F. K .A.
FLORIDA KITESURFING ASSOCIATION
SAFETY GUIDELINES
& RULES OF THE ROAD
The following guidelines are intended to aid kitesurfer safety and
that of
bystanders. It is important that kitesurfers follow these
guidelines and
other prudent and safe practices to attempt to ensure continued
access to
beaches for kitesurfing.
1. All beginners should seek professional instruction.
Beginners should
drag out two line lengths from shore prior to water starting.
2. Never kitesurf in conditions, which are too extreme for
either you or
your
equipment. Assess conditions, layout and potential eventualities to
avoid
getting into bad situations. This may assure a good kitesurfing
session at a
minimum and the preservation of your health and safety in the
extreme.
3. Minimum Suggested Safety Equipment: A helmet, PFD
(lifejacket), gloves
and hook knife. Check your gear before and after every session;
replace any
worn or damaged parts before going out.
4. A safety release and leash must be attached to your body,
prior to
launching any water-launchable kite. DO NOT ATTACH BOARD LEASH until
kite is
launched and in the neutral position.
5. Always give way to the public on the beach when about to
launch and
inform them of the danger as few onlookers realize the possibility of
injury.
Be patient and particularly courteous and cautious. Call out when you
are
about to launch. Avoid launching and landing at public guarded
beaches.
6. Kite flying in potentially violent or unstable weather is
not
recommended.
7. Only fly and/or launch your kite in areas where you are able
to maintain
a 200' safety zone downwind of you that has no obstructions,
including
people. If anyone or thing enters this zone, immediately fly your
kite to
the
overhead neutral zone until the obstruction is clear. If you are
unable to
consistently maintain this safety zone then land and collect your
kite until
you are in a position that is safe to re-launch.
8. Assisted launch and landing is recommended. While you
are setting up
pay
attention to incoming kiters and assist in landing their kites
9. If lulls occur and/or kite stalling is likely, the kite
should be flown
in "figure eights" overhead to maintain sufficient forward
kite speed to
avoid kite stalling and falling.
10. Kitesurfers yield right of way to all other beach and water
users.
Riders must yield to kitesurfers when jumping, maneuvering, or riding
on
port
tack (left hand forward). Incoming riders give way to those
launching.
11. Grounded kites must be sufficiently weighted (sand, if available)
to
offset strong gusts and if unattended, disabled by disconnecting all
lines
from one side and roll your lines when not in use.
12.
Beach
jumping or extended traction kite flying on the beach is NOT
encouraged, particularly in congested beach areas!!
13. Jumping kiters sacrifice right away. Jumping kitesurfers
should avoid
shallow water.
14. DO NOT COME WITHIN 200ft OF guarded or congested BEACH OR SWIM
AREAS
UNLESS LAUNCHING OR LANDING and then only if locally permitted! ! Approach
the shore slowly with caution. Take care to avoid causing an
accidental
jump
by slowing suddenly while approaching the shore
15. BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECT THE LIFEGUARDS, PARK OFFICIALS, COAST
GUARD AND
OTHER PUBLIC AUTHORITIES. If they request that you stop kitesurfing
please
comply, find out the reasons (without arguing), and then bring them
to the
Florida
Kitesurfing Association.
This is by no means a final and definitive list of safety guidelines.
This
sport is in its infancy and is still evolving. We welcome all
members of
the
FKA to provide feedback on safety guidelines to the Association.
Join the Florida
Kitesurfing Association kitesurfer database. You will be
assured of getting timely information on kitesurfing access developments,
events, incidents and other important information to kitesurfers in
the
State
of Florida.
Your participation may make the difference in your beach as
well
as others, staying open to kitesurfing.
Thank you
****************************************************************************
You can learn the RULES for all
your favorite casino games like
The web's #1 gambling resource!
*******************************************************************************************
|