Foil Kite landing assistance

[abel]

I was hydrofoiling with my Foil Kite when the light wind got to strong so I went back to shore.
It was difficult to self land because the kite would roll over itself. Under normal light wind no issue for self landing.
I signed a friend for landing assistance, knowing him as long term skilled kiter whom I can trust.
He grabbed the kite and and kept grabbing it until it was squashed into a small mess in his hands
It took me about an hour to repair the tangles.
Me I should verify before hand that he knows how to land a foil kite, as he rides only LEIs.

Just telling...

[Carlos_C]

Its often easier with passers by - no preconceived notions of where to grab the kite

[Adventure Logs]

I ALWAYS ask if they know how to land a foil kite before hand. Learned this tip after I had one guy grab my foil in the middle of the wing and tried to flip it over like a LEI in high wind. Didn't go well.

[Trent hink]

I Always self-launch and land, except when the launch site is too crowded to do so.

Usually then, there is someone around who knows how to do it, but if not:

I remind my assistant that the correct method is to grab the wing tip, take a step upwind and then let the kite and bridles fall downwind of them when I slack the lines.

AND I bring the kite down only just enough that they have to reach up over their head to be able to grab the wing tip.

Then I yell "just hold on for a second!" as I run towards them to grab the kite.

... Sometimes it works....

Edit: There is only one spot I frequent where this is even an issue, and when I am at the beach I have no problem coming in a bit far from where I started if I am worried about finding a clear, safe spot to land.

[plummet]

+1 for above.

Never assume an lei flier has any idea how to assist a foil landing.

[rnelias]

+1 for above.

Never assume an lei flier has any idea how to assist a foil landing.

I think it's a kind of muscle memory for lei kite riders to grab the leading edge and try to flip the kite when they offer to assist on a kite foil lading.

I usually explain but it doesn't work... I've already had some folks tangled when the bridle dismantled over their heads

here on our local spot we don't have much room for errors. I usually self launch but always ask for help when landing...

[slide]

you need to keep a eye on the clouds and see what's coming

[edt]

easier to land a foil kite than a tube kite, just explain it no problem.

[André Mantovani]

[migel1976]