Kitesurf Safety

General Kitesurfing Safety Practices

  1. Check your equipment carefully before launching for any weaknesses. (lines, harness straps, trim rope, leaders, etc.)
  2. Avoid obstructing the way of others or cluttering any area with grounded kites, lines or boards. Be considerate of the beach area around you. Less equipment clutter will also minimize risk.
  3. Absolutely do not ride in swim areas and be aware of other water users.
  4. A safety release and leash must be used, prior to launching any water-launchable kite.
  5. Indicate to others when you want to land or ground your kite by using the proper kitesurfing safety signals (see below)
  6. Yield to any windsurfer, pedestrian or swimmer, and to any watercraft that has the right-of-way (see below). Do so immediately avoiding any possible contact with yourself, the kite or lines.
  7. Grounded kites must be sufficiently weighted (sand, kiteboard if available, etc.) to offset strong gusts and if unattended, the kite should be disabled by disconnecting the flying-lines from one side.
  8. Land kites with assistance whenever possible and offer assistance without reservation whenever possible, especially in populated or cluttered areas. If forced to self-recover, downing kites in shallow water is often safer than on land. In either case, ensure the entire downwind windwindow is clear.
  9. Riders must yield to everyone when jumping, maneuvering, or riding on port tack (left hand forward).
  10. Incoming riders must give way to those launching, and lesser experienced riders that may cause conflict with your path.

Other Important Safety Considerations

  1. Consider using a Personal Floatation Device (PFD vest).
  2. Wear sunscreen, a rash guard, and stay well hydrated.
  3. Only kiteboard as far from shore as you are able to swim. If your kite downs, or a line snaps, you must swim.
  4. Learn and practice self-rescues so you are more prepared for any situation that may arise.
  5. Avoid riding alone at all costs, especially in frigid water.
  6. Always let someone know your planned return time and what beach you will be at. If wind conditions change and your location changes, leave a message indicating your new launch beach.
  7. Consider using brightly colored lines, kites, and other gear so you are as visible as possible.

Hand signals used by kite surfers worldwide: 
I need help.(wave both arms in the air)

I will land.
(tap your head with your hand)

I will launch.
(make a thumbs up sign and shout "launch")

I need help with the equipment.
(wave your Control Bar in the air)

Place the Kite at the top.
(raise your arms and put the tips of your fingers together to form an “A” shape)

Watch / Look at me.
(point two fingers at your eyes)

Head out to the sea.
(stretch your arms and point to the sea)

Make this hand signal to ask the rider to head out to the sea or to the direction you are pointing to.
Go to the shore.
(stretch your arms and point to the beach)

Make this hand signal to ask the rider to go to the beach or to the direction you are pointing to.

Right of Way Rules ?

(Give way Rules ;)

at all times avoid accidents, dont push it!

Noosa River Mouth Kitesurf Code of Conduct

RESPECT THE SAFETY OF BOAT DRIVERS
BOATS have legal right of way crossing the Noosa bar. Danger of capsize or going aground means boat drivers must always have a clear uncompromised passage. Kitesurfers must:
   * Be on the alert for approaching craft at all times, Listen and look
    * Sail away from any approaching craft or halt kitesurfing until any craft are well past
    * Never continue in a way that may alarm other craft

TIDE CURRENTS CAN BE STRONG
Extra caution is advised for any water activity including swimming and kitesurfing in the tidal currents of Noosa Rivermouth.

N-NE WIND FROM 10-20 KNOTS AND OUTGOING TIDE
Are the suitable conditions for kitesurfing at the Noosa River mouth. In other conditions please consider other kitesurf locations.

NO KITESURFING ON MAIN BEACH
Only if its impossible to launch from spit beach can kitesurfers launch and land from main beach near the rivermouth rock groyne.

LAUNCHING - check the conditions carefully before launching
   * Launch and land only when the kite pilot is standing in or next to the water
    * Keep the drop zone and extra buffer area clear of any people and obstacles
    * Seek assistance from other kitesurfers to launch, land and judge the weather
    * Never use a kite to leap on land or when you are positioned away from the water

SAFE KITING - monitor wind, tide and surf as they may increase
   * Maintain a 30m minimum distance-off from people, obstacles, rock walls at all times
    * Look before you maneuver, be aware of and consider your surrounds and skill limits
    * Avoid freestyle maneuvers and speeding in shallow water or within 50m of the shore
    * Use a strong kiteleash and functional safety quick release, check both before and after every use

COURTESY
    * Avoid shore birds by a distance greater than 90m   (3x kiteline’s length)
    * Keep your kite and board course steady when other kitesurfers are close or approaching
    * Keep the carpark and grassed verge clear of kites and lines, never leave equipment unsupervised
    * Represent our sport, clean up any litter, offer assistance without request, and SMILE. 

Please ask local kiters or kite schools for advice. 

Thankyou for your assistance to keep kitesurfing friendly and safe at Noosa.

Australian Kite Surfing Association

Ethics in Sport - Code of Conduct

  • Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport, promoting fair play over winning at any cost
  • Encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills
  • Support opportunities for participation in all aspects of the sport
  • Treat each person as an individual
  • Display control and courtesy to all involved with the sport
  • Respect the rights and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultura background or religion
  • Respect the decisions of officials, coaches and administrato rs in the conduct of the sport
  • Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance will exist) with people under the age of 18 years
  • Adopt appropriate and responsible behaviour in all interactions
  • Adopt responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs
  • Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions
  • Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment
  • Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment free environment
  • Do not tolerate harmful or abusive behaviours

Athletes (Kitesurfer / Kiteboarder)

  • Give your best at all times
  • Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit

Coaches

  • Place the safety and welfare of the student or experienced Kitesurfer / Kiteboarder being coached above all else
  • Help each person (student, Kitesurfer / Kiteboarder, official etc) reach their potential - respect the talent, developmental stage and goals of each person and compliment and encourage with positive and supportive feedback
  • Any physical contact with a person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person’s skill development
  • Be honest and do not allow your qualifications to be misrepresented

Officials

  • Place the safety and welfare of the athletes above all else
  • Be consistent and impartial when making decisions
  • Address unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all people

Administrators

  • Act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the sport as a whole
  • Ensure that any information acquired or advantage gained from the position is not used improperly
  • Conduct your responsibilities with due care, competence and diligence
  • Do not allow prejudice, conflict of interest or bias to affect your objectivity

Parents

  • Encourage children to participate and have fun
  • Focus on the child’s effort and performance rather than winning or losing
  • Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition

Spectators

  • Respect the performances and efforts of all people
  • Reject the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or athletes

Sport at all levels in Australia upholds the principles of:

  • Fairness
    Operating within the spirit of the rules, never taking an unfair advantage, and making informed and honourable decisions at all times.
  • Respect
    Recognising the contribution which people make to sport, treating them with dignity and consideration, as well as caring for the property and equipment they use.
  • Responsibility
    Taking responsibility for one’s actions and being a positive role model at all times.
  • Safety
    Encouraging healthy and safe procedures, preventing and reporting dangerous behaviour, while demonstrating concern for others.
  • In Australia we are proud of our sporting ability and our reputation as a nation of good sports.
    Our society expects high standards of behaviour from all people involved in sport and it is vital the integrity of sport is maintained. The main responsibility for this lies with the decision makers at every level of sport who should ensure that all policies, programs and services are based on the principles of fairness