KSD SAFETY
Are you really safe???
’Altitude with Atitude’ is not about stupidity!
Please ensure that you get lessons! Do not assume that you can simply pick up a kite after getting a couple of lessons and launch into ‘Kitesurfing’ regardless of you’re athleticism!
If you require lessons please contact our Kite-School coordinator Josh at lessons@kitesurfdirect.com.au
Most injuries occur during the early stages of learning and unfortunately during the intermediate stages where familiarity typically builds in after several months. In fact this sport has risks associated at all levels!
Too often intermediate kiters suffer injury due to lack of experience and the fact that technical skills acquired are often flawed by simple mistakes and issues not corrected or sorted out during the initial learning curve. Mistakes, even simple ones can become reinforced and when confronted with extreme situations this is not the time for surprises! The ‘newbie’ leaner is at risk and for that matter potentially spectators on the beach!
Kite-School at KSD place emphasis on our mentoring approach which continues over the coming months. This does not mean you are committed to a contract or continuing expense; this simply means that once you are up and going KSD reps will keep an eye on you and provide support where appropriate. Many riders continue to use our program on a one on one basis. Most new riders are intimidated by the potential power of doing something wrong; it is great comfort to know that there is a support structure available that can continue to assist your development!
Whether you want to develop new tricks or hit the surf we can hook you up with a specialist KSD team-rider!
Some simple injury avoiding facts
1. Start with a smaller ‘training’ kite – always learn using a smaller like a 1-2m foil kite! We encourage beginners to work the smaller foil kites to the max taking the kite through the ‘windows’ to experience how the kite surges. It is amazing how much power these smaller kites actually have!
2. Training kites are an excellent way to introduce kids into kiting – however be aware children require absolute supervision and assistance. Contact KSD for our recommendations! We also have kids’ lessons at KSD Kite-School.
3. If you have just commenced kiting – always have somebody there to assist and in particular to keep an eye on you! KSD mentoring provides this support when we are on the beach. If you see a KSD instructor or Team Rider; simply let us know you are in the area and we will keep an eye on you and assist if you get into difficulty!
4. The rule of thumb is ALWAYS keep BOTH hands on the bar
5. Do not pull on the bar to give yourself security. Allow the bar to move away from you’re body to de-power the kite
6. Avoid sudden movement that will result in lofting or involuntary lifting.
7. Always launch the kite pointing out towards the water – if a gust comes and you get launched you will be projected towards the water and not the car park!
8. When attempting to land the kite – always take the kite to the edge of the window; de-power the kite and use the safety and pull on the leading edge front line. All aspects of safety are thoroughly reviewed at KSD Kite-School.
9. Do NOT fly the kite around running children or beach spectators – get well away. Think ahead!
10. Do not fly your kite near vertical or sloped surfaces that can cause uplift and sudden dragging/lofting (walls, buildings, hills, tree lines, etc.
11. Avoid thermal generating areas as sudden thermal lofting can occur.
12. Learn to body drag for extended times. Kitesurfing in surf or in rough condition often means you can loose your board and will have to body drag back to retrieve your board. The more you initially practise the faster you will recover your board when you are forced too!
13. If there are substantial waves where you need to put on your board consider body dragging outside the breaker zone first. Consider a Go-Joe for your board – refer to our products page for more info
14. Yield the right of way to all others in the water. Riders must yield to others when jumping, to anyone on your right hand side and to launching riders. When in doubt, STOP!!
15. Kiteboarder should not jump within a buffer zone of at least two hundred feet (60 m) of others and objects that are downwind.
16. Always be aware of the position of your lines relative to others, line cuts can be severe and tangled lines with another kite – deadly.
17. Wearing a helmet and impact vest is always advised when learning
18. Lofting or involuntarily lifting is one of the greatest hazards of kiteboarding. Avoiding unstable weather, keeping your kite low and getting offshore without delay are only a few of the measures necessary to avoid this threat. If despite all precautions you are dragged or lofted a short distance AND have time to react, depower your kite as soon as you start to pause. You will likely be dulled by shock so mentally rehearse de-powering immediately under such circumstances. De-powering ideally should occur before you are lofted, still offshore and away from hard objects. Multiple gusts can hit over a short period and you may be lofted a second or third time, so ACT to depower your kite as soon as you can.
19. Approach the shore slowly with caution. Keep your kite low (ideally within 10 to 20 ft. of the surface), to try avoid lofting. Take care to avoid causing an accidental jump in well powered conditions while approaching the shore.
20. Arrange for assisted landings well clear from bystanders, power lines, vertical surfaces, etc… NEVER use non-kiteboarders for assisted launches or landings, as use of bystanders has resulted in severe rider injuries. Most kiters who are on the beach will assist another kiter returning to the beach!
21. If you have no option then fully de-power your kite even if you are still offshore. ALL riders should be comfortable with de-powering their kite immediately even in deep water and swimming in to avoid being lofted or dragged in sudden gusting winds. After landing, properly anchor (or ideally deflate your leading edge and roll up your kite), disconnect and wind up your kite lines. Do not allow your kite to be accidentally launched. Kites should be placed in a safe area well out of bystander and vehicular traffic.
