South Devon Kitesurf Club

These guidelines can be easily adapted for use on any beach. A good idea is to post the guidelines on information boards at the entrance to your beach clearly outlining where and where not to kitesurf. Also it is always worth briefing the local lifeguards as they are responsible for policing the beach and someday may save your life.

General:

• All beginners must seek professional instruction (we have a list of instructors - see the links at the top)
• All Kiters must carry third part insurance (see links on home page for more information)
• Kiteboarders yield right of way to all other beach users
• Kiteboarders yield to other water users
• Assisted launch and landing is recommended
• All kiters must use a proper safety leash (kite to kiter)
• While you are setting up pay attention to incoming kiters and assist in landing their kites
• Beginning kiters drag out two line lengths prior to water starting

When Launching:

• Set up kite and clear all tangled lines in the beach park
• Attach kite safety leash (DO NOT ATTACH BOARD LEASH until kite is launched and in the neutral position)
• Make sure that beach area is clear
• When launching make sure that kite is free of sand before release (This is a courtesy to other beach users - try filling a plastic bag with sand, but remember to take the bag home)
• Launch kites only from designated area
• SLOWLY bring kite up to neutral position (11 or 1 o'clock) Attach board leash. (BEWARE OF USING 12 O'CLOCK - THIS POSITION CAN LOFT YOU UP IN A GUST - AND HAS CAUSED MANY BAD INJURIES.)
• Leave the beach in a slow and controlled manner
• Beginners body drag 200ft/60m out before water starting
• ABSOLUTELY NO BEACH JUMPING!!

• Starboard tack has right-of-way (right hand forward is starboard, left hand forward is port)
• Jumping kiters sacrifice right-of-way
• Incoming kiters let launching kiters go out first before landing
• Jump and jibe at least 200ft/60m outside shore break and swimming area
• Yield right-of-way to ALL other water users
• DO NOT COME WITHIN 200ft/60m OF THE BEACH OR SWIM AREAS UNLESS LAUNCHING OR LANDING!!

Be Safe - wear a helmet

Kite surfing is an extreme sport and is therefore potentially dangerous to both the Kite Surfer and others. 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.

We recommend that Kite Surfing should not be attempted without appropriate instruction.

Kite Surfings minimum competence of skills are considered to be:

Board Skills:

A beginner wakeboarder can struggle behind a boat pulling at a constant speed on flat water.

Now imagine learning to board behind a boat changing direction and speed in rough water - whatever you do, get comfortable on a board BEFORE strapping a kite on.

Level 1: Kite Flying Skills

1. Understand all aspects of safe handling of kites on land & water. If you haven't flown a traction kite before - try a smaller kite first, to get the feel for it - before going big.
2. Able to launch and land (unaided) on a specified spot on land.

Level 2: Basic Water Skills

1. Body Surfing with kite along and back to shore.
2. Water launching onto board

Level 3: Basic Kite Surfing Skills

1. Getting on a board and travelling a distance under kite power.
2. Emergency stop on water - getting off the board quickly and stopping with kite aloft.
3. Returning to base on land either by kitesurfing, paddling or body-surfing home.

General Safety Guidelines:

• Stay clear of power lines and overhead obstructions.
• Never fly a kite in a lightning storm.
• If you can not walk backwards when the kite is flying directly overhead the kite is too big and/or the wind is too strong.
• Never tether yourself to the kite with a closed system. Only use open quick-release harness systems, if at all.
• Never kite surf if you do not have good Kite flying experience.

Land Skills

• Do not lay kite lines across any ones path.
• Do not launch or land in crowded areas.
• Always announce you are launching a kite.
• Select a safe launching site.
• Prevent kites from re-launching with sand (or other ballast) to weight it down.
• Disable unattended kites. (Face down into the wind)

Water

• Never kite surf in congested areas with swimmers, boats or other craft or obstacles.
• Never go out on the water without telling another person where you are going.
• Always maintain a downwind safety buffer zone.
• A Kite surfer must know the rules of the sea including navigation laws and abide by them at all times.
• Instruction must be taken from an experienced kite surfer before surfing for the first time.
• A Kite surfer must know the rules of the sea including navigation laws and abide by them at all times.
• A kite surfer must be fit and healthy and over 18 years of age (under 18's should have parental permission and supervision).
• Never Kite surf without telling another person where you are going.
• If going offshore, kitesurf in pairs or with a rescue boat in attendance.
• Never Kite surf in conditions which are too extreme for either you or your equipment.

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 accordingly before going out onto the water.
• Always Kite surf with adequate safety equipment.