Self Launching a Bow kite

This video shows the self launch of a bow kite using the sand bag technique, although any fixed object can be used for this method.

This video is the low res copy. A high res 25MB copy is available.

I didn't invent this technique, I simply created a video to show methods on using the technique.

If you want a copy for your website, please link to this site or send me a message and I'll happily give you another link to download it.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Added (20/08/2008) - For those who are interested, someone is making an alternative for sandbags called a kitebuddy. I can't comment on how well it works but the link is http://www.thekitebuddy.com for anyone who is interested.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• kiteboarding
• kitesurfing
• kite
• self
• launch
• bow
• kitebuddy

[Windwalker57]

That's not going to work in HIGH wind though

[MissionNova]

@Windwalker57 Works fine in 25 knots with a 12m. It depends on how strong the anchor is. I use a wombat ground anchor which holds 500kg's of pull but the sand bag worked fine up to about 25 knots

[Kemmie1234]

hi im kem and im a pro wakeboarder. if i want to kiteboard what size kite should i get. im 10. thanks

[MissionNova]

@Kemmie1234 Depends on your weight and wind in your area. Have a chat to local kiters to check out what the conditions require.

[curlcurllocal]

how much do the bags weigh? same as you?

[MissionNova]

Probably not that heavy. I was using 2 sandbags, but could easily get away with one. Every kite is different with how much pull it offers at the edge of the window which also effects it.

I suggest you experiment by attach the bag but leaving your leash attached to yourself so if the bag is not heavy enough you still have the kite attached to you. Once you have a comfortable weight worked out, you can go from there.

[riprockvx9]

@br3npatterson These are great suggestions. Video says to try in low winds first as all kites will react/fly differently. I have seen the fence post method and I use the truck method all the time. No 2 kites are alike. So try it...a lot of people do daily. Wear a helmet if it feels dodgy as suggested

Your link is a great launch on soft grass. Video showed a rougher surface (shells) that could degrade the leading edge over time.

Both are great videos IMO :)

Pray for wind

[br3npatterson]

That looks pretty dodgy if im honest.... why not just do the same as...

youtube.com/watch?v=hY7Sykrxu8­E

[dlbcanuck]

At 1:48 it shows two carabiners clipped together, one through the sandbag loops and the other through the first carabiner. There is a danger of the gates cross-loading and breaking using this method, albeit slight. A better method would be to use a 30 or 60 cm climbing sling girth-hitched through the sandbag loops and then to clip your carabiner through that. Another idea might be to use a locking screw-gate carabiner to prevent accidental opening of the carabiner.

[314890]

webiao!

[drboose]

great advice, thanks!

[wildblue2]

My first day snowkiting I nearly got beaned by the leading edge of a kite flown by a guy who dove it from 12:00, through the window and into the ground in front of me. There as a crowd and i thought was in a safe zone. Wear your helmet at the launch , don't assume everyone knows what they're doing. You should exercise a healthy amount of caution whenever you're around homosapiens,period.