Kiteboarding Western Australia - formerly WAKSA shared an album.

13 hours ago

Safe to say everyone had a fun packed weekend on the water down in Safety Bay!! Huge shout out to Safety Bay Yacht Club, City of Rockingham, Gokiting WA Surf & fellow committee member Ieke for organising this years Kite Karnival event & to the Sunday TT Racing crew! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

📸 AdrenalineBoardSportsDay for Fun and exciting kiting, with Body drag races, twin tip racing, expression sessions and big air ... See MoreSee Less

Kiteboarding Western Australia - formerly WAKSA

2 weeks ago

As the season is in full swing & kite beaches are busy, here are some useful points to consider to help prevent future accidents courtesy of Kiteboarding Australia accredited school Kitebud...

1) Keep more distance from each other. Of course this is easier said than done especially when it's busy, but if you are a more experience kiter getting close to beginners (whether they are in a lesson or not) you are eventually going to get tangled with someone. Avoid getting inside the wind window or too close upwind of any learner (or anyone else for that matter). Remember that everyone once was a learner and learners panic when anyone gets too close to them, which increases the risk of an accident.

2) Avoid flying your kite on the beach at the Zenith (12) unnecessarily for long periods of time when the beach is crowded. In our kite school we use 5 meter lines and really small (3 to 5m) kites to fly safely on land which greatly minimises hazards for other kiters around.

3) When the wind speed doubles you QUADRUPLE the power in your kite. That's right, on a day like to today in 30 knots (sand stinging your legs), you will get 4 TIMES the power you would get in 15 knots. Ensure you choose the correct kite size for your weight and skill level. If you're in doubt, don't go out. Give even more distance between each other and from obstacles in strong winds

4) Learn to launch and land safely. We witness so many failed launches which in the majority of cases are due to poor technique (walking too far upwind, pulling the bar all the way in, having the wrong hand on the wrong side of the bar etc.). Get proper instruction for this to prevent accidents. Get into the water with your kite as close to the water as possible to minimise the risk in case something goes wrong. The safest would be to have both the Pilot and the kite over the water

5) Your friend, boyfriend, or family member may be good kiters but are not necessarily good instructors. Professional kite schools have qualified instructors, insurance, permits and use safer under-powered kites and shorter lines in the early stage of the learning process. Hooking your 10m kite to your 55kg girlfriend for her to fly on the beach in 25 knots is NOT safe and will most likely result in an accident and potentially injure others as well. If you choose to learn with an unqualified instructor, please choose an area with less traffic and be respectful of others around you.

6) Learn to use your safety systems. If your kite suddenly drifts to the power zone on land by mistake or if you are in a tangle situation with another kite, ACTIVATE YOUR QUICK RELEASE NOW. Not acting quickly could result in bad consequences and you may end up losing your kite due to excessive tangles jamming your safety system

7) Carry a hook knife on your harness, this could save your life!

😎 Hook your safety leash at the front or on the side of your harness. Hooking your safety leash at the back of your harness is dangerous as you may not be able to reach it in an emergency.

9) Avoid self-launching and self-landing on on a busy beach with people / kites / obstacles inside or close to your wind window. This in an unnecessary risk which will eventually cause an accident that won't involve just yourself but also others downwind of you.

10) Learn to self-rescue and if you don't know how to do it, get a professional instructor to show you, this could save your life and your gear. If you kite in deep waters without being able to rescue yourself you will force others to help you when you get in trouble.

11) Learn the right of way rules. Any kiter that is entering the water has the right of way over anyone coming in towards the beach. If you are kiting back towards the beach and you see someone trying to get into the water from the beach you must turn around and him/her priority. There are a few exceptions, check with local kiters at the spot or check our guides online.

Safe kiting everyone 🏄🏼‍♀️🏄🏻‍♂️ ... See MoreSee Less