Is kitesurfing dangerous? How can you ensure 100% safety?

Several kitesurf instructors have heard on many occasions from their clients that they would like to learn but they are afraid to fl. Sometimes due to ignorance or not having enough information, kitesurfing can seem like a dangerous sport to some people.                            

However, Sultan Kite School can affirm, without fear of being wrong, that kitesurfing is a safe sport, as much as skiing or roller skating. By following some basic safety guidelines and exercising caution and common sense, the possible risks that may exist are minimised. However, there are certain aspects that people have to take into account before embarking on kitesurfing, to ensure their safety.            

Choosing a school that guarantees safety

Every newbies or amateurs are advised to enroll in a school to learn the basic concepts like having good control of the kite both in and out of the water under the supervision of a professional. Learning from a friend who knows how to kitesurf are discouraged, for the following reasons:

Civil liability and accident insurance: Even taking into account all the precautions, the risk of an accident is always there. The school must cover civil liability and accident insurance.

Equipment and material: A professional instructor has material adapted for teaching. When you go to a professional school you make sure you are learning with good material. Ensures that it is renewed annually and that it is in the best possible condition.

Security devices and emergency plans: Professional schools, to minimize risks, have security devices and emergency plans. Your instructor not only observes, analyzes and teaches you, but is coordinated with rescue boats and evacuation services.

Weather monitoring: A good school constantly monitors environmental conditions and will immediately interrupt (or not hold) class if they are unsuitable or risky. A professional instructor must know the environment perfectly, the winds, he is trained to anticipate a possible accident.

Preparation and appropriate methodology:  before jumping into the water, it is essential that your instructor teaches you to master the body drag and self-rescue technique. The body drag is a technique that will allow you to recover the board or return to the ground in any situation and it will be essential to try tricks or maneuvers without risk in your learning process. It will make you feel more confident and secure and will get you out of trouble (although the ideal is not to have to get to that point). With highly experienced instructors you will learn step by step in a safe and controlled way, meeting objectives quickly.

Other Important Safety Factors

First of all, we must know if our level is suitable to practice according to the conditions that exist at all times. It will be necessary to take into account the wind, waves and obstacles, among other aspects.

Wind

You will have to sail with on-shore wind, that is, from sea to land so that in an emergency it is the wind itself that takes us to shore. If the wind is off-shore you will have to make sure they have some means of rescue, such as a support boat.

They also have to take into account if the wind encounters obstacles (buildings, trees, etc.) to windward. These will change the flow from laminar to turbulent creating gusts or even wind shadows where it disappears completely and you drift. The best thing will always be, as far as possible, to sail in areas where the wind comes clean.

They must always check the wind forecast before entering the water and take into account if it is going to rise, fall or change direction, storms, etc.

They must also know the time of the tides, if any. With rocky bottoms, low tide hours should be avoided.

The kitesurfing spot

It is important to observe the spot where you want to practice. To do this, you must pay attention to the following aspects:

Locate and avoid obstacles both downwind and upwind as explained above.

Respect areas for bathers or where the practice of sports is not allowed. 

Pay attention to the signs and always respect other users of the beach.

Use common sense. If there is an area where all the kites are and another where there is no one sailing, it will be something. Do not risk wanting to navigate without people.

Do not be afraid to ask the locals for help and opinion, they will usually be willing to give you all the advice you need about the spot.

The beach should preferably be sandy and not have rocks or obstacles with which we could have an impact in case of loss of control. Your kite surfing venue should meet these conditions.

Material and its condition

Kitesurf equipment evolves every year in performance but also in safety, so it is important to renew the material from time to time, since the safety systems will be more advanced. That is why it is always recommend using models of no more than 3-4 years back.

They must pay close attention to its condition and carry out maintenance periodically. For this it will be necessary to:

Check the status of the lines of their bar and its trim.

As for the kite, you will check that it does not lose air, the state of the fabric in general, possible pores and deterioration in the union of the seams.

Although the use of a vest and helmet is not mandatory, it is always recommended, as well as the use of booties on rocky or pebbly beaches.

It is necessary to know perfectly the operation of the security systems, also making sure that they work correctly.

Having a line cutter is always good; it will help surfers in case of entanglement with the lines that may pose a risk. In the market there are some multifunction that in addition to having the blades incorporates screwdrivers for the fins and a powerful whistle to alert others in a risk situation.

Practice kitesurfing in company

With people it is always more fun and above all safer. Your friends will be able to help you in case of an accident or vice versa. If there is no other option than to navigate, just tell someone where you are going to be and what time you intend to return.

Browse safely

Do not enter the water if your conditions and your level are not suitable for the state of the sea or the wind. Always look around you and respect the rules of right of way. 

Keep a minimum safety distance with other practitioners and extend this distance at times when you are going to perform a maneuver or jump.

Don’t forget the importance of mastering body drag and self-rescue techniques.

Don’t run out of batteries. You should never reach exhaustion, it may be that you have a problem and need extra energy to solve a problem. Take your breaks between sessions, protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated.

Kitesurfing is an awesome experience, if all safety precautions are taken, you’re guaranteed of a wonderful experience.