ELITE WATERSPORTS
Last updated 1-20 -2025
A guide to crashing your kitesurfing kite
Everything you need to know.

Is it okay to crash a kite?
Kite crashes are part of the process—whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, they happen. And here’s the thing: they’re really not that big of a deal. A lot of beginners worry about crashing, thinking it’s going to ruin their session or make them look bad, but trust me—every kiteboarder crashes. It’s as normal as getting wet.
In fact, if you’re not crashing, you’re not progressing. This guide breaks down what to do when it happens: why kites crash, how to get them flying again, and what to do if relaunching isn’t an option.
Plus, I’ll sprinkle in some of my own crash-and-learn stories to show you how I tackled these challenges head-on.
First, let’s talk about why crashes happen. Wind can be unpredictable, and kiteboarding is a sport with a learning curve. Maybe you mistimed a jump, misread the conditions or just don’t yet have the skill for what you’re learning. No biggie—it happens to everyone, even the pros. The good news? Crashing is just part of learning, and every time you recover, you’re building skills and confidence.
When it comes to relaunching, the options are endless, and they’re not as hard as you might think. Whether it’s a standard relaunch or something trickier like a hot launch, the steps are easy to follow.
Once you get the hang of it, relaunching feels second nature—and you’ll look like a rockstar doing it.
Now, if relaunching isn’t happening, that’s where self-rescue comes in. It might sound intimidating, but honestly, it’s pretty straightforward. Your kite becomes your best friend, acting as a sail to carry you safely back to shore.
The trick is staying calm and remembering it’s all part of the adventure.
It’s about know-how and knowing how to handle it can make the difference between a minor hiccup and a major ordeal.
In this guide, we’ll break down what happens when your kite crashes, how to relaunch it, and what to do in a self-rescue situation. Plus, we’ll share real-world insights that Aaron and I have lived through to help you feel confident handling any situation on the water.




Table Of Contents
- Why do Kite Crashes Happen?
- How to Relaunch a Crashed Kite
- What do do when you cant lauch your kite.
- Preventing Kite Crashes
- Why Elite Watersports.
Why Do Kite Crashes Happen?
Kite crashes can happen for many reasons, and they’re a normal part of the learning curve in kiteboarding. Understanding why they occur can help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls.
Wind is an invisible force and even experienced riders can find themselves caught off guard by sudden changes. Misjudging a jump, losing focus during a new trick, or simply being in conditions beyond your skill level can lead to a crash.
It’s not a big deal as kites are made to crash and there are many ways to recover.
Some common reasons for crashing are:
• Sudden wind changes or lulls.
• Misjudged jumps or turns.
• Losing control in light or gusty winds.
• Lack of practice for the new trick.
Experienced riders crash often. The key is staying calm, having fun, assessing the situation, and knowing how to respond.


How can you learn from crashes?
The good news is that every crash is an opportunity to learn. By analyzing what went wrong, you can improve your technique and decision-making for future sessions.
Crashes are also a reminder to respect the power of the wind and the importance of honing your skills.
Actionable insight: I learned about the concept of deliberate practice a few years back from a great book on charisma oddly. The Author was explaining how to learn faster and bypass the 10,000 hour rule by Malcom Gladwell. As an athlete of course this resonated with me and I applied it. When you’re kiteboarding, be fully present and focused on what you’re trying to learn. When you fail, think about what you could have done better and what went wrong. Then you try again and again, repeating this process. You can even do it in your mind when you’re not on the water after you experience it. The mind can’t tell the difference! This has helped me progress so much faster.
How you can use it: read this guide and use this technique. Come back and visit the guide to refresh your knowledge and compare to where you are in the process to improve.
How to Relaunch a Crashed Kite
Relaunching a kite may seem daunting, especially in challenging conditions, but it’s a fundamental skill every rider needs to master. Whether you’re in shallow or deep water, knowing the right technique for the situation can save you time, energy, and frustration.
Practicing these relaunch techniques in controlled conditions will ensure you’re ready when it matters most.
Each relaunch method has its place depending on the kite’s position, the wind strength, and your surroundings. Some techniques, like the hot launch, are more advanced and should only be attempted once you’re confident in your control. Others, like the standard relaunch, are great starting points for beginners.
1. Standard Relaunch:
Move the kite to the wind window’s edge and steer it into the air. This is something I learned and you will learn in a kiteboarding lesson.
It’s a fundamental skill and one you need to attempt riding on your own.
I’ll include a video of Aaron McClearnon demonstrating a drift launch. The technique is the same as on standard realaunching you can watch here.
Hot Launch:
For lightwind, you will need to use a special technique. Keep your kite deep in the wind window, apply pressure to the front lines. The kite will fly backwards. Now pull on one line to flip it around and face the leading edge into the sky. Be ready for a burst of power when the kite takes off.
This is an advanced Technique: This is something I learned much later on and from time to time will show competent students when the time calls for it. It’s more advanced and reserved only for extremely light wind.
We have a great video here that you can watch where Aaron from Elite watersports shares how to launch a kite in light wind.
Aaron shows several techniques listed here.
Trailing Edge Relaunch:
When the kite falls on its trailing edge, walk toward it to release water from the canopy, then back up to reset it.
o Steer the kite to 12 o’clock for a controlled launch.
Front Line Relaunch:
Grab a front line and the opposite steering line to rotate the kite quickly.
Transition to a hot launch as the kite resets.
Pro Tip: Practice these techniques in light wind and somewhat shallow water before heading into deep water. This builds confidence and ensures you're prepared for unexpected challenges.
What do do when you cant lauch your kite.
My kiteboarding students over the years always have the same questions.
The most common is "What to do when I can’t launch my kite? The self-rescue is an essential skill for any kiteboarder and how to handle this situation.
While crashes are often manageable, there are times when relaunching isn’t possible, such as equipment failure or extreme conditions. In these situations, self-rescue becomes your lifeline.
It’s not just about getting back to shore but also staying safe and conserving energy while doing so.
The key to a successful self-rescue is preparation.
Familiarize yourself with your safety systems and practice self-rescue techniques in controlled conditions. When the moment comes, you’ll be more equipped to handle it calmly and efficiently.
Watch this video of Aaron McClearnon showcaing what to do when you can't launch your kite.
Real-World Example: In our video, Aaron demonstrates a self-rescue in 12-knot winds, showing how to stay calm and methodical while managing your kite and gear.
How to self rescue if you can't launch your kite after a crash.
Activate the Quick Release: Pull the quick release to detach the kite from your harness, keeping only the leash attached to the safety line.This will depower the kite and reduce drag.
Hold onto the safety leash and ensure the kite is fully depowered. If the kite is still pulling hard, consider using the second-stage release to completely disconnect from the kite if the situation becomes unsafe.
Pull Yourself Toward the Kite: Use the safety line to pull yourself hand-over-hand toward the kite. Keep the line clear of tangles as you move forward.
Secure the flag line around your line winders and wrap the remaining lines around the bar to avoid entanglement. Be cautious and avoid pulling the lines near your body to prevent injury.
Secure the Kite: Once you reach the kite, grab one of the leading edge tips. Flip the kite upside down so the leading edge (the inflated portion) is facing you and the canopy is away from the wind.
Use the Kite as a Float: Hold the leading edge securely to use the kite as a flotation device.If needed, wrap the safety line around the leading edge to prevent the kite from refilling with wind.
Paddle Back to Shore: Use the kite and your board (if accessible) to help you paddle back to shore. Lie on the board or use your arms and the kite to stay afloat and move toward land.
Real-World Insights: Building Confidence in Kite Recovery. My first season I needed to use the self-rescue all the time. I had the same mindset of Aaron when it comes to rethinking the quick release. Read our blog on that here. Now by year three I had not done a live self-rescue in years. For perspective, kiteboarding is very safe and I simply never had to. Now one day I was riding way out there when the wind randomly shut off. Needless to say, I was thankful I had rehearsed 10,000 self-rescues by teaching them for years. I had to turn my kite into a raft and swim back in a mile to shore in deep cold water.
Preventing Kite Crashes
Crashing is part of learning but crashing from poor judgment of conditions is something to be avoided. Prevention is always better than cure, and this is especially true when it comes to this.
By understanding the conditions and maintaining proper technique, you can significantly reduce the risk of a crash.
The most important step is to match your riding environment to your skill level. Gusty winds and waves can be exciting but also challenging if you’re not ready.
Always ride near the edge of your abilities but don’t push hard beyond. It’s about sharpening your fundamentals slowly, not making big leaps! I learned this from years of making kiteboarding trick tips. Small steps compound while trying to make big jumps always hinder progress.
Another crucial factor is line tension. Proper line management keeps the kite responsive and easier to control. Finally, staying aware of weather patterns and changes ensures you’re prepared for any surprises that nature throws your way.
• Match Conditions to Skill Level: Avoid riding in overly gusty or high-wind conditions if you're not confident.
• Master Line Tension: Learn to control the kite's positioning for smoother handling.
• Stay Aware of Weather Patterns: Understand how wind and waves affect kite performance.
Crashing a kite is part of kiteboarding, but with the right techniques, it's manageable. Practice relaunching and self-rescue in controlled conditions, and you'll be ready for any challenge on the water.
Check out our videos for step-by-step guidance and learn from real-world scenarios to build your confidence and skill.
Are you ready to level up your kiteboarding game? Share this blog and video series with your kiteboarding buddies—because everyone can benefit from mastering these techniques!
Where to take kiteboarding lessons in Florida.

The nearest kiteboarding shop and kite school that services Dunedin and Clearwater is Elite Watersports located in St Petersburg. Give us a call and we can get you up and riding in no time. We teach kitesurfing lessons at Skyway beach a short drive south of Dunedin. Our condions are also beginner friendly and perfect for learning.
Call us for more info on kiteboarding in Florida.
Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equpit with all of the latest kitesurfing gear.
If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202


Author

Ryan "Rygo" Goloversic
Rygo is a globally recognized kiteboarder, Airush team rider and an advocate for wakestyle kiteboarding. When he's not writing articles or producing kite videos you can catch him competing on the KPLxGKA world tour or grinding it out in the gym
Tags
Kiteboarding Waterstart
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