Post by Phil Elborough on Apr 6, 2005 10:31:12 GMT
Kitesurfing Rules Of the Sea
Which kitesurfer has right of way
Two kitesurfers travelling head on towards each other: The kitesurfer who is sailing on starboard tack (this is the kitesurfer travelling with his right foot forward) has right of way over a sailor travelling left foot forward on port tack, the port tack kitesurfer should bear away down wind to avoid the oncoming kitesurfer on starboard tack.
Hayling beach faces south, so in a west or south-westerly wind the kitesurfers travelling out away from the beach have right of way over kitesurfers travelling in towards the beach.
So in an East or South-easterly the kitesurferes travelling in towards the beach have right of way over kitesurfers travelling out away from the beach.
In a Southerly the kitesurfers travelling towards the Inn on the beach have right of way over kitesurfers travelling towards Portsmouth.
And in a Northerly the opposite applies.
When does the Starboard rule not apply?
If two kitesurfers are approaching each other and one sailor is obviously further down wind of the other.
The kitesurfer who is further downwind should give way by bearing away further downwind and keeping his kite low to the water. In tern the upwind rider should keep his kite high
If a kitesurfer is obviously less experienced than yourself you should give way to them.
When launching and landing to and from the beach
Kitesurfers coming off the water to land on the beach have priority over kitesurfer setting up and leaving the beach.
Reason being a kitesurfer who is coming in to land on the beach is more likely to be in an overpowered situation, whereas the kitesurfer who has just arrived at the beach is more likely to have rigged the correct kite size for the conditions.
Which kitesurfer has right of way
Two kitesurfers travelling head on towards each other: The kitesurfer who is sailing on starboard tack (this is the kitesurfer travelling with his right foot forward) has right of way over a sailor travelling left foot forward on port tack, the port tack kitesurfer should bear away down wind to avoid the oncoming kitesurfer on starboard tack.
Hayling beach faces south, so in a west or south-westerly wind the kitesurfers travelling out away from the beach have right of way over kitesurfers travelling in towards the beach.
So in an East or South-easterly the kitesurferes travelling in towards the beach have right of way over kitesurfers travelling out away from the beach.
In a Southerly the kitesurfers travelling towards the Inn on the beach have right of way over kitesurfers travelling towards Portsmouth.
And in a Northerly the opposite applies.
When does the Starboard rule not apply?
If two kitesurfers are approaching each other and one sailor is obviously further down wind of the other.
The kitesurfer who is further downwind should give way by bearing away further downwind and keeping his kite low to the water. In tern the upwind rider should keep his kite high
If a kitesurfer is obviously less experienced than yourself you should give way to them.
When launching and landing to and from the beach
Kitesurfers coming off the water to land on the beach have priority over kitesurfer setting up and leaving the beach.
Reason being a kitesurfer who is coming in to land on the beach is more likely to be in an overpowered situation, whereas the kitesurfer who has just arrived at the beach is more likely to have rigged the correct kite size for the conditions.