A word to the wise!

[Wolfie]

A little story about what happened to me today...so it doesn't happen to anyone else.

I was self launching my new Monkey Kite today, as I have launched it and other kites countless times. I use a spare leash attached to an anchor, which I attach to the chicken loop and flag out the bar. We are most all familiar with the technique. Well, as I was putting the kite at the edge of the window...either I was too deep in the window or a gust hit at the right time. I lost my grip in the leading edge as the kite had some power in it and it launched up and started flying. I've seen kites in this situation lunge forward and bounce to the ground, but this I have never seen before. I'm not sure if maybe the bar was caught on the stopper. But I really don't think it was. Anyways, as I watched the kite rise in a perfect and smooth arch, I ran for the bar. I was of course too slow. The kite went from one side of the window to the other...where it found a palm tree to saw through both lines on one side and let the kite flag out on the remaining lines. I must say all in all I am VERY lucky that all that happened is two cut lines. I still don't know exactly what led to this if it was just the perfect storm of my slippery hands and the right gust to turn the kite skyward.
I still think this is the best way to self launch/land, but be mindful when setting the kite on the edge of the window! Hope this helps!
By the way...I then used my sonic bar and launched fine. It was a kicking afternoon at picnic 13-15knts...Good times on these new kites!!!