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Kitesurfing Safety
These guide lines are from the British Kite Surfing Association (BKSA).
If you follow them to the letter you won't go far wrong.
Kite surfing is an extreme sport and is therefore potentially dangerous
to both the kite boarder and others. The BKSA encourages responsible
members. We do not want to put anybody off or sound too officious, but
many people are completely new to kite surfing and so we have laid out a
complete set of safety guidelines. The BKSA recommend that Kite Surfing
should not be attempted without appropriate instruction.
Kiteboarding must never be attempted unless you are a competent swimmer,
hold third party insurance and have undertaken proper lessons from a
BKSA/ IKO qualified instructor.
Kitesurfing Road Rules
- Be sure that you can handle the prevailing weather conditions and never
sail in offshore winds. If in doubt don't go out.
- The upwind rider gives way to the downwind rider.
- The rider on the port tack gives way the rider on starboard tack.
- Kitesurfers using the seafront should give way to other water users and
retreat to a safe zone outside of the navigational channel when other
craft approach.
- The seafront can get exceptionally busy both on the beach and in the
water. No matter how competent you are, or good the conditions look,
never risk the safety of others If in doubt don't go out.
- Always maintain a 50-metre downwind safety zone between yourself and
other craft. In the event of coming into conflict with other water users
stabilise your kite at 12 o'clock (top of the wind window).
- Never kitesurf within 50-metres upwind of any moored vessel.
- Never kitesurf in or near to the bathing areas and swimmers, buoys and
boat moorings.
- Never practice jumping on land or close to the beach.
- When returning to the beach, give way to riders who are launching.
General Safety Guidelines
- The BKSA very strongly recommend that a helmet or quality head
protector is worn at all times while kite surfing.
- Check the local weather conditions before riding and ensure you fully
understand the tidal currents and how they might affect the riding area.
The currents off many British seafronts can be more like a fast flowing
river and are potentially dangerous.
- If you lose your kite or board whilst on the water, always report you
are safe to the rescue services so they do not waste time and money
looking for you. It is recommended that you write your name, address and
contact number on all your equipment.
- Always keep your lines away from people, animals and craft on land or
water. Do not leave your equipment unattended on the beach and be polite
to other beach users.
- Always act in a responsible manner. If new or careless riders show up,
talk to them with your friends about what's at risk. Take the time to
explain how to safely get into the sport, and where to obtain adequate
and professional instruction.
Equipment
- All manufacturers instructions and safety guidelines must be read and
followed, in particular the limitations of the product.
- Equipment must be regularly checked for wear and tear and repaired
before going out on the water. If in doubt seek advice from an
authorised dealer, approved BKSA/IKO instructor or more experienced
local rider.
- Always check your equipment thoroughly and ensure your kite is
properly inflated. An under inflated kite is difficult to control and
harder to re-launch from water.
- Always use an effective kite leash and safety system so you can kill
your kite instantly in the event of an emergency.
- Never tether yourself to the kite with a closed system. Only use quick
release harness systems and practice activating such systems under
tension.
- Carry a knife that is capable to easily cut the heaviest flying line
you are using.
Setting Up, Launching & Landing
- Do not lay lines across the path of other beach users and never launch
in crowded areas.
- Select a safe launch site and allow enough space for any difficulties
you may get into. If it's possible, have a friend help you.
- Never ask an inexperienced member of the public to assist.
- Extra care should be taken when the beach is busy. On occasions, it
might be too busy to launch safely unless a specific launch area is in
operation.
- Prevent kites from re-launching with sand (or other ballast) to weigh
them down and ensure that sand will not be dropped on other beach users
when self-launching.
- Fully disable unattended kites and return your lines to the kite so
you don't cause inconvenience to other beach users.
- Look out for riders returning to shore and be ready to help land their
kites.
- Never kiteboard in congested areas with swimmers, boats, other crafts
or obstacles.
- If you ride alone let someone know you are out and what time you
expect to return.
- Always maintain a downwind safety zone especially when jumping. Look
before you jump.
- Never ride so far away from the shore that you cannot swim back in an
emergency.
- All riders should be familiar with rescue signals and practice
self-rescue pack down maneuvers when undergoing kiteboarding instruction
with qualified BKSA/IKO instructors.
- If you need to swim kill the power in your kite, wind the lines onto
the bar and deflate the leading edge.
There are Many Nature Reserves along the Coast and these have a Guide
for Water Users. Kitesurfers are asked to follow this voluntary code and
observe Nature Reserve byelaws. |
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