How to Launch and Land Your Kite on the Beach

Three words: Use an assistant! There are times when a self-launch is necessary or even preferred, but the easiest and safest way to launch your kite is to have someone assist you!

After rigging your lines, hook up your loop and kite leash and walk to the edge of the window. Stand facing your kite with your lines at a 90 degree angle to the wind direction. 

Have your assistant roll the kite away from you up onto the wing by gripping the kite on the leading edge (the part you pumped up).  At this point, do a thorough line check, making sure that your lines are clear of knots, tangles or seaweed, and then slowly walk backwards to add tension to the lines.

Then walk slowly upwind until the kite "fills up", and now you are ready to give the "thumbs up" for the assistant to let go of the kite while you direct the kite slowly  up to 12 neutral. 

NOTE: If you are too far upwind when you launch, you could get dragged across the beach, causing injury to you or your kite (or both). If you are too far downwind, your kite could fall backwards into the wind, sending the kite into the power zone, where you could get dragged across the beach, causing injury to you or your kite (or both).

Please respect the launch area. We've seen kites land in trees, hit people and cars, and cause riders to face plant on the sand. Let's make sure that person isn't you!

Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding