Disclaimer
Power kiting is a dangerous sport. Please double check the wind speed and the manufacturers guidelines on the kite you bought before attempting to fly your kite.
Please ensure you have read and understood the section on launching and landing with a helper before even thinking about attempting this.
Launching & Landing the Kite...ALONE
Another more important DISCLAIMER
Self launching is the area where I have seen the most accidents in kitesurfing. Before you attempt this make sure you have flown the kite a number of times in a variety of different wind speeds so you know what to expect when launching your kite. I would recommend only self launching when you absolutely have to and when you are experienced enough to know what to do when (if) it goes wrong. In light winds you're going to be launching the kite straight through the power zone and so need an idea of how much its going to kick as if it kicks too much you'll end up dragging, most probably face first through the mud.
Self Launching
If anything goes wrong in this whole procedure simply let go of the handles/bar and start again. Give yourself a lot of room downwind, at least 75 - 100m and ensure that this area is free of obstacles and things that the human face is allergic to impact with...as if this goes wrong thats where you're going...fast!
Light wind Self Launch
To pull off an effective self launch you will need some loose sand, 4 or 5 smooth rocks, or some small sandbags. With these in hand, do the following:
- Choose the spot you are going to launch from.
- Unpack your kite and lay it on the ground so the underside of the kite faces upwards with the trailing edge into the wind.
- Place your rocks, sand, or sandbags on the trailing edge of the kite to hold it down. Observe it to make sure it’s secure.
- Is your kite secure? If it is, lay out your lines so you are in the proper location for the launch.
- Attach your safety leash.
- Gently pull on the handles or control bar. The front lines of the kite should begin to pull the leading edge off the ground and into the wind. The kite should begin to fill with wind and get its shape.
- Once the kite has filled with wind, give a firm pull on the handles or control bar to lift it off the ground and into the air. The weights you used slide off the trailing edge and let your kite go free.
- Navigate the kite to the edge of the wind window. You’re ready to rock!
High Wind Self Launch
- Choose the spot you are going to launch from.
- Unpack your kite and lay it on the ground so the underside of the kite faces upwards with the trailing edge into the wind. Note we are going to lay the lines out perpendicular to the wind (not in line with the wind as in the Light wind launch).
- Place your rocks, sand, or sandbags on the wing tip closest to where you will be attaching the bar to the kite to hold it down. Observe it to make sure it’s secure.
- Now lay out the lines across the wind so when you come to launch your kite its at the edge of the window.
- Attach your safety leash.
- Gently steer the kite either left or right, depending on which side of the window you are, the kite should fill with wind and sit up on its side.
- Once filled with air give the uppermost line a gently tug to release the kite from the weights and get the kite up into the air and to the edge of the window.
Self Landing
Self Landing is actually super easy. Just do exactly the same as you would if landing to a partner but actually bring the kite onto the ground, it is important at this point to try to ensure that the kite is as dead as possible. Once there either run like the hounds of hell are snapping at your heels and recover your kite or (if your more prepared) weight the bars down with a carefully prepared weight and then take a leisurely stroll to your kite...your choice.