I'm a newbie at kiting and recently had a pretty scary experience which I'd like some advice for.

So I'm up and going from the shore when the wind literally stops and the kite drops, lines going loose, downwind to me leading edge down and I start getting gently pulled towards the beach at an angle. As there's no wind I'm unable to spin the kite on itself and get it airborne again.

Eventually I realise I'm about to hit the beach where, typically, a bunch of kids are playing. So I figure I release my safety so the kite should depower and drop. However as I do this the wind picks up again and the kite and bar are pulled out of my reach and again I'm dragged beachward the kite twists round itself and I'm saved by a guy on the beach who grabs the kite before I do any damage.

My question is in this type of scenario should I release the safety or keep it attached. Any advice? It's the first time I got worried doing this.

Thanks,

Sapatos