How To do a Drift Launch | Kiteboarding

A step by step run-through on how to water drift launch a kite. This is an important technique in kitesurfing for self-launching your kite when nobody is around and/ or limited space at land does not allow for an assisted launch. Special care needs to be taken regarding not tangling the lines during setup or walking out in the water as there's no final look at the lines as it is the case with an assisted launch. A line tangle would only be realized right at the time of the kite powering up, with potentially dangerous consequences.
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POV video, filmed in HD with a YI4k

[@alpinedrift]

One of the cleanest videos on drift launching

[@UTubeGangstaMan]

Nice vid! Look forward to give it a try..

[@zikosurf1]

UTubeGangstaMan please don’t

[@cian4380]

@@zikosurf1 you're actually stupid

[@spy702007]

Thank you

[@marcinsz7042]

good job

[@playfuladventurer]

Great explanation man! Were you the kiteboarder who helped me today in Vaudreuil when I was struggling with my tangled lines? If so, thanks a lot for saving my session ;)

[@SurfStories]

Haha, awesome. Yes, that was me :) Shoot me a note next time you head out, real_stefpro on IG

[@robwilkinson8497]

hmm, not quite convinced. The lines can still loop through each other if slack. Seen a similar idea where a plastic bottle is used, the leash/flag line is pulled through a few mtrs, the idea being that the kite can drift away and you let the lines off the bottle (line and bar set is all setup of course before stowing lines on the bottle) the pulled leash/flag line ensures the kite cant power up as it drifts.

[@leon8144]

Great video! What wind speed was it?

[@SurfStories]

Leon Matrix Froblom that was on a light wind day. Maybe 12-13 kts and the kite is 18m. The technique works in any wind speed, but better to splash some water on the kite before letting it drift off to keep the leading edge down when it's fairly windy. Waves and chop could be just enough to lift it and have it flip over.

[@dpwild328]

Nice video. Looks like a tough launch spot. How do you come in if you're by yourself, do a self rescue?

[@SurfStories]

I sometimes self land it behind trees where there is no wind. That's risky so best to just flag it still in the water and wrap up the lines, yes. I have a video around that. It's important to secure the flagging line as a first step.

[@dpwild328]

@@SurfStories thanks, I'll check it out

[@KhunWigo]

Hi. A very fine Video. I tried it and it works !!! What kind of Bar is it ?

[@SurfStories]

Khun Wigo good to hear, thx! The bar is a Switch Controller 2

[@411toaster]

@@SurfStories Does this work with the Switch nitros for you? My Nitro 6 always has a line at the kite tangle and loop once then its untangled. Only does this when drift launching like this video.

[@SurfStories]

@@411toaster I dont own a Switch Nitro, although sometimes one bridle/ center line can get stuck at the trailing edge corner temporarily on most other kites. If so it does go into a loop at the time of the launch but the line mostly comes unstuck when the pull kicks in. Just make sure you got enough room downwind and prepare yourself for a good yank when it launches. If it doesnt come free, pull hard on that center line so it comes unstuck from that corner.

[@411toaster]

@@SurfStories Thanks for that! Ill give it a go... I've always let one staring line run through my fingers as it drifts out too to keep the kite sideways, which works well for all my other kites. I'll try and not do this with the nitro and instead dunk one side in water to keep it from rotating too much during the drift.

[@Peachypupp]

I've tried this several times but my lines always seem to get tangled... any tips ?

[@SurfStories]

I walk backwards as I unwrap the lines from the bar so they lay out all the way in a line vs on top of each other.

[@starrynightsoft]

Technician!

[@Angela-un2tx]

Go team Switch 💪😎 lol

[@fabienh3943]

Nice...but very dependent on not tangling lines, which seems far from guaranteed here A trick worth knowing still.

[@leblanc666666]

water here is too choppy for that here, can't drift launch, simply buries the kite in water while im waiting.

[@zikosurf1]

Make sure you call the ambulance before you try this . It’s so unsafe. Keep in mind on the video the wind is really light and with strong wind is going to act completely different 🙏

[@SurfStories]

No, it acts the same, but, yes, any self-launching technique comes on someone's own risk. I recommend ppl though to shove some water on the canopy so the leading edge sits better on the water and the wind can't get under it when there is choppy waters. It's always safer to have someone else to assist with a launch, so be careful out there.

[@Lucky-uk1bv]

If you don't know what you are doing then yes it would be unsafe...

[@etflyfish454]

Its easy to say if you live in a place with a huge beach and alot of room. Here in Minnesota most spots you have to do this.

[@zikosurf1]

@@etflyfish454 i don't understand your responce

[@guillaumefo]

isn't it dangerous to let the kite go like this ? 3:15

[@luiz576]

It would be a lot safer don t wrap the lines or unwrap then at the edge of water, before walking into the launch spot.

[@jameskewley9440]

Why would you need to do that? Why not on the beach/land? With respect. JK

[@SurfStories]

This can be used for example when not enough space is available to safely launch from the shore (area w trees, bushes, etc), or when you launch all by yourself.

[@TiagoRuivo]

once on the water just release the kite into the wind and it will pull the lines for you. One less extra step...

[@bartolomeonew]

The approach in the video is safer. The thing is, when you just release the kite, you have to be quick with unfolding the lines from the bar. The quicker, the stronger the wind. When you're too slow or something got tangled - you may end up with uneven tension on the lines and weird things may happen.

[@guillaumefo]

@@bartolomeonew i think he was being ironic, it would rip you of your bones as soon as the lines get in tension :')