Keep your kite safe in waves
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 11:43
I was wondering what the pro's recommend in case of a kite crash in waves. Kite down, waves are breaking and now what..... Don't want the power of the waves rip my kite... What are you guy's doing to keep the kite out of danger? Can, should a kite withstand a wave wash while I am still hooked in and get dragged by the kite? What is recommended when you see that a wave is about to hit your kite?
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:02
#1
I fully disconnect everything
I fully disconnect everything the waves will keep your kite from relaunching itself usually. Then swim in and get it. This is where the true meaning of rats nest will come in effect. But the kite is usually unharmed depending on the size of the waves and type of shore you are dealing with.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:11
#3
So the real messages of the
So the real messages of the story is, do not crash your kite in the waves. just dont do it.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:21
#4
I kind of got that drift,
I kind of got that drift, keep it up in the air by any means. I was just wondering what if a wave is about to hit your kite. I assume the force of the wave could rip the kite in pieces or rip the lines off the LE or whatever other nasty thing.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 15:40
#5
+1 on fully disconnecting,
+1 on fully disconnecting, conditions allowing.
I got worked hard once in cold water at Nahant because my kite was in a wave everytime I was not in a wave of my own. I was either being pounded or dragged at mach speed.
None of this would have happened had I blown the loop and leash as soon as it was clear that there was no relaunch in the making.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:20
#6
Down kite in waves
IF the kite is tangled and you cannot relaunch and assuming that has failed certainly holding the kite flagged will keep the other lines which could be tight from slicing the kite.
Separate I also caution that if you get dragged into your kite and lines you are at serious risk flagged or not. Getting tangled in lines with waves is certainly dangerous.
I believe a few times I felt more comfortable with my kite pulling me as I know the lines are out stretched and not around me. But flagging is fine just be ready to release. Its really experience that is your friend in waves.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:30
#7
I was really asking myself,
I was really asking myself, how much pull/abuse can the kite and lines take when dragged by a wave with me still hooked in but bar let go. Unhooking or flagging rapes me of any chance to get going again (doooh). Under certain situations this might result in serious swimming and risking the kite going by by once if flops around the beach.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:36
#8
In a perfect world don't
In a perfect world don't crash your kite in the waves but it will happen from time to time. I have had a 3 ft. wave punch out my kite its usually a cheap repair but if you want no damage I disconnect everything including the leash. If you keep the leash connected to you, the rest of the lines will usually get wrapped around the leash line which then keeps tension in the kite and the next wave will punch it out. Now if there is a beach full of people use common sense and you will probably have to have the kite repaired. But I have always found full disconnect is best. I have used this technique in overhead waves with pounding florida shore break.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 12:51
#9
Did the kite stay at the
Did the kite stay at the beach? I would assume the water will keep the kite down, right? I'd hate to see the kite fly off into the street or peoples yard etc...this would mean for sure even more damage to kite and possibly cause accidents.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 13:12
#10
Yeah kite will stay in the
Yeah kite will stay in the water just, make sure the shallow water is not full of people. usually if kiters are near by on shore some one will grab it.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 20:51
#11
As far as abuse the kite will
As far as abuse the kite will take, I had a situation last year where I dropped the kite in some big ones and decided to keep line tension, bad move. After 3 or 4 waves and getting dragged hard, two lines parted and eventually the other two went as well. Not good. When I got in, however, the kite was fine to my amazement. In inspecting the parts in the flying lines, I noticed they all let go at about 15ft from the attachment point to the bridals, and they almost looked like the melted apart.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 20:55
#12
I'm just starting to get into
I'm just starting to get into waves too, trying to figure it out. I crashed and dropped my kite at Mayflower 1 month ago, on a 7M day, and suddenly my kite was flying away from me. Man I was surprised! It's a helpless feeling watching your kite drift away.
The 2 outside bridle lines had snapped, and the 2 inside lines on my bar had snapped. I think a wave hit the kite while I was underwater for a second so I didn't see it. Maybe 1 line was weak and snapped when a wave hit and then the others went. Someone rescued it for me but not before it hit the dunes- over 40 holes were patched by Rodrigo. Everyone said I should have completely released it the minute I crashed to save my lines. I guess it still would have hit the dunes though.
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 20:56
#13
Call Rodrigo!
When you have your kite destoyed by pounding surf just call Rodrigo and he will fix it. Works for me every time!
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 11:15
#14
kite crash in waves
This video from a heavy swell on the outer cape this fall says it all:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=560564898&v=app_2392950137
click the ocean madness one
Not flagged to one line! complete release. flagging to one line can be really nasty in big surf...your kite still can get chewed up and you have slack lines to get tangled in..probably better just to get dragged on non-released kite than to flag if it is big. in smaller waves flagging is ok
of course the one day last winter when I did a total (unintentional) release at horseneck someone stole my kite beofre I could swim in!..so there are isssues with that appraoch
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 11:43
#15
Peter someone stole your kite
Peter someone stole your kite right in front of you???
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 12:47
#16
How the heck did your kite
How the heck did your kite get stolen?
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 13:10
#17
Well it washed in about 500
Well it washed in about 500 yards down the beach from me and by the time I swam in and walked down there it was gone. I saw it about 1/2 that distance from me when we both entered the surf-zone (broke lines outside) and I never saw it again. This was at horseneck on a warm winter day last February or march and it washed up near the pavillion where there were some people hanging around. I came in about 1/2 half way from bridge st to the pavilion. I searched for hours. I doubt it sank and wind was side-onshore with med to big surf so can only assume some one took it when it washed in. it was my favorite 7.5 kahoona too.. i was really bummed
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 11:38
#18
More importantly, besides
More importantly, besides fearing your kite getting destroyed, if you are attached to it and a wave hits it, it will pull you under water for quite some time whether you are attached to one line or all of them.
In a perfect world, don't crash your kite. If you're not sure what to do in those conditions then don't be out 
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 14:31
#19
Would we all agree that you
Would we all agree that you would 1st assure that you cannot relaunch (kite get wet and tumble and can still get launched). Then you pull your release leaving your leash so that your other three lines are slack and not going to slice kite. Then keeping a hand on the last leash release for safety you work toward shore/self rescue ect.
I just want a synopsis for those that have not had enough wave experience to get the gist. I feel its all experience and case by case. Those that cant shouldn't ride big surf. I feel with enough riding one does not need wave skills just some developed judgment.
Skyrocket said once too when way overpowered kite always low to release and with hand on leash get ready to eject. I think this might be similar.
Everything? Unhook bar as well and let go? Or did you mean just release safety?
__________________
Dani