Big Thanks to the 2 surfers who rescued my kite this afternoon north of Leighton.
The story briefly: kiting in light wind....13.5m kite largish board......wind suddenly drops so does the kite, then light offshore wind starts straight away......wind up the lines, try self rescue, but there is not enough wind to flip the kite to her back......offshore wind picks up just enough to start drifting out to sea......still close to shore abandon the kite and swim in to get some help...wind drops slightly so that 2 guys surfing the outer reef can catch the kite and drag her to shore....wow, they broke a pretty good surfing session to rescue my kite...thanks again...
Questions:
1. How to flip a largish kite to her back with wet and heavy leading edge in very light wind?
2. When self rescuing...what's the best way to get through a quite unfriendly shore break without letting go of the kite?
Thanks for any comment

Had this exact problem once, I was stupid and decided to go out JUST before a storm came in... hence the shifting unpredictable winds going offshore JUST after they died from 15/20 to 5knots and the kite falls.

My escape plan was prettymuch just to swim til I reached the shore, pushing the board infront of me as I swam, usually once I'm inside of the break I release the kite and let it get tumbled in by the waves, perhaps stay attached by your flagging line, but generally it gets impossible to hold onto the kite without getting hammered, the kite will stand up to the beating provided you don't catch waves with it (ie not releasing it).

Unless you are able to self rescue upwind then don't bother, just swim and tow it in, if you are a long way out then it's harder.

For flipping the kite over, I find it is easier to start at the wingtips (more leverage) and you can tip a lot of the excess water off the canopy, but yeh it's a pain in the ass .

I don't know if anyone else does this, but in heavy waves I try to inflate the kite a LITTLE less, so that it's not 100% inflated, it then has some give when it gets pounded by the waves.

best and safest way is;
Wind up lines until you reach kite,
tie lines off so will not unwind when you let go of bar, do not release safty from harness,
deflate leading edge of kite,
with stopper still out get wingtip to wingtip and roll kite up untill you reach middle,
put bung back in, place bar inside kite
use leash to tie kite, now a large sausage shaped float, to board,
now you have a big float that you can push,pull or whatever to shore saftly without loosing any kit, and if you get worn out just hold on to kit untill rested.

this should be taght by all instuctors when doing level 1,
I had to do this 2km off shore in heavy chop, just didnt have to swim in, got picked up by boat.

everyone should try this in shallow or just out of depth so you know how to do it in deep water in emergency.

Glad you got in safely without drama and your kite was saved Andrash.
However you should note that the forecast yesterday was a declining trend with an eventual swing offshore.
Given the forecast and the overall unpredictable wind yesterday (post front) you shouldn't have gone out.
Anyway alls well that ends well and at the end of the day glad your safe and your kit is intact. Lesson learned maybe?


Edit: Hope the surfers were adequately rewarded Remember to check the forecast

great way to do this for offshore winds

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nickloop said...

best and safest way is;
Wind up lines until you reach kite,
tie lines off so will not unwind when you let go of bar, do not release safty from harness,
deflate leading edge of kite,
with stopper still out get wingtip to wingtip and roll kite up untill you reach middle,
put bung back in, place bar inside kite
use leash to tie kite, now a large sausage shaped float, to board,
now you have a big float that you can push,pull or whatever to shore saftly without loosing any kit, and if you get worn out just hold on to kit untill rested.

this should be taght by all instuctors when doing level 1,
I had to do this 2km off shore in heavy chop, just didnt have to swim in, got picked up by boat.

everyone should try this in shallow or just out of depth so you know how to do it in deep water in emergency.

Select to expand quote

nickloop said...

best and safest way is;
Wind up lines until you reach kite,
tie lines off so will not unwind when you let go of bar, do not release safty from harness,
deflate leading edge of kite,
with stopper still out get wingtip to wingtip and roll kite up untill you reach middle,
put bung back in, place bar inside kite
use leash to tie kite, now a large sausage shaped float, to board,
now you have a big float that you can push,pull or whatever to shore saftly without loosing any kit, and if you get worn out just hold on to kit untill rested.

this should be taght by all instuctors when doing level 1,
I had to do this 2km off shore in heavy chop, just didnt have to swim in, got picked up by boat.


everyone should try this in shallow or just out of depth so you know how to do it in deep water in emergency.

Sounds like a great method though I don't have the clips to isolate the struts fitted on my kite so it wont work on my 1 pump system. The only drawback of those clips, and why I don't have them fitted is that they eventually damage the fabric on the kite from the material rubbing on them. Not sure if this happens when the kite is inflated and flapping on the beach or when it is packed up but I've had to patch several of these spots on relatively new kites. Anyone else had this problem?

POP

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poor relative said...

Glad you got in safely without drama and your kite was saved Andrash.
However you should note that the forecast yesterday was a declining trend with an eventual swing offshore.
Given the forecast and the overall unpredictable wind yesterday (post front) you shouldn't have gone out.
Anyway alls well that ends well and at the end of the day glad your safe and your kit is intact. Lesson learned maybe?

Thanks Reli, learning is part of the fun

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poor relative said...


Edit: Hope the surfers were adequately rewarded

...you bet.....I was very happy to see my kite back.....

Thanks for the comments. Rolling up the kite sounds a good idea....I wonder though, how to prevent water entering the leading edge bladder....?

Anyone has an idea what is the greatest angle one can go cross wind when self-rescuing on an inflatable. Theoretically I see the possibility to get to the shore on a cross-off shore wind depending how far the kite can sail across the wind..
Any idea?

Hi Andrash,

You can travel almost 90 degrees to the wind if you use the board as a keel by lding it down in the water as if you were edging but more vertical. You need to also rember that with the direction of the wind is also usually a current in the same direction which will also take you slightly down wind.

By practicing self rescue and water pack downyou will pepare yourself for the most unfortunate of incidences.

A tip: once you have deflated the leading edge on the water and rolled it up, place the plug in the deflate valve or you'll end up with a kite full of water.

Tip: Only deflate your Leading edge if the wind is taking you away from land. Reason being if you are 1km out and you deflate your LE, you become almost impossible to see from the shore.

Tip: never deflate your struts as well as Leading edge as you will end up with nothing to support you if you get tired.

Lots more tips and Tricks on my website.

Good winds,

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nickloop said...

best and safest way is;
Wind up lines until you reach kite,
tie lines off so will not unwind when you let go of bar, do not release safty from harness,
deflate leading edge of kite,
with stopper still out get wingtip to wingtip and roll kite up untill you reach middle,
put bung back in, place bar inside kite
use leash to tie kite, now a large sausage shaped float, to board,
now you have a big float that you can push,pull or whatever to shore saftly without loosing any kit, and if you get worn out just hold on to kit untill rested.

this should be taght by all instuctors when doing level 1,
I had to do this 2km off shore in heavy chop, just didnt have to swim in, got picked up by boat.

everyone should try this in shallow or just out of depth so you know how to do it in deep water in emergency.

Happened to me very recently. Stupidly went out in unsuitable conditions and ended up with zero wind. Did the above packdown and it worked a treat although it was a long swim. Couple things to note:
1. After deflating the leading edge remember to close the deflate valve. I forgot and collected a bit of water in the bladder - fortunately very little though.
2. Take time to roll up the kite properly and ensure your lines are tied off. I was in too much of a rush and ended up struggling to hold the kite together during the long swim back.
3. You can put your board inside the rolled up kite but be careful of your fins! I put mine on top and it was fine.

If you do this properly you have a fairly stable "raft" which you can lie or sit on and paddle in. If you're not fully versed in self-rescue techniques try this sometime near the shore so you're prepared. It doesn't take long to get the idea and may come in very useful one day!!!

Good Idea Nickloop.

PintofAle:

Some kites come with a neoprene sock that covers the hose clip and the tubing, could be worthwhile to invest in a set or get them sown up. If you loose a strut you loose the whole kite.

Cheers
Rich

Not my Idea, just something that I had to do to pass my level 1 kiting in 2002, Never had to use it since, but just good to know HOW to do it. Of the 60-70 kiters that I go out with regularly only 2-3 know how to do this pack down as the local kite school does not teach it. They dont seem to care about if something goes wrong just getting you flying the kite trying to get on the board and most important taking your money.

I know its an effort but do try it in shallow water, it may oneday save your kit or even your life. Same as your safty release try it once in a while just to make sure it works.

Safe kiting

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nickloop said...

best and safest way is;
Wind up lines until you reach kite,
tie lines off so will not unwind when you let go of bar, do not release safty from harness,
deflate leading edge of kite,
with stopper still out get wingtip to wingtip and roll kite up untill you reach middle,
put bung back in, place bar inside kite
use leash to tie kite, now a large sausage shaped float, to board,
now you have a big float that you can push,pull or whatever to shore saftly without loosing any kit, and if you get worn out just hold on to kit untill rested.

this should be taght by all instuctors when doing level 1,
I had to do this 2km off shore in heavy chop, just didnt have to swim in, got picked up by boat.

everyone should try this in shallow or just out of depth so you know how to do it in deep water in emergency.

Ok this might work in chop, but only until you reach the impact zone. I also think he was specifically asking what to do with regards to a shore break.

He's talking about an "unfriendly shore break" If you want get yourself knocked out that would be the best solution, get AWAY from your board in the waves, assuming its a twintip. All you need to do is to make sure you aren't in a rip and then let your gear get pushed in by the waves, unless you are confident with lying on top of your board. Your kite will be a mess regardless, if you are able to fold the kite up as they^^^ said then that should be fine to have with you in the break.

Yes I do see this as a good solution either up until the break if you've had to swim in a long way or if you are on flat water and have no wind, but in 6 foot waves your first priority is to get yourself out of there, I've never not had my kite and board washed in to me, if you kite in big waves be prepared to have your kite torn, there is no safe way of holding onto a kite while being washingmachined, you must be prepared to let it go if you are getting truly hammered, its not that simple on a big beach break, in flatter water maybe.

I wonder anyone has seen a kite taking off after hammered to shore by a shore break? Or she is just beaten enough to rest peacefully....
My major concern was with letting go of the kite is what she may do to a good hearted beach goer who wants to help but don't know about a kite.

Yeh fair enough. Umm yeh it is possible to relaunch afterwards... 1% of the time!

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Jimmyz said...

nickloop said...

best and safest way is;
Wind up lines until you reach kite,
tie lines off so will not unwind when you let go of bar, do not release safty from harness,
deflate leading edge of kite,
with stopper still out get wingtip to wingtip and roll kite up untill you reach middle,
put bung back in, place bar inside kite
use leash to tie kite, now a large sausage shaped float, to board,
now you have a big float that you can push,pull or whatever to shore saftly without loosing any kit, and if you get worn out just hold on to kit untill rested.

this should be taght by all instuctors when doing level 1,
I had to do this 2km off shore in heavy chop, just didnt have to swim in, got picked up by boat.

everyone should try this in shallow or just out of depth so you know how to do it in deep water in emergency.

Ok this might work in chop, but only until you reach the impact zone. I also think he was specifically asking what to do with regards to a shore break.

He's talking about an "unfriendly shore break" If you want get yourself knocked out that would be the best solution, get AWAY from your board in the waves, assuming its a twintip. All you need to do is to make sure you aren't in a rip and then let your gear get pushed in by the waves, unless you are confident with lying on top of your board. Your kite will be a mess regardless, if you are able to fold the kite up as they^^^ said then that should be fine to have with you in the break.

Yes I do see this as a good solution either up until the break if you've had to swim in a long way or if you are on flat water and have no wind, but in 6 foot waves your first priority is to get yourself out of there, I've never not had my kite and board washed in to me, if you kite in big waves be prepared to have your kite torn, there is no safe way of holding onto a kite while being washingmachined, you must be prepared to let it go if you are getting truly hammered, its not that simple on a big beach break, in flatter water maybe.

Yes good point this is a good way in chop etc but not in shore break. Best way is to release kite totally if you are getting a good pounding by 6ft waves, yes kite would prob be a bit bent, but its better than possability of getting lines wraped around your body and causing you some poss nasty damage. Kite will end up on beach, a bit worse for wear but kites are quicker and cheaper to repair than people.

well bugger me, all this talk of self rescue had to talk kiter at my local spot on thursday last how to do the formentioned wrap down. A learner, went out overpowered on a 15m waroo,dropped kite 1/2 km off shore, wind little bit offshore, lost his board, couldnt get kite up, finally launched kite but chrashed it again splitting canopy, then was being dragged out offshore, rode over and talked him through wrap down then pulled him in when kite was wrapped up and powerless. Now he knows what to do next time. never found board though.

Tip no;2 get dogtag made with your name and phone number on it fix on your board with fin bolt. And offer a reward.