For my kites it's easier in 4 line than 5, but probabaly depends on shape of kite. 4 line more likely to get kite mostly flagged and stable, with 5 because flag is right in center my kite always fly on its back right in middle of window if I release in more than 25/30 knots.
That's another way of describing what I mentioned in my postbadgb21 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:12 pmIn that kind of wind I’d try this first (especially if kite is still dry and you don’t want a birds nest):-
Assuming you have a good-sized area of beach – for plan B below, just in case! –
Bring kite to side of window on the beach about 3m off the ground, steer the kite hard to the ground and immediately push bar away and take a couple of steps downwind.
Some also have a tug at the top centre line at this point too.
In most cases the kite will end up parked nose to wind. I then make a beeline to grab the kite.
If it doesn’t or you mess it up, try again or plan B is to release to safety.
I was sceptical when a guy on the beach mentioned this method to me, as he described it as ‘smashing your kite into the ground’
but I have had good success with it. You don’t need to smash it, but be firm.
Please only try this if you are experienced.
Maybe it's just my kites but relaunch on the two front lines is hardly an issue.
[/quote]Van Hunk wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2017 6:42 amThis video is a bum steer. Avoid central line in high winds at all costs...
Grabbing and pulling in lines in high winds can get sketchy. If you wrap a line and the kite powers up you will be in a world of hurt. I like all my lines as far down wind from me as possible.
I was out yesterday nice power on my 8m torch. Came in when it got a big too gusty. Hit the quick release and the kite ended up on its back resting on the wet sand.plummet wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2017 6:26 pmThat video is bullshit and unsafe and not recommended for high wind. Any learners watching this. This is a dangerous method to land. Don't copy it.
I suspect that this kiter has only ever kited in moderate winds and hasn't had to land it crazy conditions before. A lot of what he does is just plane wrong for high wind landing.
First error. He walks his board in and puts it on the beach. Why? dangerous. He gets too close to obstacles. There's no surf, Its shallow, the board can float in the water.
Second error. Kite at the zenith. If he gets hit by a gust while dropping his board off boom. Into the trees and fence. Hold the kite at the edge in high winds. ideally towards the water. Then if a gust hits you only get dragged sideways back into the water not into air and object. Keep the kite low!
Third error. He wastes time walking back out into the water. Thats more time for gusts to hit you and drag you. Get in an land asap in high winds. Don't f*** around like this guys. It might be ok in 20 knots but its bloody dangerous in high winds.
Forth error. He pulls the safety at the zenith. This is stupid in high winds. Pull the safety with the kite low. Then it will immediately fall to the ground.
Fifth error. He wraps lines around his fingers while holding the bar!. Don't do this ever!. Stupid stupid.
To improve upon this video and make it safer here's my suggestions.
Don't walk the board in. Keep the kite low in shallow water. Pull the safety with they kite at the edge. Don't wrap the safety line around the bar. Let the bar go. If its too windy to walk the safety line. Pull the safety so the kite lands in the water, connect the flag out line to your board and run in and secure your kite. Don't go holding lines and wrapping liness in high winds before you have secured the kite. Stupid, stupid, stupid.