Who has the right of way when kitesurfing?

The best way of avoiding accidents and collisions when kitesurfing is to follow the simple right-of-way rules that every kitesurfer should know. Just like driving your car in traffic, there are rules in kitesurfing that dictate which kiter has priority, and which kiter must take evasive action. When you learn to kitesurf, this is one of the most important part of your theory training. The right of way rules aim to give every kitesurfer the simple guiding principles to keep everyone safe on the water.

International Kitesurfing Priority Rules

When out kitesurfing, the International Right of Way rules always apply on everybody on the water in addition to the kitesurfing specific rules. The international right-of-way rules:

• Commercial shipping always has the right of way.
• After commercial shipping comes sailing vessels, which have the right of way over recreational craft eg. motorboats or sailing boats that run with a motor, which in turn have the right of way over sports. Kitesurfers are considered as sailing vessels.
• Within the group of sailing craft, kitesurfers must give way to sailboats, as sailboats are less manoeuvrable than a kitesurfer.
• Muscle power before sailing power: swimmers, surfers, bodyboarders, SUP, canoe … always have right of way.

1. KEEP A 360° VIEW WHILE LAUNCHING AND LANDING

Before you launch or land your kite, make sure to look in all directions and check that there are no hazards round you and that you are not endangering anyone or yourself.

2. TAKE CAUTION IN THE TAKE-OFF AND LANDING ZONE

Kite surfing in the take-off and landing zone is not permitted. Kiters that are starting and landing their kites have the right of way.

Kitesurfers in the shore area must give way or make room for the kitesurfers taking off and landing.

3. WINDWARD STEERS UP – LEEWARD STEERS DOWN

When there are two kitesurfers approaching each other, the upwind kiter must steers their kite up to at least 45°, while the downwind kiter must steer their kite down to about 30° to avoid the kites or kite lines colliding.

rules of kiting. on the water

4. THE WINDWARD RIDER GIVES WAY TO THE LEEWARD RIDER.

The downwind kiteboarder who is riding in an upwind direction has the right of way over an upwind kiter who is riding in a downwind direction, i.e. downwind, has the right of way and must keep his/her course, provided he/she sees the kiteboarder upwind at all.

The upwind kitesurfer has to take avoiding action.

5. A STARBOARD TACK RIDER HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY.

If two kitesurfers have their kites on different sides (seen in the direction of travel) and are on a collision course, the kitesurfer who gets wind from the left side (the port side) must give way. The other kitesurfer is obliged to stay on course.

You can remember this quite simply: In head-on encounters, the person with the right hand at the front of the bar has the right of way.

6. ANYONE OVERTAKING KEEPS OUT OF WAY TO ANYONE BEING OVERTAKEN

If two kiters are heading in the same direction and the faster kitesurfer behind wants to overtake, they must keep out if way of the slower kitesurfer. If the faster kitesurfer overtakes upwind, he must fly the kite higher, if he overtakes downwind, the kite must come down.

7. SHOW CONSIDERATION

If there is a rider laying in the water, body dragging to a lost board or relaunching a kite from the water, they have the right of way and need to be avoided and passed from as far away as possible.

8. KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE DURING MANOEUVRES

Kiters planning to do a turn, a jump or trick must keep a distance of at least 50m away from other kiters.

This is a good way on how to prevent misunderstandings between each other out on the water.

Remember these basic, but important rules and your time out on the water should be a pleasant one.

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