Hallo Thomas,
I fly the X-bow for years now, and I know the dead-launch problem verry well. Forget it in high grass and in low wind, but I found a way to make it work in short grass. I perform a short axel-like pop with both hands simultaniously, followed by a little slack in the lines. The front keel absorbs the enegy by bowing inside, lowering the nose until it hits the ground. A split second later, the same front keel pushes the nose up again like a spring. The kite will lift a little higher than horizontal. Then you step (or run, depending on the wind) backwards and fly away. Works fine most of the time, if not, do the walk of shame, but do it with pride, not every body is trying dead-launches.
Hope it works for you too!!
Johan.

