Kitesurfing offers tons of health benefits. But because it’s an extreme sport, it comes with some risks, and you might think that this is reason enough to avoid it. This comprehensive guide to kitesurfing will show you how to minimize those risks.
Kitesurfing is dangerous. Some risks associated with kitesurfing are poor weather and water conditions, equipment failure, and water hazards. However, if you receive proper training, take note of weather conditions, and follow safety guidelines, the risks of kite surfing are greatly minimized.
If you want to learn more about the risks and dangers of kite surfing and how to navigate them, read on!
What Are The Risks Of Kitesurfing?
Like with any sport in general, kite surfing comes with various risks that can be managed. So, here is a breakdown of what the risks of kitesurfing are so that you can be more informed.
High Winds And Strong Currents
As Kite surfing is highly reliant on a specific range of wind and wave conditions, it pretty much goes without saying that you should first and foremost avoid high winds and strong currents.
If you choose to kitesurf in these conditions, you risk inflicting an injury on yourself or being blown off course.
Risk Of Collisions With Other Kitesurfers, Boats, Or Obstacles
With kite surfing, especially in more populated destinations, you risk collisions with other kite surfers, boats, or obstacles that dot the water.
Equipment Failure Or Malfunction
Another risk that comes with kite surfing is an equipment failure or malfunction, and ranges from having your harness break or come undone, having your kite tear, or becoming unconnected to your board.
Risk Of Injury From Jumps And Tricks
As with any extreme sport, you should expect kitesurfing to have the risk of injury from jumps and tricks, which have landed many kite surfers in the hospital!
Potential For Getting Caught In The Kite Lines Or Dragged Underwater
With kitesurfing, especially in popular holiday destinations jam-packed with other kite surfers, there is also substantial potential for getting caught in kite lines and getting dragged underwater. By getting caught in another’s kite surfer’s line, you can get pulled toward other kites, boats, etc.
Lack Of Proper Training Or Supervision
Another risk factor of kite surfing is a lack of proper training or supervision since this can result in accidents, injuries, and even death. Many kite surfers with no training try to do complex or dangerous stunts that can have terrible consequences.
Fatigue Or Exhaustion During Long Sessions
Since kitesurfing is a physically demanding sport that quickly saps the energy of all who engage in it, it also presents the risk of causing you to feel fatigued or exhausted during long sessions. Fatigue in kite surfing opens a whole can of worms regarding your and others’ safety.
Hazards In The Water, Such As Rocks, Reefs, Or Marine Life
Another risk of kite surfing is the presence of hazards in the water, such as rocks, reefs, or marine life like seals, sea birds, or sharks.
These hazards can knock you off your board or cause you to injure others and marine life. Sharks can also pose a risk in the form of attacks. However, this risk is more of an issue in specific locations such as Australia and California.
How To Minimize The Risks Of Kitesurfing
Now that you’re informed about the risks of kitesurfing, let’s look at easy ways you can minimize their impacts.
Receive Proper Training And Instruction From Certified Instructors
One of the most effective ways to lessen the risks of kite surfing is to receive proper training and instruction from certified instructors. Through this step, you can significantly minimize your chances of being involved in an accident.
Use Appropriate Equipment And Maintain It Properly
Another way you can reduce your risk of becoming injured is to use appropriate equipment and maintain it properly. Through regular equipment maintenance, you’ll be able to reduce the likelihood of it failing.
Stay Aware Of Weather And Water Conditions Before And During The Session
You should also always stay aware of weather and water conditions before and during the session. One should always follow this rule in case there are high winds, waves, and temperatures that can cause you to become injured, overpowered, or blown off course into more remote waters.
Always Wear Appropriate Safety Gear, Including A Helmet And Impact Vest
To prevent injuries, it is also vital to always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet and impact vest. That way, you will have the most protection in case you accidentally fall off your board or get caught in another rider’s lines.
Stay Clear Of Obstacles And Other Kitesurfers
Always be sure to stay clear of obstacles and other kite surfers. It might seem less fun or challenging, but obstacles and hazards are contributors to kite surfing accidents. It is in your best interest to avoid them.
Monitor Your Physical And Mental Fatigue Levels
Another method of minimizing the risks associated with kitesurfing is to monitor your physical and mental fatigue levels. This step will prevent your tiredness from decreasing your awareness levels and response times which are always needed to avoid injury.
Never Kite Alone And Always Have A Buddy System In Place
One of the golden safety rules of kite surfing is to never do it alone. You should always have a buddy system in place.
On many occasions, most kite surfers struggle to launch their kites themselves, so having an extra pair of hands is always helpful.
Furthermore, you should always aim to have a buddy system composed of at least one person on the beach who watches you for the duration you are kitesurfing.
A buddy system is a fantastic way of minimizing your risk of being stuck out at sea by yourself. So, if you have an accident or have been swept out to sea, you will have help. On many occasions, buddy systems have even saved lives!
Follow Local Rules And Regulations For Kitesurfing
The last precaution you should always take to minimize the risks of kite surfing is to follow local rules and regulations for kite surfing, whether it’s for designated kitesurfing spots, safety gear, supervision, etc.
If you follow this step, you can find the safest and most appropriate kitesurfing spots without injuring yourself or others. This step also ensures that you won’t be fined or faced with legal action for accidentally kitesurfing in a dangerous, unsupervised, or marine-protected area.
Conclusion
Kite surfing as an extreme sport offers hours of thrills and fantastic fun. However, it is always essential that you are aware of the numerous risks associated with the sport and the risk minimization method you should adopt to avoid injury and accidents.
You can fully enjoy kitesurfing if you adopt safety measures such as receiving proper training, using appropriate kitesurfing equipment, taking note of weather conditions, wearing the correct gear, avoiding other obstacles, monitoring your level of fatigue, and following safety guidelines.
Torsten Bjord is a talented and adventurous waterman from Western Australia, passionate about surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, hydrofoiling, skimboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. Torsten has spent countless hours mastering his skills and his dream is to one day represent Australia as an Olympic athlete.
