Traveling with a kite anchor (metal)

[dfackler4]

HI all,

I'm planning on heading down to Puerto Rico for 4-5 days in mid February to hopefully get several sessions in. I recently purchased an ION TEC 165cm Gearbag to bring all my gear. I am headed down solo and would like to bring a kite anchor I picked up recently (love it for solo launching). Seems like so long as I wrap it well in towel(s) it would be protected from damaging my other gear and it only weights ~3 pounds or so, so not all that bad in terms of weight (I only plan on bringing a TT lightwind board and two kites). Does anyone have any experience traveling with a metal kite anchor? The one I'm referencing is linked below.

http://www.kiteanchor.com/

Thanks in advance,

[grigorib]

Don’t bring it at all. Learn to self-launch/land on land and water. Friends of mine insist on anchor-launch and landing and for one they’re hogging a beach for too long with that thing and second - I’m not sure they can launch/land without it.

[edt]

A sack weighs a lot less and is just as good just fill it with sand. 3 pounds is a lot of weight for something you won't even use if it turns out there are people there to launch you. The fact that if the kite loops the bag will drift down wind is also safer than a stake in the ground which builds up tension on a kiteloop until it snaps or releases and becomes a missile

[dice]

The fact that if the kite loops

Why would this happen? Did this ever happen?

[Herman]

No doubt they have their use, but a bag is a lot friendlier. As above and they are also a trip hazard and kite damager if unlucky. Not sure they would be well received on anything but fairly deserted beaches. But note that I have no idea about your planned trip location…..

[Herman]

There used to be a video of a tether landing to a banister/veranda where an inebriated young lady picked up the bar as the rider was walking to the kite, the kite looped ripping the woodwork and her down the beach. I found the vid hilarious but it seems to have been removed or I just can’t find it on YouTube. Of course I hope the young lady was not injured.

Tethered kites can tumble backwards into the power zone due to a lull or big shift, if this is followed by a gust……. It is not a problem in clean wind but nature is a funny old thing.

[Toby]

I prefer an anchor over anything else self launching.
Don't want my kite to break, can't buy it anymore.

I wish the kite anchor would be available in Brazil.

Anyone can bring one?

[Herman]

Just to clarify, the risk of kite damage I am talking about refers to other people not seeing the T bar and catching it while doing a self land or launch.

I tether launch a lot and think it is the safest method in many scenarios. But being mostly on sand I prefer to carry a bag and short wide plastic shovel. Takes no more than a minute to fill.

[edt]

The fact that if the kite loops

Why would this happen? Did this ever happen?

Sure it happens. A looping kite can pull a 2 ton Ford explorer right into the ocean snap a stop sign clean off or explode two picnic tables (at least that's what I've seen so far). It's pretty rare so I'm not saying stop using the ground stakes. All I'm saying is that you are not less safe by using a sand bag so if you are traveling I would probably pack a bag instead. Weighs a lot less.

Kites are much much safer now. 10 years ago most kites were prone to wing tip death loops because of the long bridles. Today a bridle death loop is rare.

[thewindego]

Na.