How I Self Launch My Kite

[@BenBeholzShorts]

What‘s your favourite way to self launch and in what conditions are you doing it ?

[@jeroenblonk]

I do a technique pretty simular to yours but I walk to the side and not upwind so the kite is on the edge of the window and then I pull on the lines so the kite rotates on its edge. The only downside to that technique is that it can make the kite drag on the floor abit.

[@vprwave]

Wish you a good recovery! I can see how your experience enables you to do it relatively safe, but definitely not a power/russian launch onshore for me. If I can't drift start, I use a technique from another yt channel (years ago, I think it was Flukes kite boarding, not sure right now): I got a beach umbrella stand. It's basically a portable sand screw to hold an umbrella. I use it as a fix point to attach the chicken loop on the leash with laid out lines, then adjust kite position/leave some sand on the upwind tip, run to the bar (in luv/upwind side, not to get caught in moving lines), walk a little into the wind, pull to get rid of the sand and launch it regularly.

[@kitepirinha4152]

Im using my kitebag as an anchor and fill it with sand or stones depending on the spot. In any conditions unless its too gusty

[@cpmneuriedscooterbros4165]

immer nur mit hilfe. ist mir zu gefährlich

[@bondvillansarebest]

I prefer the technique that Jake Kelsick demonstrates here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWa7p4mjm5ajl9U Requires practice but can be done so that the kite pretty much flips over reducing wear on the kite. Is easier to control the power too.

[@N3oW4r]

Safer way: instead of launching the kite in the power zone in reverse, walk 90° so your kite is now on the edge of the wind window, you can launch without it going in the power zone that way. Also, don't hook in before being there, just take your chicken loop in hand in case anything wrong happens, you'll just have to open your hand to release safety system. With this method, you don't need to be an experienced kiter to self launch in security. (But your method is fun and safe in light winds)

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

You are right, this is also safer… The reason why I don‘t do it so much anymore is because the kite really slides over one wingtip and not only the fronttube. In my opinion the chance is very high to cut the kite… What I like about my „dangerous“ way is that there is contact to the ground with the fronttube only…. All Best 😊🤘

[@saschahallo9507]

Verwende oft eine 2 safty Leash oder Seil, knüpf die Bar an und lasse den Kite am Windfensterrand parken. Anschließend laufe ich zu Bar und Starte und lande super sicher. ✌

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Ja das stimmt, das ist sehr sicher…

[@d.f.471]

Ich fand super. Kurz zusammengefasst, anders als sonst aber auch super.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

vielen dank !

[@svennorthwest6233]

Very cool, Ben! Better to explain this skill than having people try to figure it out from just watching it. When I saw everyone self landing on Maui a few years back, I naturally wanted to learn this cool skill. A fellow kitesurfer explained it and it was really comfortable to get a good tutorial. As you mention this technique is only good for light wind. I tried it so far only on the water where i can let the kite drag me to shed the power when it is shooting up. It may be added: 1) do not sheet in the bar when the kite flies upwards through the power zone. This sounds like a stupid beginner mistake but I would say it can happen instinctively to anyone after turning the kite and having already pulled in one side of the bar. 2) depending on the specific kite and wind conditions, it can be sensible to pull the adjuster and depower a bit

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Very valuable feedback, I hope those who need it will read it 😊 You‘re absolutely right !

[@HardwaterKiter]

Well done. Self-launching is risky but the risk can be managed. Your description of hot launching is quite good and the key to doing it safely is, as you said, to move forward with the kite when passing through the power zone. People get hurt when they try to hold thier ground and fight the power of the kite. YOu will never win that fight. I would point out further that the power of the kite is heavily influenced by wingspeed. The faster the kite is moving the more power it generates. The great thing about hot launches is that when the kite is leaving the ground, it's moving slowly. Yes, it's in the middle of the power zone but not generating a lot of power compared to riding in the power zone. Of course, as the kite climbs it increases speed. But as the speed increases, it is also getting closer to the edge of the window. So it bleeds of power. As long as you move with the kite and have the bar sheeted out, there is no reason for an issue to arise and hot launches can be done relatively safely. On snow in our local tight areas with highly shifty winds, hot launches are the most common and safest way to launch. Edge window launches only work if the window is in a steady direction or if there is room. The only times I've seen anyone have an issue hot launching is because they rigged too big for the wind/surface or launched sheeted in and then tried to fight the kite.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

great tips 😊🙌

[@gilleslehmann6143]

The flue was the reason ! I was waiting for it on Monday. Good recovery

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Haha 😆 yess 🙈

[@dimitrimendrinos2049]

Hi Ben. Great video. Can you do one on self landing? I find from time to time I'm alone on the beach and need to self land. thanks for all the good content. D

[@andymoss4285]

I just put a hole in my leading edge self landing on something sharp which I couldn’t see. My advice, avoid at all costs. Shells broken glass, random bits of drift wood, all could be expensive. Grrrrrrrrr

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Oh yes, I know this… Also when you always last coming off the water and everone left already 🙈 I‘ll think about it, thanks !

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Sh**t that sucks… Stuff like this happens absolutely more likely with this kind of starts and landings…

[@vinny61389]

The reverse launch, nice. Never tried it on land but makes a lot of sense for lighter winds. My favorite way is using an anchor. I’ll run my lines at least twice just to make sure everything is straight. It works well in slightly stronger conditions too. Overall though, I try to avoid self launching as much as possible. The only times I’ve had to do it was when there was only one other person at the beach.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

The anchor might be the safest selflaunching technique. The only downside, you need an anchor 😛🙌🙌

[@vinny61389]

@@BenBeholzVlogs The one flaw in a nearly perfect plan...

[@cyberanswer]

I'm going to try your technique in light wind. That looks fun

[@josephk.1842]

I pretty much always self lunch. you are right, it is a sensitive subject. There have been a couple kiters who insisted on giving me a launch, because they thought self launching was super dangerous. It has worked consistently for me.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Hahaha 😂 dude I know this too good 👍

[@wernerxldata]

What about drift launching, seems ok in any condition

[@AungAa08]

Where was this filmed,what is the kitespot called? Looks amazing

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

That‘s lake como

[@cyberanswer]

I check my lines from behind the kite by holding them tight but don't connect. Walk up to the kite, place bar on the ground so to not impede the lines when I move the kite. Take board off, rotate the kite a bit. You can now either hook into the harness or just connect to the safety. Without touching the lines, simply walk to the side and upwind and back against the kite enough to pull it to make the kite tip but immediately pull full depower (assuming not light wind) and run back downwind to the side so that the side of the canopy is not touching/dragging. It lifts up effortlessly. If the inflated part of the kite has dragged across the ground, you didn't go upwind enough for the wind conditions. If the canopy has dragged, you didn't run downwind enough after the kite tipped. If you got pulled you didn't depower. I've done it this way for around 10 years. Always check lines are not wrapped around the floats, the main rope is not wrapped around the bar and your harness hook is free of lines. If the kite starts spinning, you need to pull the float furthest away. This will stall the kite and you can then fix the line which is wrapped. Don't pull the safety without checking your harness hook is free of lines. Or if you want to save your kite, don't automatically pull the safety without assessing the issue or the problem may now be worse i.e. the bar and problem may now be 6m away.

[@danilosantininiedziejko4426]

Hey ben! I m thinking about starting to ride boots for freestyle! But was wondering what size to take. You boots are the same sizes as your shoes or do you prefer specific sizes (bigger or smaller) than your actual shoe size? Love your content cheers from Brazil 🇧🇷🤙🏼

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Hey Danilo, usually boots are the same size than your shoes. I prefer to ride them tight… Can you get s pair of obrien gts ultralight in Brazil ? If yes, go for these 😊🤘

[@danilosantininiedziejko4426]

@@BenBeholzVlogs got it! Thanks broo🤙🏼🤙🏼 wil search for those!

[@danieltschmitt]

Why do you do it in the power zone instead of at the edge of the wind window?

[@kst157]

Excellent video, sincerely appreciated, thank you! 🪂👍

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Happy to read 😊🙌

[@nicolasboudet9302]

I often use the self launching technique on the side of the wind window, but sometime the winds drops just when my kite is turning on its winds tips! So the kite rolls on the ground to the power zone! 🥺 I never thought to take this opportunity to launch if wind picks up, and I was always a little scary to do anything. But I can see that I may try your technique without big fear! Thank you! 😎 I guess that if it rolled on the trailing edge, I would have to pull gently the front lines (light wind only)😇 and follow the kite powering up as you advised !

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Yes, you still can launch it than. As long as you follow the pull 😊🙌

[@kitepirinha4152]

Bitte achtet darauf dass sich keine Gegenstände wie Zb Bäume in ca 25m Richtung downwind befinden... 2:30 ich zeig euch das Mal direkt vor einem Baum 😁 danke! Hab das bisher nur bei Leichtwind vom Wasser aus gemacht. Probiere ich auch mal am Land aus

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

2:30 täuscht sag ich dir 😋🙈

[@art3mis86]

I would have love to know how to launch my kite myseld as i was in one location in vacation with my parent and i couldn’t kite cause my parents didn’t know how to launch a kite they and it was to dangerous so i had to called it off the wind was quite strong to so not the best conditions. This would have helped me alot.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Good to know for your next trip there 😊🙌

[@windsurfsongkhla]

perfect style thanks

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

I‘m happy you like it 🤘

[@gokucorrecaminos3711]

Cool tip, I want to try It , see on monday !! 😀🤚

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

You are ready for this for sure 😊🤘

[@berni2kite]

supa Vielleicht machst mal ein video über einen beach jump Start...den du so lässig machst

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Hey Bernhard, coole idee… Aber das gibts schon 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6jdZGlnmM-jlcU

[@giorgio4660]

Hi ben, tried this self launch and relaunch, worked fine but everytime i drop one of the two back lines the kite closes in on itself, falls 2/3 meters and then starts flying normally again... why?

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

That can be normal depending on the kite type. After the backside launch, the kite needs to reposition itself as the wind window also changes slightly, and the kite can now fly "properly" in the correct direction.

[@berndbraun80]

Good Video, I mostly Start in the Power zone, but with my softkite. Therefore landing is not so easy alone... I wish you a speedy recovery.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Sure, softkite lovers are doing it blind 🙈

[@FrenchUsaEUC]

Hi Ben, it is Claude. Great video for launching kite. On high wind if I am alone, i use very strong anchor goes 2 feet in. Very rare this happens, since I pretty much never kite by myself. But i always setup one in case everyone is still kitting. See you soon in Sardinia 😀

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Hey Claude, now I know your channel aswell 😊🤘 The anchor is for sure the safest way. The only downside: You need an anchor 😂😋 See you !

[@hansvandertoorn6930]

Howe far behind the kite were the trees when you launched the kite? ;-)

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

That was about 30m I‘d say… I know it doesen’t look like 😋

[@hansvandertoorn6930]

@@BenBeholzVlogs I belief you.....👍

[@paultempels1207]

Thank You 🙏👍. Not there yet 🙈

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

😛🙌

[@dominikkarl9500]

Klappt die Technik bei dir auch beim XR im Wasser? Bei wenig Wind klebt der förmlich auf dem Wasser hab ich das Gefühl…

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Bei wenig wind is es wichtig dass du bodenkontakt hast, sonst driftest du zu stark mit…

[@ravagniol]

Bellissimo video molto deragliato.Comunque preferisco ganniate la bara su un palo o da qualche parte. Mi da una sensazione di sicurezza in più. Sicuramente lo proverò

[@DA531]

Is more dangerous with the kite at middle of power zone. I do self launch but with the kite at 9H|3H

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Your way is safer yes, but with your technique the whole winhtip slides over the land (not just the fronttube). I cuttet my kite already too often like this 🙈

[@jannekotikangas156]

Nice video, but I have to raise consern on this video and remind everyone beginning of kitesurfing/-boarding adventure to remember that you really need to know what you are doing to do these things. Also when doing drift launch I would strongly advice to put water on top of kite as I have had case when kite launched up before lines were fully extended.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Thank you for this feedback 😊🙌

[@Andreas_K_]

I usually use a self launch anchor and set the kite up on its edge. I like your method though. Keeps the kite from dragging around too much.

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

I think the anchor-method is the safest one… 😊🤘

[@deeearnshaw9551]

Thanks again Ben- love your content Really like the simple tip about walking in towards the kite, rather than resisting it - so obvious as soon as you said it. 1. Would also like to see more advice on version without reverse launch (don’t always have the space for that) and with cramped launch spots on gusty inland lakes I sometimes find myself tumbling the kite across the power zone if I am too far across the wind 2. Would also like to see more advice on self landing (controlled crash)

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Thank you for the detailed feedback 😊🤘

[@swampymaan]

oha... nice gemacht

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Danke dir 😊🙌 Kein Ryhme oder Zitat dieses mal 🤔 ?

[@swampymaan]

@@BenBeholzVlogs war mit dem Rad unterwegs... daher keine Zeit für "Weise Sprüche"

[@nielsmermans8887]

hi ben use a ground drill to laugh my self and its very easy gr niels

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Is it some kind of anchor you use ?

[@nielsmermans8887]

no only the drill

[@felixl.4389]

I will learn :-)

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

You need the drift launch 🚀

[@TomKitesurf-Passion]

You can not do something like that! It´s to Unsafe, it can go so many wrong! STOP just joking. As you told in the beginning of your video sometimes you have to self launch and also sometimes ITS SAFER TO SELF LAUNCH! (happend to me to often that somebody wants to help but just let the kite fall down or hold the kite wrong) Overall i prefer the drift launch more and more, sometimes i even go swim away from the beach, so the wind is more constant and much more safer on busy area´s (of course it takes more preparation and time). Best is to have a kite buddy with you and if something go´s wrong you can blame him. (last time after 12 years of kiting i lost 1 of my steering lines...shame on me...my buddy safed me. Thankyou to @BenRoe ;) btw. )

[@BenBeholzVlogs]

Hahaha 😂 blaming others is always best 😂🙈