Flag or/and Release Your Kite in Squal

When in doubt and the wind picks up you might think you need to get back in. But you may not need to risk walking around or coming onto the beach when you are beyond means. For me I will put my leash on a flag line. I normally ride suicide to unhook. So I would detach my kite with donkey firmly in place. If the kite goes it goes. I put my leash quickly back on my flag line which on my Wainman is a either front line which is my "oh shit line" each kite designates one or two/either. I figure this for anyone needing this lesson should be there on that OS line ahead of the game.

Then I can still try to kite but best when "something not right" just to keep your hand on the release and do so. The kite will down on a line and your in a self-rescue. Wrap your bar in fig 8's and TIE OFF dont use use the quick ties. Tie by knotting bar ends directly. Keep lines down wind and use kite as sail ect. (for those newer so you can read on that stuff.) But through this process and once you opt to release you won't be yarded, pulled, or in jeopardy. The bad thing would be trying beyond your skill level to come into the beach. Its safe when you were surrounded by water, act quick so you might close the beach distance before you rescue . Once down and on one line you have many opportunities to release that kite. Even in a death spiral on one line this is not going to take flight and pull you. This only happens when more than one line are held. So be sure to that one line, the flag line" is shortened by may feet so only one line is under tension. Meaning wrap the flag line around the bar many times first to assure its always shortest. Once to your kite, you and your kite are safe. The you will like the wind to pull you back to the beach.

Of course you should have seen the squall line.

Really though these beach accident are the problem. You don't have to fly your kite in the idea is to have it ready to flag and be quick to do it. You flag your kite when you are beyond you means. If anything goes wrong release. Then you can untangle later and save your kite and you. But this only you will know when your beyond comfort and the point is you dont have to "get back" to the beach. You need to get back in control. Use your options.

I am open to any other methods and let me know if I am wrong so the best method can be determined. Just wanted to get this out there. People should not be getting hurt in squalls. I am more worried about a bad trick or not paying attention on beach. Then falling hard and not being able to release. A Squall... You have an option so lets make sure we avoid this threat with judgement.

Skyrocket your text made me realize we needed this:

Can people please put the kite over the water and pull their F*&%ing quick release and watch what happens. I think in lighter winds we are all doing each other a diservice landing each other. People need to really start learning how to flag their kite!

I worked on this down at Hatteras, it's an integral skill to learn how to pull your QR. There may be a day when a squall is coming and there will be no one there to land you. Learn to trust your gear. My two cents, all these injuries are making me sad. -Skyrocket..... ...skyrocket