Kitesurf Self Rescue

Kiteboard / Kitesurf self rescue tutorial.

Will help you understand the basic principles of the self rescue, and revises the steps involved to support your lessons. Hopefully, you can use this video to get the concept, which will give you more time to practice with your instructor.

To make the footage as clear as possible this was shot on a clear day on a sand bank, on a large kite in around 15knots. In most situations you would be using this technique in deep water. I filmed a deep water version, but it's not so easy to see what's happening with bar and lines and therefore not a good visual guide of the technique.

You will find variations on the self rescue technique. Such as some people may wrap the excess safety line in figures of 8, or may use 5 line kites. However, the key principles stay the same.

Access our playlist to watch all tutorials in order:

[kitesurfcollege]

Access our playlist to watch all tutorials in order:

[davekuhn]

Had to self rescue today from about 400m offshore with a side-shore wind... was not methodical when collecting my lines and regretted it immensely when I felt myself becoming entangled. High surf made me seriously worry about the kite being taken by a wave and dragging me with it. Managed to collect all lines once at the kite and make a sail to get back. Very scary situation that you should practice for. This is a fantastic video!

[JeffRaney]

Sooo...this is a nice clean video and demonstration done in safe, shallow waters. But just keep in mind everyone, it is not at all this easy when in rougher conditions and in deep waters where you cannot touch your feet to the bottom at all. And it is much more difficult in those conditions to wind up your lines as well. It can really be exhausting. So if you are a beginner, a kiteboarding life vest will be very helpful in that type of situation. It would be nice if you guys can make a video in these real-like conditions.

[rutmarinsanmiguel]

I mean cooome on WHO ON EARTH CAN DISLIKE THIS VIDEO ???? Ungreatful people ! Thank you so much for the video tutorial, the best video Iv seen online for rescue, really thank you thank you!

[Showmetheevidence-]

I had my first self rescue experience today… and I’m annoyed with myself for not knowing this whole process better!
Thankfully I had an experienced kiter nearby who came to assist me and managed to drag my kite back towards the shore slightly (& then finally the waves and current pulled me into shore)

[DadGoesKitesurfing]

1:47, when looping the safety line around the bar, you keep the chicken loop away with your other hand thumb, to avoid having the chicken loop stuck near the bar...this simple trick is making the looping far more easier than having this bloody chicken loop to avoid when you're looping your lines. Took me a while to realise I was making this mistake at least. Thanks for your videos !

[alanjm]

Your videos are great! There's no fluff, no time wasting, just straight into the great info!
Thanks!

[stefanw]

Clear explanation and ideal example 👌
It would be great to have a updated example of where this is done in deep water and with a kitboard too.

When I have had to self rescue I tried to swim upwind to collect my board. Then I start wrapping the lines (while keeping the board between my legs). When sailing back in you can place the board and bar on the front tube. I generally try to keep the board with fins up as not to damage my canopy.
Off course safety is priority and if you are in an area with onshore wind and or waves most likely the board will end up on the beach if you loose it. Or another kiter might collect it for you.

[scottinca]

Important: Would be helpful to mention how to safely secure one's board during self-rescue and extra equipment, i.e. leash, needed to ensure not losing board or drifting too far away. Also acts as an additional floatation item in the event kite may deflate.

[matt-teachings]

Great video, covered all the main points, thanks guys. When you get to the kite and flip it over, make sure to double check that all lines are clear and not wrapped around any part of yourself. And if you are coming back to the beach through a shorebreak, don't forget to let go of the bridle and hold onto the centre of the leading edge tightly so the wave does not cut your bridle hand or rip the kite out of your hands. And marco boersma is right, it's a different game altogether in stronger wind and rough water so it's a good idea to make sure you can do the SR in whatever conditions you are kiting in.

[Burnthesof]

Had to do this in deep sea was really difficult PRACTICE this before you go out deeper in the sea. Also a PFD might be handy if you got for that situation.

[airindiana]

I’ve got a 3 day kite lesson coming up and trying to learn stuff in principle before hand. These videos are very clear and concise. I bet that’s really hard when you’re floating in water with any swell, what with all the the lines floating everywhere and the bar at head height.

[mellamodiego]

This is sooo easy to do while standing. Do this in deep water with high winds is extremely difficult

[AnaMunoz-leqi]

Had a situation last week and needed this info :( thankfully now I know and I’m ready to any other situation, hope it doesn’t happen again

[kitesurfMiami]

Love Your video series & always recommend to students (esp visual overlays)!!

Instructor disclaimer is critical bc there's a few points I'd add - namely notice which direction is -Down-wind/Down-current- after pulling QR ... Only wrap lines & retrieve kite as you can stay UP from lines ... After securing flag line Student couldn't wrap all 4 on bar without towing back on safety line bc of high pull - after you chill in the kite you can wrap the remaining lines (and bc you traveled back by staying UP you shouldn't be too tangled) ...
P.S flipping a 13+ kite in open water is practically a lesson itself haha. In fact i demonstrated on a large kite to prove that point+pull & then held kite-raft once student climbed in.
Thank you so much Profe.!!

[Canonmm]

Content on your channel is brilliant 😎
Thank you so much for your work!

I'm reviewing this video at the start of each season
Safe kitesurfing to you all🤙

[gurl-]

Wanted to understand kites more and what is involved in kite surfing before deciding to have lessons really helped thanks

[ABESuperKiteDay]

Very very nice video guys. Super edit. Great footage, great narration, great diagrams. Very awesome. Added to our Top Kiteboarding Tutorial Playlist.

[antoines]

Thank you very much for all your videos, very useful, easy to understand, perfect !!!

[infectedplus]

Thanks for the video. Also, self rescue on under an offshore wind is a no-no :)