I am posting this info due to an idiot I met in the surf today at City Beach who thought he would lecture me on the rules of kiteboarding. This arrogant wanker was wrong. Hopefully, he will read this post and come over and apologise next time he sees me.

Structured Rules
1/ The upwind rider gives way to the downwind rider
2/ The rider on the port tack gives way to the rider on starboard tack (if on a collision course)
3/ When returning to the beach, give way to riders who are launched and heading out
4/ Overtaking rider must keep clear
5/ Riders heading out through surf have R.O.W until they gain riding speed and control to avoid wave riders on a defined break

To the idiot - please take close note of rule 2 and 5

I think the port tack doesn't apply in some places ie if there is a line up or rotation or most of all a camera out it's a given all rules are off except avoid collision at all cost and in the event of a collision / tangle laugh it off not box it out on the water. It's so good where I kite there's no tension everyone's just out to have a good time.

I usually just judge the way they are riding and take the course of action based on that, head down wind if they are on a wave and if they are upwind of you regardless of the tack just continue on your down wind tack. its not hard guys, just be courteous and you'll be fine. You've probably caused a scene without knowing it for someone to have a go at you. Otherwise the guys just a dick so move on and put it behind you.

1. Avoid collision with hard objects at all costs. There is no point yelling starboard if you are about to be T-Boned by an oil tanker.
2. When two kiters are approaching each other on opposite tacks the upwind kiter lifts their kite and the downwind kiter lowers their kite allowing safe passage. Common sense you would think but the number of Numb KNuts that either dont know this rule/common courtesy or simply dont give a rats is amazing. If i drop my kite into your face it's because you have done this to me more than once.
3. This comes from surfing. A rider on a wave has priority, give way and let them enjoy the stoke.
4. When getting going off the beach i allow riders coming in time to finish their move before i launch. I'd prefer to get going when the way is clear rather than making someone tack back out.
5. DO NOT SHORT TACK. Everyone is entitled to enjoy what little surf we get in summer. Do Not Hog the Line Up .
6. The most important rule. Enjoy Yourself and look out for your fellow Kiters.

I don't see it that way. If you are heading out and someone is on a wave and you will impede them, turn the Fck around head back to shore and then head out. Simple.

On a wave, trying to drift a kite down the line and manage the wave action itself .. right of way period.

The rules in place for safetys sake .been the rule in windsurfing for decades go to windsurfing wa site for details.
Of coarse you dont go out deliberately destroying peoples rides but sometimes your6r in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sounds like phillipellis had his arse handed to him and now his nose is out of joint..
Considering your point number 2..
Most kiters I have come across have trouble telling the difference between left and right, they'll never understand what a port or starboard tack means.
And number 5...
If you can't understand why you'd give the rider on the wave right of way, then you have no right to be out there and deserve to be told so...
It's not being arrogant, its dealing with a holes..

There is only one rule, "Don't be an arsehole."

All those specific rules are guidelines at best, In many cases they make no sense.

1/ The upwind rider gives way to the downwind rider How does an upwind rider give way to a downwind rider? You're as far upwind as you can go. You can't turn further upwind. The only place to go is downwind. The downwind rider has the whole ocean to ride in.

It's generally accepted that the upwind rider keeps the kite high, but if the wind has dropped out that is asking for a hindenberg. The downwind rider needs to see that and accelerate further downwind to get out of the way

...

3/ When returning to the beach, give way to riders who are launched and heading out Reasonable sometimes, except the rider on the beach is safe. If the wind is dropping or exceptionally gusty then the rider coming into the beach may need all the speed and room they can get. Launching riders need to assess the conditions and see what is happening before entering the water.

....

5/ Riders heading out through surf have R.O.W until they gain riding speed and control to avoid wave riders on a defined break The rider who can move, should move. If you're heading out and can turn and run, then you should. If you're on a wave and about to hit a sitting duck, then you should move. Only an arsehole would hit somebody who can't move out of the way.

Foghorn said..
Ok so youre right when it comes to kitesurfer v kitesurfer just dont expect to apply those rules of right of way against windsurfers .cheers.

I thought it was like a right of passage just to jump over the windsurfers, further more yelling "yeowwwwww" i think it's global language for let's share this moment of stoke when above them. Although all the windsurfers that hit my kite spot are more then spot on.

So much crap and theories (as usual) for these threads.

(1) If it gets messy and ends up in court, international collision regs will apply. That is, avoid collision. If you are right, you don't enforce it and just hit the other guy. You move. Then, starboard has right of way over port when on opposite tacks.
For opposite tacks, those are the ONLY rules that apply, period.
The fact some kiters don't know what starboard and port is - irrelevant. Learn, or lose your savings, house and car when u kill somebody and there's a lawsuit. Duh . Doc, don't make excuses for retards please.

(2) then for waves (and these are only accepted rules by windsports people for the last 30 yrs, its not law...) - Foghorn is correct.
The guy heading out has ROW as its hard to get out thru the break sometimes. That's it.
BUT if you are fully lit heading out, trying to hit a section for a jump does not allow you to spoil somebody else's wave ride.
That is basically Ho'okipa rules and has been accepted for a bloody long time.
It is simple courtesy.....so the guy heading out does not get fkd up, but wave riders don't get their waves spoiled.
Its really easy to be nice!


Local rules may vary if its more a jumping spot rather than riding....... just ask. Not hard.

Don't short tack, do the circuit. = don't turn around inside other people (unless they are out whale watching) and don't turn at the same time as others nearby (you will end up on the same wave.)

First on it owns it, and if you can't tell who was on it first then upwind/ closest to peak (ie the one who can make most of the wave) owns it.


It is so easy! But like I said when it gets all fkd up, only #1 will be recognised in law.

eppo said..
The old accepted rule of rightnof way heading out is probably important for windsurfers. It's not for kiters. Easy peasy to turn around and ride off. Don't have that awkward stalling, pump the sail looking thing...

plus, windsurfers understand rotations. Kiters just punch n and out all over the place. Meaning a windsurfer is normally down the line and coming back out not through the lineup.

Kiters on the other hand ....

Try being a foiler trying to ride "waves" in the middle of directional riders mowing the lawn thankfully, the TT riders can't get away from the shallows so they're out of the picture...