VIDEO: Jon Modica Demonstrates A Novel Solo Landing Technique For SB III Kites

No worries. I am going to stick with what works for me. You guys can stick with what works for you.

I am actually surprised Rick would recommend this method... seems unlike his usual concerns for safety.

This is an ok method to get the kite down, up until the point that the bar is on the ground, and you are holding onto one front line with BOTH hands.

A relaunch at that point (in REAL 25) could be very very nasty (even worse y if the rider is standing on top of or in front of the bar which is now laying on the ground with lines drapped over it) or the lines tangle around his fingers or leg when it the kite goes through the power zone.

Instant power, zero kite control, and possibly a hot launch. It's going to pull the lines through your fingers (cutting them or worse if the lines tangle around your fingers) and then the kite is going to power up and boom you are lofted with bar and lines in an unknown state.

So yes it works in a pinch, but no way in hell I would do it in 25 (after trying it many times in 15mph).

Just spend the 10 bucks and put a ring on the front line. It's only 10 bucks and it's worked for the past 5 years on every brand of kite.

[Gator Gris]

That looks very cool. I have a SBIII. So all you do is grab the chicken loop and pull in from the center to dramatically depower the kite. I could not tell how he airmed the "landed" kite into the wind on the ground so he could get to the kite without it relaunching.

Thanks so much.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by Gator Gris

That looks very cool. I have a SBIII. So all you do is grab the chicken loop and pull in from the center to dramatically depower the kite. I could not tell how he airmed the "landed" kite into the wind on the ground so he could get to the kite without it relaunching.

Thanks so much.

He goes over that in the video, pay particular attention to "grabbing the top line" part. I would watch it a few more times if necessary to bring his process into clear focus. It goes without saying (again) to practice this in light winds with a large clear downwind buffer. Also, I would say this is a more advanced technique and would not suggest that newer kiters try it until they have spent quite a bit of time launching, landing, riding, etc..

[neoniphon]

G'day Jon,

thanks for the video. I've been riding SB2's and now SB3's for the last 2 years, 99% of the time launching and landing solo using a sandbag to clip my C-loop to. Nice to have another option if I'm landing away from the bag, without having to resort to the rear line flagging ring, a spinning kite and a mess of lines.

One question: I noticed you didn't have your over-ride stopper disengaged in the video. Is that by intention?

For other SB riders following this thread - the other option we use here in Oz, is to bring the kite down onto a wingtip on the sand (over-ride disengaged), let go the bar, and then walk into the wind a little. The kite leans to windward and presses into the sand, flexing a little, but stays put. At that point if you reach up and pull hard on the top centre line, it falls LE down and safe.

Basically this is Jon's method but putting the kite on the sand first.

Good to see all the feedback and replies, this is what these forums are really valuable for, especially for riders like me that live in remote areas.

Andy

[jon modica]

Oh. sorry i should have said something about that.
My bar is modified so i can do some certain tricks on my surfboard.

Though my override system is permanently engaged it is higher up than normal. This way i have 70-80% depower. If i need more i reach above my bar.

GOOD QUESTION!
feel free to ask if you have any more!
-Jon

[miguelss]

Just saw Jon's video this past Friday so I decided to try it on my SB3 in Port Bolivar, TX and it worked great for landing and launching on 16-17 knot winds.

However, it tried the same technique (pulling the front lines) on my Cabrinha Contra 3 (17m) and I could not stop it from bouncing once it touched ground, not to mention the tension is stronger. Launching of the Contra did work for me though, it's the landing part that bugs me.

Before I saw the video, I could simply let the Contra drop gently along the edge of the window landing nice and easy hitting the ground nose first landing in safe position only requiring a small pull of the trailing line on my side to ensure it faced its nose to the wind and not relaunch. This was mostly done on 13-14 knot winds. So I'm trying to figure out a "hybrid" of the two methods that will work for me. I'm gonna try it again now that I'm back in Dallas tomorrow see how it goes. :smile:

Anyone tried landing a 17 Contra on 17 knot winds?

Thanks a bunch!