Safety
Right of way rules
Respecting a few priority rules helps prevent accidents on the beach and on the water. Make sure you and your fellow riders understand them.
When two riders converge: the rider going starboard (kite right-hand side) has right of way and the rider going port tack (kite left-hand side) must give right of way and pass downwind with his kite as low as possible. There is no particular reason for this rule, but it is already applied in all other sports and nautical activities.
The outgoing rider has right of way over the incoming rider: the wind is sometimes gusty on land. The rider who is on the beach is the one more at risk, so he has the priority.
The rider going faster than another in the same direction must give way to the slowest rider: the one going faster is the one who has a global vision of the situation since he arrives from behind.
The rider passing upwind (windward) from another kiteboarder must fly his kite overhead: the kiteboarder downwind (leeward) must pilot his kite as low as possible.
The rider surfing a wave has the right of way over the one who is jumping or going in the opposite direction: when surfing a wave, the kite is less easy to pilot so there is less room for maneuvers. Nevertheless, the rule for the outgoing rider is applicable when the waves are close to the shore (shore break). In this case, the rider who is surfing will have to give way to the rider who is going out.
Right of way must be given to other ocean users: kiteboarding is the latest nautical sport. Kiteboard downwind to them.
A rider must have a clear safety zone of 50m downwind because he moves downwind when he jumps: a rider must have a clear safety zone of 30m upwind to jump because the lines could touch the kite of the lines of another rider kiteboarding close by.
International rules apply between kiteboarders and other water users, unless defined differently by local county or government.
International Kiteboarding Signs
Learning these signs and applying them on your kite spot with the riders will allow you to have a common language and avoid misinterpretation.
One hand patting head:
I want to land (when the sign is done by a kiteboarder arriving to the shore)
Dangerous gust
Gusts can be detected by simple observation on the spot, and anticipating a gust prevents us from getting into a dangerous situation. Here are a few situations that can be observed.
1. The updraft
Walls, buildings, trees, hills, cliff, and sand dunes can create an updraft on their upwind. The distance of the wind turbulence exponentially increases when the wind blows faster. A spot can be safe in 15 knots and become a nightmare in 25 knots.
Safety tip: Increase the safety distance between you and obstacles in order to avoid being lifted and consequently ending your ride in an obstacle.
2. The downdraft
Downdrafts are also created by obstacles. Once lifted, the rider suddenly drops with no power in the kite to slow down his fall. As for the updraft, the length of the affected area increases exponentially when the wind increases and so does the risk of accidents.
Safety tip: launch, land and ride away from the affected area. If you have the chance of not being lifted but that your kite stalls, it means that there is a downdraft effect. Stop kiteboarding immediately!
3. The gust front
The gust front is created by the rain, generated by a big cloud that has a black base. The sudden rainfall creates a strong and unstable wind. The rider is therefore overpowered and can’t control the kite. Any obstacle, even at a distance, becomes a danger.
Safety tip: stop kiting as soon as you see a black cloud. The wind usually drops completely once the front gust has passed.
In every situation, avoid flying your kite at the top of the wind window. It is best to position it as close as you can to the ground, until you are sure that the wind is stable.
If you are not sure of the conditions, test the wind with a very small kite: if the kite is unstable and quickly moves forward or backward, or if you feel the bar shake, do not go kiteboarding. It is better to not be confident rather than going in the water and having an accident. Learn how to analyze the wind (the IKO Kiteboarding Vision is full of useful info) and remember it’s always better to not ride on your own!!
Keep the pressure down
You are riding and having so much fun that you have not noticed the big fat black clouds gathering above you, growing vertically. Then all of a sudden, as you jump, you take off much higher than expected and your heart misses a beat as you get the fright of your life… Knowing a little bit about the weather and observing the sky can prevent you from such an experience!
Observe the clouds
Before riding, it is absolutely necessary to check the wind strength and direction, as well as the type of wind. How can you check the wind forecast? By calling the local weather forecast specialized in maritime affairs, by checking the web, or by simply observing and talking to the local spot users.
If you are in a low-pressure zone, you must constantly be on your guard because the wind can change very suddenly. If the sky is filled with clouds that are directed vertically, the pressure is below 1013 millibars, and it is raining or the sky is grey, it means you are in a low-pressure zone.
If you are in an anticyclone, the wind doesn’t quickly change strength or direction, it’s not too strong, the sky is blue, and the atmospheric pressure is above 1013 millibars. The clouds are of the same size (cumulus).
In both cases, we may see the formation of a cloud called cumulonimbus. This cloud can create unstable and strong winds, and can come with rain, storm and hail.
Regardless of whether this cloud is upwind or downwind of your riding zone, go back to the shore and land your kite.
The safest wind directions to kite are cross-shore and cross on shore.
Avoid off-shore and cross-off-shore because they can generate dangerous and stormy winds that will prevent you from returning to shore in case of a problem.
To ride with onshore wind, you must know how to ride upwind.
If you ride in different spots, you will meet different wind conditions, so it’s always best to consult with the local riders before riding. And keep an eye in the clouds …
Pre-flight check list
Check your equipment before riding!
It only takes a few minutes but it's much better than swimming back to the shore because of a broken line!
Kite
·Material and seams for any tears or weaknesses.
·Bladder’s pressure.
·Adjustment of the lines.
4 line specific procedures:
·Connection knots are in a good condition.
Lines
·No "unwanted" knots.
·Should be correctly connected to the kite and bar.
·Connections should be free of sand or other debris.
4 line specific procedures:
·Front lines are connected to the front of the kite (leading edge).
·Front and back lines are not twisted.
Bar
·The safety systems must function.
·Harness line is centered.
·Check for weariness on the ends of the lines.
4 line specific procedures:
·The power line is in a good state.
·The depower loop release is functional.
·The leash is not tangled.
Board
·Look for damage such as cracks or sharp edges.
·Make sure the foot straps are adjusted to your foot size.
Right of way rules
Respecting a few priority rules helps prevent accidents on the beach and on the water. Make sure you and your fellow riders understand them.
When two riders converge: the rider going starboard (kite right-hand side) has right of way and the rider going port tack (kite left-hand side) must give right of way and pass downwind with his kite as low as possible. There is no particular reason for this rule, but it is already applied in all other sports and nautical activities.
The outgoing rider has right of way over the incoming rider: the wind is sometimes gusty on land. The rider who is on the beach is the one more at risk, so he has the priority.
The rider going faster than another in the same direction must give way to the slowest rider: the one going faster is the one who has a global vision of the situation since he arrives from behind.
The rider passing upwind (windward) from another kiteboarder must fly his kite overhead: the kiteboarder downwind (leeward) must pilot his kite as low as possible.
The rider surfing a wave has the right of way over the one who is jumping or going in the opposite direction: when surfing a wave, the kite is less easy to pilot so there is less room for maneuvers. Nevertheless, the rule for the outgoing rider is applicable when the waves are close to the shore (shore break). In this case, the rider who is surfing will have to give way to the rider who is going out.
Right of way must be given to other ocean users: kiteboarding is the latest nautical sport. Kiteboard downwind to them.
A rider must have a clear safety zone of 50m downwind because he moves downwind when he jumps: a rider must have a clear safety zone of 30m upwind to jump because the lines could touch the kite of the lines of another rider kiteboarding close by.
International rules apply between kiteboarders and other water users, unless defined differently by local county or government.
International Kiteboarding Signs
Learning these signs and applying them on your kite spot with the riders will allow you to have a common language and avoid misinterpretation.
One hand patting head:
I want to land (when the sign is done by a kiteboarder arriving to the shore)
Dangerous gust
Gusts can be detected by simple observation on the spot, and anticipating a gust prevents us from getting into a dangerous situation. Here are a few situations that can be observed.
1. The updraft
Walls, buildings, trees, hills, cliff, and sand dunes can create an updraft on their upwind. The distance of the wind turbulence exponentially increases when the wind blows faster. A spot can be safe in 15 knots and become a nightmare in 25 knots.
Safety tip: Increase the safety distance between you and obstacles in order to avoid being lifted and consequently ending your ride in an obstacle.
2. The downdraft
Downdrafts are also created by obstacles. Once lifted, the rider suddenly drops with no power in the kite to slow down his fall. As for the updraft, the length of the affected area increases exponentially when the wind increases and so does the risk of accidents.
Safety tip: launch, land and ride away from the affected area. If you have the chance of not being lifted but that your kite stalls, it means that there is a downdraft effect. Stop kiteboarding immediately!
3. The gust front
The gust front is created by the rain, generated by a big cloud that has a black base. The sudden rainfall creates a strong and unstable wind. The rider is therefore overpowered and can’t control the kite. Any obstacle, even at a distance, becomes a danger.
Safety tip: stop kiting as soon as you see a black cloud. The wind usually drops completely once the front gust has passed.
In every situation, avoid flying your kite at the top of the wind window. It is best to position it as close as you can to the ground, until you are sure that the wind is stable.
If you are not sure of the conditions, test the wind with a very small kite: if the kite is unstable and quickly moves forward or backward, or if you feel the bar shake, do not go kiteboarding. It is better to not be confident rather than going in the water and having an accident. Learn how to analyze the wind (the IKO Kiteboarding Vision is full of useful info) and remember it’s always better to not ride on your own!!
Keep the pressure down
You are riding and having so much fun that you have not noticed the big fat black clouds gathering above you, growing vertically. Then all of a sudden, as you jump, you take off much higher than expected and your heart misses a beat as you get the fright of your life… Knowing a little bit about the weather and observing the sky can prevent you from such an experience!
Observe the clouds
Before riding, it is absolutely necessary to check the wind strength and direction, as well as the type of wind. How can you check the wind forecast? By calling the local weather forecast specialized in maritime affairs, by checking the web, or by simply observing and talking to the local spot users.
If you are in a low-pressure zone, you must constantly be on your guard because the wind can change very suddenly. If the sky is filled with clouds that are directed vertically, the pressure is below 1013 millibars, and it is raining or the sky is grey, it means you are in a low-pressure zone.
If you are in an anticyclone, the wind doesn’t quickly change strength or direction, it’s not too strong, the sky is blue, and the atmospheric pressure is above 1013 millibars. The clouds are of the same size (cumulus).
In both cases, we may see the formation of a cloud called cumulonimbus. This cloud can create unstable and strong winds, and can come with rain, storm and hail.
Regardless of whether this cloud is upwind or downwind of your riding zone, go back to the shore and land your kite.
The safest wind directions to kite are cross-shore and cross on shore.
Avoid off-shore and cross-off-shore because they can generate dangerous and stormy winds that will prevent you from returning to shore in case of a problem.
To ride with onshore wind, you must know how to ride upwind.
If you ride in different spots, you will meet different wind conditions, so it’s always best to consult with the local riders before riding. And keep an eye in the clouds …
Pre-flight check list
Check your equipment before riding!
It only takes a few minutes but it's much better than swimming back to the shore because of a broken line!
Kite
·Material and seams for any tears or weaknesses.
·Bladder’s pressure.
·Adjustment of the lines.
4 line specific procedures:
·Connection knots are in a good condition.
Lines
·No "unwanted" knots.
·Should be correctly connected to the kite and bar.
·Connections should be free of sand or other debris.
4 line specific procedures:
·Front lines are connected to the front of the kite (leading edge).
·Front and back lines are not twisted.
Bar
·The safety systems must function.
·Harness line is centered.
·Check for weariness on the ends of the lines.
4 line specific procedures:
·The power line is in a good state.
·The depower loop release is functional.
·The leash is not tangled.
Board
·Look for damage such as cracks or sharp edges.
·Make sure the foot straps are adjusted to your foot size.
funsport curacao
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