Kitesurf trick
Self Rescue
- Fundamental
How you get yourself and your kite back to shore when you cannot relaunch. Every rider should practise it in calm conditions before they ever need it.
How to
Release and depower
Pull the quick release and let the kite flag out on the safety line so it loses all power.
Climb the safety line
Pull yourself along the safety line hand over hand until you reach the bar.
Wind in the lines
Secure the safety line on the bar first, then wrap the lines around the bar as you work towards the kite, and signal for help early if conditions are rough or you are far out.
Grab the wingtip
Reach the kite, hold it by the lower wingtip and let the upper tip catch the wind like a sail.
Sail back to shore
Steer by angling the kite and use your body as a keel to drift back towards the beach.
Common mistakes
Lines around your body
Keep every line on the bar side and away from your limbs while you wind in.
Rushing the wind-in
Work slowly and wrap the lines neatly so they do not tangle or snag.
Waiting too long
Start the self rescue as soon as you know the relaunch will not work.
Builds on
Track your progress on the Self Rescue
Log every session on the Self Rescue in TrickTrack, rate how it went, add photos and videos, and watch it climb:
- 1/5Learning & practicing
- 2/5Progressing
- 3/5Landed at least once
- 4/5Consistent landings
- 5/5Landed every time
- Mastered
Then mark it mastered when it's yours.