Water Re-launch

Note: it isn’t possible to go over all of the positions the kite can land in and over all the possibilities of re-launching.  Certainly, there are positions that a kite can land in where you won’t be able to re-launch it; in those cases, prevention is the only cure.  Water re-launching has elements of skill and luck.  We will go over the skill part, the luck part will be your responsibility.

Bow Kite or SLE Kite Relaunch

For Bow kites, or SLE kites when they are in the leading edge down position.  If the kite isn't in this position, then the kite will not relaunch using these steps.  Refer to another section depending on the kite's position, or do the best you can to get the kite into one of the positions listed.  If you can't get the kite into one of the positions listed, then you won't be able to relaunch the kite, and you should begin a self rescue.

Step One:

Classic Relaunch™ Or C-Kite Relaunch

For C Kites, Bow Kites, or SLE kites when they are in the leading edge down position.  This type of relaunch will work for any type of kite that you inflate with a pump and is meant for the water.  This type of relaunch will also work if you are in snow that is two or more feet deep.

If the kite isn't in this position, then the kite will not relaunch using these steps.  Refer to another section depending on the kite's position, or do the best you can to get the kite into one of the positions listed.  If you can't get the kite into one of the positions listed, then you won't be able to relaunch the kite, and you should begin a self rescue

Step One:
Wait for the kite to move directly downwind of you, or move yourself, so you are directly upwind of the the kite.
Step Two:
Pull in on the chicken loop line quickly. . .
Step Three:
Immediately, run straight at the kite until the center strut is parallel with the water.
Step Four:
Pull on the side of the bar opposite of where the kite is in the wind window.  If it's on the left side of the window, pull on the right side of the bar.  If it's on the right, pull on the left.  If it's in a U shape straight downwind, then it doesn't matter what side you choose, but choose only one side to pull on.
Step: Five
Wait for the kite to get to the edge of the window and steer it smoothly into the air.

During this step, if the leading edge starts pointing down toward the water, immediately run toward the kite, otherwise the leading edge will be pointed straight down again, and you will have to start the steps all over with step one.  During this step, if the leading edge starts pointing straight up and the kite is starting to lie with it's trailing edge in the water, immediately reverse the steering on the bar(meaning, if you were pulling left, pull right; if you were pulling right, pull left) and at the same time push the bar away from you to depower the kite a little.  Otherwise, refer to "Hot Launch."
 

Classic Relaunch™ Tips:

Experiment relaunching with a smaller kite, in shallow water, near shore.

Notice everything that happens to the kite.

When trying new steps, wait for a response from the kite.

Don't fall into intuitive bad habits.  For example, don't try to pull on the bar with both hands above your head, while walking away from the kite, trying to tug the kite into the air somehow.

React quickly and with big movements, until you are sure that subtle movements are having an effect on the kite, and that they are proper in that moment. 

The kite responds differently on the water than in the air.

Hot Launch

For C Kites, Bow Kites, SLE kites, or any type of kite when they are in the trailing edge down position, ie. . .when the kite is sitting with its trailing edge in the water or on the ground.

If the kite isn't in this position, then the kite will not relaunch using these steps.  Refer to another section depending on the kite's position, or do the best you can to get the kite into one of the positions listed.  If you can't get the kite into one of the positions listed, then you won't be able to relaunch the kite, and you should begin a self rescue.

Step One:
Pull the bar all the way toward your body, so the kite is fully powered up.  If your lines are tuned properly, this will keep the kite in its trailing edge down position on the water.

If the whole kite canopy is touching the water except for the leading edge, then you'll need to push the bar away until only the trailing edge of the kite is touching the water, then immediately pull the bar back in.

Step Two:
Get the kite so the leading edge is pointing straight up to 12 o'clock.  Look at the kite to see which way the leading edge is pointed.  If it's pointing left, steer the kite to the right.  If it's pointing right, steer the kite to the left.

Step Three:
When the leading edge is pointing straight up, push the bar away from you until the kite launches.

Step Four:
Steer the kite straight up to 12 o'clock.

Keep the bar pushed a good distance away from you, so that you don't get blasted as the kite flys throught the power, but make sure that it's pulled in enough that you have some steering control.  If the kite drifts to the right as it's launching, steer the kite to the left.  If the kite drifts to the left as it's launching, steer the kite to the right.

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