Self launching your kite is a great skill to learn. Not only to get you on the water kitesurfing in the first place, but to allow you to relaunch if you have to come in for any unexpected reason like untangling your lines etc.

So let's get straight into it and go through the steps to self launching your kite

How to launch your kite by yourself

To launch your kite by yourself as described in the video above, it's best to have a clear flat open area like a sandy beach, snow, or open grassy field.

5 main points of self launch

1. Surroundings

2. Correctly setup kite

3. Bar and lines position

4. Kite positioning

5. The launch

When you nail these 5 things, it works really well

First step

1. Kite area Surroundings

Ensure the area around you is clear. The kite can move in with this launching method

Next, check there in nothing to damage your kite on the ground, that the

Lines are free to move (no snags) and there are no sharp objects that could damage your kite.

2. Correct kite setup.

Have your kite facing into the wind

Your bar and lines directly up wind. (Or downwind if that is what you are used to but make sure they are right)

Triple check they are correct,as there is no room for error here. We don't have the luxury of visually checking our gear as someone helps hold it, so you must make sure that your kite, bar and lines are all in good working order, connected and configured correctly.

3. Bar and lines position

Move your bar and lines across the wind window. As you would with a person helping you launch,

A guide to the angle.

Directly perpendicular to the wound, the kite will not have power. This means that you (your bar) need to be slightly upwind of the kite.

The further upwind you go, the "hotter" meaning if you are 2 far upwind, the kite can suddenly power up significantly! In some conditions easily enough to pull you off your feet.

If you are too far downwind, the kite will slide, backwards until it gains enough power to launch. This is the safer of the 2 options, however the downside is that once it starts sliding, it can increase ware on your kite and someones, and with momentum slide too far back (meaning its going to launch with a lot more power anyway)

The perfect position for your bar is slightly upwind exactly how you would orientate yourself when you are launching with a partner. It may take a couple of times to work out what is exactly optimum for you and your kite, but when you do, the kite will stand up and launch just as in the video.

The further across , the less dramatic but the more movement

4. Kite position

The First Move of the kite, forward over the lines and ensure they are behind the kite and you won't have a line caught over the top of the canopy.

Twist 90 degrees until you see pressure on the wing tip

Twisting to far will see the wingtip catch wind, but just perfect is when the wing tip has pressure but not quite "lifted"

5. The launch

Attach to the bar

Red on the left (important important to take note of the way you pick up the bar, as again, you don't get a second chance to view your line.

Safety is connected

Chicken loop is connected

Walk directly backwards

Steer the kite up (as you would with water relaunch)

Prepare yourself for a pull (low and braced body position in case there is more power in the wind than you thought)

It's not uncommon to slide a little when the kite launches.

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Flukes Kitesurfing

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