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Windian

Since 28 Apr 2008
901 Posts
Newport, OR
NEWPORT OG
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Mon Apr 28, 08 5:33 pm Self beach launching Revs |
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Doing a post on nwkite.com for my first time so here it goes:
I have a new quiver of 08 Revs and am not sure of the best technique for self beach launching the SLE and bow kites. I have been kiting for years with C-kites and had the sand pile on the folded windtip method down pat. But, I have seen some people launch SLE/bows with ease on a sand beach using a different solo method. Is there any good Youtube videos or other visual internet aides for this technique. Being able to self launch is pretty much a necessity for the coast since often times the beach is deserted and I am riding solo.
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Chooch

Since 18 Nov 2007
1871 Posts
Wicked Pissah
Boston Tea Bagger
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Mon Apr 28, 08 5:54 pm |
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I have found this method to work best. Be sure not to try it in gusty winds, your kite will act funny and launch without any warning. I use my kite bag filled with sand and a carabiner attached from my bar to my Chicken Loop. This also saves a lot of wear and tear on your kite compared to the other method.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NSaEYB1dI4c
"The Other Method"
Run your lines down wind of your kite. Be sure to lay your bridles on the inside of the kite (under the canopy). Hook up your lines, hook in, put tension in your lines and walk the kite around until a wingtip catches some wind. The kite will now be in the standard relaunch position.
This can beat up on you canopy and Leading Edge if the beach has any shells, glass, sticks etc on it. Quicker set up compared to the first, it just depends on how anal you are with your kites.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3TKPbqF8VXc&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4KAMj-K1W8Q&feature=related
Either way be sure there is plenty of room downwind. No obstacles, people, pavement.....
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Ike
Since 12 Mar 2008
216 Posts
Central Oregon
Stoked
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Mon Apr 28, 08 6:25 pm Drift launch |
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Good video tip there for solo launch.
Dont mean to hijack the thread but how about some tips for drift launching? Anybody ever do this? There are some lakes here in C.O. that don't have much launchable shoreline and a good drift launch procedure might come in handy.
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Spike

Since 13 May 2007
1414 Posts
Alameda
Spelling Expert
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Mon Apr 28, 08 6:43 pm |
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I've relaunched like that quite often on the beach, just rig downwind of your kite. Keeping the lines tight was your run around to position the kite at the edge of the window and it will launch super easy. I could see how the back-drift-slide on the leading edge can do some wear and tear on the kite, but that's only if you do it religiously.
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pkh

Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
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Mon Apr 28, 08 7:42 pm |
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Drift launch method works great if you do as described above.
The more you go upwind of the kite the less it will drag backwards. As long as its soft oregon coast style sand then drift launching ain't no thing for a strong kite.
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tighe
Since 29 Apr 2008
3 Posts
Kook
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Tue Apr 29, 08 8:03 am |
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In the Midwest we do a fair bit of drift launches since typically our beaches are full of beach goers and we are left to tree lined shores and boat launches.
Here's the technique we use:
Rig your kite, lay out your lines and attach. Roll your lines back on your bar (unless you can easily drag whole setup to the water).
If you set up your lines downwind of the kite, when you roll your lines back on the bar, run the bar under the LE to the center of the LE or when you get to the kite swing the bar under the lines and place near the LE. If you place the bar near the LE without going under the lines, you'll end up with a twist in your front and rear lines since you'll be rolling the bar through the lines once you pick up the kite, roll it over and take your bar off the top.
Walk to the water with your wingtips up, bar on top.
As you walk into the wind, take your lines off of the bar and throw them out over the canopy downwind. Your motion through the water should pull the lines out downwind of you. Ensure that the lines don't get snagged between the center strut and the canopy. Keep walking.
If you see your lines clustering, roll them back on the bar, clear your lines and keep walking.
Eventually you'll get your lines off your bar and you should be able to see your lines extending downwind and back up to the kite. Be sure you don't see any line clusters.
Turn your kite over with the bar underneath. Hold up the kite and make sure the lines are clear from the kite, downwind and back up to the bar. (typically they'll lay over one side of the canopy after the flip...clear them).
Rotate the kite a little to one side. Not necessary but it reduces the chance of the kite ending up downwind with the LE into the wind.
Some hook their leash in at this time.
Let the kite go. Hang onto just the chicken loop. Some hook into it.
Eventually the kite will end up downwind in the standard relaunch position. The T2/T3s usually self launch and end up sitting off to one side.
Grab your bar, make sure it's right side up, and launch the kite.
This technique works well off the back of a jetski if you idle into the wind as you take your lines off.
This technique does not work well if there is any debris in the water.
This technique is very sketchy in onshore conditions...give yourself at least 2 line lengths from shore.
If your lines tangle you may need to break away the kite (a knot will prevent flagging), so be very aware of what is downwind.
This is one of the more sketchy self launches and should only be performed if the other options are not practical.
Another approach is to walk backward into the wind with the kite LE down and wrapped around your body. Not fun in higher winds.
We envy all your big beaches and that huge sandbar.
_________________ ride on |
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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4297 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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Tue Apr 29, 08 8:30 am |
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If you have something solid to attach your chicken loop too, the method pictured works very well. This is a T2, but it works equally well with a Rev. Rig up your kite, hook your chicken loop to something solid with a leash. In the picture, my bar is hooked to the palm tree; if you look closely, you'll see the bar. Walk your kite to the edge of the wind window. Check your lines thoroughly. Go to the bar and hook in. In this picture the kite is sitting in the water, but it works fine if it's on sand as well.
By the way, this works for self-landing too. just ease your kite onto the water/beach, hook a leash to your chicken loop/tree, unhook yourself from the kite.
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Self launch (Medium).jpg |
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mschulz

Since 29 May 2007
530 Posts
Reno, NV
Addicted
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Tue Apr 29, 08 9:35 am |
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[quote="Nak"]If you have something solid to attach your chicken loop too, the method pictured works very well. quote]
In a few posts back, someone posted a "stake" that screwed into the sand, That is what you need in this set up.
_________________ MS |
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genek

Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
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Tue Apr 29, 08 10:27 am |
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Nak, you shoulda asked that nice lady for a launch
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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4297 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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Tue Apr 29, 08 11:05 am |
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genek wrote: | Nak, you shoulda asked that nice lady for a launch  |
Oh, she launches me all right... (That's my wife. ) Seriously, Joanne, doesn't mind giving me a launch, but I actually prefer this method if the launch site is un-crowded. Joanne gets to relax, and I get to carefuly inspect my bridles...
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genek

Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
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Tue Apr 29, 08 11:23 am |
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Good stuff. I thought she was a random person that got in the pic . I guess being self-dependent is always good.
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Windian

Since 28 Apr 2008
901 Posts
Newport, OR
NEWPORT OG
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Wed Apr 30, 08 9:35 pm |
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Thanks for all the helpful replies on beach launching SLE/bow kites. Chooch, your youtube links were exactly what I was looking for to see how to do the no anchor self launch. It is best when you can have a friend assist in putting your kite up, but sometimes you have to be self-sufficient.
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Reaper356

Since 10 Dec 2006
781 Posts
Salem / LC Oregon
Opinionated
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Wed Apr 30, 08 10:35 pm |
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Sand will work on the tip too, but I hear you can wind up w/ a bridle hooked around the tip & looping - not so good.
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Kiteguy
Since 26 Aug 2007
75 Posts
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Thu May 01, 08 12:41 am |
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tighe...........great post but it would be even better if you had a video to go with the description. Its so much easier to figure out with a visual. Is there any way that you could do a recording of your beach launch? I think it would be SO helpfull. What about doing a water launch using a flag out method? Wrap one line a couple x before wrapping up the bar completely. I also have a super sketch launch site but have never had the guts to drift launch since I have power lines close by. (offshore winds)
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beachlaunch.jpg |
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