Kite Surfing Guidance
Kite Surfing is an extreme sport and is therefore potentially dangerous to both the Kite Surfer and others. It is recommended that it should not be attempted without the appropriate instruction.
Kite Surfing has a competence level scheme which is laid out by the British Kite Surfing Association (BKSA) which is;
Level 1 Kite Flying Skills
| Part 1 Basic kite handling - | Site Assessment Rigging kites and pre flight checks Parts of the Kite Intro to safety systems Intro of essential communication signals Launching and landing a kite Basic principles of power window and power control Learning to let go and recover bar and kite |
| Part 2 Water based flying - | Rigging and pre flight checks of water based kites Water based site assessment and intro to weather and tides Recap of essential communication signs Intro to the harness Live practice of the kites safety system Re-launching the kite from the water |
| Part 3 Basic body dragging - | Intro to principles of traction i.e. moving with the kite First body drag, using all of the power window Keeping the power constant and kite steering positive Achieve a constant drag speed by turning fast |
| Part 4 Directional and upwind body dragging, balance dragging and safety pack-down. - | Directional body dragging, keeping kite on one side of window to move in that direction Upwind body drag, able to move upwind with the kite whilst in the water Balance drag, able to keep the kite at 12 o clock whilst lying back in water with feet in |
Level 2 Introduction To The Board
Part 1 Introduction to boards and | Able to identify different types of board Able to identify parts of the board Have correct board and body position Able to create a stable launch platform by keeping the board downwind. |
| Part 2 First board - | Understanding what to do with the kite for more or less power Understands correct technique to get into standing position Able to engage rail of board |
Part 3 First rides including | Intro to rules of the road Demo and explanation of good technique Recap of good kite positioning |
Part 4 Independent | Recap of all aspects in parts 1-7 students must be autonomous with all Must be completely independent in rigging, launching, landing, all areas Be able to re-launch kite from water, get into board start position, get up Able to go out independently to practice and master the techniques |
Kite Surfing Rules of the Road
General Safety Guidelines:
Always wear a helmet.
Stay clear of power lines and overhead
obstructions.
Never fly a kite in a lightning storm.
Always inform the
Beach warden, Life Guard or HM Coastguard of where and when you will be kitesurfing. (Kites crashing
look
like planes crashing to naïve spectators). Britain's beaches, airspace and ocean environment belong
to everyone. Keep our beaches safe, clean and free.
Flying Skills
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.
Water Skills
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 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.