Druthers

[Marty Lowe]

Noun 1. druthers - the right or chance to choose;

I'druther lauch toward the water instead of the cars,
expecially in the gusty winds we have had at Rush.
If you hit my vehicle with your head, will your insurance fix my car?
Just saying,,,,,,

[Todd Jacques]

so just to ask. when you say launch towards the water. I was taught if I am standing at water and kite is closer to cars, but not in front or upwind. That if the kite gets loose or bad launch that the kite will take you to the water? Because the kite has to travel to the 12 oclock then drag you down beach? If you launch standing at cars and kite near water the kite if gets loose will drag you down car side.
Am I even close? I am glad you brought this up and this is worthy topic, thanks

[Marty Lowe]

I like to launch with the kite heading to the water. 45 degrees
Not having to take the kite over head then to the water. 180 degrees of gustyness.

If there is a bad launch, it will drag my ass to the water,
not to the cars.

Water, mud, forgiving,
Cars, land, bushes, not so.

IMHO

[DaveHubbel]

I do have malpractice insurance for stupid things my head might do, but I don't think that's what they meant.

Todd, I've heard that theory too, but I think that most kite disasters take people more or less downwind, maybe 45 degrees off to either side, no way of telling which, so probably best to focus on what is downwind of you along those angles and to minimize time with a kite overhead. Maybe over at the water's edge or standing in the shallows you have a more clear path downwind of you. I watched a few intitiation rites with 2 line kites in the late 90s, I remember it being pretty wild

[Todd Jacques]

My experience tells me to launch from water side. I think kite will move towards the back of window. I saw a launch on Sunday where the kiter was at the cars and kite was at the water. He ended up being dragged where cars park downwind. If there would have been a car there he would have been on it. I will continue to think the way I do. By the way I have launched both ways. Sometimes it depends on who I have launching me. I feel safer with some people more than others.
On another note, I do not like my last launch at rush and I knew better, but sometimes you just have to stick your thumb up. I was standing at waters (mud) edge and it is hard to get a good foot hold there when kite powers up. Other than that if kite gets away it should drag me down wind hopefully closer to water. The next time I will want to be on firm ground.
Let’s face it all launches are different. If cars could park farther away it would leave more safe room. I appreciate Marty bringing it up, but I think we look at it different. I might be wrong, I am not sure? I just have seen bad launches and the kiter always goes directly downwind. So if you launch from car side and if there is a car there? Please correct me?

[Mike Hill]

OK OK guess I'm the reason this whole discussion is happening. Haven't had a wind fix in a long time so I got to Rush before any one else. Manwarring did say to get there early for the full Rush is Plush experience. Todd and John pulled in a couple of minutes later, typical hand slappin' what's happnin' BS and then time to pump up. First time out on the water this year.The wind and nerves gave my gut that Taco Time growl, had to wonder if the drysuit was a good idea. John pumped a 12, I usually go two M smaller than the crew. Pulled the 10m, pumped up and LET THE KOOK SESSION BEGIN!! Do not let anyone tell you that the lines are kook proof, but that will be revealed in a later chapter. Finally got ready for a throw (oh yea, didn't tell you that I used the bar with the long lines "Kookie ,Kookie lend me your comb"), had the kite walked to the water, my back to the cars, launched and before I knew it, the kite had gone from 3 o'clock the 9 o'clock. Happened so fast I didn't even have time to load up the Depends. Thanks for the save Todd. If this would have happened a couple of hours later, I would have had a fender sandwich for lunch. And no, my insurance would not pay for the damage. Anyway, have to agree with Todd, if the shit hits the fan the kite goes through the window so fast you have no time to react. Had a similar thing happen a few years ago with an old Instinct. Line around the wingtip, launch and wham, 3 to 9 and a few yards down the beach. Always remember, Don't be a kook if you know it's gonna nuke!!!

[Todd Jacques]

mike by no means is this about you. I only use what I observed as the example. there have been whispers about which way to launch. I only want to get to the bottom of it? you are a great friend and I am glad you were smart and recovererd nicley, and even went out and killed a second session. I have seen others flipeed from 9 to 3 before and end up where cars are. I think there is no good launch but a succesful launch. we all do it different. I my self want to make sure if everything goes wrong I will not end up as windshield material. Like I said I feel safer launching from the lake. If others want to launch the other way, I will help. I think we all have eachothers back. But we need to talk and point stuff like this out. Rush is busy now, cars get there later and park further downwind and closer. we need to have a safe zone with plenty of room.

If you get there park farther than the next guy, not closer. my .02 cents

[Marty Lowe]

Mike,
To be clear, I didn't have any one in mind when posted.
We arrived after your episode.

I have always believed in choices (druthers)

It just seems logical to me to have the kite as close to the water as possible when launching,
(away from any hard objects i.e. ,cars)
then fly the kite up to 45 degrees, and walk the rest of the way to the water,
and not take the kite over head.
I will always prefer that type of launch.

I just don't see the safety factor in taking the kite over head before getting to the water.

A bad launch that takes the kite in the opposite direction than you are expecting, is just bad either way.
(lines attached wrong, line wrapped around tip, etc)

Todd,
I never intended to suggest to launch with body up wind or near the cars, that is just bad for sure.

Either way, launch with a clear run out downwind.