Safe Kitesurfing Guidelines

These guidelines are on the FKA & AKA websites and I think they are the most complete available at this time. These guidelines are intended to improve kitesurfer safety as well as bystander safety. Riders must accept that even if they follow these guides' accidents & injuries will happen. Kitesurfing is an extreme sport please be careful.

General Safety Guidelines

1) Readily help all kitesurfers launching & landing. This is where most accidents occur. Riders be aware you are totally responsible for your safety, the safety of your crew (Launch/landing) and all bystanders and their property.

2) All kitesurfers especially beginning should seek professional instruction. To learn the safe way. Beginners should avoid crowded areas.

3) Know your limitations as well as your equipment's limits. ALWAYS MAINTAIN ENERGY RESERVES JUST IN CASE. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR ABILITY LEVEL. Hydrate often.

4) Don't Kitesurf alone or further from shore than you can swim yourself and your equipment in.

5) Make sure you have proper safety equipment. Kite depowering safety leash, impact vest, board leash and hook knife.

6) Watch the weather don't kite in questionable conditions. Avoid offshore and onshore launching conditions

Equipment Checklist

1) Check kite for leaky bladders repair all leaks BEFORE flying

2) Make sure launch area is free of obstacles. Bystanders, other kiters natural or man made obstacles

3) Check all lines, leaders, and knots. Make sure flying lines are equal in length. Watch for twist or knots. Rule of thumb replace line ever six months.

4) Avoid solo launching if possible. If not make sure you know how (take a lesson or do it with a trainer) conditions are right and that the kite is secured in prelaunch. Several severe accidents occurred at this point.

5) Avoid hooking snap shackle onshore.

6) Announce your intention to launch and do it quickly. To avoid involuntary lifting avoid flying your kite directly overhead. Fly your kite in the lower neutral zones.

7) Be aware of water hazards and other water users (Windsurfers, fishermen ect...) BEFORE you launch either the kite or the board.

8) Right of way when in doubt yield to all other craft. Before jumping or maneuvering be aware of your surroundings. You have no right of way in the air or launching or landing jumps or maneuvers. Basically stay clear of other "you never know for sure what someone else will do in certain circumstances."

Landing

1) Approach shore slowly quick stops often lead to involuntary lofting.

2) Keep kite low while landing

3) Arrange assisted landing AVOID USING NON KITER/BYSTANDERS FOR ASSISTENCE. This is just asking for trouble.

4) Pay attention to your kite. Avoid distractions get your kite down quickly and safely. Then answer bystander's questions or other kiter's chat.

5) Finally properly anchor your kite. Disconnect and wrap up your lines