Self Rescues

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I have a feeling I need to try a self-rescue at sauvie island, Had one failed attempt last year. Like reaper says, Not sure how to get those handles in both hands very easily. When I got my 16m, it had nice grab handles built in, one on each wing tip (with a convenient 20ft separation). Seriously, are they joking? it made me laugh.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

I have done lots of self-rescues, and have found that I much prefer this method of sailing in the kite to that of grabbing both wingtips. It gives you (1) better directional control (2) a well earned rest on the way to shore Here is a picture I drew:

I know! I ask myself that question all the time....why did I not pursue a career in Art...

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Concerning the subject of winding up the kite lines, here is a copy of a post made on the Best forum in one of the links, previously noted. I was very impressed with the response from the poster, where he describes a clever way to deal with the kite lines, by disconnecting the lines from the kite and letting them straighten out by drifting downwind. Here is a copy of the post from Tomtomtom and the response by Michaelt:

………………………………...............
Post by Tomtomtom:

“It is coincidental that just 2 weeks ago, I was consulted by a friend who is in his second year of kiteboarding, about this very subject that is being discussed in this thread. A kite instructor had recommended that he learn the method of self-rescueing by tying the board to the safety leash and then, swimming along the one line to access the kite. Here is a reprint of my reply:

"I saw a guy do that type of self-rescue at Bob's Beach, after he drifted past it on an East wind day. It worked good and his lines were all untangled, as they stayed downstream and downwind of his kite. Also, some people on Kiteforum endorse this technique. Since most kiters go leash less, it solves the problem of what to do with the board during self-rescue. The other good feature is that the lines do not end up being too tangled by doing this technique. The technique would work especially well for the situation where the kiter is planning on relaunching the kite on a nice flat big sandy beach, after he deals with the glitch in his equipment (eg. where the kite tumbles through the lines and crossed lines result). On a nice big beach, the kiter can just drag his kite up a hundred feet on the beach, set it down, and walk back to the bar, and take the bar to the downwind position of the kite, where he can flip the bar through the lines and uncross the lines. After that, the kiter can relaunch the kite, using the pivot-slide method. This would be a good technique to use if you ended up down the beach, half way to the blow-hole.

This technique would not be so good to use in places where dragging the lines through the water or shore break is prohibitive, due to the presence of such things as seaweed, anchored boats, bouys, driftwood, mangroves, False Indigo bushes, rocks, tubeworm casings, reefs, docks, sharp shells, etc. Another factor which would complicate the method would be current, whether it be littoral, rip, river, or tidal, because, at some point in the self-rescue, the current could carry the board and lines toward the kite, resulting in tangles. If that happens, and the lines sink, and snag on something, you could find yourself anchored in shallow water, and not be able to walk the kite to the shore, or be able to untangle the snagged lines. The kiter might have to let the air out of the kite, and disconnect his lines, before carrying the kite to shore. Then, go back out and dive to get the rest of the stuff untangled. Seaweed can catch the lines and then direct the board and bar down under, to turn the whole mess into a sea anchor. There is not much flotation to a kiteboard.

Another time I would not use the technique, is where the kiter may have to go a long distance, using the kite like a little sailboat. In that case, the bar is really nice to have to wind the high front line or bridle onto, and thus giving the kiter a handle, with which to hang onto and control the little wingtip sail. The bridle lines cut into your hand and become uncomfortable really fast, on these long onshore voyages. I once self-rescued, after the wind shifted at the Sandbar, and went up and down and out and back across the Columbia river, dodging a barge, and finally grabbing onto the red nun buoy, to stabilize everything, getting out of the main current, and catching a back eddy, and finally, arriving back at the sand bar. In that situation, the loose lines and the bar and board at the end of them would have been disastrous, at times.

The other problem with having the board, bar and lines dragging behind the kite, during the self-rescue, is that the drag from all that stuff would inhibit the maneuverability and control of the little raft/sailboat/kite that the kiter is trying to control, with maximum efficiency, in achieving a broad reach course. Boards tend to want to "fish-lure" and "tombstone", and this will tend to occur, just when the kiter gets the raft buggy into second gear, at about 4 or 5 MPH. So, I would conclude that a kiter would be able to more efficiently sail the buggy in with all the lines neatly wound up on the bar, and with the kiteboard close at hand (or even being used effectively, as a centerboard).

Another negative of this method, is the hazard the lines present to windsurfers, boaters, or inquisitive kiters, who come over to check on you, not to mention the friendly dog who swims out to greet you.

It is nice to have a quiver of self-rescue techniques to draw on, depending on the situation."

I would appreciate any comments or corrections concerning the above advice, so that I can relay it to my friend.’

………………………………......Here is the response from Michaelt:

“tomtomtom, I agree with all that you wrote.

Just one more comment. I do the follow-one-line method exactly as was desribed: attach one end of the leash to the handle of the board, and the other end to the chicken loop, and then swim along one line to the kite (not attached to anything). Then I simply disconnect all lines from the kite except one, put the kite into self-rescue position (as a sail). Then I bring back the bar, disconnect the remaining line from the kite, and attach the board to my harness with the leash. While I am "sailing" to the shore, I have plenty of time to wrap the lines that will be floating behind me, untangled. By the time I get to the shore, I have the bar with perfectly wrapped lines.”

……………………………….......

What do you think? Clever idea or what?

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

good call on the signal blowhard. those scuba guys can get really dorky, i kept my mouth shut in class but i was thinking that flailing your arms ought to do the trick.

the ocean is all about survival. flat water riding guys throw tricks more, crash more and rescue more. ocean guys ride the waves, throw tricks they can land every time and keep the crashes and the resulting mishaps and line-up interference to a minimum.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

it's going off today
gonna hobble down to the beach maybe get some vids

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Usually I hook it to a board leash-like device like a Keyback Reel leash. You could also use a modern style kite safety leash, using the snaps at each end of the leash. A short leash keeps the board dragging along, close to your feet, where it doesn't tend to tumbstone.

Here is a comment I made a couple of years ago, expounding on the advantages of this device:

"Another suggestion for even good kiters is to buy a $15 Keyback reel that janitors use to carry keys, and tape it to a strap on your harness. Use the one meter long leash to clip to your board on those not to rare occasions when the wind dies and it is impossible to body drag back to your kite. Also, use the leash during self-rescue procedures, when you need both hands to get to the downed kite. The Keyback reel is tiny ( the size of a 6 foot tape measure), and does not get in the way. It makes the procedure of hooking to the board while using only one hand easier than the best alternative,procedure, which would be, where you just carry a 6 foot long piece of rope, somewhere on your harness."

Here is a picture of the Keyback reel, which you can just tape to a strap on your harness with electrical tape, which holds it on tight enough for the use it is intended for, but not so tight that it can't rip off if you get inadvertently dragged.

Another place to carry the board is between your body and the leading edge of the kite, where, with a little practice and adjustment, you can sometimes make it work like an improvised "centerboard", and if done right, this will improve the upwindability of the improvised "sailing-kite-raft".

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

My above post on a hitch was for spikes final wrap. how to finish wrapping the bar so the linesstay organized for travel. not for winding lines for self rescue. Rolling Eyes

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River Â

Reaper-

Even on an east wind in the river, my opinion is that your bar and lines won't do this in the river.

Winding up lines is hazardous. there are places like Alameda (CA) where its mandatory but my claim is that it is not a good idea. if you can SR in with a full kite and lines dragging behind you, it's good. swimmers in the water - wind 'em up. sort of context sensitive but most places where people kite not gonna be an issue.

warmest regards

John

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

In an attempt to keep this thread as the ultimate reference for those interested in learning about the variety of opinions concerning self-rescue techniques, expressed by a number of kiters and instructors, on at least 4 different kite forums, over a period of years, I enter the following link:

http://kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2347693&start=10&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Here, I enter my strongly held opinion on the best way to tie a half-hitch, during the rescue procedure. I am always looking for a better way to secure the kite lines and keep the wraps from unwinding, during the self-rescue procedure, and therefore, welcome all criticism, which might lead to a safer or more efficient method.