Kiteboarding Magazine

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2007-02-12 08:44:30 | 2065 views | 3 Comments

It's one thing to get to your kite and secure it when the wind is light, but a self-rescue is a whole new ballgame when the wind is howling. Here are a few self-rescue techniques for conditions of 20-plus knots.

With a bridled kite (bow, SLE, hybrid)

Keep tension on just one line as you make your way to the kite.
As you start working your way up the line toward the kite, the kite may lift off the water and flail if you have tension on more than just one line. In an emergency, you can take the kite line that is depowering the kite down to your harness hook and wrap it around the hook of your spreader bar twice to take the pressure off your hands while you are studying the situation. You can keep it in this position and pull the kite toward you with one hand while keeping the other end of the line taut with the other hand. Often the kite will hit the water in such a way that it is not putting pressure on your hands. When this happens, take the line off the harness hook and quickly work your way to the kite.

Wrap up and secure the lines.
Once you are at the kite, lie across the leading edge, being careful not to get wrapped up in the bridles. At this point it's a good idea to pull the bar to you and wind it up. Wind the bar up until there are still 10 feet of flying lines left. This will keep the wingtips from pinching together and allow you to store the bar away to prevent the lines from wrapping around you as you self-rescue. If you feel lines touching your body, take the time to properly secure them. Don't stress out if the lines look like a bird's nest; you can sort that out at the beach. Once the lines are wrapped up and secured, tuck the bar where the leading edge meets the canopy at the center of kite so you only have to deal with the kite and board when self-rescuing.

Let the wind take you in.
Some people like to partially deflate the leading edge so it's easier to bring the wingtips together for self-rescue. Be sure you don't deflate the kite too much, and prevent any water from getting into the bladders. Once you have a hold of both wingtips and the kite is pointed toward shore, carefully lay the board across the struts with the fins facing up, then hold the board against the leading edge and you'll get blown back to shore.

With a five-line kite (C-shape)

Position the kite leading-edge down and facing you.
Once the kite is down on the water, getting to the kite for a self-rescue can be fairly simple if it stays on the water. You can get the kite into this position by pulling one of the outside lines and turning the kite until the leading edge is pointed toward you. This will prevent the kite from trying to relaunch.

Follow the fifth line up to the kite and secure it.
The fifth line offers the most depower of the five lines, so this is the line you want to deal with when working your way toward the kite. If the kite lifts off the water and has too much tension on the fifth line, you can use the double-wrap technique around the harness hook as described for a bridled kite to prevent your hands from getting line burns. Wait until the kite rests safely on the water and continue to work your way up the fifth line until you reach the kite.

Secure the bar.
Once you have reached the kite, use the same steps as for a bridled kite to secure the lines and continue with your self-rescue.

What to do with the board.
To get to the kite with the board, it is easiest either to leave the board on your feet or sit on the board surfboard-style, holding it with your knees while you pull the kite in.

Last resort.
Remember that safety should always come first. Dealing with bridle lines and flying lines that are under load can result in skin burns. Sometimes the best solution is to completely separate from the kite, but before doing so, make sure all your body parts are clear of the lines and the bar. Use the board as flotation while swimming in, and worry about retrieving the kite when you get to shore. It's better to make it in safely than to sacrifice your body for a kite that will eventually float to shore.