Launching a kite

Launching a kite with a buddy sometimes goes wrong because not everyone knows exactly how it should be.

Kite launching

Launching a kite is quite an experience for a number of people. Kite surfers who do not think about the wind direction and the forces in the power zone, can put the helper in a difficult position. Often enough on kitesurf spots you see the kitesurfer immediately entering the power zone without the lines being tight and the helper being pushed back by the enormous power that the kite suddenly gets. Not fun and it is easy to prevent if the kite surfer observes the following rules.

Kitelaunch

Okay you are ready, kite is inflated, lines are attached to and have been checked. First you check whether the kite is in the corner of the wind window.

Is the kite in the correct position? Then it is time to attach the safetey line and you can hook the chicken loop to the harness. The kite surfer walks backwards to draw the lines tight. The helper can now lift the kite and hold it like a C without the kite catching wind immediately.

The kite surfer now quietly walks into the wind window and ensures that the lines remain tight, so that the pressure of the kite does not reach the helper. The kite surfer then checks whether the lines are correct and continues until the kite’s cloth no longer flaps. Sometimes you have to find where that spott is, take it easy to walk back and forth and leave the helper in place.

Once you have found the right spot, the kiter will look around to see if the kite can be released without endangering other kite surfers. When the time comes, the kiter gives the sign thumb-up and let the helper release the kite.

Summary

• Place the kite in the corner of the wind window
• Make sure the lines are downwind
• The kite surfer traces the lines after hooking up
• The helper holds the kite in C-shape
• Kitesurfer quietly walks into the wind window
• As soon as the kite no longer flaps check the lines
• If the kite cloth is tight, the kite surfer sticks his thumb up
• Helper releases the kite
• Kiter sends the kite slowly to 12 o’clock (but never completely until 12 o’clock)