When kiting in a channel or bay and there are boats coming and going. Don't kite up to them and make them change course. It's bad manners. Give clear intent of your actions and change direction at least 60m (maritime rule) from boats.
We have had complaints by boaters to maritime authorities about kiters do just this. It's all about keeping our access to beaches open for future kiting.
Maritime rules may indeed be 60m. But too me this is still to close, I would suggest 200m. If the boat is moving at speed it won't take long for 60m to be 0m, if both are traveling towards one another.
Any skip who navs straight through a kitesurfing line is a dick anyway. Saw one 35m off shore just cruising through a bunch of kiters at brighton-le-sands.
This is a courtesy request to kiters from the operators of large motor boats, please turn early, do not force the large boat to take evasive action, and then turn when you are 20M from their boat.
Strange things happen in Botany Bay for sure, today we had two jetboats from a local kitesurfing school decide to anchor one in the middle of the action at Dolls while the other boat drifted and filmed the other instructor, wtf were they thinking. Eventually got the message to them move their boat!
A few days ago student in the water practising bodydragging KP Rib 20M away, large F/G boat drives between student and kite. Kite powers up dragging student to rear of boat right up to the motor, fortunately the crazy owner had put the engine in neutral. NSW Maritime are looking for the owner!
Stay 60M away from any swimmer in the water if you are travelling at more than 10 knots, and 30M from any other vessel or structure in the water.
There's nothing worse than trying to navigate through 20 odd kiters who all think they have the right of way. Especially the smart arse ones who wanna jump you.
