www.safetyonthewater.ie

Other Water Users Other Water Users Other Water

On the water Always • Try and remain up wind of kite surfers • If you have to pass downwind of a kite surfer, stay at

least 50 meters downwind of their kite • Remember that they may not have as much control of

where they are going as you do

Never • Pass between a kitesurfer and their kite • Try picking up kite lines that are in the water

Always • Try and remain up wind of kite surfers • If you have to pass downwind of a kite surfer, stay at

least 50 meters downwind of their kite • Remember that they may not have as much control of

where they are going as you do

Never • Pass between a rider and their kite • Try picking up kite lines that are lying on the beach • Try to help launch or recover a kite unless you know

what to do

On the beach Be Prepared • Always let someone know

⇒ that you are going out, ⇒ where you are going ⇒ what time you will be back ⇒ when you are back

• Know your rescue signals • Practice

⇒ Self rescue techniques ⇒ Controlling the power of the kite - including a

total de-power ⇒ Winding the lines onto the bar and deflating the

kite ⇒ Releasing the quick release system when it is

under tension • If you lose your kite or board make sure that you in-

form Irish Coast Guard to ensure that they do not spend time looking for you

• Write your contact details on your board and kite

This and other “Safety On The Water” publications are produced by The Irish Marine Safety Working Group. More details on the group and the other safety publications

available may be found at www.safetyonthewater.ie

In an Emergency Contact Irish Coast Guard by • Phoning 999 / 112 and asking for the Coast Guard • Using VHF radio on Channel 16 • Making a Beach Lifeguard aware of the problem

KitesurfingKitesurfing SafetySafety

the facts....the facts....

Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing

A free publication from

Always • Wear a helmet, buoyancy aid and quick release

harness. • Check your equipment thoroughly and regularly.

Repair any damage. • Carry a flare or some other means of attracting

attention • Carry a knife that can cut your kite flying line. • Check the local weather conditions before riding and

ensure you can handle the conditions. • Ensure you fully understand the tidal currents and

how they might affect the conditions. • Use an effective kite leash and safety system • Act in a responsible manner.

Never • Tether yourself to a kite in a closed system - only

use a quick release harness system. • Sail in offshore winds • Ride so far away from shore that you cannot swim

back in an emergency.

Rules of the Road Setting up Launching & Landing

Always • give way to other water users near the seafront • retreat to a safe zone outside any navigation channels

when other craft approach • maintain a safety zone of at least 50 metres between

yourself any craft or obstacles on the water. • if you come close to other water users stabilise your

kite in the 12 o’clock position • when returning to the beach, give way to other riders

who are launching

Never • risk the safety of others • kitesurf in or near bathing areas, swimmers, boats,

other craft, marked navigation channels, bouys or moorings.

• kitesurf less that 50 meters upwind of any moored vessel

• Practice jumping on land or close to the beach

Always • select a safe launch site • Allow enough space to launch • Take care when the beach is busy • Ensure that your kite is properly inflated - an under

inflated kite is harder to launch and control • Secure your kite on the beach to prevent it re-

launching - by weighing it down with sand or other ballast

• When you are not using the kite, wrap the lines up. • Maintain a downwind safety zone, especially when

jumping • Look before you jump • Keep a lookout for riders returning to shore • Be ready to lend a hand in landing other peoples kites

Do not • Lay lines across the path of other beach users • Leave your equipment unattended on the beach • Launch or land in crowded areas • Ask inexperienced members of the public to assist

with launching or landing a kite

Are you a competent swimmer? Do you hold third party insurance? Have you had lessons from a recognised Instructor?

Yes Carry on kitesurfing safely

No Do not attempt to kitesurf

surfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing

General Safety Guidelines

Always • Wear a helmet, buoyancy aid and quick release

harness. • Check your equipment thoroughly and regularly.

Repair any damage. • Carry a flare or some other means of attracting

attention • Carry a knife that can cut your kite flying line. • Check the local weather conditions before riding and

ensure you can handle the conditions. • Ensure you fully understand the tidal currents and

how they might affect the conditions. • Use an effective kite leash and safety system • Act in a responsible manner.

Never • Tether yourself to a kite in a closed system - only

use a quick release harness system. • Sail in offshore winds • Ride so far away from shore that you cannot swim

back in an emergency.

Rules of the Road Setting up Launching & Landing

Always • give way to other water users near the seafront • retreat to a safe zone outside any navigation channels

when other craft approach • maintain a safety zone of at least 50 metres between

yourself any craft or obstacles on the water. • if you come close to other water users stabilise your

kite in the 12 o’clock position • when returning to the beach, give way to other riders

who are launching

Never • risk the safety of others • kitesurf in or near bathing areas, swimmers, boats,

other craft, marked navigation channels, bouys or moorings.

• kitesurf less that 50 meters upwind of any moored vessel

• Practice jumping on land or close to the beach

Always • select a safe launch site • Allow enough space to launch • Take care when the beach is busy • Ensure that your kite is properly inflated - an under

inflated kite is harder to launch and control • Secure your kite on the beach to prevent it re-

launching - by weighing it down with sand or other ballast

• When you are not using the kite, wrap the lines up. • Maintain a downwind safety zone, especially when

jumping • Look before you jump • Keep a lookout for riders returning to shore • Be ready to lend a hand in landing other peoples kites

Do not • Lay lines across the path of other beach users • Leave your equipment unattended on the beach • Launch or land in crowded areas • Ask inexperienced members of the public to assist

with launching or landing a kite

Are you a competent swimmer? Do you hold third party insurance? Have you had lessons from a recognised Instructor?

Yes Carry on kitesurfing safely

No Do not attempt to kitesurf

surfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing

General Safety Guidelines

Always • Wear a helmet, buoyancy aid and quick release

harness. • Check your equipment thoroughly and regularly.

Repair any damage. • Carry a flare or some other means of attracting

attention • Carry a knife that can cut your kite flying line. • Check the local weather conditions before riding and

ensure you can handle the conditions. • Ensure you fully understand the tidal currents and

how they might affect the conditions. • Use an effective kite leash and safety system • Act in a responsible manner.

Never • Tether yourself to a kite in a closed system - only

use a quick release harness system. • Sail in offshore winds • Ride so far away from shore that you cannot swim

back in an emergency.

Rules of the Road Setting up Launching & Landing

Always • give way to other water users near the seafront • retreat to a safe zone outside any navigation channels

when other craft approach • maintain a safety zone of at least 50 metres between

yourself any craft or obstacles on the water. • if you come close to other water users stabilise your

kite in the 12 o’clock position • when returning to the beach, give way to other riders

who are launching

Never • risk the safety of others • kitesurf in or near bathing areas, swimmers, boats,

other craft, marked navigation channels, bouys or moorings.

• kitesurf less that 50 meters upwind of any moored vessel

• Practice jumping on land or close to the beach

Always • select a safe launch site • Allow enough space to launch • Take care when the beach is busy • Ensure that your kite is properly inflated - an under

inflated kite is harder to launch and control • Secure your kite on the beach to prevent it re-

launching - by weighing it down with sand or other ballast

• When you are not using the kite, wrap the lines up. • Maintain a downwind safety zone, especially when

jumping • Look before you jump • Keep a lookout for riders returning to shore • Be ready to lend a hand in landing other peoples kites

Do not • Lay lines across the path of other beach users • Leave your equipment unattended on the beach • Launch or land in crowded areas • Ask inexperienced members of the public to assist

with launching or landing a kite

Are you a competent swimmer? Do you hold third party insurance? Have you had lessons from a recognised Instructor?

Yes Carry on kitesurfing safely

No Do not attempt to kitesurf

surfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing

General Safety Guidelines

www.safetyonthewater.ie

Other Water Users Other Water Users Other Water

On the water Always • Try and remain up wind of kite surfers • If you have to pass downwind of a kite surfer, stay at

least 50 meters downwind of their kite • Remember that they may not have as much control of

where they are going as you do

Never • Pass between a kitesurfer and their kite • Try picking up kite lines that are in the water

Always • Try and remain up wind of kite surfers • If you have to pass downwind of a kite surfer, stay at

least 50 meters downwind of their kite • Remember that they may not have as much control of

where they are going as you do

Never • Pass between a rider and their kite • Try picking up kite lines that are lying on the beach • Try to help launch or recover a kite unless you know

what to do

On the beach Be Prepared • Always let someone know

⇒ that you are going out, ⇒ where you are going ⇒ what time you will be back ⇒ when you are back

• Know your rescue signals • Practice

⇒ Self rescue techniques ⇒ Controlling the power of the kite - including a

total de-power ⇒ Winding the lines onto the bar and deflating the

kite ⇒ Releasing the quick release system when it is

under tension • If you lose your kite or board make sure that you in-

form Irish Coast Guard to ensure that they do not spend time looking for you

• Write your contact details on your board and kite

This and other “Safety On The Water” publications are produced by The Irish Marine Safety Working Group. More details on the group and the other safety publications

available may be found at www.safetyonthewater.ie

In an Emergency Contact Irish Coast Guard by • Phoning 999 / 112 and asking for the Coast Guard • Using VHF radio on Channel 16 • Making a Beach Lifeguard aware of the problem

KitesurfingKitesurfing SafetySafety

the facts....the facts....

Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing

A free publication from

www.safetyonthewater.ie

Other Water Users Other Water Users Other Water

On the water Always • Try and remain up wind of kite surfers • If you have to pass downwind of a kite surfer, stay at

least 50 meters downwind of their kite • Remember that they may not have as much control of

where they are going as you do

Never • Pass between a kitesurfer and their kite • Try picking up kite lines that are in the water

Always • Try and remain up wind of kite surfers • If you have to pass downwind of a kite surfer, stay at

least 50 meters downwind of their kite • Remember that they may not have as much control of

where they are going as you do

Never • Pass between a rider and their kite • Try picking up kite lines that are lying on the beach • Try to help launch or recover a kite unless you know

what to do

On the beach Be Prepared • Always let someone know

⇒ that you are going out, ⇒ where you are going ⇒ what time you will be back ⇒ when you are back

• Know your rescue signals • Practice

⇒ Self rescue techniques ⇒ Controlling the power of the kite - including a

total de-power ⇒ Winding the lines onto the bar and deflating the

kite ⇒ Releasing the quick release system when it is

under tension • If you lose your kite or board make sure that you in-

form Irish Coast Guard to ensure that they do not spend time looking for you

• Write your contact details on your board and kite

This and other “Safety On The Water” publications are produced by The Irish Marine Safety Working Group. More details on the group and the other safety publications

available may be found at www.safetyonthewater.ie

In an Emergency Contact Irish Coast Guard by • Phoning 999 / 112 and asking for the Coast Guard • Using VHF radio on Channel 16 • Making a Beach Lifeguard aware of the problem

KitesurfingKitesurfing SafetySafety

the facts....the facts....

Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing Safety Kitesurfing

A free publication from