marina wrote:Why hot launch if you don't have to? It's something I just don't get. Like when someone (kiter) offers help and people insist on self launching/landing. Doesn't it make sense to err on the side of safety?
The only time I think hot launching is appropriate is in super light winds when you can't normally self launch your kite. We have been doing this in San Diego during our light wind testing. Sunday it was only blowing 2-5 on the beach (okay maybe 7mph but could barely feel a breeze and would lull to zero) but winds starting at about 20 meters were 7-11/12mph... Consequences not so bad when things go wrong in light winds unless you're doing in tight launch/land area.
That shows how different we are
I am one of those usually saying no thanks, if some wants to launch me, in "normal" winds.
As I find self launching (stake method) much safer - if anything goes wrong, YOU are not connected to the kite, and it is only the gear that might get wasted, and not your life that is on risk....
Furthermore, you have to be able to get ashore and land yourself too, so important to know that stake position is good
When self launching you can take all the time that you want, to ensure lines and bridles and everything is right, so much lower risk.
Also, you dont waste other riders time - as they are usually busy rigging too, when the wind and waves suddenly kicks in and you are on your way out
So when riding waves, it is most normal (around here) that you launch/land yourself, even if others are around - thats how we all do it.
As said, if someone else happens to stand right next to your kite, yes he/she might launch the kite or take it down - otherwise not, and noone will expect you to launch/land their kite either (except newbees but they are not out in the waves...)
In light wind, you HAVE to launch dead downwind, no other way - as you say Marina.
And when you Hydrofoil a lot, you will also learn to hot launch a lot
Peter