As I've progressed into lighter winds when it's blowing 10-12 knots I don't bother with the side self launch anymore b/c it ends up being a hot launch anyway. I've never had a problem at all, but today it was blowing 13knots and I could not side launch due to the current and short beach and people.
I went for the hot launch and the kite just stalled perfectly downwind of me and didn't move one direction or the other...then it shot violently to one direction b/c of the pressure it developed....I was quick enough to grab a steering line and kept it from a palm tree but it was a close call....no bystanders were at risk.
I've seen people cross the lines before yanking the steering lines...Is there a way to predict the direction the kite will go and/or make this a much more predictable launch?
-side note...I'm riding my 12m now exclusively on the hydrofoil....I'm amazed it get's me going at 200 lbs in 12 knots. I think it's better than the 14m b/c the first upstroke increased speed allow me to get the second downstroke faster. Once I get a foil kite things will be better, but I have not flown my 14m LEI in 2 months. It's crazy you can fly a 12m kite in 12knots and be powered.