Kiting alone

[Grizwald]

Those who kite alone,
What precautions do you take?
If there any specific gear you recommend? (Epirb, water proof cell phone, flares ???) How do you carry it?
My harness does not have a specific spot for a knife any suggestions on how to secure one?

thanks,
Griz

[or6]

The most important rule when kiting alone is to not go out further than you can swim.

Regards, or6

[Toby]

And nothing side or complete offshore.

[knotwindy]

And as your other thread says you “still suck”
Maybe make sure you Will/Living Trust is current!

[matth]

I only kite alone in onshore walk out conditions...and these spots are active with walkers and on lookers if I get into a bad situation...Also I would not kite alone if it was nuking and I could not land and take off safely..
Ezzycut by Trilobite is the best line cutter on the market IMO, and you can order them with a holster that works perfect with harness webbing....I have one on each side..look on amazon..

[jjm]

It really depends on the spot.

What harness do you use? Mystic has a knife/pouch that you thread the webbing straps through.

https://live2kite.com/products/mystic-safety-knife

[jumptheshark]

Everything is situational dependant.

Rules of thumb:

Side/Onshore only

Reasonable wind levels that you are more than competent in

Don't go any farther than you can swim comfortably

Know the area and its hazards

Apart from that it really depends. Temp and time of year play a role in the decision making as does how remote the location is.

I don't carry any kind of beacon or even a phone, but I make calculated choices that have calculated risks.

Scored a few remote(ish) wave days in pretty cold conditions this fall but they were in onshore beach break conditions. Conditions were well within my level. Fantastic sessions, but not suitable to everyone.

[jumptheshark]

Everything is situational dependant.

Rules of thumb:

Side/Onshore only

Reasonable wind levels that you are more than competent in

Don't go any farther than you can swim comfortably

Know the area and its hazards

Apart from that it really depends. Temp and time of year play a role in the decision making as does how remote the location is.

I don't carry any kind of beacon or even a phone, but I make calculated choices that have calculated risks.

Scored a few remote(ish) wave days in pretty cold conditions this fall but they were in onshore beach break conditions. Conditions were well within my level. Fantastic sessions, but not suitable to everyone.

[Foil]

Those who kite alone,
What precautions do you take?
If there any specific gear you recommend? (Epirb, water proof cell phone, flares ???) How do you carry it?
Griz

definitely get these, I did have the 10 flare pack, but after 5 rescues over the last 40 years, (only one for me) i only needed 3 flares for each call out, they sound like a 12 bore being fired off, and the red flare goes up 150ft and can be seen for 5 miles in daylight, 10 miles at night.
I only carry the mini 3 pack now, resistant to seawater but need replacing every 3-4 years, good fun letting them off on bonfire night to dispose of them after the use by date
https://www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/ ... e-delivery
3 shot above
9 shot below
https://www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/ ... e-delivery

[plummet]

I'll add this.

Use good gear. Not worn kites or lines or harness.

Kite within your limits.

Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

Kite as close to shore as practical.

With all that said, I break my own rules and kite with old gear, go further out than I can swim, go out in silly conditions and take risks. It's foolish and I shouldn't. But I do.
I also need an epirb or similar for those extended out to sea hydrofoil adventure sessions