Please Beware of our reef, dont harm it or allow it to harm you!

Kiteboard Safety Tips

Launching

· Hazards – No cars or watercraft downwind of launch. Use launch and landing areas with no hard objects for at least 100 yards downwind.
· Preflight – Walk out your lines
· All kites need a safety leash on the water and a sandbag on the beach.
· Beginners should launch, learn and land downwind of the main launch area.
· Test and practice your quick release.
· Launch with your kite at the waters edge. Use experienced launchers, not spectators.
· Launch signal is “thumbs up”. Landing signal is “pat your head”.
· Launch low and go. “Noon or neutral” can loft you in a gust. Don’t fly kites on land.

On the Water
· Don’t fly farther from shore than you can swim. Know self rescue techniques.
· Stay 100 ft. away from kiters, windsurfers, swimmers, surfers and beach users. Going close is not cool.
· No transitions or jumps within 100 ft of beach or directly upwind of others.
· Never ride under another kite. You should reverse your direction or move downwind.
· Never fly your kite over anyone, the down wind kiter has the right of way – he can not see you. Reverse direction or fly at 12 o’clock.
· You should pass downwind of windsurfers or surfers. Don’t kite through their area.
· Push the limits far away from others. Ride like Grandma upwind of others and near the beach.
· Fishing boats and jet skis can be fast and deadly silent when approaching from downwind – beware!
· If you wear a board leash, wear a helmet.
· Never ever let your lines wrap around you.
· Use safety tools: Lessons, kite leash, knife, quick releases, helmet, impact vest, sandbag.

Launch Sites
· Beach Access is a Privilege – Kiting is already prohibited at numerous beaches. Each kiter must speak up and respectfully demand safe and courteous behavior from all kiters.
· Don’t launch from crowded beaches.
· Don’t ride around swimmers or snorkelers

Please Beware of our reef, dont harm it or allow it to harm you!