Self-rescue

[scottearnest]

I recently read Renee Hanks's article in SBC Kiteboard and found it very good:

http://www.sbckiteboard.com/tricktip...41&uniqid=1067

However I was curious about the statement that bow (flat) kites were not covered in the article. I first learned on a C and was taught self-rescue on them. Later when I purchased a flat kite, I never considered what the differences might be for self-rescue. Any insight on this issue would be much appreciated.

Also I have been wondering about assisted rescue. If someone else is in trouble on the water and you are riding, what should you do depending on the circumstances? Go to the rider or the kite? Something else? I'm sure that the actions would greatly depend on the various situations that would arise.

Thanks in advance for any comments people may have.

[kite-4-life]

Self rescue is something rarely practiced and often left out of the lesson plan by many instructors. Light wind days are good to practice this before your life depends on it.
The proper technique for a Bow/SLE : instead of grabbing the upper wingtip, you hold the bridle where your front line attaches, and on lower end at wingtip/1st strut area.(lay your board here on 1st strut) Ultra light wind requires "flying" the kite by repeatedly pulling on the top bridle to create "apparent wind", and lower hand positioning may need to be adjusted to maximize efficiency.

Another technique for no wind/OFFSHORE wind:
Flip kite so wingtips are in the air and lay on the center strut with leading edge on your waist and upper body overhanging LE. From this position it is relatively easy to "swim" back to your board and then to shore safely.

Recover a runaway kite:
Do NOT attemt this unless you are an ADVANCED kiter. A kite is never worth an injury, period. If recovery is an option the kite must be approached from upwind, flipped over and carried back to shore. (This is VERY dangerous) A much better option is to pull the deflate valve and roll it up or drag it back to shore.

ALWAYS USE A KITE LEASH
ALWAYS CARRY A KNIFE
HELMETS AND FLOTATION CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
KITE SAFE AND SOUND, AND I'LL SEE YOU AROUND!!!
Steve Sadler (813)389-3683
IKO Level 2 Instructor
www.freakdogkites.com

[scottearnest]

Thanks for the info Steve!

I did find this article - not sure why I was not able to locate it on the forum before I made my post:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4564

Also here are a couple of other links I found on the subject:
http://kitesurfingschool.org/safety....e%20Techniques
http://www.kiteboardingmag.com/article.jsp?id=49804

Happy and safe kiting for all in the New Year!

[jim]

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