Hi people,

I’ve seen a few of these online (Gumtree / ebay) and am curious if anyone uses them and how they find them?

Cheers.

K

Kiting Poles make the news

kitemovement.com/general/polish-kitesurfer-takes-on-challenge-of-crossing-baltic-sea/

I occasionally use a screw in tether (not for kiting) and its ok but there's no way i'd trust it if my kite bounced around a lot or if its 25+. When i remove it, it requires a bit of effort but a kite could easily rip it out. My kite just sits there nicely for the 6 or 7 seconds it takes to run 20m and it saves a bit of wear and tear from self launching.

If its really windy and no one else around i use a tether i installed. Heavy 4" thick metal pole thats buried 5-7ft deep with a reasonable amount (6 20kg bags) of concrete at the bottom.

Saw someone using one in Cairns on the weekend. He launched a 12m kite in 20 - 25knot winds. Held fine from what I could see 30m away.

I only find tethered launching and landing useful when the beach is too rough (too many debris, shells, rocks, etc) for standard (sliding) self-launching, which is typically not much of a problem in Australia. You also need heaps of space to setup a safe tethered launch.

I've used sand screws a few times in Canada (only in Sub 20 knots), they work great and hold very strong if installed properly. I'd recommend using a climbing strap and a climbing carabiner as well.

As suggested by MDSXR6T, I'd have my doubts about using a sand screw in 25 knots +. Someone suggested using a tent peg to peg the lower steering line to the ground in an effort to prevent the kite from bouncing up and flying to other side of the window!

Pulling your trim strap ALL THE WAY is also the best way to minimize risk and the bouncing kite no matter which self-launch/land method you're using.

All good if you always find yourself kiting alone in a remote area...but I'm seeing more and more kiters setup sand anchors on busy metro beaches where plenty of help is available around. It may look cool but it puts the other kiters at risk if you screw up and leaving an anchor sticking out of the sand is a potential hazard for other kiters and their equipment...

Christian

I'm an advocate for teather launching, but only at a permanent fixed point, not a screw anchor, self launch and land is an important skill, however I'll always tether launch and land given the option, IMHO it's the safer option, it allows you to check your gear without the risk, hands up how many people still accessionally rig crossed lines in their haste to get out,also allows you to check if theirs too much pull in the kite, prior to releasing , I put a 120 diam pine pole dug 1 mtr deep with 8 bags of premix around it, even with this it's shifted such is the pull of a kite, and this is why I'm not a lover of anchors, since I've put it in we've vertually had no incidents, prior to that the slsc shed claimed a few kites, however I've seen some stupid acts with tether launch, too long a rope and shackle, so the kite lofted and the rider couldn't reach his bar also when landed at the tether I've seen people running along lines with their hands and worse still clipping their bloody safety leash on a line and running along, safety first , in most cases of people getting hurt it's at the launch / land stage, even assisted launch can have it's issues, mainly incorrect positioning of kiter, not the launcher as it's not his responsibility, inexperienced assistants are better left to enjoy the beach, asking joe public is a stupid and dangerouse act, it'd be nice to have a season with no fatalities or seriouse injuries but I'm afraid we're a fair way off

I agree Mick tether launching is good if on your own. But it's got to be a heavy anchor like a car or something or an engineered post. I had a close miss at seppo in Gero when someone launched off a no cars sign and ****ed up and the kite ripped th sign out and it flew through the air towards me 15m away. Luckily it missed me. It would need an engineer to do some calcs but I think you would need a tonne of ballast to be safe.

yup, have seen a few signs on the beach pulled out, serious safety issue using an unsecured tether
used to use the tow ball on the Disco in high winds

nb. Was sure this thread was going to be about windsurfing

If you not doing anything stupid and take the time to set up properly, why would need a tonne of ballast to hold the kite? When most people weight 50 to 100kg and hold their kites fine on the edge of the window at pretty much any wind.

I think K Dog is coming at this as a windsurfer who has recently taken up kiting. He's heard the myth that self launching and landing is dangerous so he's trying to find a different way to do it.

Self launching is extremely safe and easy. You just have to put in the time to practice it and truly understand how it works. If you do that you will be a much better and much safer kiter. You want to focus on what causes power in the kite (tension on the lines) and how to increase and decrease that power (push the bar out, step towards the kite). You also want to focus on messing up launches and landings and a) recover and fly away, or b) stop the kite and make it safe.

If you still need to tether launch, it seems to me the best system would be a sand bag, or maybe two. If the anchor point is too rigid and the kite does something insane then the result will be a massively powered up kite attached to a bomb that is waiting to go off. A sand bag will have some movement so it in extreme situations it will slide and depower the kite. To make it safer you could attach the safety leash to a second anchor point (or sand bag). If the main sand bag moves too far then the safety leash would trigger and kill the kite (that all sounds way too tricky for me. Self launching is easier and much more reliable.)

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strydz said...
If you not doing anything stupid and take the time to set up properly, why would need a tonne of ballast to hold the kite? When most people weight 50 to 100kg and hold their kites fine on the edge of the window at pretty much any wind.

Move to the midwest

I have been manufacturing sand anchors for launching and landing kites for the last few years and find it easy and convenient. Self launching and landing is an necessary skill and by no means should sand anchors or teather launching be a replacement or substitute for knowing and learning these important skills. I have had all my kites hanging off my anchor in all wind ranges and have found to be solid. Personally I find that it has massively reduced the wear and tear on my kites that can occur from self launching and gives me a chance to check all my lines are correct. As with everything it is your duty to know your equipment and operate safe working practices for your, and other peoples safety. Sand anchors, teathers and sand bags are just another tool available if you choose.

If you were really worried about self launching then the Flysurfer Chronic self launching system looks pretty good. Difficult to retro fit though.

I found I had to fill a sand bag until it was just liftable and drop it into the hole I dug to fill it, to stop it being dragged on smooth hard-packed sand.

Ive done both over the years,used a canvas buried sand bag and I've made a sand screw in anchor made from aluminium .
both work,but as mentioned can't trust either 100%.
I only use it if i feel i can't self launch,too many people around or just when i feel like it.
Alloy version cost me zero $ in scrap alloy welded together.
The screw part took a bit of nutting out to get the rite shape but is light and strong just can't be trusted in heavy
gusty winds.

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Gorgo said...
I think K Dog is coming at this as a windsurfer who has recently taken up kiting. He's heard the myth that self launching and landing is dangerous so he's trying to find a different way to do it.

Self launching is extremely safe and easy. You just have to put in the time to practice it and truly understand how it works. If you do that you will be a much better and much safer kiter. You want to focus on what causes power in the kite (tension on the lines) and how to increase and decrease that power (push the bar out, step towards the kite). You also want to focus on messing up launches and landings and a) recover and fly away, or b) stop the kite and make it safe.

If you still need to tether launch, it seems to me the best system would be a sand bag, or maybe two. If the anchor point is too rigid and the kite does something insane then the result will be a massively powered up kite attached to a bomb that is waiting to go off. A sand bag will have some movement so it in extreme situations it will slide and depower the kite. To make it safer you could attach the safety leash to a second anchor point (or sand bag). If the main sand bag moves too far then the safety leash would trigger and kill the kite (that all sounds way too tricky for me. Self launching is easier and much more reliable.)

Given the correct beach, dependant on swell our local isn't a safe spot at times, then a few weeks later it's fine, weed is a big factor as your lines drag across the sand with self launch, along with undulated terrain, usually stopping progression as your kite makes it's way through the wind window ,I've seen very experienced guys making the odd mistake, ( me included) and given the choice I'd prefer it to be seen on the end of a tether launch prior to launch, as for anchors I'd say there ok in marginal to normal winds without beach users in the mix, the horizontal pull is fine, it's in strong winds when the kite can launch itself, and pull vertically, this isn't a bitch fight or kook v pro launch battle, it's what you feel comfortable and safe with, on a decent day here it's difficult to keep your kite on the beach, I've used my board as a shovel to pile sand on the canopy, then in the short time to run my lines the sands vertually gone such is the strength of the winds, in these conditions I wouldn't dream of a self launch or land, if on a dwinder I prefer to sit it on the beach and pull the safety than risk the self land( strong winds)

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terminal said..
I found I had to fill a sand bag until it was just liftable and drop it into the hole I dug to fill it, to stop it being dragged on smooth hard-packed sand.

Same here. Worked sort of.

I thought this was about windsurfing

if you can't self launch a kite, how are you going to get it back up in the air if you crash it? and there's no pole to tie it to, or no body to hep you.
If you are going down this road, maybe you should make sure you don't kite by yourself,
and
maybe you should practice your basic skills a bit more.

Get to know you equipment a bit more, and save yourself the money wasted on stuff that can create a false sense of security.

2 cents
I tether launch all the time. Yes, I kite alone generally so using my 4wd or trusted post provides a safe and smart option. I can self launch but why?
As mentioned the kite should sit on the beach at the edge of the window so not much tension should be placed on the tether point. Only time I had an issue has been through my negligence but only twice in 3 yrs. I find it easy and safe.

S

I hate the look of these things (screw anchors) they seem really dangerous to me.
- having said that, has anyone had had one give way and go flying.

The thing is, self launching and landing is just so easy. And if you are prepared to move yourself around (run) your kite should move on the ground no more than if you had it tethered. If you move yourself around it is also really safe with no chance of it going wrong.

I thought this thread was about Polish kiters

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Gorgo said..
I think K Dog is coming at this as a windsurfer who has recently taken up kiting. He's heard the myth that self launching and landing is dangerous so he's trying to find a different way to do it.

Self launching is extremely safe and easy. You just have to put in the time to practice it and truly understand how it works. If you do that you will be a much better and much safer kiter. You want to focus on what causes power in the kite (tension on the lines) and how to increase and decrease that power (push the bar out, step towards the kite). You also want to focus on messing up launches and landings and a) recover and fly away, or b) stop the kite and make it safe.

If you still need to tether launch, it seems to me the best system would be a sand bag, or maybe two. If the anchor point is too rigid and the kite does something insane then the result will be a massively powered up kite attached to a bomb that is waiting to go off. A sand bag will have some movement so it in extreme situations it will slide and depower the kite. To make it safer you could attach the safety leash to a second anchor point (or sand bag). If the main sand bag moves too far then the safety leash would trigger and kill the kite (that all sounds way too tricky for me. Self launching is easier and much more reliable.)

Yes, I agree about the sand bag. If a gust is enough to move the bag, at least the bag has a chance of holding after the gust has reduced. If a gust is enough to pull out an anchor the anchor is unlikely to hold the kite even when the gust has reduced.
The guys on Magnetic Island use and old sports bag that they fill with sand and attach to that with a short leash. It seems to work ok.

I use suicide anyhow so tether to anything, usually sign posts, fences, tree roots. Its all good, a kite sitting at the side of the window has F-all pull, don't overthink things.

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general_dude said..
I hate the look of these things (screw anchors) they seem really dangerous to me.
- having said that, has anyone had had one give way and go flying.

The thing is, self launching and landing is just so easy. And if you are prepared to move yourself around (run) your kite should move on the ground no more than if you had it tethered. If you move yourself around it is also really safe with no chance of it going wrong.

i actually have a wombat sand anchor . I've used it once for launching my kite and use it more as a beach anchor for the boat which weighs 5 tons .

Appreciate the feedback.

Cheers!