Preflight Checklist
Please check the following things before you start your flight.
1. First of all check whether the launch is opened or not. If not then do open it. Is it free of any downwind hard wind objects? There should not be any power lines or big walls in the area where you are going to take the flight.
2. There should also check tears or leaky bladders in the kite before taking your flight and do repair if your kite has such kind of problem.
3. Another important thing to check before kite riding is pigtails, leaders and centre line loop. There must be no cuts or breaks in these parts as this may be dangerous. Don’t try to play with the broken pigtails or leaders. Just remove them and have the new one. It is advised to change the pigtails after every six months of use. This is to ensure that you will not face any difficulty during riding and will remain safe from any accident.
4. Before kite riding check your kite for the flying lines. There must be no knots or cuts on the flying lines. If you have found any cut or knot, try to remove it. But be careful and don’t damage the line. If you are not an expert and cannot repair, just don’t take the risk. Simply replace your lines with new one. It is a must precaution.
5. Before launching, check that if all the larks heads are firmly seated. Remember that all the lines should be without tangles. And your flight lines and leaders should have the same size. When they are in use they can become unequal so whenever you are looking to take a new flight, just check them first.
6. If you are going take a flight alone please anchor your kite properly with sand to avoid any kind of accidental situation.
7. Before taking new flight, be sure that you have picked your bar up and carefully check the lines for tangles.
8. Before having your new launch, remember that there should not be any bystanders besides the kite lines of kite. Keep them at the distance of at least 2 or more kite line lengths. And it should be in downwind direction.
9. If you are near to hard objects like trees or you are on shore then please do not try to hook or snap. It can be dangerous.
10. Don’t forget to take complete safety equipment. Wearing helmet and impact vest is must. And other safety equipments like kite depowering, gloves, hook knife etc are equally important.
11. Before starting your flight do not forget to make the announcement.
12. Once you have taken your flight then you should immediately go offshore.
13. Do remember to always keep your kite high enough from the beach. This is to clear obstructions. Some new riders try to bring their kites neutral while they are near the rocks or other hard objects. It may be dangerous.
14. If you are required to put on the board and you find waves there, then try body dragging outside the breaker zone first.
Choosing the right Board:
There are 3 different kinds of board designs:
1. Directional Board
2. Twin Tip
3. Wake Board
Mostly, it is not advisable to use "Wake Board" type of boards for the new kite boarders.
If the beginners start with a twin-tip or big floaty directional board then it will be quite easy for them due to the following reasons.
1. By using such boards you can ride in a lighter wind and lighter wind means safe wind.
2. They are of bigger volume and helpful if you are required to swim back to shore.
