Offshore windshift ---> Lost Kite

[sarcasm]

I lost 17 pounds in 30 hours that "episode". It sucked for sure.

I am primarily talking about Florida waters when talking about my take on this.

[juzzyg]

I've only been kiting for about a year or so now and have had to self rescue many times. When I was taught to kite (by a pro school!) I was never taught this procedure or advised of any of the shit can go so badly wrong..... as highlighted in this forum. It was a kite buddy who explained what self rescue even was and how to do it. Not sure exactly what a "pack down is" though.....?

Isn't it time that kite schools started teaching this as a fundamental part of the training?

Juzzy.

PS. Definitely one of the most informative and best forums I've read yet. Thanks!

[Safe_Cracker]

My bet would be to ditch that octopus because that is exactly what it would be like a huge mess waiting to tangle you up, possibly drowning you?


Polo...

Hi,

If you can do a safety packdown properly as is the standard procedure when getting kitesurfing lessons then you shouldn't end up as described above.

I totally agree with Sarcasm, there are many factors that can go against you on a swim in that people don't seem to take account of.

I have also surfed for a number of years and over those years i have had the odd leash snap on me. In a stiff offshore breeze, with waves pounding around you, watching your surfboard disappear into the surf can bring on an awful feeling when faced with the reality of a long swim in.

Regards, Dara

Hey Dr I agree about the packdown BUT what if the material gets waterlogged, nothing to keep it afloat nore is there anything to aide in the person for a self resue, just a hinderance (sp). I would like to hear from people who have had to self rescue with a foil kite, there experiences with it....

Polo..

[sarcasm]

Funny you bring that up. In 2002 I had a 12m JoJo foil I rode a lot in light wind.
I was riding it one summer in like 10 to 11 knots, and the wind totally died on me.
I was about 1/4 mile out from the beach (not very far).
The thing got waterlogged after several minutes. It was like swimming in a friggin' WHALE.
It must have weighed 150 or 200 pounds. It took me over an hour to get in.
I was pissed (and semi worried about sharks).
I gave it away the next day... never ridden a foil again since.

[Herman]

Swimming in after the wind total shut down (she wasn't coming round the mountain any more), attached board to lines, swam down a line to kite, flipped kite, lay on overhand swim. Making reasonable progress but the got offered a lift on the back of a big canoe. As soon as we were going more than 2 knots the board trolled causing loads of drag. Board had been attached by leash through bootstrap. Maybe a webbing under a fin bolt is worth it for a less draggy tow!

[Herman]

Should have said non packdown swim in was with a TT. But if you intend to leave any board out on the lines it might be worth experimenting with different tow attachment points. A hydrofoil would probably weave about like the donkey tied to the back of a train looking to see which side to overtake!

[edt]

Neverpack down and never deflate. Put the kite in a u position lay on top of it and you can find it very easy to swim up a wind try it sometime. Move the spreader hook to the side so you don't pole a hole in the kite

[Bille]

If your kiting in open ocean , or a remote aria
You Should have a waterproof marine emergency gps locator

I use SPOT for flying ; but they don't make a reasonable water-proof one.

https://www.google.com/search?q=marine+ ... e&ie=UTF-8


Bille

[ThickAir]

If you are out kiting and the wind goes offshore, it's almost never 100% offshore. Even being a few degrees from perpendicular side-off, you can easily self rescue 'sail' the kite back to shore. Worst case, it's perfectly perpendicular 100% offshore. You can still 'sail' the kite upwind. You won't make terrific time, but it's almost definitely going to be faster than swimming. If the wind completely dies, swim your gear in.

[Herman]

It might be better to label the so called self rescue as "what to do if you are bored and about to be picked up by a boat" but each to their own!