Rules and Safety of Kiteboarding
Please refer here for an exceptional description of the rules of sailing.
You can also refer to kitesurfingschool.org for a set of Rules and Safety guidelines.
- Avoid collision at all cost, even if you have the right of way
- Always use a safety system
- Avoid high winds and gusty conditions when learning
- Wear a helmet
- Wear a life jacket or impact vest
- Never kitesurf in offshore wind. When in doubt DO NOT GO OUT!
- Steer clear of less maneuverable water craft, especially surfers. Surfers have the right of way. Surfers and inexperienced kiters are considered less maneuverable.
- Stay clear of boats, jet skis or other hard objects. General rule of thumb is to stay at least one to two kite lines length away from others and obstacles.
- Upwind kiter holds his kite high while the downwind kiter holds his kite low
- Never jump while you are upwind of someone
- Make sure to keep non-kiters from touching your lines and kite. Never ask a non-kiter to launch or catch you kite
- Avoid crowded areas while learning
- Starboard tack has the right of way always
- When coming in, give right of way to kiters who are launching
- You are solely responsible for the safety of yourself and others while kiteboarding
- Always check your equipment for safety and make sure your kite is properly inflated. An improperly inflated kite is hard to control and difficult to relauch
- Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Waveriding Rules
- A wave rider coming in on the wave does not have the right of way to someone heading out.
- The wave rider nearest the peak has the right of way when on the same tack as someone else.
- Some locations on some days are clearly wave riding days, this is not to say that jumping isn't awesome on these days, but if you want to gain respect and make friends when the waves are pumping, try and make a huge sweep downwind of the person on the wave or their kite before you jump.
- SURFERS ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.
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