Catapult with relaunch

by **pilgrimmm1** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:57 am

Looking for tips on relaunch. The problem occurs in light wind when I have my big kite (15m). At this time there does not seem to be enough wind to elevate the kite at the edge of window. So I use the technique of placing in the downwind position, pull my center lines and up the kite goes. Which is a good thing as I can pretty easily launch this way. The bad thing - or what concerns me - is that as the kite pops up to 12 o'clock I get catapulted forward. In deep water I am ok with this as the landing not that hard and I can usually get back to my board. In shallow water or near shore it makes me quite nervous out of concern for both myself, others and my kite - impact can be quite hard. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks

by **eric** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:58 pm

if you are in shallow water, you can just walk around and get your kite to roll up on it's edge w/o it hot launching.

by **PMCD** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:58 pm

if you are that shallow, just drift to the beach which will stop the kite. Then you can walk to the side and self launch.

In deeper water (deep enough not to hit bottom) I lean towards the kite if I am expecting a strong pull and let the kite drag me as it is coming off the water. it makes hot launching relatively gentile

I am assuming your bar is completely depowered while the kite is rising

by **pilgrimmm1** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:25 pm

Thanks much for the feedback -greatly appreciate it. Will give it a go.

by **Loki** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:37 pm

In reference to "I can usually get back to my board". If I ever need to hot launch (center line relaunching like you described) and just lost my board, usually this results in a fair amount of body dragging. So, especially in deep water, after I crash, I'll pull the safety (100% depower) and swim upwind to the board now that the kite's not pulling me downwind. It takes almost no time at all if the safety is pulled. Then I can put the board on my feet, reset the safety, and hot launch with my board. You can ride away in relative control and you don't have to body drag for 10 minutes.

by **stringy** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:49 pm

I tend to do my fair share of hot launching.
it helps to have a bar with good throw for depower.
and always make sure the stopper ball is fully out and not engaged.
once you gain enough experience you can determine if hot launch is the best option or if walking your kite around is the better choice.
sometimes you have to consider that putting the kite on the side and relaunching may seem like a good way to launch, but in real light winds, it could have a tendency to fall back during a light wind relaunch.
when hot launching there's pretty much only one direction the kite will go.
one thing to be ready for if hot launching on the beach is if you feel overpowered while the kite rises to noon, take a couple of steps towards your kite.
if its real light try taking a couple of steps backwards while hot launching.

by **Twistedstrings** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:12 pm

Loki wrote:In reference to "I can usually get back to my board". If I ever need to hot launch (center line relaunching like you described) and just lost my board, usually this results in a fair amount of body dragging. So, especially in deep water, after I crash, I'll pull the safety (100% depower) and swim upwind to the board now that the kite's not pulling me downwind. It takes almost no time at all if the safety is pulled. Then I can put the board on my feet, reset the safety, and hot launch with my board. You can ride away in relative control and you don't have to body drag for 10 minutes.

Nothing to do but read up on techniques and safety tips this week ..( arghh )

This is the first time I have heard this described this way . Are you talking about the center de-power line ie above the bar or below the bar ( that safety line ?? )

by **Loki** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 12:31 am

No. I'm talking about the quick release that flags your kite out to 1 line. Pull it, your chicken loop releases and your leash is connected to a single flag line (depower line, safety line, whatever you want to call it.) This depowers your kite so you can backstroke upwind to your board without it dragging you downwind. Otherwise, once you hot launch, you have to make up all that ground you just lost via body dragging. Not fun.

Pulling your safety and resetting it is best practiced in shallow water. Don't do this in deep water until you know how to do it with your kite. All kites are different, too.