This tutorial looks at the basic techniques used for relaunching a kite.
A very common way for the kite to sit on the water is on its corner,
or wing tip, like this.
Firstly, push the bar out, and check that your lines are in order.
This quick visual check should be done prior to any launch.
To relaunch you only need to apply light tension to the upper steering line.
Once the kite is climbing, ease off on the steering tension,
to bring the kite up as slowly as possible.
It’s important to not pull hard on this steering line.
Pull just enough, so that the middle strut starts to aim upwards.
Then be patient and the kite will start to climb.
A common mistake is to collapse the kite like this.
This happens, usually in light wind, if you pull a bit too hard
on the upper steering line.
In strong wind, pulling too hard on the steering line will give an aggressive
or dangerous launch.
Another common mistake is to keep steering upwards after the kite is climbing.
Once the kite is rising, tension on the upper steering line, will only make
the kite climb quickly.
Let’s look at another relaunch scenario.
This time the kite has landed with the leading edge down.
Start by letting go of the bar and checking that the lines are not tangled.
Next, we want to rotate the kite onto its wingtip.
We do this by applying firm tension to one steering line only.
Keep pulling until the kite rotates.
But, when kite is almost on its corner, you MUST stop pulling this hard.
Once the kite is on it’s wingtip, use light tension as shown previously.
When the leading edge is down, you can launch from either side.
The red steering line will bring the kite to the right.
The blue steering line will bring the kite to the left.
In this next example, the kite has landed with the leading edge pointing up, and the
trailing stuck in the water.
This usually happens in light wind as a result of back stalling the kite.
Many people think that pulling in the bar will help the kite to fly.
The opposite is true.
Pushing out the bar, allows the leading edge to fly forwards.
If the kite remains stuck, you can also reach beyond the bar and pull the center lines.
In strong wind, be wary of launching the kite while it’s downwind of you.
In strong wind, be patient and allow the kite to drift
towards the edge of the window before launching.
Relaunching can be difficult in light wind.
In light winds, you may need to attempt relaunch with the kite further downwind
to improve your chances.
Please note these demonstrations are filmed on the beach for clarity.
During lessons, for safety, you will be in deeper water with your instructor.
In part 2 we will cover advanced relaunch techniques for experienced kiters.
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