A very important aspect to keep in mind while boating in kitesurfing are the rules of the road. It is something of great importance and that no one seems to respect. On days with a large influx of kites on the beaches of Tarifa such as this summer 2023 in Valdevaqueros, they are of great importance to avoid accidents and collisions.
At Kitepassion Tarifa Kiteschool we want to transmit you the most useful information and in many cases it gives us the impression that many riders, even being experienced, are unaware of these important rules.
The IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) indicates the following rules of way:
- Rule number 1: The kiter that enters the water from the beach, has preference over the one that is inside the water.
- Rule number 2: Whenever you have the right hand in front you have preference, so the one with the left hand in front has to move his kite aside.
- Rule number 3: When two riders are sailing in the same direction, if the one behind is faster than the one before. Whoever is behind must change the direction of navigation. This avoids collisions.
- Rule number 4: You have priority of step when you are surfing the wave, in front of another kiter that is jumping or sailing in the opposite direction.
- Rule number 5: We will always give right of way to users on the beach and at sea. Kiters should navigate downwinds from possible obstacles or swimmers.
- Rule number 6: When jumping the rider must take into account a safe space of approximately 50 meters downwind, and approximately 30 meters upwind.
These rules of passage in kitesurfing are standard throughout the world and will be very helpful to avoid collisions and possible unwanted accidents.
There are a series of Rules that are imposed by the Maritime Regulations and other Recommendations of practice and good use. Hence, it will distinguish between Rules and Recommendations, which are not imposed in the same way.
RULES:
1.- The practice of any nautical sport is prohibited less than 200 meters from the beach and 50 meters from the coast. In other words, it is only possible to navigate and it is legal to do so from the yellow buoys that legally define the area.
2.- You have to be ABSOLUTELY RESPECTFUL with bathers in any case, with divers, with all floating devices (windsurfers, inflatable boats), with sailing boats, with which we must always observe the rules to avoid boarding, with navigation channels etc.
Respect with bathers:
They are ALWAYS right since our permitted area is the one from the two-hundred-meter yellow demarcation buoys (and if they are not in place, it will have to be calculated by eye of a good cubero) regardless of whether we tolerate the practice of kitesurfing within they.
If you decide to settle with your towels, umbrellas and others in the KITE MANEUVERY ZONE * that we have been occupying throughout these years. It is also a TOLERATED area, not ALLOWED, for our use and enjoyment and they have every right in the world to settle in it and not be disturbed.
Respect with windsurfers:
a.- There is an area that windsurfers use to practice their sport that they have been practicing in this Spot for more than thirty years. ABSOLUTE RESPECT TOO, respecting the rule of Babor-Barlovento and ALWAYS raise your lines so as not to intimidate them, whether you have preference or not. They don’t know how you are going to react, although you do. Try not to navigate your court and make the transition to the 200-meter allowable area as quickly as possible so you don’t get in the way.
A practical measure to avoid hindering a windsurfer is to always pass through his lee, even if you have a passing preference, so that the lines do not interfere with his trajectory and give them a sense of security due to the impossibility that we can pounce on them by accident .
If you opt for this measure, try to warn with your arm the path you are going to follow or maneuver with enough time in advance so that the windsurfer does not start his respect maneuver.
SUITABLE KITESURF MATERIAL
The danger is largely determined by an incorrect use of the material and said area is as dangerous in the event of an accident as others due to the close presence of port boats, hardness of the ground due to the poor quality of the sand.
The wooden posts that delimit the right-of-way along the beach and the beach bar in the area, as well as the buildings, which, although not as close to the beach as others in the area, are still close to the beach.
Therefore, the delimited area for kites is only indicative of where the bathers do not go in the summer, not safety. There is no totally safe and hazard free area in this Spot. (or in any).
Your safety depends only on you. Use the appropriate material and follow the safety rules that have been taught in the training courses at the School that you have learned.
To tell you that if you are willing to learn to kitesurf, for your safety, you must contract your course in Schools attached to the Spanish Sailing Federation; licensed by the Ministry of Education to teach.
With an Administrative Concession from the City Council for the private exploitation of public areas, perfectly delimited and marked on the Beach; with Canal also buoyed, in the water granted by Costas for practical lessons.
With instructors certified by the Spanish Sailing Federation (it does not help that only this requirement is met); With rescue boat with two motors, one of them as a spare, adequate equipment, including a helmet and life jackets and a series of requirements that have to be reliably demonstrated when hiring the course.
If the school does not meet these requirements, it is not a school as such and you can be held liable for not complying with the regulations, and even criminal liability in the event of an accident.
More info: Juan I. Fernández 615683051
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