Kite
Surfing Instructions (for kite with inflatable bladder tubes)
Taking Out Kite
1.
Line up rolled kite perpendicular to wind and unroll one half downwind and
other half upwind, the put sand on upwind wing tip only. This prevents kite
from blowing away. Pump up the smaller strut tubes.
2. Swivel kite 90 degrees with leading edge to wind (kite will be laying crosswind) and remove and sand that was on windward wingtip.
3.
Pump up leading edge tube with your back to the wind.
4.
Pick up kite upside down while holding bar in the kite, flip over kite, face
leading edge to wind and stabilize kite by placing some sand on left and right
of center of kite near leading edges (killing the kite).
5.
Walk control bar under kite and all lines (this includes passing bar under the
V lines).
6.
Unroll lines from control bar walking downwind. Make sure connectors (winders)
are facing left. Inspect that all lines are clear and trailing edge lines are
clear from bar to kite when unrolled.
1.
Swivel lines to be 90 degrees to wind. (if low wind, lines can be placed
slightly downwind).
2.
If someone is aiding launch, they should:
a. Grab leading edge of kite, and
shake off any sand on kite.
b. Place kite 90 degrees to wind,
with the inside of kite facing the wind and the leading edge facing into the
wind.
c. Let go with a verbal command
or thumbs up signal by kite flyer.
3.
If self launched with sand:
a. Hold only one line at control bar
and drop control bar.
b. Walk down from control bar using
only this one line to kite
(with other lines down wind).
c. Grab leading edge of kite
d. Place kite 90 degrees to wind, with
the inside of kite facing the wind and the leading edge facing into the wind.
e. Fold over end of lower wingtip.
f. Put sand on fold to stabilize and
hold down the kite, and
g. Walk back to control bar and launch.
Launching Kite
1.
Verify that kite is in launch position with kite at right angles to wind (or
slightly downwind in low wind conditions).
2.
Hold control bar with red end on left.
3.
Put on safety strap on left wrist.
4.
Hook into harness with quick release shackle if you have one.
5.
If 4 line kite, push out from chest control bar.
6.
Launch pulling equally for 2 seconds to gain speed.
7.
After 2 seconds, pull on upper wing tip to start slowly raising kite upward (this
may include figure 8 loops ).
8.
Continue slow ascent until at 12 o'clock or desired position.
9.
If low wind, continue small figure 8 loops from 11 to 1 o'clock.
Flying Kite
1.
If 4 line kite, pull into chest control bar somewhat to ovoid
overflying.
2.
Keep kite in Power Window, which is within 45 degrees of downwind.
3.
If low wind, execute small figure 8 loops from 11 to 1 o'clock.
4.
If kite stalls(falls backward) while at 12 oclock push on control bar until kite starts
flying upward, then pull in control bar halfway to steer to desired position.
(This can happen in winds less than 10 knots.)
5.
If kite flies over your head (luffing) pull in on control bar to back kite up a
few feet to prevent kite falling from sky. Do not put kite at 12 o'clock. Keep
the kite at 11 or 1 o'clock, so there is less chance of kite falling in low
wind. (Kite can fall easily usually in winds less than 10 knots.)
Landing Kite
1.
Signal to a fellow kiter as an Assistant to catch your kite. (Landing Signal,
is tapping your head with palm of your hand) then Pull power bar into chest and
lower kite slowly.
2.
Do lowering movement at small increments from 12 o'clock toward edge of
power
window until kite is caught by assistant. Make sure you are not lowering kite
into any obstacles (know your distances to landing spot).
3.
Finally drop kite to ground just outside of window at 90 degrees to
wind.
Assistant will catch and kill kite.
4.
Place your lines where they will not interfere with beach traffic.
To Start KiteSurfing (Water Launch)
1.
Hold onto control bar using only one hand (opposite hand of sailing direction).
2.
Use other hand to:
a. Direct board at right angles to wind
b. Hold & Pull on the front foot
strap on the downwind side of kite board,
c. Slide in feet into foot straps.
d. Put other hand back to control bar.
3.
Initiate Power Dive:
a. If sailing right,
Put kite to 11 o'clock slowly and then
Do a power dive to 2 o'clock and stand up bending back
When more power is needed, continue kite sin waves within power wedge to
right of 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock
b. If sailing left,
Put kite to 1 o'clock and then
Do a power dive to 10 o'clock and stand up bending back
When more power is needed, continue kite sin waves within power wedge to
left of 12 o'clock to 10 o'clock.
(When
kite is flying upward during sine wave, kite will rise faster and pull more if
control bar is pushed out for a few seconds.)
Falling Off Board
1.
If falling backward, continue control of kite with control bar horizontal in
front of chest. Keep kite still until ready to start power dive again.
2.
If falling forward:
a. Immediately pull both
feet back to get out of both footstraps before falling forward.
b. hold breadth and keep bar
horizontal in front of chest
c. put head out of water and keep
kite in air at 2 o'clock if going right or 10 o'clock if going left..
d. Start body dragging (with one
extended hand) 40 feet each direction crosswind, until board is intercepted and
retrieved.
Body
Dragging in Water to Stay Upwind (So that if board is upwind, it can be caught)
1.
Hold onto control bar using only one hand (opposite hand of sailing direction).
2.
Put other hand straight out into water to steer slightly upwind. Push with the
palm of your hand to create resistance on water to help you body drag
crosswind..
3.
Continue kite sin waves within window in direction of movement if wind is less
than 10 knots.
4.
In wind more than 10 knots, hold kite still at 2 o'clock while body dragging
right or still at 10 o'clock while body dragging left.
Water Self Rescue (if kite not launchable)
1.
Release and drop control bar. Take off leash, fasten kite leash to board foot
strap if board is in hand. Swim to kite, pulling that one line that was
attached to kite leash,
2.
Move down line to kite, with other lines keeping downwind to avoid entanglement
on you body.
3.
Grab leading edge of kite and flip kite over.
4.
Put leading edge tube of kite between legs.
5.
Grab other end of kite and move backwards down leading edge of kite to
other
end of kite.
6.
Hold with both hands the ends of kite, and form kite leading edge tube
into
a loop.
7.
Flip into air the top of loop.
8.
Sail looped kite downwind or crosswind to shore.
Safety
1.
Make sure that no one and no obstacle is within extent of double of kite
flying
radius.
2.
As a beginner, only fly kite when wind is perpendicular to shore.
3.
Only launch and land kite perpendicular to wind, with assistance whenever
possible.
3.
Use a quick-release mechanism to disengage control bar from chest
harness.
4.
Never grab two kite lines at same time even when kite is not in air.
5.
Keep upwind of kite lines if possible to avoid entanglement.
6.
Have a knife to cut lines if needed.
7.
Avoid using a board leash even with a very weak breakable line.