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Kiteboarding Information for Beginners

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 7:25 am
by OliverG
Welcome to bayareakiteboarding.com
San Francisco Bay Area kiteboarding safety, access, information, reviews, forums, and classifieds.

Image Kiteboarding Information for Beginners

Kiteboarding is a great sport - you can have a blast spending recreational time outdoors and on the water in an environmentally friendly way. While you can reap great rewards from kiteboarding it is also fraught with danger, which is why you need to learn in a safe way and practice safe methods and techniques for launching, landing, being aware of the public, and generally being a safe, responsible kiteboarder.

The first thing you'll want to do is get yourself a trainer kite. These kites are small two-line foil kites typically sized anywhere between 1 and 3 square meters. By spending some time flying these kites you can familiarize yourself with kite handling and control. Practice flying the kite with smooth, controlled movements. Fly the kite in figure-eight patterns, fly to kite to the edge of the wind window keeping it steady then bringing it back up. There will be quite a difference when you start flying a much larger leading edge inflatable kite, but you will have had some practice understanding the dynamics of the kite and what you need to do to control it. If you cannot control your kite properly, it can generate huge
amounts power when you least expect it leading to serious injury or death.

If you've already spent some time with a trainer kite, you'll be a step ahead of the game for the next step, which is to take a lesson. There are
many outfits providing kiteboarding lessons in the San Francisco Bay Area, which you can find links to on our kiteboarding lessons page. It's essential that you take a few lessons from a qualified instructor to learn the basics before you spend any time on the water with your new gear on your own. These basics should include much of this information depending on how many lessons you take. Not only will you shorten your learning curve, you will be less of a danger to others!

Here are some links to articles and information that is a worthwhile read for anyone looking to get involved in the sport:

Discovery Kiteboarder Student Program (IKO)

Professional Air Sports Association (PASA)

Buying Your First Kite (iKiteboarding.com)

Kiteboarding Hand Signals (iKiteboarding.com)

Kite Flying Practice Tips (HKA)

Kiteboarding Accident & Mishap Prevention (HKA)

A Safe Way to Rig Your Kite (iKiteboarding.com)

How to Self-Land Your Kite (iKiteboarding.com)

Let us know if you' have something you'd like to add: info@bayareakiteboarding.com

Re: Kiteboarding Information for Beginners

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:24 pm
by OliverG
Posted with suggestion and permission from PSkite.

Great info for all beginners.
________________________________________

The BOD of PSKITE has completed the initial drafts for general kiting
guidelines in the Puget Sound and surrounding areas.

We have submitted these to the kite schools for input and would like to
solicit suggestions from our community"
They are enclosed below.

These are a compilation of guidelines from several areas around the
country, which we modified to our need.

These are general guidelines which can be supplemented in the future for specific sites.

Please provide feedback.

Thank you
BOD PSKITE

PUGET SOUND KITEBOARDING ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES

GENERAL:
Follow park or property owner’s rules and regulations.

If unfamiliar with the location or conditions, talk to other kiters.

Know how to use your safety system and self-rescue.

All kiters must use a safety leash connected to the kite.

Know your abilities or limits and plan your session.

Wearing a helmet is recommended.

LAUNCHING/LANDING:
Launch your kite towards the water, if possible. Keep it low and go.

An incoming/landing kiter should give way to an outgoing/launching kiter unless the incoming kiter is in obvious distress.

Do not fly your kite upwind of people/objects or if it interferes within the landing/launching areas.

ON THE WATER:
Kiters should know Right of Way rules (ROW) which apply everywhere. (Right hand forward is the starboard tack and generally has the right of way).

Sudden direction changes or jumping kiters will sacrifice the ROW.

Yield to beach users/swimmers or water craft by keeping two line length distances.

Experienced kiters should give room to beginners.

Be aware of changing weather, wind and tides.

BEGINNERS:
Entry level kiters should seek professional instruction.

Entry level kiters should walk or body-drag two line lengths out prior to water starting.

ON THE BEACH:
Unattended kites should be secured and lines wrapped up.

Respect other beach users by keeping your distance and using safe kiting practices.

NON-KITERS:
Please keep a safe distance from kiters, lines or kites.

Don’t try to catch the lines or bar of a released kite.

While walking on the beach, please be aware of the kite equipment.

Ask a kiter if you want information on getting started.

Re: Kiteboarding Information for Beginners

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:15 pm
by david
Ollie, check your links in original post, most are now bad