WA
90 posts
Just wondering who has right of way when 2 kitesurfers are aprroaching one another. At the moment when im directly approaching another kiter i bring my kite up to 12 and stop. This is proberbly annoying other kiters. Can someone explain this in laymans terms, without the use of sailing lingo.
WA
1450 posts
There are two rights of way people use in kitesurfing
starboard tack has right of way. If your right hand is forward you have right of way. If your left hand is forward you give way. This is the general sailing rule.
The other one is incomming kitesurfer gives way to outgoing kitesurfer. This is the more accepted right of way rule.
Now. These two rules contradict themselves in 99% of conditions in perth. With port tack being the outgoing tack and starboard tack being the incomming tack at most beaches and sailing locations (apart from pelican point.)
Best bet is to assume the other person doesn't know the right of way rules and take action yourself.
WA
912 posts
down wind kiter has kite lower
up wind kite raises kite
its hard for an upwind kiter if u stop and put yur kite at 12, instead keep going and keep it closer to the water
WA
111 posts
Avoid accidents at all costs...
can someone tell me how to insert a pic here??
NSW
3904 posts
Tim - sorry, the forum doesn't support images, but if you ping it to me, I can make it available...
WA
649 posts
in-coming giving way to out-going is a windsurfing rule because the guys trying to go out are often under-powered and cannot manouvoure in the shore break.
I personally think that it should be the other way around for kiting - especially for those just about to launch off the beach - there's nothing worse IMO than blasting down the line on the best wave of the day and have to bail off it because someone cut across in front of you or didn't have the courtesy to look over their shoulder and wait 10 seconds before launching.
Bottom line as Tim says - avoid accidents at all costs - there is no absolute right of way.
Cheers,
Ian Young
www.flysurf.com.au
0414 716 812
WA
1097 posts
I AGREE WITH IAN AND WHEN I WAS WINDSURFING I THORT IT TOO
IF SOMEONE IS ON A WAVE OTHERS SHUD GO ROUND EM.
OTHERWISE THE PERSON MORE UPWIND KEEPS THEIR KITE HIGH AND THE ONE MORE DOWNWIND KEEPS THEIRS LOW.
