Safety Information

Kite surfing is an extreme sport and is therefore potentially dangerous to both the Kite Surfer and others. Kiteboarding can definitely be a dangerous sport if you are not careful and if you are not a competent swimmer.

Kitesurfing Advices

• Taking Kiting Lessons with a Professional QUALIFIED Instructor, do not try to learn kitesurfing by yourself. You must have good base taken with an authorized kitesurfing instructor to be sure you get good kite technics and basics, more than 90% of kiteboarding accidents happen on land, and most of them happen either while or within minutes from launching or landing your kite.

• Make sure you know the universal signs for distress, and that you know the basic hand signs for kiteboarding. Landing and launching your kite are vital signs to know, as people often fail to hear when the wind is blowing and you need help. Make sure to know the International Proirity Rules.

• You should always pay attention to weather changes in the weather and wind conditions. Particularly dangerous are storm fronts, which are often preceded by strong, variable wind gusts.

• Don't kitesurf before, during, after a thunder storm or in stormy weather.

• Be sure that you can handle the prevailing weather conditions and never sail in offshore winds.

• Never Kite surf in conditions which are too extreme for either you or your equipment.

• Do not kitesurf in very strong wind if you are a beginner (in 20+ knots).

• Equipment must be regularly checked for wear before going out onto the water. Check that your harness, lines and the set up before launching your kite. Having gear failure out at sea can lead to serious problems.

• Knowing self rescue technique is one of the most important kitesurfing safety guidelines will make sure that you will get back to shoe in case of an emergency.

• Never Kite surf without telling another person where you are going.

• Don't kitesurf in crowded water.

• Never practice jumping on land or close to the beach.

• Always maintain a 50-metre downwind safety zone between yourself and other craft. In the event of coming into conflict with other water users stabilise your kite at 12 o'clock.

• Never kitesurf in or near to the bathing areas and swimmers, buoys and boat moorings.

• When returning to the beach, give way to riders who are launching.

• Helmets and impact vests can save lives and add substantial convenience if a rider wears them.

• Flying lines can cut when the kite is flying. Never let yourself or others even having a chance of getting tangled up with the flying lines.

This is by no means a final and definitive list of safety guidelines, BUT JUST THE BASIC PRINCIPLES.

IKO Online Education: Corsi, Segni Internazionali, Safety Rules

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