Kiteboarding Self-landing Pros & Cons 2015

 

Self-landing is the first procedure taught for kite recovery.

It is used on land and water.

Self landing is a way of “autonomous stopping”.

Kiteboarders must be able to fully Stop by themselves.

 

Responsibility of the kiteboarder:

It is the responsibility of the kiter to control their kites and to avoid accident and injury to the public. Releasing a kite creates a hazard to the public. Releasing the kite completely should be avoided in all but the most dire (emergency) situations.

 

Self landing Description:

Self landing is the technique of Climbing one line to recover the kite:

Another technique used is certain situations is “winding the bar and lines to recover the kite”. Self landing is a technique that should be taught by a trained and certified kiteboarding instructor. The complete technique must be mastered to avoid unnecessary accidents and injury. Self-landing can also be part of more complex techniques such as self-rescue, which includes kite “sailing”.

 

Inherent Risk of the activity:

Self landing (like all kite techniques), carries some inherent risk. This risk needs to be managed by understanding the risks, priorities and mastering the correct methods.

Proficiency is achieved by practicing this technique is a managed environment under the supervision of the instructor. Correction and feedback is given until his technique is correctly mastered.

This technique is best learned in light to medium winds, and should not be learned or practiced in strong winds or with large kites.

NOTE: This proper technique cannot be intuitively learned, it is considerably “counterintuitive” in nature (like many kiteboarding techniques). A poorly understood or executed technique can lead to unexpected problems and increases risks.

 

Reasons for self landing:

All kiters need the ability to stop the power of their kite.

Kiters need to recover the kite. This reduces risk of injury to the rider, and risk to other persons, property, and damage to the kite itself. There are two methods used to “recover the kite”, self landing, and winding the lines to recover the kite.

 

Alternatives:

Recovering the kite is better then abandoning, or releasing the kite.

Loose kites can cause an accident or injury. Alternatively,. The pilot can release the kites power by releasing the bar, activating the kite’s chicken loop (flagging systems only), and staying connected to the kite’s leash until reaching safety. Landing to an assistant:

Landing to an assistant is not always possible, so a method for autonomous landing is needed

 

 

PROS:

  • Getting to the kite before the kite hits and object or person
  • Getting to the kite before the kite gets damaged.
  • This is the fastest way to get to the kite.
  • Takes less time to accomplish than a “wind-up”.
  • Is better for immediate action when there is little time to act, like floating towards danger.
  • Takes less skill than any “wind up” method.
  • Can be done early in someone’s training.
  • Can be learned quickly.
  • Works universally for all kites
  • Can be done in stressful situations.

 

CONS:

  • Lines can get wrapped on rider.
  • Lines can slip through hands.
  • Rider can grab wrong line causing kite to power up.
  • If rider lets go of kite, rider can get stuck in lines with powered kite.
  • Lines can get caught on objects during kite sailing.

 

 

Wind-up kite recovery method pros and cons:

The wind-up method is taught for kite recovery when more time is available. For example; when recovering the lines and kite in preparation for re-boarding a boat.

 

Kite recovery by “winding the lines” Description:

Winding the lines for self rescue is the technique of depowering a kite, and recovering th e kite by winding the lines onto the bar.  Self rescue bar/line wrap is a technique that should only be taught by a trained and certified kiteboarding instructor. The complete technique must be mastered to avoid unnecessary accidents and injury.

 

PROS:

  • Getting to the kite before the kite hits and object or person
  • Getting to the kite before the kite gets damaged.
  • This is the tidiest way to get to the kite.
  • Is better for immediate action when there is little time to act, like floating towards danger.

 

CONS:

  • Lines can get wrapped on rider.
  • Lines can slip through hands.
  • This technique is difficult to master.
  • Takes More skill than any “climb-up” method.
  • Cannot be done early in someone’s training.
  • This takes more time to learn.
  • Is more difficult in stressful situations.
  • The same technique will not work on all kite systems .
  • Rider can grab the wrong line causing kite to power up.
  • If rider lets go of kite, rider can get stuck in lines with powered kite.
  • Takes more time to accomplish than a “self-landing (climb-up)”.
  • The lines can slip off the bar during the technique which can cause the kite to power up.
  • This technique must be done precisely to be effective.
  • There is little margin for error in this technique.

 

 

Do a “RA” before attempting these techniques:

Before either technique is taught or executed, a Risk Analysis (RA) must be done to weigh the risks, and to mitigate any dangers.

 

Training Environment and considerations:

Even teaching and learning these techniques contain real risk. The risk of performing and practicing these techniques should be managed to the safest level possible.

These techniques must first be mastered in non-emergency situations. These techniques are vital to the independence and safety of the participant and should be a priority part of every kiteboarding training program.

 

 

For more information contact

David Dorn

 

 

Bar-wrap- technique training