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We don't have many good launch spots at some of our local lakes and I have been trying to figure out a good way to do this. I came up with having a buoy that would support the kite, something like a tire with a weight on it to keep it on the ground, while its in the water. Resting the kite against this you could unwind your lines without worrying if your kite is goind to powerup or not. Once you get the lines squared up, you could walk upwind until the kite is free of the bouy. Then just do a relaunch. The buoy doubles as a slider when your up and going. If your good enough I imagine you could land the kite the same way. A bit harder, but likely possible with some skill. The water is too cold here for me to try this out, but would like some thought before I try this anyway. Advice welcome!
Dirk

turbo launcher...or move.

I guess I'll move. Nah, I might have to pick up the turbo launcher. I haven't heard much on the forum about it, but just did a quick search. Still have to find a way to self land, though.

turbo launchers work well if the wind isnt full on, slight wind shadow is ideal.

friends of mine have a "kite net" , they set the kite in the net. walk out the lines and up they go. its not the kinda thing you can take with you though.

another friend... prerig on pavement, loop lines in big figure 8 inside kite. walk in water with it all. slowly feed out line with one hand while other holds bar and kite, walking away the whole time ot keep lines clean. when lines payed out. put kite le down, facing wind and let it drift away. again, with wind shadow this is ok, in full on, your looking at a mess.

best solution is a kite buddy, two people can launch two kites anywhere.
or better yet get a kite bitch and youll have a pickup vehicle waitn after your downwinder!!

[quote="dirkydiggler"]We don't have many good launch spots at some of our local lakes and I have been trying to figure out a good way to do this.

Hey Dirk,

Welcome to the club of “Eccentric Solo Kite Launchingâ€Â

Get a bow kite

I know that there are guys that launch flysurfers from the water.
I swa some photos of Armin swimming out with the kite still in the backpack. He pulled it out and unrolled it in the water holding the vents to the wind. Once enough wind to flaot was in it he let it drift and then launched.

Here's the link to a video of a Speed self water launch.

http://www.kiteforum.tv/index.php?optio ... f21d32bf98

Cheers

Fred

dirki...what kind of kite? it's hard for anyone to give good advice without knowing what your riding.

fred...yea, armins video is cool, but it's like a video of tiger woods hitting a 2 iron 254 yards with a slight fade and hitting the green. can be done, but not by mere mortals.

i think dirki brings up a great point...often it's not the launch that is difficult, but landing safely.

Thanks for the reading assignments. I'll get to it tonight.
When I talk of launching like this, I am using a bow kite. No way would I try this with a C kite. I like the net idea, sounds even easier. Yes, I am talking about a permanent or semi-permanent installation. So, I wouldn't have to take it with me everywhere. I suppose taking a volleyball net setup around wouldn't be too hard anyway. Easy setup and take down. Wouldn't be as much fun to rail slide though.
Dirk

but not by mere mortals.

I'll take that as a compliment.

I used to kite on Clark's Hill Lake outside Augusta GA and Lanier north of ATL where the trees come right up to the water. Flysurfer was the only way to go and I was the only kiter there for some time. The GK sonics were the first non-foil to make it on the lake.

I think wetstuff's bowtender and flysurfer's drift launch are your best bets, or do what I did: move.

Jake