When do you need this technique?

Sometimes the wind drops so much that a normal water relaunch is no longer possible. Your kite is lying downwind of you in the water, and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get it back in the air.

That’s exactly when this trick can help. With a bit of skill, you may still be able to relaunch your kite.

Why your board is so important

Before trying this technique, there’s one crucial thing you need to understand: In deep water, you need to use your board to counteract the pull of the kite.

Simply put your board on your feet and push it underwater against the kite’s pull. This creates counterpressure, helping you hold your position in the water while increasing tension on the steering lines.

Without this counterpressure, you’ll drift too quickly towards the kite. This is one of the most common mistakes I see riders make when trying to relaunch in very light wind.

In this situation, your board isn’t just there to help you ride away afterwards. It also helps you control your position throughout the relaunch.

How the back launch works

Once you’re correctly positioned and using your board to create counterpressure, you can start working with the steering lines.

Step 1: Pull both steering lines evenly

Take both steering lines in your hands and pull them towards you evenly. Keep pulling until the kite starts moving and begins to lift off the water over its trailing edge.

The goal is to fly the kite backwards over its trailing edge into a position where it can rotate and turn back into the air.

Step 2: Wait for the kite to lift

Continue pulling evenly on both steering lines until the kite lifts out of the water over its trailing edge.

Once the kite is about two metres above the water, you reach the crucial moment.

Step 3: Release one steering line

Now release one of the steering lines and keep pulling on the other.

This one-sided pull makes the kite rotate on the spot. It turns into the correct flying position and can then fly upwards through the power zone towards the 12 o’clock position.

Step 4: Fly the kite to 12 o’clock

Once the kite has rotated, steer it as smoothly and under control as possible towards 12 o’clock.

Getting the sequence of steps right is key to making this technique work.

Here’s a quick recap of the key steps:

• Use your board to create counterpressure against the kite’s pull.

• Pull both steering lines evenly.

• Wait until the kite lifts out of the water over its trailing edge.

• Once the kite is about two metres above the water, release one steering line.

• Keep pulling on the other steering line to rotate the kite and fly it upwards.