Kiteboarding Magazine

Kristin
2010-06-04 11:29:36 | 5161 views | 2 Comments

One of the most important topics covered when learning to kiteboard is kiter safety and responsibility. Regardless of what tricks you can pull or how radical you think you are, what matters is coming back to the beach in one piece while not offending or injuring others in the process.

Whether setting up your gear or riding in 10-foot surf, always think about what you need to do to keep yourself and others safe. Above all, respect the kite’s power and what it can do – there’s a reason you see guys jumping 30 feet high off dead-flat water. Most accidents happen when people fail to pay attention to what’s around them. A moment’s lapse in concentration is all it takes to turn a great day into a bad one. From the second you exit your car to the second you get back in it, keep your focus tacksharp. Before setting out, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I setting the kite up safely on the beach?
• Is there anything downwind that can cause trouble?
• Do I have enough room?
• How can I make this situation safer?

The final part of kiter responsibility is taking care of yourself on the water. When you launch off the beach, have a plan for getting back. Sitting on your board and expecting to be rescued by local authorities is not an option. Know your limits and kite accordingly, because getting back to the beach for tomorrow’s session is what responsibility is all about.

AVOIDING MISTAKES
By Brad Lange, Seven Kiteboarding, Islamorada, Florida
Kiteboarding is a progression, and everyone learns differently, but several common mistakes trip up far too many beginners. Here are six tips to keep you kiting high:

• Never launch into the wind – Always launch from the edge of the wind window (9 or 3 o’clock). Launching with the kite directly downwind immediately powers the kite, which can cause serious injury.

• Quit yanking on the bar – Don’t oversteer the kite. Stay focused, but relax and just try to correct the kite, especially when learning to body drag upwind and when putting the board on the first few times.

• Get power out of your power stroke – The first power strokes that a beginner makes tend to be too close to the edge of the wind window and not downwind enough. Start out in the correct position, know where your window is and do two solid power strokes in a row.

• Be aware of your wind and ride lines – The wind line is the wind direction and the ride line is perpendicular to the wind line. When you start to lose perspective on these lines, you lose your bearings, making it much harder to learn. Keep those lines drawn in your head.

• Anticipate going too fast – Always err on the side of caution and keep your speed down by edging and turning upwind.

• Never let yourself get distracted – Keep an eye on your kite, especially while launching and landing, but even while riding.