Kiteboarding is a wonderful sport that can be dangerous if you don’t know and/or respect some basic rules of sailing and if you don’t practice kiteboarding in the right conditions.
If you like to start with kiteboarding, a kitesurfing course with a qualified instructor should be done in order to be self independent and safety rules and instructions must be observed.
Preliminary checks
- Never do kiteboarding alone: have kitesurf with a friend should be nice for the company and helpful for sharing tips and for mutual helping and support
- Find out about the regulations on regional and municipal ordinances and on local customs, especially with regard to the safety devices required (quick release, leash, life jacket, helmet, etc.)
- Know all the features of the spot and check the accessibility of a downwind point to be used in case of leeway
- Always watch the weather forecast to know the intensity and direction of wind in order choose witch is the best spot for kitesurfing. Important: It is good practice to avoid kiteboarding with Offshore wind, unless a launch and recovery service is available
- Choose the right kite size according to the wind conditions. In case the intensity is unclear, get the wind intensity with an anemometer. Never kitesurfing with an oversized kite
- Arm (install) the kite carefully and check if safety systems (Kite Quick release and quick release of the leash) are well working
- Never arm / run / land in unsafe conditions (avoid the presence of obstacles / bathers / other kites in the area you are kitesurfing)
- When not in use, do not leave your kite unattended on the beach.
Kitesurfing safety rules during lanunching and landing phases
- The majority of accidents happen when the kite is on the beach, during the take-off or at the moments before the entry into the water: in those moments it is necessary to pay close attention.
- Re-check that lines are well armed before the kite take-off
- Get help just from experienced kiteboarders and use the appropriate signals for take-off and landing the kite
- Do not take-off the kite in the presence of obstacles (people, animals or things) and be carefull to have a safe distance downwind (if it is possible at least twice the length of the lines)
- Do not stay on the beach longer than the necessary time while the kite is fliying.
Kitesurfing safety rules while Sailing
- Don’t go in the water alone: better to be kept under control by someone or bring a device to call for help in case of need (e.g. a mobile phone)
- Monitor the weather and any changes on wind direction and intensity
- Maintain a safe distance from other kitesurf, windsurf, boats of all kinds, swimmers and obstacles in general
- Be aware of your limits and possibilities: manage the time and difficulty of the sailing according to our level of experience and to our physical conditions
- Don’t go too far from the beach: calculate a distance from the beach that allows to easy return In case of problems