Kiteboarding can be a fun watersport, but can also be a very deadly watersport if safety precautions are not heeded. Anyone participating in this watersport must always be aware of the dangers that are associated with the sport and the proper ways of dealing with these dangers. These dangers include the proper launching and landing of the kite, wind conditions when participating in the sport, equipment failure and safe distance from any objects.
Knowing how to launch and land the kite safely is very important when kiteboarding. The person kiteboarding should always check the lines before launching to be sure the rigging is correct. Incorrect rigging can be deadly. After checking the rigging on the lines, the kite is ready to launch. Having help to launch the kite is not always a good idea, especially if the helper is inexperienced in kiteboard launching. The safest way to launch a kite is on the water. The kiteboarder should always survey the location where they are to launch for any situations that may prove to be unsafe, such as spectators to close to them.
Another safety concern when kiteboarding is the wind conditions. A kiteboarder should never launch in windy conditions stronger than they can handle safely or their kite can handle safely. The kiteboarder should always be aware of their limitations as well as their kite. One way to help determine if conditions are too windy for your kite is to take a look at the size of the kites in the area and see if they are comparable in size to yours, if they are then chances are that your kite can handle the wind conditions. However, always keep in mind the possibility that you may not be able to handle the kite in the wind conditions.
Equipment failure is another safety concern that can be avoided usually. A kiteboarder should always check their equipment before going out on the water. Check to make sure the kite lines are not worn or knotted and also check the kite, the harness, the board and the wetsuit to ensure that all is in good working order so you will spend your time enjoying kiteboarding instead of trying to get out of a mess should something happen to one of these pieces of equipment.
Kiteboarders must always keep their surroundings in mind. It is safest to keep at least 2 line lengths of distance between the kiteboarder and any other objects or people in the area. This distance will help keep the kiteboarder and the spectators both safely away from each other. One big problem that kiteboarders face is that there is a lack of time and distance when things go wrong, keeping this distance will help keep everyone safe should things go wrong.
There are other safety factors that kiteboarders should consider are a working-quick release system, keeping in mind that kite lines are dangerous, knowing self-rescue techniques and knowing the proper hand signals. With all these safety concerns kept in the corner of the kiteboarders mind, the day can be spent enjoying the chosen watersport.
