RRC1962 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 08, 2022 12:17 am
Rigged my 17 Contra
Wind picks up to 20-ish and I find myself overpowered
This is the first time I've ever used the QR while riding
My plan was to steer the kite up, bar out and edge upwind, but when I did that, the kite lifted me out of the water so I punched out.
Just wasn't able to edge hard enough with all the lift from the kite riding high in the window.
Right there you said it
Steering the kite up was the first no no
You steer kite downward to prevent possible lifting
The kite lifted you because you kept holding on to the bar....so second no no ...at the first moment of about to lift...you let go completely the bar
We are not sure if you had your depower system pulled in all the way...which would have helped
It is pretty difficult ...to be lifted if the kite is only being pulled by the front lines...bar is let go & steering lines adjusted for maximum slack
Punching out like you say could have been avoided in this case
If the wind was that strong possibly 25 mph ++ trying to edge hard is a bad solution especially with kite high in window
Better to slow your ass down in the water with board in front of you
Bring the kite all the way down to the water on its wingtip
Keep one hand extended holding upper bar and one hand grasping the QR ready just in case
Let the high wind do it's thing because it might pass
Now before the wind picked to to 20-ish did you see/ ear signs that a thunderstorm/ squall was approaching from anywhere ?
In summer a sudden wind increase can happen when weather change is on the way
Often there is not much time to pack up and take cover
Keep having fun
Keep safe
Keep all beachgoers safe too