How to Self Land in STRONG WIND ⚠️

The only 2 methods that I would consider safe when self-launching and self-landing your kite in strong wind!
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Self Land | Method 1 - Anchor
03:05 Self Land | Method 2 - Quick release

[@mljbz]

Hi Mike as they say opinion's are like assholes, every one has one, but when ever I self land tethered I always follow the top bridal line in my hand all the way to the kite so if the kite bounces then tension on the top bridal line is the same as tension on the bottom steering line and this sends the kite back down with very little pressure on the line, keep up the great content.

[@davidchitayat438]

This is what I do as well, however I suggest one possible change on the tethered version. I think hooking in the safety first before transferring to your harness is safer. that way if something goes wrong and you either let go of the kite or need to throw the safety you don't lose your kite. I think the same goes for landing, unhook the safety last. let me know if I am missing something. Love your videos by the way!

[@worldnomaderic]

Agreed, that way you end up with a flagged kite, just like in method #2. Imagine if you accidentally popped your chicken loop off when transferring in Mike's example?! Bye-bye kite! Always transfer the leash first!

[@carptackula7536]

100%

[@peterhicks9192]

anchor method .. i'd always attach the anchored leash before taking off the kite leash and i'd also attach the clip to the depower rope right above the chicken loop- not on the chicken loop (in case it releases) .. then when hooking out or in the chicken loop isn't actually under any tension . I have kited mostly solo for the best part of 20 years and so self launch/land every time ,up to and including 5m kites in 40 knots . My trusted self land is the fly the kite to the edge of the window and pull hard on the upper front ..kite will 99% of the time land LE upwind and safe... 5th line kites i fly to the edge of the window ..and "walk" up the fronts to the 5th split and then take the tension on the 5th line so pull the kite to me in the safe position. Whilst staying clipped into the bar

[@lifeisgoodoutdoors2680]

Anchor method: also run your hand along the bottom bridal line while walking/running to your kite to stabilize, especially in gusty wind/light wind. (Some people prefer the top bridal line). Anchor self-launching: Attach the safety leash first then the chicken loop. Great tips btw

[@maurococco6309]

Awesome video. I would only add to always have at least 1 leash connected to the kite. When connecting the anchor it's better to first connect the anchor leash and then disconnect yours. The same when launching, first connecting your leash and then releasing the anchor's one

[@drradicalcris]

If you use the anchor method. Make sure that you anchor it to a place where the rope/leash cannot move up. There is a chance that the kite flies a bit higher and it will pull the rope/leash with it up or even worse it will remove it completely from the object.

[@gethighwithmike]

Great point

[@keithm8419]

Yeah Mike... I have been using the anchor method for some time now. I have installed several 4x4 posts with loops of strong webbing... along the beach where I kite. Obviously if the anchor point is near waist level then it becomes easier to clip in and clip out. Which makes the landing and launching a lot more controlled... Keep On making these great Video's... Cheers, Mate💪👊

[@Salabunda]

On anchor method its also good to walk up 1 centre line hand over hand just in case gusty and wants to drift up or into power zone

[@user-gg8om2su5q]

Hi Mike, I enjoy learning from your video's. One thing I might add to the technique shown on the anchor method is (I self land/launch a lot where I live during off season) I like to stay upwind of the lines, bar etc just in case...

[@larsw.larsen4173]

Holding on to one or to of the centerlines, you can avoid that the kite rises above your reach😅

[@kitingholger9826]

I used method one in gusty conditions with my 10 and 7m a few times: for self landing I found it can easily result in the kite starting itself again. I like it for self launching, but I always put one or two hands of sand on the tip of the Kite that is on the ground, which stops it from doing crazy jumps in gusty wind. Method 2: with a new kite or even an old one, I would always do it on the water, and not on the beach. There are a few beaches only that can be considered clean enough from shells, wood, glass, stones. I made some beginner mistakes around that and it had to pay for patching the kite..

[@Roepstek]

Nice vid, sharing knowledge is good for the sport 🤘🏽

[@Sven-cf3ye]

Thx man

[@theweatherseed]

If you value your kite and your safety transfer the chicken loop first, remove the leash second. There is no reason to remove the leash before the transfer, this increases the risk of losing the kite.

[@gethighwithmike]

I actually disagree. Being connected to the kite while trying to remove your leash, while it is also connected to an anchor can put you in an extremely dangerous position. The kite can generate outrageous amounts of force when it is anchored. It produces much more lift due to the constant line tension. Look at a tow up, for example.

[@theweatherseed]

@@gethighwithmike That's right. Definitely more lift due to higher line tension. This is a strong reason to have a leash connected for flag-out ability during the time you transfer the chicken loop from your harness to the anchor, so that if anything goes wrong, the kite flags out instead of flying away downwind. When you transfer a kite to a student on a windy day, do you connect their leash before transferring the chicken loop?

[@Jakkillah]

The method 1 is ok, but your demonstration is not the best. the safest without any risk of losing the kite is (if you have a carabine) to clip it above the chicken loop while you are still hooked in and safety attached. After that you just let the anchor line take all the power and easily detach safety and chicken loop and walk up to the kite. I do it all the time even in nuking winds. holding on to a kite by the chicken loop with one hand thats not anchored and without safety leash attached is total bogus. It will fly away in a storm.

[@carptackula7536]

100%

[@GreggerKBR]

Your method has no safety release option. Once caribina connected above QR it's loaded unless you use a knife...

[@Jakkillah]

@@GreggerKBR yes, but then you are not connected to it, why would you want to let go of the kite? You actually want it to stay. Maybe in a situation when its thretening someone, but that far fetched, you should not try to land there if that might happen.

[@Watersportsaddiction]

Thanks for the explanation🙏

[@Jakkillah]

@@GreggerKBR I replied to you, but it was deleted… I can only say I disagree as you don’t want to release the kite once it’s safely anchored.

[@KITEFORUMcom]

Nice Mike, shared !

[@cyberanswer]

Using the quick release method I once had the kite flip to the other side of the window. It launched me backwards into the air and I hit my head on the hard sand. Fortunately a group of passes by were able to grab my kite. I've not used that method since. If not using an anchor or tree shadow or whipping the kite around into the wind; I run down the lines without releasing.

[@SrJFK]

Hi Mike, Great video as always. I've seen folks who move the kite forward in the wind window and then pull a quick lease. Is this just a case of many ways to do the same thing? Does it matter where the safety line is when you pull the quick release?

[@adrenalinehoarder6246]

One little thing I would add is not to walk or run downwind of the lines when approaching the kite. I see so many newbies going downwind of lines when landing a kite and it's super dangerous. Kite could do anything and you can get wrapped up in the lines with tension

[@Watersportsaddiction]

💯💯

[@Inspeed-WindDevices]

Nice! I just also saw a video on this that was terrible - cannot emphasize enough how important it is for the anchor to be HEAVY or SECURE! NOT a kite bag with some rocks in it. I tried some anchors that screw into the sand - BAD too! Ok for horizontal pull bit if the kite goes up, it will pull the anchor out! Thanks Mike!! Big Fan of yours!

[@gethighwithmike]

Thanks so much! Yeah my kite bag just gets dragged if the wind is strong 😂😂

[@fepotaco]

HI I am CORE team!!!from Brasil!!!Thanks

[@stefanlippeck6230]

Bit of an off topic question here: is the sensor 3 bar single line flag out, or dual line? I got a great set of kites, i love, but i don't really like the bar. However i do know that they don't really lose that much power when i QR them on a dual line flagout system.

[@wernerxldata]

Eyyy Mike, cool video as usual ❤ I was wondering, method two, if you have enough shallow water wouldn’t it be better to land the kite in the water just near the coastline ? Thought that would be safer in means of damaging the kite. What’s your thought about that ?

[@gethighwithmike]

Thanks Werner! Yes, good point!

[@worldnomaderic]

I love these techniques. I use both when needed! However, I usually will just walk to my kite (once touching the beach at the edge of the wind window) while holding just the middle two lines. I've done this in 20kn+, but using the quick release is definitely safer! I just hate the mess afterwards :)

[@passatonvoisin]

I've also been using the front lines technique for many years, no issues so far, even overpowered and gusty winds. Really useful in tight spots where you don't have the luxury of an anchor or there's not enough room to release the safety. I always wear gloves (sail gloves in summer) to make sure I can hold the lines in strong gusty winds. The goal is to transfer all the tension onto the front lines slowly, keeping the kite in control at all times, and in the same spot on the beach by adjusting your position around the kite as the equilibrium is changed. It's a bit like a clutch and gas pedals thing.

[@ToddCornberger]

Method#1: Why remove leash before attaching to anchor?

[@carptackula7536]

100%!!! (Rock climbing, you would never do something like that... Always have 2 points of safety!)

[@gethighwithmike]

When the wind is strong, like it was (actually) in this session, then it's difficult to stand still. The gusts are coming and you're constantly being pulled forward, and fighting to hold your ground. The reason I disconnect the leash BEFORE and not AFTER is because I don't want to spend time connected to the anchor and faffing around trying to get my leash off. Can put you in a dangerous situation. The kite can generate insane amounts of power and fly insanely fast when it's constantly anchored! Just look at a tow up, for example. I don't want to be attached to the kite when it's at risk of producing such forces. Think about it... Do you?

[@gethighwithmike]

When the wind is strong, like it was (actually) in this session, then it's difficult to stand still. The gusts are coming and you're constantly being pulled forward, and fighting to hold your ground. The reason I disconnect the leash BEFORE and not AFTER is because I don't want to spend time connected to the anchor and faffing around trying to get my leash off whilst the kite is pulling me. Can put you in a dangerous situation. The kite can generate insane amounts of power and fly insanely fast when it's constantly anchored! Just look at a tow up, for example. I don't want to be attached to the kite for any unnecessary time when it's at risk of producing such forces. Think about it... Do you?

[@Jakkillah]

@@gethighwithmike but that doesn’t make sense, by that logic we couldn’t stand holding the kite as you being attached to it is the same like anchor. The kite does generate more power, which forces it forward in the wind window, lose the power, fall back, repeat. Holding it just by one hand is way riskier.

[@AdMAN2008]

yah boet anchor when strong. always set up a anchor line before going out cause one never knows how kiff the session will be and others might be gone as you say.

[@steilvorlageDE]

When i did the second method, i already wind up the lines on the bar, because there is no tension on them. Especially if you do it on the water you have no messi lines everywhere. Did anybody had bad experience with this?

[@bowmosexual]

This is a method I was using a lot back in 2008. I would take the safety aspect of this 1 step further though, as safety was always my number 1. As well as clipping the loop to a post, I would also connect a slightly longer line from the post to the safety release part of the control system. There is no way in a million years you can guarantee a kite won't bounce strange and whip through the power zone disconnecting from the anchor point. If it does this the kite is gone, dragging 25m of untethered lines with it, my method would send the kite to safety should this happen.

[@ingosander7074]

Good point! This actually happened to me twice with method 1

[@igorrossib]

Sometimes when quick release the kite keep flying with almost no power. However this small tension is enough for being able to grab the kite when using gloves ( the lines are slippery as hell).

[@ojacevedo]

All bar safety systems can vary and by model year. On a 2018 slingshot bar in high wind simply eject the bar and the safety line will fail safe park the kite on sand. You don’t want any hard objects like rocks where the kite will land. And ideally the leash line should be the top leading edge line in the direction the kite in flying as the kite approaches the ground, prevents kite from flipping before fail safe parking on the ground.

[@bongose]

Where is the rope at Dolphin Beach? 😁🙏🏻

[@nicolasboudet9302]

I am a little surprised you just highlighted those 2 methods. You may also grab the front lines above the bar, detach chicken loop and safety leash and move quietly to the kite by « climbing » the front lines hand by hand to the kite, paying attention to firmly grab the other hand before releasing the other one. If wind is being too strong, you may only climb the underneath front line. With the 2 front lines, the kite stay in edge of the window, which is good if there is limited space or dangers nearby, or a dirty beach with shells, woods…, and with the underneath front line it stay on its back side, but don’t need that much depth on the beach than when releasing safety. I use quite often both options and both are good and safe, but need quite a good practice in light wind before using them in strong winds. Advantages are to avoid any mess in the lines, and limited space on your landing area, which is not always the one you planned in case of emergency (sudden big storm…) If you have very large beach, without obstacles, or have an anchor, or best another person, it is always better to use method 1 and possibly 2 if you are not sure! 😎 Tutorial (in French😇): kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIiqgISwp8tksNUfeature=shared Or kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZnQqGaqo9dqf5ofeature=shared

[@justinsmith4562]

Maybe you should make your own video if you're so smart.

[@GaetanoCrisci]

at minute 3:00 I would connect the anchor before removing the safety line, no?

[@gethighwithmike]

I responded above :)

[@GaetanoCrisci]

@@gethighwithmike K Thank You, I read it, I understand now, in any case having the safety leash attached both to the anchor and you is not like having the CL attached to the anchor and you

[@Grze9898]

Hmm, method 2 is a little bit messy, what I do, is to move the kite down, when is around 2m above the ground, I do quick release and kite lands perfectly, not like in this video- on its back.

[@peterheirmanster]

on Dutch beaches there is no anchor. Once the kite with one wingtip a few feet above the beach, then pull hard on the top front-line in order to stall the kite and immediately run into the wind as the kite will land in its' leading edge

[@user-lv1qd7cp6y]

And with a Y-bar setup?

[@ingosander7074]

That's not safe with strong wind, however!

[@user-lv1qd7cp6y]

You don't use the first method with gusty conditions, do you? Also the 2nd method would be even safer pulling the QR off shore and not on shore.

[@keendnb]

The other 2 methods are dive the kite down and when the leading edge is facing the ground release the safety. If done correctly the kite should land in position you would lay it while setting up..... Or, depending on your bar setup, dive the kite and pull on the top centre line when the leading edge is facing the ground. For method 2 you need a V type line setup on the bar.

[@gethighwithmike]

Sorry Keendnb, but I don't believe these methods will work in 30 knots+. That's a large part of why I made this video. To discourage those methods.

[@keendnb]

@@gethighwithmikeI i can't say I've used them in 30 knots but I'm sure the safety release one would.... I'll let you know next time I'm out in 30 knots 😁

[@RomanShafigullinChannel]

I'm ready to wait for hours for someone to help me land the kite, but I will never do that with the XR PRO😁

[@Nowindnokitenofun]

If depowering the kite -I would always depower before trying to land on anchor, after it is depowered the kite will change where it is sitting in the window.

[@gethighwithmike]

Good point

[@justinsmith4562]

Nice one Mike, cheers. nnnnnuew

[@crowdsurferx]

"Just pull the quick release in strong wind" Ok buddy

[@maciejkulesza2920]

2nd method: why no mention that its preferred that flag out line should be upper one? This way it self lands nicely instead of upside down

[@carptackula7536]

100%

[@mackuumackuumackuudrogimac8642]

The anchor method is the best solution if you have limited space for landing, and from my experience, it is the safest. To make it more convenient, I suggest walking to the kite or back to the bar while holding the upper power line. It makes the kite more stable in gusty winds.

[@paulettedenham7128]

Omg don’t you just panic when someone lands your kite in strong wind and walks away, no sand , they have moved it ect… makes me nervous… honestly I prefer using these methods 🤩

[@carptackula7536]

DELETE this video, and film a BETTER one. We're talking SAFETY bro. In Method 1, you held the kite with NO safety (this is a NO-NO) when you could have clipped the anchor to the chicken loop BEFORE disconnecting your safety... This video risks getting people hurt - you have a responsibility to PLAN this content to make it the safest, most fkn idiot proof. There are many other comments here that echo what I've said and add other improvements. EG method 2: all kites with a single flag out line, land best when THAT line is oriented on the top of the side you're landing on. And also if you flag out higher off the ground, it allows the kite to land on the leading edge. It could be cool to show this - and / or show this not working. People who are clueless are going to fk themselves up in strong winds landing solo if they don't know what could go wrong. Hopefully you take this feedback as constructive criticism - most of your other content is fantastic. But this is SAFETY bro - the quality of safety info is a non-negotiable ESPECIALLY if you're a kite instructor! (and one that is promoting big air / high wind riding). I would pull this video (remove it completely), read the rest of the comments... And then re-shoot a BETTER video. Safety first. Peace ✌️

[@gethighwithmike]

Consider this: When the wind is strong, like it was (actually) in this session, then it's difficult to stand still. The gusts are coming and you're constantly being pulled forward, and fighting to hold your ground. The reason I disconnect the leash BEFORE and not AFTER is because I don't want to spend time connected to the anchor and faffing around trying to get my leash off. Can put you in a dangerous situation. The kite can generate insane amounts of power and fly insanely fast when it's constantly anchored! Just look at a tow up, for example. I don't want to be attached to the kite when it's at risk of producing such forces. Think about it... Do you?

[@user-vv2wx4kc1k]

Try walk up the line in 50 knots

[@interferenz2k3]

Hmmm . strong wind? in this video, its far away from strong wind 😃 Method 1 works fine in light an mediate wind .. but in gusty wind or really strong wind i dont want to try it ;) And method 2 works fine .. even better with a "not-the-best-bar-in-the-world" that has a real SFS 😋 (and as already mentioned with safty as upper one). If its really massive wind .. i prefer to do it in water .. a bit more safe.

[@pawel-goscicki]

There's another method, which is semi-safe. You depower, unhook your bar, grab center lines and walk towards the kite by pulling on both center lines.

[@ToddCornberger]

Yer mum "pulls on both steering lines", LOL

[@marekmaciejewski10]

I know that method bur with pulling both center lines. It's safe cause you can in any moment throw away lines and it's like after pushing quick release

[@pawel-goscicki]

@@marekmaciejewski10 of course, I meant the center/power lines. Corrected!

[@pawel-goscicki]

@@ToddCornberger corrected :D of course I meant the power lines, d'oh!

[@andrewgiv]

This is why we park our cars next to lakes

[@jamielowe6655]

Hi Mike, I enjoy learning from your video's. One thing I might add to the technique shown on the anchor method is (I self land/launch a lot where I live during off season) I like to stay upwind of the lines, bar etc just in case...