Kitesurfing 101 - Relaunching Your Kite in Extremely Light Wind

What if the wind suddenly became so weak that your kite can’t even take off and is sitting straight downwind from you, unable to get back up in the sky? Is this it? Do you have to swim back to the shore? Do you have to end your session? Nope! In this video, I will share two secrets that will help you continue to ride even when most of the kitesurfers are sitting in the water with their kites down.
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[@kijetikimavi]

I watch tons of kite clips and this has to be one of the best Kite clips I have seen.. GREAT information and Highly appreciated,, Thank you professor..

[@noobmusician3091]

The mini kite model helps a lot. One of the best kitesurf instruction video on youtube!). 😊

[@cojobest]

using the toy kite and explaining the wind aerodinamics helped me a lot to understand what is actually happening to tyhe kite; most other videos just tell do this, don't do this, but understanding what forces are actually at play was very insightfull. thank you!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

I believe that understanding is the key! Glad you find this useful!

[@declancoady2549]

Very excellent explanation using the model. Many thanks! Regards, Declan

[@Homobikerus]

Just a few days ago we were riding in a super light wind conditions and once I decided to actually finish, the wind just disappeared in a split second (there was rain approaching as well). I recalled your video, tried both ways and actually managed to lift the kite! It didn't get me far though - just some 20-30 meters closer to the shore before whatever was left of that wind was gone for good. But when I got to the beach I was greeted with "wow, that was impressive that you actually managed to relaunch the kite!" 😎 So... Thanks a lot for a very useful video!

[@larsdamm3992]

Ive been haveing this kind of trubble for a whole week now and this is the first video I found that actually explains in a way i can easily understand! so many good tips i feel like I wanna tip you back for this awsome video, thank you so much!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Glad you find this vid useful! Keep on watching, keep on educating yourself, Lars. Kitesurfing is not the easiest sport out there. The more you know about it the faster your progression will be! LMK if you have any questions, will be more than happy to address them for you and for EVERYONE!

[@lovetofly32]

So strange how today in a different instructional video I saw for the first time some guy launch his kite backwards like that and then spin it around! I was like, "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD DO THAT!" 😃 And now another video teaching it! Its funny because the other day I got my kite out and the previous time I had unhooked my lines I accidentally unhooked one of the short blue ones off the tips and it confused me to where it belonged so I put them on the leading edge.. well lol the dang thing wouldn't fly but when it flipped over it would try and fly backwards because now the tip lines were shorter lol I thought it was kinda funny that it actually could fly backwards and now I learn that you can launch it that way! I did figure out where they were supposed to be later but the wind died to around 10 mph and I couldn't get it launched..🥴 I love this new to me sport so much and I haven't even got up on the board yet! Oh I can't wait till I can cruise around the lake on a mild wind day!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

What can I say, James... Welcome to the club! We are ALL addicts here! Addicted to the wind, to the waves and to our ability to harness the power of Mother Nature. I would LOVE to hear from you when you start riding and when you make your first jump. Something tells me that you'll be hooked for life! Please share your questions here, as I use them to make new videos for you. Best! :)

[@caglarnal]

This was very helpful; especially to show every single detail on the kite model. Most experts know what to do instinctively; but they don't know how to explain what exactly they are doing. Your video shows step by step with full detail how to do. Thank you very much.

[@jacklcma]

Thanks for sharing the wind gradient chart for speed differences above the surface.

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you found it useful! :)

[@aezazi]

Great video thanks. I’m here on Maui. A complete beginner, trying to learn. This is the best instruction I’ve seen (including from the instructors here) on explaining the fundamental aerodynamics of what happens and needs to happen in a relaunch. Much more helpful than just blind instruction to pull this or that line. Can you please to a video on water starting? Also, how to deal with water starting and relaunching when there are small to moderate waves. Thanks so much.

[@MikaKotikoski]

Re-launching the kite in light winds vs doing the "walk of shame" is not a big issue in shallow water where you have bottom touch. All this becomes critical and way more difficult in deep water. Then it becomes a case of real patience AND a very potential case of knowing how to self resque. Learn the latter.

[@Jerichoom]

Wow. Could have absolutely used this info a few weeks ago after spending 45mins of an 1hour training session with a sunk and stuck kite! Great video and look forward to applying this knowledge and sharing with friends

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

I am glad you found this video! Gland you found it useful!! :)

[@chrisjones6542]

Superb, thanks. Wish I had watched this years ago…

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

I am glad you found this! And I am glad you found this useful!

[@ArinGhend]

Thank you so much for these tips - saved me from swimming more often than I’d like to admit 😆

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you find them useful!

[@gnouel4739]

Great information! Well explained, Thanks!

[@peterkina1523]

Great video. All of it makes total sense. Especially the part about light wind at the surface. If the water is much colder the the air the wind is always higher up.

[@AdamHiltonChannel]

Great video! I love the kite model

[@ume_music]

Awesome video! So methodical and informative! Thank you!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thaaanks! Glad you found it useful! :)

[@simonm7776]

You did well...I learnt a lot. And I thought I knew a thing or two about light wind relaunch...always keep an open mind!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Heey Simon! Thanks for your kind words! You know, I am just like you, keeping my mind open! Best!

[@sergeishakhov5193]

Great illustration and explanation! Thank you!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thanks, man! Glad you like it!

[@cirosoares713]

Parabéns pelo vídeo. Nice vídeo, never stop to flay.

[@tealcacio]

Thanks you for systematically going through the steps to re-launch a kite. I really like the models and step by step instructions you have put together for the different scenarios. I now feel much more confident and more importantly feel like I can approach my learning phase much more safely. Thanks again.

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sure thing, Tim! Glad to share! Kiteboarding is a complex sport, so, knowing how it works is a sure thing good starting point.

[@robertooggiano9865]

Best tutorial Ever❤

[@corymcbride7584]

Nice job, super helpful

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Glad you like it! Thanks!!!

[@valeriymodik4888]

very, very nice tutorial! Thank you very much for this VERY useful video!!! Make more, plz!!!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thanks, will do!

[@mikkel_hansen_dkk]

Good stuff dude! nice video:)

[@yawlright]

Wonderful video. Now I know that when I am standing in waist deep water I can relaunch my kite using your tips.

[@rikachu32]

Great video! Thank you!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sure thing! Thanks! Glad you liked it!!! :)

[@baton689]

Very clear !

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks! :)

[@alexfernandez684]

Amazing content, congrats

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful!

[@rumplestiltskin5612]

Really great advice

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thaanx! Glad you found it useful! And thanks for your kind words!

[@soundjbay]

Gracias ,excelente Video ¡¡¡¡ Thank you so much ¡¡¡ ,Moooore Videos SUPAAAA¡¡¡

[@GeckoCkCkCk]

Awesome video!!! So you are saying de-power for both reverse and regular launch. I have inverted and tangled my kite too many times trying reverse launch. 30m lines will put the kite higher, around 100ft which on your wind chart is 100%. 25m, about 75ft has 80% of wind. Since the lift on the kite is proportional to the square of the wind velocity, .8^2 is .64. So you get 1/(0.64) or 1.56 lift of 75ft lines with 100 ft lines! I have a bar with 30m lines. This only works while keeping the kite up, but it is easier to keep it up in higher wind.

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

I totally agree! The longer the lines, the higher the kite will fly, the more pull it will generate. :)

[@kpomauro]

Thx from Argentina!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Love Argentina, man!!!

[@vladimirpopov8654]

Great advises, thanks

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sure thing! :)

[@MrDubaux3]

Very nice

[@icabo88]

Thanks! I learnt something today

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sper! Glad to hear it!

[@zinostirdink8749]

2:41 for anyone with valuable time

[@briandoerksen5774]

Thanks very useful

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Super! Glad you like it!

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Hi. Thank you for this vid and sharing your secrets. I been last week on a lake with very tricky wind on the situation type 1 but instead having the leading edge on the top and probably due to the shape (hybrid) and size of my kite (12m) the leading edge was also in the water, the trailing edge facing me, the kite on its back side and the leading edge far of me. The wind was very light and as much I was pulling the front lines, nothing happened, I was just pushed in the wind direction by the little wind and the current. The leading edge was just deformed to make a kind of flat form on the top of the water, not moving at all. I thought that it was due to a lack of pumping of the leading edge but I specially paid attention to go at the max specified by the kite maker and it was quite stiff, before and after. I had to wait for a big recover of the wind before being able to move the kite to any relaunch position. I am sure that with proper technique I would have been able to relaunch before. Do you have another secret for this case???🤓

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Heey, Nicolas! When there is not enough pressure in the leading edge the situation is hopeless in most cases. Deflated kites do not hold their shape and do not fly properly if at all, even with strong wind. So the option to go is the "Self-rescue". In short: roll up your lines, fold the kite, and swim to the safety. You can use the canopy as a sail if the wind is blowing in the desired direction...

[@nicolasboudet9302]

@@KitesurfingAcademy Heey Glen After some research on KZbin , I found one of your colleagues sharing the secret of this situation: when the kite is with the trailing edge in the water and the wind is very light, first pull the trim to the max as your advice, grab the front lines before the bar and make strong pulls to them as you recommend. In some cases, possibly linked to kite shape or very poor wind, the only effect is to fill the canopy with water, which will not help at all. In this case, grab only one front line before the Y connection and make several short but strong pulls to them. Make the same with the other front line. This will help to remove water on the canopy, and help to move the leading edge up. You may need to do this several times to move the leading edge in up position Now you can restart with your both lines technique! Hope it makes sense as I never tried neither thought to do it. I was more thinking to pull alternatively each rear line but with no effect at all!

[@fernandopereira7212]

Excellent

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thanks man!!!

[@completeyachtdetailimg]

Thank you !

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you liked it! :)

[@tomhayward4848]

Awesome and we'll explained info.

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thaaanks! Glad you found this useful!

[@christulley2050]

This is great! What do i do to relaunch the kite in light wind if i'm swimming in deep water. your demo video the guy is standing which seemingly makes relaunch 90% easier. Welcome your tricks and tips!!!!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Chris, you are totally right, it IS harder in the deep waters, so, extra patience will be helpful. Keep tension in the "right" pair of lines and wait for that gust to come by.

[@totococozza]

Hi there, I need to ask a question? I weigh 100 kg. Height 1.88 cm With a foil board what kite size I need to purchase to ride, in 10 knots light wind condition? Best Toto

[@vitorpires9997]

Hi there! That's a great video. I had never thought about those angles. Now I have a question: is it a good idea to pull the depower line (break) to make the angle better once I am with the leading edge up or down? Thanks!

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Depower line... hmm... If you mean the front lines or the center lines then yes, pull on them when the leading edge is UP. When the leading edge is down you got to pull the outside lines to back-stall the kite.

[@tobeinstyle]

Really nice video! Did you build the nice kite model by your own or can I buy it somewhere? 🤔

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Thanks for your kind words! Positive energy goes a long way! Here is the process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-tp3esm991ocU

[@igorjuricek5683]

Nice! The kind of skill 99 % of "instructors" will not teach you (because they don´t know).

[@alexandersavin1538]

Now I need only one thing - to keep it in my mind in the water.🙂

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Super! :)

[@kaymizon596]

this just happened yesterday. I wish I watched this video before I dropped the kite, save me the walk of shame and long swim

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Glad that you find this video helpful (belated) !!!

[@danzbeard]

10:10 Do you recall how many knots the wind was blowing at here?

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

around 6 knots, if I remember correctly...

[@joselkite]

Haciendo pié es mucho más facil

[@Lifebeginsat30]

Don't think this would be possible getting battered by waves in tarifa 🤣

[@stokakrishna]

Helium in LE doesn't help

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

True that... it doesn't... but it got you thinking!!! :)

[@tomasknutsson7560]

Great video. However, helium has been tried. Doesn't work. :-)

[@KitesurfingAcademy]

Right you are! It doesn't... :(

[@johnDEBOvis]

Can you send me a little kite model? Haha

[@b0nd999]

I don’t get it, why is this video filmed with someone in waist high water?.? In the real world in deep water you can’t do this 😂🤣😂🤣