With the summer kiting season now in full swing, it's probably a good time to refresh your memory with what's acceptable behaviour on our bays and and in the surf.
We don't want to get in each others way or cause grief to other water and beach users so please, new kiters and experienced alike, read the "Code of Conduct" prepared by NSWKBA.
http://www.nswkba.com.au/coc
You wouldn't drive a car without knowing the rules of the road. It's the same on the water. The Code is designed to help you kite safely, minimise incidents and keep our beaches open.
Please comment to keep this thread current for a few days. Thanks.
When two riders are on opposite tacks and there is a need to alter course to avoid collision, the port tack rider (left shoulder forward) shall alter course and/or kite position in order to keep clear of the starboard tack rider (right shoulder forward) who should maintain the same course and speed.
However this one is noted in an earlier block of text: Riders must yield to others when jumping, to anyone on your right hand side and to launching riders
Does the right hand side rule in the second note only relate to jumping?
If not there seems to be confusion with the starboard tack right of way as an approaching rider would be on ones right hand side?
The one that always worries me is people jumping less than a line length from the beach. Can get messy very quick if you crash the kite.
When two riders are on opposite tacks and there is a need to alter course to avoid collision, the port tack rider (left shoulder forward) shall alter course and/or kite position in order to keep clear of the starboard tack rider (right shoulder forward) who should maintain the same course and speed.
On the west coast, most waves break left parallel to the south west. Hence on a starboard tack (coming into shore) one needs to get upwind as much as possible to set up to go down the line.
Hence the port tack out to sea, should give way, although I find this doesn't seem to happen all the time. Especially when you have a large wind surfer moving at high speeds on a port tack, I tend to just get out of the way.
What you guys have mentioned is true and correct but there is more to it as outlined in the Code we put together last year.
I think the basic problem is that people have learnt these rules by osmosis over time and when you're new to this sport you know nothing of the rules. It's not taught by the kiting instructors, correct me if I'm wrong, but I constantly see people with limited experience jumping in front of approaching riders, turning in front of approaching riders, tailgating, not lowering their kites when down wind of approaching kiters, standing on the beach in the transition zone chatting to mates with the kite at 12 o'clock. The list goes on.
Read the Code and ask yourself how often you see breeches.
Quite often people don't know they're being a nuisence or dangerous and are happy to comply when things are pointed out.
Quite often people don't know they're being a nuisence or dangerous and are happy to comply when things are pointed out.
I completely agree with that!! I'm only just learning the rules through the forums. being taught them would be good. Specially for some one that has not grown up on the ocean or on water.
I would be only too happy to comply with rules or moving off if im being a nuisence/dangerous to others.
Quite often people don't know they're being a nuisence or dangerous and are happy to comply when things are pointed out.
I completely agree with that!! I'm only just learning the rules through the forums. being taught them would be good. Specially for some one that has not grown up on the ocean or on water.
I would be only too happy to comply with rules or moving off if im being a nuisence/dangerous to others.
Just point it out. I'll just be like "Doh"
I'm really happy with this positive attitude. The last thing I want to do is be sherrif on the beach.
I picked these up just after my lessons when I was working to get a grip on things and reading around the place for some useful info.
I understand the request for beginners to keep out of the way and wholeheartedly agree. I will say however that it is also the responsibility of an experienced rider to not then encroach on the space said beginner has found.
When I was still getting the hang of standing up/basic riding and it was obvious I was new to things I had a number of experiences with more advanced riders riding towards me at high speed, spraying me, yelling at me and generally being idiots.
Not only is this rude, it is extremely dangerous. If I had been scared by what they were doing and lost control of my kite it could have caused a serious incident and injured both of us. And I would be willing to bet if it had happened I would've been blamed as the newbie idiot.
^^ Yep. Good idea to give the new guys room. I remember when I was just getting going. It took major effort and concentration just to travel in a straight line.
First rule on the water. Avoid any potential collision no matter who has right-of-way.
^^ Yep. Good idea to give the new guys room. I remember when I was just getting going. It took major effort and concentration just to travel in a straight line.
First rule on the water. Avoid any potential collision no matter who has right-of-way.
When two riders are on opposite tacks and there is a need to alter course to avoid collision, the port tack rider (left shoulder forward) shall alter course and/or kite position in order to keep clear of the starboard tack rider (right shoulder forward) who should maintain the same course and speed.
This rule does not apply to natural footers on surfboards who's left shoulders are always forward..
I will add my pet hate of people riding close behind other riders, especially when heading in towards the beach. What do you expect them to do? Ride up on to the sand?
If you are going to ride close behind another rider then it is up to you to be ready to avoid the rider in front when they jump, turn, fall off, whatever.
I'll raise it at the next meeting. (No pun intended)
