Great tips on correct launching technique

1) It's frustrating to try to launch for someone who just hooks in and then spends a bunch of time fiddling with their lines and spinning the bar while you are standing there holding the kite for them. So, before you ask someone to launch your kite, do them the favour of sorting out your lines first as best you can, from downwind if necessary.

2) Make sure you have a good idea of where the edges of your window are BEFORE you even pick up the bar. Go to a little downwind of 90 degrees so that there's no power in the kite when you pull the lines tight. I've seen more launches than I can count go sketchy due to failure on this point.

3) Walk upwind carefully with tension in the lines until the wind is just filling the kite, that is the easiest place to reconfirm that your lines/bridles are all right BEFORE you hook in.

4) After you attach your safety leash: hook IN, sheet OUT, pull BACK with your harness to keep the front lines taught while you walk UPwind until you feel some power in the kite when you gently pull the bar. Helper should not move downwind from their position unless indicated by the kiter.

5) Before launching, sheet out all the way to check that you have adequate depower, then in to make sure that you have enough tension in your back lines for turning and for power. Far better to check this before you launch rather than launching and then putting the kite to 12 oclock to check your power trim.

Here is the procedure we teach our students:
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Launching Procedure (S.P.L.A.T.): do all of your checks every time to avoid problems

S - Situation Re-check beach, water, and wind/weather conditions.
Locate your wind window; identify left and right edges before picking up the bar
P - Position (yours and the kite’s position vs. the wind direction and the water’s edge)
Start by making sure the lines stay loose until you are just downwind of the kite
Straighten/check lines with no power in the kite (at left or right edge of window)
Attach safety leash, hook in & sheet out until back lines are slightly slack
Walk upwind keeping front lines taut until you feel the right amount of power
Make sure you are as close to the water’s edge as comfortable for you & helper
L - Lines and Safety Systems: Lines & bridles free of tangles; connected & adjusted properly
Sheet fully out (to check depower) and fully in (to check back line tension for turns)
Take the time to make sure there are no problems with either quick release system
A - Around Thorough 360 degree check of beach and ocean, just before you give the signal:

T - Thumb up with bottom hand (but not if the panels are flapping or the front lines are slack.

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