South Devon Kitesurf Club

Risk Assessment

Hazard Who might be harmed Actions to reduce risk Actioned By
Collision with kite, kite lines or kite board on beach. Beach users. Kitesurfers. Animals. Implement a kite zoning system. Ensure kitesurfers are aware of this by providing information, including a Code of Conduct, on the website and through leaflets. The website should include a map to show the safest areas to set up, launch and land. Committee
Recruit beach helpers to provide information on the beach. Committee
Lifeguards to inform kitesurfers if they are setting up in the wrong zone. RNLI
Collision with kite, kite lines or kite board in RNLI bathing area. Bathers. Kitesurfers. Ensure kitesurfers are aware not to cross the RNLI bathing area under any circumstances until they are a decided minimum distance upwind. This is to be detailed on the Code of Conduct and website. Provide details of what kitesurfers should do if they drop their kite in the RNLI bathing area. Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons. Committee
Provide information to the RNLI about rescuing a kite from the bathing area. Train lifeguards on kite rescue. Committee and RNLI
Collision with other kitesurfers and sail watercraft. Kitesurfers. Windsurfers. Yacht users. Code of Conduct and website to detail priority rules for watercraft. Committee
Reiterate the priority rules during general conversation and at social events. Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons. Committee and kitesurfers
Collision with other water users. Surfers. Boat users. Kayakers. Stand up paddle boarders. Code of Conduct and website to detail a safe distance that must be maintained from any other water users. Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons. Committee
Unattended equipment Beach users. Animals.

Code of Conduct to inform kitesurfers to wrap up their lines and weigh down their kites or deflate kites when having a break or leaving the kite unattended.

Committee
Loose/uncontrolled kites Beach users. Kitesurfers. Animals. Code of Conduct to advise that kitesurfers should know how to activate their safety systems and to check their safety systems regularly. Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons. Committee
Using a kite that is too big Beach users. Kitesurfers. Code of Conduct should detail that kitesurfers should seek lessons and advise on using the correct size kite. Committee
RNLI to provide signage of tide times. RNLI
Collision with other obstacles:
Bantham - rocks and buoys.
Bigbury - rocks.
Paignton - rocks and pier.
Goodrington - seawall, beach huts and pipeline.
Broadsand - rocks and promenade.
Slapton - seawall.
Kitesurfers. Website to detail these obstacles and advise about maintaining a safe distance from them. Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons. Committee
Recruit beach helpers to provide information on the beach. Committee
Turbulent wind (cliffs at Bantham, Bigbury and Paignton) Beach users. Kitesurfers. Website to advise to stay away from obstacles that might cause turbulent wind. Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons. Committee
Offshore winds Kitesurfers. Website to detail which wind directions are safe to kite in.
Website to detail that kitesurfers should not kite in an offshore wind.
Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons.
Committee
Rip tides and tide level Kitesurfers. Provide details of any rip tides on the website.
Encourage kitesurfers to take lessons.
Committee
RNLI to provide signage of tide times.
Lifeguards to warn people when necessary on particular days.
RNLI
Collisionwith rescue craft, kite kines catching round propellor Kitesurfers. Lifeguards. Website to advise that kitesurfers receive a lesson about the deep water pack down procedure. Committee
Liaise with RNLI to advise on the safest way of rescuing a kitesurfer from the water Committee.
Train lifeguards on this method.
Committee and RNLI


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