When I have a birds-nest tangle in the lines, most of the tangle is loops tangled with loops, so I concentrate first on pulling all the loops back out first until the mess has got a lot looser, then work my way up toward the ends of the lines.
I only start pulling the single lines through when I get near the ends of the lines.
If the board is on your feet you need not worry about it smashing into you if something goes wrong. You can also use the board for drag to help with line tension re-launching the kite.
In light wind it would probably be ok but i wouldn't do it if it were windy i would put the board on my feet. less things to deal with generally means less that could happen.
#1 tip for kiting in waves: DON'T DROP YA KITE!
#2 tip for kiting in waves: DON'T DROP YA KITE!
#3 tip for kiting in waves: If you are in the water and a wave is coming towards you - swing your kite out to sea.
If your kite is facing land, the wave will push you towards the kite - slackening the lines - and that's often when the poo hits the fan! 
Keep the kite facing (even slightly) out to sea and most of the time you just have to cop the wave - not the wave then the powerzone whiteknuckle ride - then kiteloop - then the kite shredded in the waves. 
Don't forget to take the deflator pins out of your bladder valves before rolling your kite up.
Unless you want some practice repairing bladders 
