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Kitesurfing is easy to practice safely with a little forethought and common sense. Ultimately we are responsible for minimizing the risk to ourselves, and others, which will help protect the future of this great sport – be very CLEAR about your responsibilities.

Please read on to find out more about Clear Safe Kiting Guidelines and other Guidelines.

CLEAR Safe Kiting Guidelines

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

Provided by Kite Republic Schools

SAFE KITING GUIDELINES

Kitesurfing is easy to practice safely with a little forethought and common sense. Ultimately we are responsible for minimizing the risk to ourselves, and others, which will help protect the future of this great sport.

• Kitesurfers are primarily responsible for their own safety and for the safety of others in their vicinity.

• At all times exercise common sense.

• Know your limits - assess the conditions to avoid getting into dangerous situations.

• Select a safe, clear launch site with consistent side or side-on-shore winds. Do not launch from or land on a crowded beach.

• Make a routine check before every launch.  Check kite, bridle, lines and harness. A kite with tangled or twisted lines can take off and be uncontrollable.

• Always use a safety leash.

• Always prevent kites from inadvertent launching on the beach by weighting with sand.

• Never leave a kite in the self-launch position unless you intend to launch immediately.

• Always give way to the public on the beach.

• Always announce when you are about to launch so people are aware of this fact and are prepared to move in the event of a gust or problem.

• Disable unattended kites by removing one of the lines, placing the kite leading edge down facing the wind and weighting with sand or a board.

• When launching, leave at least 50m clear beach downwind of you. 

• Avoid kitesurfing near any airport or runway.

• Stay clear of overhead power lines and similar structures.

• Always maintain a 'safety buffer zone' when on the water and on the beach.

• Keep at least one line's length (30m) away from windsurfers and other water users.

• Incoming kitesurfer to give way to outgoing kitesurfer.

• When passing another kitesurfer in the opposite direction, the windward kitesurfer is to fly high and the downwind kitesurfer to fly low in order to avoid contact.

• Give way to all water users especially sailing boats involved in racing.    

• Don't assume the public automatically associates you with the kite, which is flying to leeward of you.

• Don't jump within 50m upwind of another water user.

• Don't use lines longer than necessary.

Return the kite to neutral as quick as you can after a crash - lines in the water are trouble waiting to happen.