Right of Way Beach Etiquette
• When two kiters (or kiter & windsurfer) are • Take responsibility for your safety & the coming towards each other from opposite safety & consideration of other beach directions, the one on starboard tack (right users. Kiteboarding is an obtrusive sport: hand forward on kite control bar) has right minimize your intrusion on other beach of way users Voted Best of the Bay • When you have right of way, stay your • Do not walk up the beach with your kite course in the air. • If you don t have right of way, go • If you end up downwind, self land in the downwind water & walk up the beach with kite in • While passing another kiter who is down hand wind of you, fly your kite high; if you are • Park & sand your kite in the kite parking Kiteboarding the down wind kiter, fly your kite low lot if not landing/launching • Downwind kiter/windsurfer has the right of • Roll up your lines when not in use Safety Guidelines, way (they can t see you) • When launching, make sure that kite is • Keep clear of all beach goers, swimmers, free of all sand before release (It fall of off Right of Way, & and waders. They always have right of way the kite and hits downwind people in the • Kiter should give way to other water crafts face/eyes) Beach Etiquette (kiters can maneuver easily, others can't) • Attach lines in designated launch area so • Don t jump 150ft upwind of another water other beach users, such as windsurfers or user SUP, can access waterfront without having • Incoming kiters should let launching kiters to climb over your kite lines go out first before landing • Help to Protect Kiteboarding Access – be • Jump and transition at least 200ft outside a considerate and safe kiter shore break and swimming area • Always yield to ALL other water users Lessons - Rentals - Gear • DO NOT COME WITHIN 200ft OF THE Disclaimer BEACH OR SWIM AREAS UNLESS LAUNCHING OR LANDING • Avoid Collisions at all costs Boardsports School makes no representation or warranty regarding errors and correctness of the Contact Us: information contained in this brochure. Use the information contained herein at your own risk. 415-385-1224 Boardsports School is not responsible for any loss or accident to you or to other third parties including loss of business, loss of sale, equipment or property damage, injury or death resulting from you or other third parties using [email protected] the information contained herein. www.BoardsportsCalifornia.com General Guidelines Launching TYPICAL • WHEN IN DOUBT, DON T GO OUT • Double check your lines before launch WIND • Use the buddy system, it saves lives • Consider having someone else check your Rocks DIR. • Take responsibility for your safety & the lines before launch safety & consideration of other beach users. • Attach kite safety leash Kiteboarding is an obtrusive sport – • Make sure that launch zone area is clear minimize your intrusion and there are no incoming kiters. • Use a proper kite safety leash • When launching, make sure that kite is • Wear a helmet, life jacket/impact vest, free of sand before release (This is a Kite Parking harness & wetsuit Kite Launch & Land courtesy to other beach users) Lot • Don t kitesurf in off shore or straight Zone – Keep Clear • Look in the launch area before signaling to onshore wind be launched. Ask bystanders to "Please shack • Before going out, read site specific move out of the launch zone before you Parking guidelines and/or talk to other kiters about launch Lot water hazards, obstacles, land • Don t fly your kite at 12:00 over land. considerations, wind conditions, etc. • Whenever possible, launch toward the water, keep your kite low and go. Self launching is discouraged. Please ask for assistance • Launch kites only from designated areas Landing Pre-Launch • Leave the beach in a slow and controlled manner, but do not hesitate to get to the • If you are on the water & can t water • Assure wind is steady and above 10mph. water relaunch, & you are drifting toward the Launching in too light winds can result in • Beginners should body drag 200ft out beach w/swimmers or bystanders, crashing your kite on beach users before water starting perform a self rescue before your kite • Avoid storm winds that are gusty and shifty reaches them – 200ft Minimum • Use the right kite size for the conditions • If you have been taken down wind, do Check with other kiters if you are uncertain While Riding not ask beach goers to help land your • Inflate kite in kite parking lot kite; self land in the water • Sand your parked kite to avoid it flying away • Get offshore and stay there without delay • Be sure that no one is launching as you • Ensure that all safety systems are properly after launch come in working • Danger to the rider and others is near shore, • Self landing is discouraged. Obtain • Keep launch zone clear. Enter launch zone stay out 300ft until time to come in assistance for landing your kite and attach lines when you are fully ready to • While riding, observe right of way with other • Roll-up your lines immediately after launch water users landing and move your kite out of the • When preparing to launch, MAINTAIN A • Don t jump unless your downwind area is launching/landing zone SAFETY ZONE around you of a minimum of clear for 150ft • Sand your parked kite to avoid it flying 200 ft (or approximately 2 kite line lengths at • Look to see coast is clear before you turn or away all times) jump