Since one of the most important topic of this blog is kitesurfing safety, it's a big pleasure for me to host the following guest post about infographics on safety in kiteboarding, written by Gray Robinson of the Tarifa Freestyle Academy Team.
If there is ONE golden rule in Kitesurfing whether on the beach or
on the water riding, it is who´s kite has priority in the position it is flying
within the wind window.
The up-wind kitesurfer as seen in our infographics on Safety
101, his/her kite must move to a higher position withing the wind window, towards 12 oclock being the position of the kite
directly over head.
Equally
so for the down-wind kitesurfer his/her kite must move lower within the
wind window respectfully, closer to 3 oclock or 9 oclock positions thus closer
to the water. “This is critical to prevent kite collisions both on the water
and on the beach”.
There
is always the possibility for two kites to collide. As many of the famous
kitesurfing locations or school teaching areas around the world are now getting
very saturated with kites, it is more important than ever to know what to do
when your kite collides with another. Your first response should not be
to yell, give the bird or argue but must be to let go of the bar which
ultimately de-powers the kite, and second response is to release the saftey
release system which disconnects the kite from the rider. (Dont forget
everybody is out to have fun, it is not normally anybodys intention to crash
into your kite, so if this does happen having a clear head is of the upmost
importance, both for your saftey and the others and ultimately the harmony of the
sport).
We
rarely see in Kitesurfing anybody getting injured from two kites colliding,
however it is paramount to release the bar first, and then release the safety
system second when your kite collides with another, or anothers kite collides
with you.
Most
important reason being is kite can end up kite-looping through the power zone
due to tangled lines most respectfully unequal tension on the steering lines
causing the kite into what is also called a death loop. Thus a kite that is
looping through the power zone out of control is surely most dangerous
situation in the sport of kitesurfing, especially if the rider is on land.
Whats
important to note is, once your safety system has been released, this problem
should NOT arise. With your safety system released, even if the kite is still
looping through the power zone, due to any reason (like un-equal steering line
tension due to tangled lines), there will be very little or no power in the
kite thus no danger.
With proper training you will be well aware of the two safety
systems, the first is the chicken loop which can be seen in our Series 1: Safety 101 Infographics, please see www.freestylekitetarifa.com to
view. As there is also a secondary safety release system, that can be used if
the rider is still in danger after releasing the main safety release. Thus
releasing the safety leash which attaches from the bar to harness, dis-attaches
the kite completely from the rider. (Which can be an expensive release, however
if it is your life or a kite it will be a definate no brainer).
As
detailed in our previous series of Saftey in Kitesurfing, fight or flight
response is to tense up and pull in. An example would be if an attacker lunges
for the victim, the victims first primal response is to tense up and pull in,
as being ready to fight back, or (fight and flight response).
This
response is counter productive in kitesurfing, and is actually the leading
cause, of a potentially small accident turning into a larger accident.
When
the rider pulls down on the bar, it sheets in or powers up the kite, obviously
in an emergency situation this is not the response you would want to make.
Thus it
is important to take lessons with a kitesurfing school that not only teaches
using a highly progessive training methodology, but uses a safety first
protocol. A good instructor will have 3 levels of defence in front of your
safety.
This sums up our Series 2: On whom has the right of way in
kitesurfing, and what to do if your kite collides with another.
Please feel free to post any questions or concerns you may have
in regards to Safety in Kitesurfing. In Tarifa in high season we see two or
three kites collide together on average every 30 minutes.
Thus it is definately a topic that deserves more discussion,
that concerns all kiters whether beginner or pro as should be a call for action
for more awareness on the beach and on the water.
The Tarifa Freestyle Academy team.
Gray Robinson
Credits: Kitesurfing School: Complete Guide in our series of Saftey First in Kitesurfing. TARIFA FREESTYLE ACADEMY
