thanks. I need to figure this out.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1865 Posts XTreme Poster

Pull front line if you can do so safely. If, however, the kite has done several loops there can be too much friction for a front to pull through and, or you could have a spot on your lines too far away where all four lines are essentially twisted together and it might be too far away from you to get past that point safely while attached and your kite might not fully depower. If this is the case you may have to eject. Sounds like you kept your wits about you and made a good decision based on your situation. While it's true that fully effecting does pose a hazard for others, the ability to do do is built in for a reason and it needs to be an option, albeit a last resort.

http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2381014

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

My two cents.

When things go bad, quickly assess the potential risks around you. In your instance it sounds like you were in the middle of the river and not near land or fixed objects. Thus it sounds like you might have had some time to attempt to figure things out.

While it is obviously uncomfortable being pulled in the water by your kite (which is now not in your control), if you keep your cool you still may have a chance to fix things.

If you can't steer your kite (and your safety isn't operating properly) it is because you have so many wraps in your lines that the lines will now not slide properly.

My recommendation is to attempt to unwrap the bar to get the loops out of your lines. Take your time and count how many times you have turned the bar one way. If things seem to be getting worse, reverse and go the other way (always keeping track of how many turns you are from your initial starting position.

Also, you can fly a kite inverted (5th line kites will break the safety line). Lines will pull harder, however you can still fly it. Not sure about double inversion flying, however I would assume it's still doable. When kite looping my rule of thumb is to never go over 3 loops the same direction. My kite lines become rather difficult to slide after 3 loops. I might guess that 3 inversions might also be the flying limit as well.

Occupied Columbia · Since 12 Nov 2011 376 Posts Columbia City Obsessed

If- when you hit your quick release and your leash was attached to your flag line but did not flag out... then- you likely had no choice but to eject. probably a slip knot in the line from the inversion.

cnett · Since 23 Aug 2010 115 Posts PDX Stoked

Thanks all for the feedback and explanations. This sounds exactly what happened to me and I don't think I could have done much more than what I did. From my point of view, the best thing would have be prevention. I really shouldn't have been flying that little kite completely sheeted out that day, with such slack steering lines. Flying kits outside their optimum performance can lead to problems.

I will say as a comment to anyone that read this thread. I had about a mile swim that day after final ejection from the kite. I always kite with a high buoyancy impact vest that keeps me really warm. That day I was really happy to have it and would recommend that people kite with some sort of pfd device. They make a lot of good ones these days that don't interfere with your kiting, keep you warm during long swims and unless you can swim a mile, lifesavers.

Stay safe out there and thanks again for all the feedback.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Your kite probably flags out on both trim lines, which doesn't fully depower the kite in nuking winds it might seem like it doesn't depower at all. Wish they would get rid of that system, and flag out on a single trim line.