Hey just wondering if someone can tell me if something is wrong with my kite/setup of if it's me being a **** **** haha
so I just recently brought my first kite surfing set up and the 4 kites are RRD OBSESSION PROs 2013 models 9/10.5/12/16
now I just went out for my first test of the kites and could not for the life of me get them in the air by myself however I did have a bit of help and got them up but back to the story I tried for three hours to self launch and I followed everything correctly and it wouldn't budge just kept sliding left or right on the leading edge I almost got it to flip on it's side but sadly let down so I'm wandering if maybe I was in a bad spot with poor wind flow there was a big hill down wind of me but it was still blowing about 15km southerly I was at Botany Bay ramsgate area

i don't know that model of kite but 15k should normally get all of those sizes in the air. wouldnt think the big hill downwind should have any effect. a thing to check is how windy it was at the water. what size where you using and did it feel 15k at water level? was anyone else out and going if near you? if you can move the kite, try get the kite on its edge by twisting the bar as well as pulling lines.

Hi smicko666,

1- you should not be self-launching as a beginner, best to always use assistance.

2- you type ''15km'' is that 15 KM/H winds (= 8 Knots) or 15 Knots winds ? How do you know the wind was this strong ? It could be that the wind was simply too light to fly your kite or as you said the quality of the wind was too poor.

Try to launch your kite with an assistant and in at least 12-15 knots of clean unobstructed winds.

hope this helps

Christian

Have an experienced kitesurfer help you set the kite up and fly it for you to check it's all correct and safe. As your kites are 8 years old they need checking for safety and damaged/worn components.

As cbulota says, have an experienced kiter help you launch and land. These are two points where a beginner often comes unstuck, endangering themselves and others on the beach.

If you haven't had lessons, get some. You don't want to be featured on Youtube as the "kitesurfer trying to kill himself"

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smicko666 said..
Hey just wondering if someone can tell me if something is wrong with my kite/setup of if it's me being a **** **** haha
so I just recently brought my first kite surfing set up and the 4 kites are RRD OBSESSION PROs 2013 models 9/10.5/12/16
now I just went out for my first test of the kites and could not for the life of me get them in the air by myself however I did have a bit of help and got them up but back to the story I tried for three hours to self launch and I followed everything correctly and it wouldn't budge just kept sliding left or right on the leading edge I almost got it to flip on it's side but sadly let down so I'm wandering if maybe I was in a bad spot with poor wind flow there was a big hill down wind of me but it was still blowing about 15km southerly I was at Botany Bay ramsgate area

Have you had lessons?
Ramsgate beach is narrow, not ideal to learn to self launch, there are lots of things in close proximity that you can get dragged into, including children and adults.

Just note that if you can't self launch your kite, it's very likely you won't be able to re-launch it in case it falls on the water. Better practice more.

2 qualified and good instructors have posted. Plus others who could instruct...
Take note....
A kite is like an outboard motor without an OFF switch.
No offense but u need to understand the control systems = power / safety.
And that's b4 u go on the water..
So lets assume u r a fit enough risk aware.....(!!#&!) bloke ..
1 maybe 2 of those kites will launch when properly set up in 15 kms/h.. They both will likely take a hot launch.. Now what does that mean... Well hot launch a 16m kite means u need to understand the lift power and response within a few seconds.. Like 2 .. Once the lift is g8teR than ur body mass.. U get slung and not gently under the kite as an accelerating pendulum. Now assume ur lucky.. U only go 1 metre off the ground.. U under fly the kite stall it and get dumped at 10-20 kms / hr on the ground and the kite follows u and stays powerless on the ground or in a bush/tree...
But imagine that outboard motor.. Could still be full throttle.. R U ready for what happens next??? What about anyone else unlucky enough to be down wind...??
So ...
Much easier to pick up a trainer kite.. 1 to 2m size.. Learn 2 Understand the power wind window.. Dominate the power because u r way heavier than the kite can lift into the air (sensible wind strength so under 40 kms per hour)..
Then suggest take 1 lesson to understand what u might not know..
Then consider taking ur kit to a safe location and trying it with someone who can kite .. So advise u..

DIY kiting is a real risk assessment.. Certainly can be done.. But not in a knowledge vacuum..
So suggest learn by small steps till u r ready to make good decisions ..
G8 sport..be smart
Cheers
AP..
I recommend you check out the PROGRESSION.ME website the kiteboarding beginner collection for $44.99 gives you an excellent and comprehensive reference.

My lessons from Riccardo were worth every cent. I love my kiting and get to enjoy it in a safe and controlled way

There's a reason you see most of the kiters launching from the same area... someone to help you launch and land sidenote: from my experimentations, it's easier to self-launch than self-land. The other day I was having trouble self-landing (haven't done it much) and ended up having an old guy on the beach help me. His English wasn't good, and he didn't get what I was trying to tell him - thought he was going to rip my kite and twist the lines. Fortunately, we got the kite on the ground without a disaster. The only injury was later retrieving my board from the rocks - a few oyster slashes.

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L8Start said..
There's a reason you see most of the kiters launching from the same area... someone to help you launch and land sidenote: from my experimentations, it's easier to self-launch than self-land. The other day I was having trouble self-landing (haven't done it much) and ended up having an old guy on the beach help me. His English wasn't good, and he didn't get what I was trying to tell him - thought he was going to rip my kite and twist the lines. Fortunately, we got the kite on the ground without a disaster. The only injury was later retrieving my board from the rocks - a few oyster slashes.

You would be better off releasing to safety and walking up your flagging line. That could have been tragic for you and the guy who had no clue. If you don't have enough beach space then move the kite over to the water and release and bring your kite in that way. Self landing is a bit trickier, especially when it is blowing over 20 knots.