Make launching a kite safer

[alexglebov]

In this video, One launch Kiteboarding tells you when you should hook and why this technique can make the whole process much safer.

This technique is useless if you launch on the suicide leash mode, that's why I gave up on launching on the suicide mode. Giving up on using the suicide mode for launching doesn't change much and makes everything much safer. If I go for an unhooking session, I simply set up my gear properly once on the water. Have fun, ride safe.

[foilholio]

I like to unline when I launch. Can never be too safe. First kite with the launcher in position and let go. Then if everything is good I hook up the lines. Completely foolproof.

[Toby]

no joke.
There are points for launching like this, when you are not much powered.

It's an option to consider for people. Options are good. Nothing is 100% safe.

[foilholio]

See what I did.

You get

[jms]

I like to launch like this when self launching. I switched after a rushed self launch gone wrong, where I found myself in the air, with my hand on the quick release, but unable to activate it while flying. No injuries, but it was a bit of a scare!

[grigorib]

In such steady wind if you launch and kite “drifts” downwind, I’d prefer to be upwind of both a pilot and the helper, as pilot shouldn’t have signaled the launch and neithe the helper should have released the kite. So staying upwind of unpredictable is your friend.
In gusty/strong wind your single hand grip might need to produce 150+ lbs of force to compensate your body weight. Not everyone can do that and then you will be destroying your kite and put people/property downwind of you at risk.

Above technique proves somewhat useful when broken shells are present on the beach, unfortunately, rather useful to local repair shops which might probably sponsor such methods of launching.

Checking the lines is pretty wise move some often forget though

[cor]

What's the value here? Just hook in, keep one hand on the release while launching (you always should) and you basically have the same result....

[dylan*]

Horrible idea for the vast majority of kiters who would freak the f*** out if they ever had to fly a kite unhooked even for 5 seconds

[knotwindy]

How many safe ways are there to launch a kite? None.
There are lots of safer ways and more dangerous ways to launch a kite but no safe ways. Things can always go sideways and can put the launcher or the people around them in danger. if you think this is the only safe way you don’t understand how a kite works or the inherent danger involved and might consider not being a teacher or maybe even a kiter. Just my 2 cents.

[Toby]

What's the value here? Just hook in, keep one hand on the release while launching (you always should) and you basically have the same result....

I also prefer this.

But watch people on the beach how many do it?
Barely anyone.