APPARENT WIND LUFFING (A.W. Luffing for short)

The particular kitesailing problem with A.W. luffing is because, when the
operator senses an impending luff, there is rarely sufficient boat
velocity - momentum or manoeuverability - to permit the quick flick to a
more upwind course that would save the same luff on a buggy.  A.W. luffing
is not the kite's problem as it is caused by suddenly moving the kite into
a zone of negative angle of attack wind but  good kite design can
alleviate the problem somewhat.  Unfortunately, bad kite design can also
alleviate the problem!  Using a kite with a high drag profile (low L.D.R.)
that is incapable of penetrating very far around the edge will remove
much of the risk of luff induced kite crashes. There must be a better
solution as this also prevents satisfactory upwind sailing.  Operator
skill is one answer but I've put in lots of hours "on the water" and am not
bullet proof yet, mind you I'm a slow learner, more cerebral than
intuitive as a kite flier and judge myself to be well down the bottom of
the skill pecking order.  Sailing in smooth wind cures the complaint but is
not very often possible.

All kite styles are susceptible, (even four lines kites).  A simple
relaunching system would be a substantive answer but better flier
technique will always be necessary.  The skill to develop is sensitivity
to the kite via appreciation of its position direction and velocity
relative to the wind and line tension. 

Impending luffs always signal by a drop in line pull.  Sensing a luff, turn
the kite quickly away from the danger area back towards the centre of
the wind.  In spite of A.W. luffing problems uninterrupted kite sailing
jaunts of more than 2-3 hours are now easy enough.

Turning

Because kitesailers won't turn as tightly as buggies the
standard technique is always to turn downwind.  (I have never heard of a
successful kitesailing upwind turn) and to keep the kite lines
approximately in line with the boats axis as you go through the turn. 

Surf

Kitesailing in surf requires a special technique especially getting
out to unbroken water when the wind is directly onshore - and if the wind
is off shore should you be going out at all?  Being lost at sea may be
character building but is not always survivable and could give the
embryonic sport of kitesailing a bad name!  To get out through surf into
the wind I start with the kitesailer out a little distance with its fins
stuck in the sand and set up parallel to the beach.  Launch the kite, park
it up, wait for a wave to float you off then hook into some kite pull and
immediately steer up into the wind as far as possible while maintaining
reasonable velocity.  When a breaking wave approaches, steer directly
into it keeping the kite powered up to pull you back on to a reach as soon
as you're through the wave.  Repeat this process until you're clear of
surf - it usually works!

Crashes

Attach a surfers lanyard between you and the kitesailer.  In
this way, if you get capsized or hauled out you won't lose contact with
the boat and provided you have the presence of mind to keep the kite up,
can almost always right the boat and get going again.  If you crash the
kite, stay on the boat, wind the lines up, place the kite on your lap and,
taking the hand paddles you had thoughtfully tied to the seat back
before setting off, paddle to the nearest land, relaunch and sail home in
style!