Water relaunch technique

[BradHuber]

Before the water season gets too far out of everyone's memory, I'd like to post a technique question in case anyone has pointers for me. I'm still a bit of a newb.

A session or two ago I dumped my kite (standard bow kite) in the water. I tried to relaunch the way I usually do by getting the kite to lay down on it's top side and drifting to the edge of the window. This time around I could not for the life of me get the kite to lay down. My technique was to have the kite straight down wind from me, pull about an arms length on the front lines and then release them while swimming hard as I could towards the kite. Unfortunately this only resulted in the kite "almost" laying down a couple of times. Once I got to shallow water where I could stand up, I was able to quickly relaunch the kite and I was ready for more action (although the wind died at that point).

Now my question is- what was I doing wrong? A couple of thoughts: I always wear a lifejacket (and I had a wetsuit) when I go out. Could this have been slowing me down way too much to swim fast enough toward the kite? Also I had my board in hand (for fear of losing it). Could it be the board was just too much drag? Is the usual way to just let go of the board and retrieve it after the kite is up?

Thoughts appreciated, thanks.

[bordy]

Brad,,

GO search Youtube for bow kite relaunch. Lots of good tips. Ask some one in person when you see them. It sounds like you are trying to launch a bow kite using a c-kite style flip over? By the Top side do you mean the top of the kite canopy? If so then you are trying to lanch your bow kite like a ckite, or my have just ben underpowered? Its hard to say.