Select to expand quotesurfingboye said...
I've noticed heaps of WA crew tether launch off their 4x4's and poles. Don't they teach proper self launch and land practices in the West?
Actually no they don't because pussies come on here and say that it's too dangerous.. Blah bla blah.. It's all about cranking out those lessons and getting the cash as quick as possible for the short summer period.
Also maybe due to fact we have more wind than QLD.. You qld numbskulls think it's pumping when it's <15knows where in WA we don't even bother (unless your soul-kite kite school where they will teach in 7knots) 
So I click on this thread regarding the future of kitesurfing, suprise suprise everyone bitching at each other and mention of self launch. Seabreez the biggest waste of time.
Select to expand quoteGreenarrowz said..Sandfoot said...
This is the quickest way to slice open your leading edge.
Great when the wind is strong...but soon as it shifts so does the kite and the LE gets dragged across the tip of the screw.
WTF, See, this tool will never catch on when people think you hook your leading edge to the carabiner.
Firstly Sandfeet needs to chill.
secondly I use my towbar for this but of course my 4wd does clutter the beach a tad.
there used to be a pair of rubbish bins attached to a pole in the centre of St Kilda kite beach that was handy for self launching, But I think Alex Sans probably landed on it in his Budgie smugglers. it's probably in a local Psyche ward now.
at my Local Local beach I have a tyre buried in sand with some rope attached.
you should try that at your local beach 
Select to expand quotetard said...Greenarrowz said..Sandfoot said...
This is the quickest way to slice open your leading edge.
Great when the wind is strong...but soon as it shifts so does the kite and the LE gets dragged across the tip of the screw.
WTF, See, this tool will never catch on when people think you hook your leading edge to the carabiner.
That's actually quite funny.
If I'm driving on the beach I just throw the loop on the towball
But does she remember where the car is and is she going to put your board's in your car?
Sand foot.....
Where do you kite normally??
I'm thinking we should all steal your launchy pole while your on the water so that we all get a great laugh when you come back in and can't land!!
I've been reading this thread, and u sound like a true knob!!
I've got an idea for all beginners.
Hot launch your kite 10 times!!
Then you will figure out what not to do again!
Bingo!
You will now know how to launch a kite.
I think they call this trial by error??
Hey sand foot.
I've been kiting for 2 years, and even I am compitant enough to launch a kite for somebody while my kite is controlled in the air!!
I can't wait to steal your launchy pole.... I need a good laugh!!
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said...
Seems WA is the only place with a pine log fence near most beaches and people screw a cuphook into it...?
No I haven't seen those very convenient solid fences on the surfside of the dunes outside of WA
everyone back off of sandfoot!
didnt you know hes like self launched 500 times?!!?
A teather is a good idea. But it can't be used in all situations. Plus sometimes you can only position the teather close to obstacles making it more dangerous than a self land when the kiter is in the water and the kite is on the only thin bit of beach.
Select to expand quoteRagzilla said..
Sand foot.....
Where do you kite normally??
I'm thinking we should all steal your launchy pole while your on the water so that we all get a great laugh when you come back in and can't land!!
I've been reading this thread, and u sound like a true knob!!
I've got an idea for all beginners.
Hot launch your kite 10 times!!
Then you will figure out what not to do again!
Bingo!
You will now know how to launch a kite.
I think they call this trial by error??
Hey sand foot.
I've been kiting for 2 years, and even I am compitant enough to launch a kite for somebody while my kite is controlled in the air!!
I can't wait to steal your launchy pole.... I need a good laugh!!
If I cant self launch / Land then you cant fu#kin read mate. The idea of the post was to increase safety for new comers to the sport. (in light of recent incidents)
Yeah Jump on the knockers bandwagon with the herd, it's always safer.
"When the shepherd sees a sheep leading the flock astray he will cull that sheep and eat it"
Yeah, all beginners should practice a hot launch 10 times, that's a safe solution you've come up with there bloke.
Thanks Champ 
Select to expand quoteRagzilla said..
...
I've got an idea for all beginners.
Hot launch your kite 10 times!!
...
By "hot launch" you mean launch the kite from straight downwind through the middle of the window? Why do you think that is a problem?
The vast majority of modern kites have more than enough throw in the bar to depower the kite sufficiently to handle any kind of hot launch. A couple of steps towards the kite as it comes up reduces the tension on the line and reduces the power even further.
The only time a hot launch is an issue is if you hold the bar in. That can get ugly. Is that what you are referring to?
It seems to me the biggest problem in safety is the idea that kites are deadly dangerous and everything that can happen can kill you. It is true that in a very small set of circumstances kites can be extremely dangerous. In fact, with a fairly small amount of skill 99% of issues can be dealt with easily. Perhaps if education and training dealt with the basic skills to be a self sufficient kiter then everybody would be safer.
PS In reference to the original post, if you mean a launch tether should be compulsory then absolutely not. While tethers can be useful, promoting the use of a special gadget simply compounds the problems of ignorant and unskilled kiters. It just makes the current bad situation worse.
If you mean that all kites should have guidelines as to how to self launch and land safely, then yes.
If you mean all kites should respond in a similar fashion to similar inputs so they can all be self launched and landed in a similar way (which is currently true to an extent) then yes.
PS Paragliders have certification testing to prove that they all react to malfunctions in a similar way. I would not propose this for kites, but it does show that it is a reasonable expectation that products react in certain predictables ways and pilots should know what those ways are.
I have them available now 185 dollars each plus GST
There is a small waiting list at the moment
The original...... for $99
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/carrum-downs/surfing/kitesurfing-beach-launch-sand-anchor/1044047445
Select to expand quotespot1 said...
I have them available now 185 dollars each plus GST
There is a small waiting list at the moment
Drag that anvil down to Pinnas mate and we can all use that instead of having impalement hazzards spread over the entire beach . J
Or get a spiral dog tether for between $10-$20 and $10 worth of rope and carabiner and it'll do the same job. I use mine all the time and its been fine.
If a beginner hot launches whether they holding the bar or not, if they are not braced for a little sand sliding/skiing they are going on their face. If they don't recover from this faceplant they may just keep on going until something stops them.
Being able to recognise these hazards is the difference between you gorgo and a beginner about to have a very ****ty day.
