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SAFETY
RULE N°4 - CHECK THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Check the local weather forecast, (radio, web,
harbor crew). How strong are the winds and from
which direction?
You must know how the speed of the wind and
the direction are going to evolve during the day.
RULE N°5 - RESPECT & HELP OUT OTHERS
Put away your material
Be careful not to unwind your lines on top of
others'. The same applies when you put down
your kite, be careful not to do it on top of someone
else's lines. This can become hazardous if
he or she re-launches his or her kite without
noticing your lines.
If you leave your kite on the beach, to get some
rest or just waiting for better conditions, think of
rolling up your lines on your bar to clear up the
spot. Disconnect the lines from the kite if you are
going to leave the kite on the beach unattended.
Avoid the kite at the zenith
Avoid if possible staying with the kite at the
zenith while you are still on the ground, better to
take it down in order to get some rest. This could
be hazardous for you and the others: you are not
safe from a sudden lack of wind or a strong gust
that could pull you away.
On the ground or the beach, falls are harder and
they hurt. Your kite at the zenith can also disturb
the others from landing and launching their kites.
Help out others
Always keep an eye on your surroundings, and
pay attention to others. Do not hesitate to help
out others launching and landing their kites,
or going after a struggling kitesurfer.
RULE N°6 - LEARN TO USE YOUR SAFETY SYSTEMS
Do not fly your kite without a proper safety
system allowing you to instantly reduce the
power of the kite and without a safety leash
connecting you to the kite once you have killed
the power, this leash should also be releasable in
case of an emergency.
You should not ride during stormy weather, the
kite may attract lightning!
Also check on the tides schedule and the areas
for rip currents.
Respect the priority on the water
When two kitesurfers are passing each other, the
one closer to the wind origin should raise his kite
and the kite surfer under the wind should lower
his kite to avoid a tangling of the lines.
When two kitesurfers are facing each other, the
kite surfer riding with the wind coming from
starboard (right hand forward) according to the
path followed has the priority over the kite surfer
who's wind comes from port side (left hand
forward).
The kitesurfer riding starboard should maintain
his or her trajectory and the one riding port side
should move further down the wind in order not
to cross their paths.
Before any jumps or direction changes, make
sure there is enough room and that you are not
going to cross anyone's path.
Respect bystanders
Inform the spectators of the power of the kite
and of the potential risk by staying downwind
from a kite surfer.
Do not lend your equipment to a none kitesurfer.
Frequently check the wear and tear of your safety
systems. Do not wait for trouble to learn how to
operate your safety systems. Chose a wide open
area to practice your release of the kite.
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