Rather late to be replying to this one (about flying a kite at 12 on the beach, not about Ben Witts, R.I.P)nothing2seehere wrote: ↑Fri Feb 15, 2019 10:40 amI kind of see what you are saying. But do you fly it directly overhead at 12? Or more like 10-11 or 1-2 when you are massively powered? It makes a difference to be slightly off centre.Hugh2 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:57 pmOkay, I will bite. Sometimes I end up in overpowered conditions in Cape Town on my 7m. If I try to keep the kite low when on the beach, as advised by several folks above, while understanding that the wind strength is less down low, I feel vulnerable because if I get pulled off my feet and tumbling sideways, I will likely lose control of the kite and end up in a worse situation. Instead, I feel more comfortable keeping the kite above me and under control, even if I'm getting lifted a bit, because I know I can keep control of the kite above me and not get tumbled sideways and lose control. And note that I routinely dump my kite to leash at the end of long downwinders as my way of "landing" on deserted beaches, but I do it from having the kite directly above me so it falls directly downwind of me under control in a place I choose, so I know what to do in an emergency. In summary, I disagree with the idea of keeping your kite low if you are overpowered on the beach.
You are right that there isn't a one size fits all and it depends on the situation and the hazards around you. Sometimes being dragged sideways will be a preferable result to be lofted downwind depending on the terrain. Never been to Cape Town so can't comment on the conditions but in the videos of the pros, it generally looks like they favour the kite at 2ish pulling them towards the sea.
If you can't keep your kite low without being pulled off balance how do you launch or land in those conditions? Sounds really sketchy to be in conditions where you may be pulled off balance during the launch. Do you find you have to get it up to the zenith as soon as possible?
Gusty wind + inexperience is a dangerous combination. An experienced kiter is aware of an unstable kite due to gusting wind & reacts to correct, moving back if necessary to put tension back in the lines & being prepared to sheet out aggressively to minimize getting pulled by the kite if it drops into the power zone. A beginner is not likely to have that instinctive understanding of what to do. Even having the kite lower may not avoid problems - a luffing kite may tumble across the wind window & launch the kiter.fishyface wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:27 pmRather late to be replying to this one (about flying a kite at 12 on the beach, not about Ben Witts, R.I.P)
I have witnessed an accident on the beach that was pretty severe; concussion & memory loss etc., punctured lung, two broken legs & a broken shoulder.
The cause of this accident was the novice kiter keeping the kite at 12 on a windy day. The wind was a little gusty, kite overflew and then 'dropped' straight down a few metres, directly into the most powerful section of the wind window. Of course it then powered up quite low to the ground and bang...kiter is ripped across the beach at great speed with no chance to use the QR.
So that (in my humble opinion and unfortunate experience) is why it's not a great idea unless winds are very light.
Also I think this is something that isn't being taught so much. Well maybe it is now, but I was never taught this in 2012 when I started kiting. Also, I'm not at all surprised to see / hear people doing this, because they are 'programmed' to keep the kite at 12 when learning to body drag & early waterstarts etc. They get used to this as some sort of 'neutral', safe position for the kite. They then assume this is also the case on the beach. Perfectly natural - but should be discouraged methinks.
Hi - sorry for super-lame late reply (again) :-p
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