Self Landing

[dt73775]

Hi All,
I've been practicing some self landing moves (Light wind only) and looking at some videos on youtube on how to do this. Do I have it right as
1. Around 5 to 10 feet from the sand - start sending the kite down a little faster than normal
2. when the kite hits the sand , pull the front lines hard to pull the kite to point directly towards the wind
3. If kite doesn't fall and stay on the edge of the window, just walk up the front lines and then grab the leading edge

any help on whether this is right or wrong and what to look out for on self landings.........

[plummet]

use a teather if possible. hook to it. set the kite at the edge and saunter to the kite and land it. easy peasy.

similar to your discription.
park kite 2 foot above ground.
pull hard on front lines
as kite falls foward roll in severel meters of top line.
the kite should fall on its leading edge and be pointing into the wind.

ps always have the release ready just incae it doesn't work.

[tautologies]

Really depends on the kite

[WildDuke]

I do your technique but in the water. Less wear and tear on the kite. Nothing kills a leading edge faster than self landing on the beach!

[Fragger]

when in strong winds, land the kite a couple of inches above the beach then grab the lower powerline and pull the line in and release the bar. by doing so the kite will tumble upside down. so the inner side of the kite will be facing the sky. Now the kite cant go anyware and you can walk towards the kite while keeping tension on the powerline. works for me even in 40 knots.

[knot_moving]

Really depends on the kite

what he said ...

I use very different techniques on my Contra vs my bandits

nice feature of the bandit is that if I have to self land in strong winds I just hit the release & it floats upside down as I walk up the centerline

[Ned Divine]

Tethered landing, very easy and safe and polite to the leading edge.

[frankm1960]

If you have a 5line kite, sheet out all the way, unhook, kite stalls at first and falls back in the window bit, let go of the bar, kite fully depowers and rolls over and floats down and lands "gently" on it's back.. tether the 5th line to your board and fetch the kite. Make sure there's enough room straight down wind from you. If you're over powered, hit the QR and let go of the bar.... still a pretty gentle landing especially on grass or sand. Not a good technique to use on rocky beach.

[2tall]

I would encourage you to watch as many videos as you can. There are a ton of them showing every technique. You probably need to know them all depending upon your kite and the conditions for the day. Always be ready to release your kite and realize the consequences if you do that. First choice is always an assisted landing....sometimes that just won't happen if you are the only kiter. That is the case for me frequently.

1. Tethered is preferred for strong winds.
2. Make sure you are depowered before landing
3. I try to land my kite behind something so it won't power up
4. If the wind is light, I pull hard on the upper front line when the wingtip hits the ground. This will spin the leading edge into the wind.
5. If I don't have a tether, and the wind picks up, I grab the lower front line so the kite will sit on its back depowered. I then walk up that line holding it hand over hand until I can grab the leading edge.

Self landing/launching is not for beginners. Kites do weird things on the ground. Having your lines or kite hit a kid on the beach will not end well for anyone. If the wind is strong, your kite will probably not sit there quietly long enough to get a sand bag on it.

Be careful, watch videos, and be ready to release your kite.