Kitesurfing Safety
Just got a kite?
The first thing you Must do is get a lesson
from a qualified instructor. There are things you must know and safety, weather, and right of way rules. If you have not got a lesson and
you want to kite you are putting yourself and others at great risk.
To read about what can happen when things go wrong firsthand click here
pridebeforeafall.pdf
Incidents
If you have had an incident or have witnessed one anywhere in NSW involving a kite surfer whether the incident resulted in injury or not, we would like to hear about it ASAP. Please fill in this form below and send it back to us or at least contact us via email so we can discuss the incident. This also includes kite surfing behaviour that you consider to be inappropriate or dangerous or in breach of the SAFE kitesurfing guidelines. Contact us in confidence (your details will not be disclosed) at secretary@nswkba.com.au
AKSA Incident Form
In conjunction with Surf Life Saving Australia we developed these
guidelines for Clubbies to rescue kiters in trouble. Have a look so you
know what to expect if you get into trouble and need help.
Kiteboards are treated as "vessels" by the NSW Maritime Authority, take a look at their guidelines for kiteboarding here.
- When you purchased your kite did it come with a leash?
- The leash is an elasticated cord (not a bit of bungy) that also has a rope inside that prevents over stretch.
- One end will attach to your harness (not your spreader bar) and the other end to a flagging line on the kite (5th line or centre line)
- This is required for your safety and the safety of others, it will stop your kite flying away if you drop the bar or something breaks.
- Do NOT use a surfboard type leash for your kite leash, they can be dangerous and a surfboard leash is not strong enough and does not have the required releases.
- Kite surfers and their equipment,
including kite and lines, must maintain a minimum distance of 30m from
any persons or objects in the water at all times.
- Stay
out of a designated surf zone. A designated surf zone is defined as the
area extending 500 metres out from shore between surf patrol flags or
signs.
- Stay out of a swimming area, which is defined as the area extending 60 metres out from shore between signs for swimmers.
- An appropriate lifejacket must be worn when the kite surfer is 400 metres or more from the nearest shore.
- Please refer to our Kite maps page and map downloads for all details on kite areas and no kite zones.
- Sydney Harbour is a no-go zone for kite surfing.
The no-go zone is an area between North and
South Head and the head of navigation on the
Parramatta River and includes Middle Harbour
and the Lane Cove River. - At Pittwater off Station Beach – caution is
required as this is a seaplane landing and takeoff
area. Appropriate warning signs have been
established north and south of the seaplane
wharf.
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Take extreme care when launching
-
Keep a proper lookout at all times
-
Kite surfers must maintain proper distances off when operating in the vicinity of surfers outside the designated surf zone
-
Kite surfers must keep a proper lookout at all times for obstructions, other craft or swimmers
-
Look all around - even behind you.
- Power driven craft must give way to
sailcraft such as kite surfers unless the kite surfer is in the process
of overtaking. A kite surfer overtaking any other craft (power or sail)
must keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken.
Before kiting make sure you check the coast is CLEAR
Conditions
- Wind strength
- Wind direction
- Always keep downwind area well clear
- Waves, tides & currents
- Consider possible changes
Look
- Before you launch, land, jump, jibe, etc
Equipment
- Always pre-flight check
- Use a kite leash
- Use a quick release on anything you hook into
- Practise using your safety systems regularly so that it becomes instinctive
- Never exceed manufacturers specifications
Attitude
- Always seek and listen to local advice
- Don't exceed your limitations
- Use judgement to prevent situations, not rely on skill to try and get out of it
Respect
- Others - be considerate and courteous to all other water and beach users
- The law
- Fellow kiters - follow right of way rules
- The environment