I went out for a session yesterday on the S2 15 with around a 15 mph wind. About 30 minutes into it I was turning, lost my edge and crashed, and the kite overflew me a pretty good bit. I kept my fingers crossed, but to no avail the kite bow tied on it's way down. If I'd have been closer to shore I probably would have just swam it in but six or seven hundred yards of water lay between me and the beach so I figured I might as well try to fix it.

I always carry a length of rope with me so I used it to tie the board to the back of my harness. I decided to stay hooked in and started to wrap the back lines a couple of times around the bar. From there I wrapped all the lines until I got to the kite. It took a while to do it because there was still a lot of wind in the kite and I had to muscle the lines around the bar the whole way to the kite. Once at the kite I wrapped the lines around one side of the bar a few times and tied one half hitch to keep it all together.

Then i swam around the kite trying to keep out of the bridles and I sorted out the bow tie. After swimming back around the kite and making sure no lines were tangled around me I untied the half hitch, swam away from the kite and payed out the lines.

By the time I was ready to launch about fifteen minutes had gone by and the kite had a fair amount of water in it. It was all on the left side of the kite so for the first couple minutes it kept wanting to stand up on the wing tip and fall over. Finally the water seemed to distribute itself evenly in the kite. After another couple minutes or so of patience and perseverance the kite had finally drained enough water to take flight...Free at last.

A couple of observations...

...I've always worn a life vest when I kite board. This incident just reinforced for me why I need to. Between muscling the lines to wrap them up and playing tug of war with the front lines to get it launched while it had water in it I was pretty spent by the time the kite was airborne. I just don't see how I could have done it If I would have had to swim to stay afloat.

...I'll probably stay closer to shore now. I'm positive I could have swam everything in if I had to but it would have really sucked.

...that was the first time I've really been put to the test. After everything was resolved it was really comforting to know that I was able to manage.

Thanks for sharing, clintopher. Very useful info. Glad everything worked out well. - Brian

yes water in the kite will kill a launch attempt, quick on it, or water is coming. in my mind it is a matter of seconds, get oriented, work the lines, be ready to fly, and success has always been when i've keep the board on(tide thing).

i was 100% on the vest until august. still i will add it if it is extreme high winds or i intend on making over 2mile rides out. 15mph and under i tend to stay pretty close no more than 500yds esp. if the consistency is an issue.

the fact you swam to the kite and reset is tremendous. the tides here will swallow you. they can move at 5-6mph and in a 20min reset in 3-4 swells you are a mile away from where you dumped.

float plan is mandatory every time you go.

amazing reset. i 've practiced just past the break but open sea would be daunting. thank fully it is rare. bowtie and without a coat.... i would go straight to rescue float with the rig. i'e worked out a bowtie but the float landed me about the time the kite went back up with a bucket of water. then the rig takes a 5 min pee.

Whow clintopher...pretty impressive...glad it all worked out. Fortunately, I've never had a bowtie or a crash at sea but it's always in the back of my mind...Nice to know that after 15mins a 'launch' is still possible.

Was that your first 'rescue' attempt? Sounds like you handled it like a pro!

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Originally posted by lunchbox Was that your first 'rescue' attempt? Sounds like you handled it like a pro!

It was my second. First time my chicken loop came undone (I didn't have it together correctly) and the kite went to FLS. I was able to get the CL back together but the bridles were tangled around the kite and I couldn't launch. I was able to keep the Leading edge up though and I just used it as a sail to let the side on winds take me to shore.

Again always stay within an easy swimming distance to shore. 500 yards is a long way dragging a kite. Bring along a large mesh bag to stuff the kite into if it really takes on to much water or you break a line. The mesh bag makes it relatively painless to swim a tangled up kite in.

I'm glad it all worked out for you. Sounds hairy. I've never gone down more than a 3 minute swim to shore. With all the sharks around here it is weird being in the water out beyond the breakers.

Scott

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Originally posted by speleopower Bring along a large mesh bag to stuff the kite into if it really takes on to much water or you break a line. The mesh bag makes it relatively painless to swim a tangled up kite in. Scott

Where do you put it when you're riding?

the mesh bag is a really good idea

I think I'll make one with a waist strap or a tiny bag to attach to the harness.

I had 2 times a bow tie. once in shallow water so was easy.

Once in deeper water but was able to still fly the kite and come back fast into shallow part

for me the bow ties happen in very light wind after a lull

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Originally posted by speleopower With all the sharks around here it is weird being in the water out beyond the breakers. Scott

ALL the Sharks! You frequently see sharks? Attacks? Fishermen catching them? How do you know they are there? Do they ever go up to St. Augustine? hehe.

I wear a mesh backpack and put a large mesh sack in the back pack, along with flip flops, and maybe a teeshirt and hat in a plastic bag for when I do a long down winder. In the picture you can sort of see the backpack.

I do see sharks on occasion. I have seen people catch them and I have had a really big hammer head follow me for about 20 yards.

Yes, there are plenty of sharks at St. Augustine.

Scott

sounds pretty hairy but a great recovery. My big problem is I dont fear water at all although I do respect it. Think Ill start wearing my impact/flotation vest all the time, not just when Im the only one out. Problem with sharks in Florida/SE are the bull sharks. The most aggressive men in grey suits out there. I have to say though I feel more at risk driving to the beach via I-26 than in the water.

You can easily see my back pack in this picture.

Get a large mesh bag and sew some shoulder straps onto it and wear it as a back pack. I've never had a problem kitesurfing with a pack. I actually like to have it on because it acts as a small sea anchor when I'm in the water. I don't get pulled down wind quite as fast this allows me to get reorganized to get back on the board easier.

Yeah, the bulls are crazy. Their testoterone levels are out of this world.

There aren't to many man eaters out there. I'm more worried about what I like to call finger sharks. They are large enough to take a finger or hand before realizing what they did. Small bullsharks are in the finger shark category as well. There are many many many of them out there.