How To Self-Land a Kite in High Winds

[petato2]

What about those days where you start kiting at a given wind (like 20 knots) but then the wind comes up while you are inside.

You are alone and still need yo land the kite by yourself.

I would say putting a sand anchor before entering the water is the safest.

My question is how reliable is the anchor system in high winds. Not because of the anchor itself, but because of the gusts in the kite once it is attached to the anchor and you are on tour way yo grab the kite.

[sarc]

What about those days where you start kiting at a given wind (like 20 knots) but then the wind comes up while you are inside.

You are alone and still need yo land the kite by yourself.

I would say putting a sand anchor before entering the water is the safest.

My question is how reliable is the anchor system in high winds. Not because of the anchor itself, but because of the gusts in the kite once it is attached to the anchor and you are on tour way yo grab the kite.

2 anchors. One tied to the chicken loop, another tied to the safety leash. If the kite starts dragging the anchor on the CL, after a foot or so the safety leash will become tensioned and depower the kite.

[matth]

What about those days where you start kiting at a given wind (like 20 knots) but then the wind comes up while you are inside.

You are alone and still need yo land the kite by yourself.

I would say putting a sand anchor before entering the water is the safest.

My question is how reliable is the anchor system in high winds. Not because of the anchor itself, but because of the gusts in the kite once it is attached to the anchor and you are on tour way yo grab the kite.

Very sketchy IMO, lots can go wrong and you are now on land. Much better off punching out and having a flagged kite to deal with than a potential lofting.

[matth]

What about those days where you start kiting at a given wind (like 20 knots) but then the wind comes up while you are inside.

You are alone and still need yo land the kite by yourself.

I would say putting a sand anchor before entering the water is the safest.

My question is how reliable is the anchor system in high winds. Not because of the anchor itself, but because of the gusts in the kite once it is attached to the anchor and you are on tour way yo grab the kite.

2 anchors. One tied to the chicken loop, another tied to the safety leash. If the kite starts dragging the anchor on the CL, after a foot or so the safety leash will become tensioned and depower the kite.

Good idea, someone was working on a tether system that had two connection points. The main hook had a nylon bolt that would snap away to the secondary flag line. Not sure if it ever hit the market.

That being said in crazy overpowered conditions dealing with all that is still very sketchy, I would much rather punch out in the water.

[macgruber]

Tether is definitely the safest as long as you have a good anchor. Helix screw work better than dog anchor corkscrews in our sand at the Oregon Coast. Usually we have enough driftwood to tie to and Harbor Freight has 2” towstrap with forged shackles 12’ Long for under $10

[plummet]

Tether is definitely the safest as long as you have a good anchor. Helix screw work better than dog anchor corkscrews in our sand at the Oregon Coast. Usually we have enough driftwood to tie to and Harbor Freight has 2” towstrap with forged shackles 12’ Long for under $10

It depends how close the teather is to obstacle's. Ultimately the safest method is to punch to safety in the water.

[matth]

Tether is definitely the safest as long as you have a good anchor. Helix screw work better than dog anchor corkscrews in our sand at the Oregon Coast. Usually we have enough driftwood to tie to and Harbor Freight has 2” towstrap with forged shackles 12’ Long for under $10

It depends how close the teather is to obstacle's. Ultimately the safest method is to punch to safety in the water.

[mede]

Tether is definitely the safest as long as you have a good anchor. Helix screw work better than dog anchor corkscrews in our sand at the Oregon Coast. Usually we have enough driftwood to tie to and Harbor Freight has 2” towstrap with forged shackles 12’ Long for under $10

It depends how close the teather is to obstacle's. Ultimately the safest method is to punch to safety in the water.

Not an option with shorebreak waves....

[iriejohn]

Self landed my 6m in 30 knots yesterday (nobody else around). As usual used maximum trim, flew low to the edge of the window until the wingtip rested on the sand, then pulled rapidly on the top front line while walking quickly towards the kite. Often goes tits up over 20 knots so I was very surprised! First time I've done this with an Enduro V2 above 20 knots - LE does sit nice and flat so it stayed put. Phew.

[plummet]

It depends how close the teather is to obstacle's. Ultimately the safest method is to punch to safety in the water.

Not an option with shorebreak waves....

Yes it is. Of course you risk damaging the kite. But when you are super over powered it is the safest option. I've done it several times when i have been so incredibly over powered that i'm doing the high speed death run fully trimmed and still out of control. Say 6m kite 50 knots. It that wind you can't even walk the line when the kite is flagged, Dump to safety in the shore break on purpose. Let a wave roll over the kite. The wave holds it down long enough for you to run to the kite and secure it.

Ultimately its far better to damage the kite that safe the kite and risk damaging yourself.

Do i dump to safety in a shore break in 30 knots on a 6m? No I dont. You can easily use the other methods listed above,