Today’s world is littered with all kinds of amazing sports, and there are still developments of newer ones as we speak, from air sports, to land sports and water sports. Like any other field, there are advantages and disadvantages in sports; there are rules to be followed.
In some of these sports like soccer or football, there is a referee who makes sure the rules are not broken, while in others, the rules are enforced by the sporters themselves for their safety.
One such sport is kiteboarding. How safe is kiteboarding? Although this world of sport has improved greatly, there is still room for accidents if basic rules are not kept. No sport is entirely safe.
This article has covered all that you need to know to have a safe ride. Read on to learn more.
How Safe is Kite Boarding?
Yes! You are right to ask the question of how safe kite riding is. The straight answer is the sport is just as safe as you keep the rules. Rules in a game or any sports are just as paramount as anything else.
We will look at the top rules published by the International Kiteboarding Organization for Public Kiters.
Master your safety systems
Carelessness can be a major factor that contributes to accidents. If your accident results from carelessness, you don’t have any excuse.
As you prepare for kiteboarding, whether you are using a rented kite, testing a new one, or borrowing a fellow kiter’s own, be sure to master its safety systems.
Although there might be some similarities, each system is usually slightly different from the others.
As a result, you have to take time to master the safety system of any kite you are using for the first time.
Let us consider the chicken loop, for example; some chicken loops do not release at all, some release by pushing them away, others release when you twist the collar.
It would be best if you, therefore, mastered how each kite you are going to use functions so that in case of emergency, you will know what to do.
A board leash is for surfing
Take this as a warning; never use a board leash for kiting. There are no safe boar leashes, and there are no proven safe ways to use them. Many old kite lovers have stories of injuries caused by kiters who used a board leash for kiting.
The board leash can sling-shot at your face or face, and it comes with such a force that not even a helmet can withstand.
It can also cause many other accidents if it tangles in lines or a bar. You may want to research the number and severity of injuries caused by board leashes in kiting to be able to take this rule with some seriousness.
Never jump over obstacles
You will never cheat gravity. That is why it is commonly said what goes up must come down. Sometimes the difference is how you came down and where you landed.
For kiters, it forgives that you are condemned if you land on water but any other hard object. Kitting is done or should be done over water.
In this way, you can try out new kitting ideas so that if you eventually crash, because one day you will, it will be over water, and no injuries will be recorded.
Just imagine you crashing on your head over a pile of rocks- I hope this gives you a clue of what we are talking about here.
Keep safety zone
Your safety zone is defined by distance and time. It is the extra distance or area between your kite and the closest possible point of contact. This is a safety precaution that you must take in mind always when kiteboarding.
In fact, with this in mind, you may want to avoid kitting on crowded beaches. A safety distance is a minimum distance you have to keep between you and any obstacle, such as your kite and the next nearest kite.
The size of your safety zone should have a direct relationship with your kitting speed; the faster you ride, the greater the distance you should keep between you and any obstacle such as the beach.
For example, if you have two neighboring kites, each having a 30m line, then the minimum safety distance should be 60m. However, it would be best if you increase your safety zone with the appearance of a strong wind.
Some instructors will recommend a distance thrice your kite lines.
Stay away from bad weather
Weather is a natural phenomenon. And like any other, you can’t control it, but the good news is, you can study it and forecast it.
The even better news is that there are weather forecast services that can provide you with the clues to anticipate bad weather.
Storms are the most common and worst weather conditions that can make a bad kitting experience, but they are, but they can easily be avoided.
Other weather conditions such as cloudy weather, windy conditions, rainy days are not friendly.
If you notice any of them approaching, pack your belongings and leave.
Know the right of way (ROW) rules.
Knowing the right of way reduces accidents when kitting, it’s similar to the right of way rules drivers on the highway follow. It’s a way of minimizing the frequency and fatality of accidents among kiters.
Beginners, however, forget about these rules or are just careless about them and are carried away by the excitement to kite.
There are some basic rules to observe; never get too close to beginners, never attempt to rescue someone yourself, and stay calm if trouble comes up in the water.
Conclusion
You are just as safe as you keep to the safety rules overall. You are even safer when other kiters keep to the same rules. There are a plethora of dangers when it comes to the passion and sport of kiteboarding.
However, if you keep focusing on all of the rules, you will still not be perfectly safe because there is an inherent risk within the sport itself and the day will come where you may get caught up or miss a simple safety step and things may not turn out as wanted.
This definitely shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the watersport itself as it can provide endless entertainment!