Take responsibility for your own actions, your own safety and those around you at all times
General public
* Always respect other people using the beach, if the beach is busy then take a few extra minutes to walk past the crowds to set up. If the beach is very busy and you cannot setup with a safe area around you then consider going somewhere else or calling off your session.
* Avoid overflying people on the beach. This may not always be possible if you have to walk upwind for example but try and stay downwind of people and keep your kite under control and high enough to keep the lines well clear. If conditions are difficult then land your kite, wind the lines and walk back holding your kite by the leading edge.
* Please be aware that members of the general public will not necessarily understand the potential risks of the sport so please be patient with them. You both have an equal right to be there.
Families, children
* Children can also be attracted to kite in the air and on the ground. Pay close attention to them and always setup well away from the public.
Dogs
* Dogs often get very excited by kites, be aware of this when launching and landing. If necessary, politely ask the owner to put the dog on a lead.
Horse riders
* Horse riders should be given right of way. If a horse rider is approaching land your kite or if not possible, keep the kite as far away from the horse as possible. Wait until they have passed at least 100m from the kite before relaunching / continuing. Do so slowly so as not startle the horse.
Fishermen
* Stay well clear of fishermen on the shore or in boats, respect their pastime and note that fishing lines can be a hazard.
Other water users
Swimmers
* Do not enter or exit the water where people are swimming, stay at least 50m from swimmers and paddlers on the shore, if possible try and stay downwind of them.
Other wind powered craft
* Follow the sailing right of way rules:
o Vessel travelling upwind has right of way over vessel travelling downwind
o Vessel on starboard tack has right of way over vessel on port tack
o Vessels converging on downwind courses, vessel to port must give way.
o Vessel upwind gives way to vessel downwind
o If in doubt, give way to avoid a conflict.
Surfers, Kayakers, other human powered craft
* Always give way to surfers, kayaks and other human powered craft
PWC and Motorised Craft
* Powered craft should give way to you but avoid launch / landing areas for PWCs and power boats
Kitesurfing and Land Kiting
Safety
* Make a fresh assessment of the situation every time you kite, don’t be complacent just because you are familiar with a beach.
* Don't kite alone unless you are fully confident in your abilities and the conditions. Always try and arrange to meet up with others for a session.
* Check the forecast and take a reading of the wind speed at the site. Ask others about the conditions on the beach and the water - don’t go out if you are unsure of your equipment or ability for the conditions on that day.
* Gusty and strong winds hold the most risk of accidents. Check the gust strength, not just the average wind speed.
* Check your gear regularly, particularly lines, depower rope and your safety system every session. Test your safety system under load so you know what to expect when it is activated and make sure you can activate it instinctively.
Setting up
* If the setup area is crowded, take a few minutes extra to move further along the beach so you have safe space to do so
* Be considerate when you setup – don’t block access or lay lines out across a pathway, put your bags and kit out of the way
* Consider how and where you will launch your kite when you choose where to set up. Keep as much clear space downwind as possible.
Launching
* Launching is where there is greatest risk of accidents occurring - do not rush to set up and launch. Check and double-check your equipment, location and conditions.
* Always seek an assisted launch where possible, it is much safer than self-launching and better for your equipment. Don’t be ashamed to ask for a launch
* Always offer a launch to another kiter, if you are setting up then make your kite secure first and go and help.
* Follow the recognised hand signals thumbs up for launch; shake head and hand across throat for no launch.
* If you are launching someone and spot a problem then put the kite down in a safe position immediately to sort it out
* Always launch towards the sea if possible – if you are launching someone else and you need to walk into the water to facilitate this then do so provided you are not at risk of losing balance e.g. if the swell is large
Landing
* Always seek an assisted land where possible
* After landing, unhook your bar from the harness but remain attached to your leash until you are by your kite and have checked it is secure.
* Always keep an eye out for people coming in for a land, be quick to offer assistance. Land their kite, make it secure and wait for them to walk to the kite before you leave it.
* Once you have landed your kite, make it secure and tidy the lines if you plan to stop for even a short while, do not lay it over another’s kite or lines.
Beginners
* Experienced kiters should keep an eye on beginners and be prepared to offer help if necessary
* Beginners should practice downwind of a launch/ land area and try to avoid spending too much time with their kites at 12 o clock. Do not practice too close to shore
* Beginners should talk to others on the beach; ask them about conditions and any hazards if they are new to the spot.
On the water
* After launching make your way to the sea, don't hang about on the beach with your kite up. Likewise, on leaving the water, get your kite down before you stop for a chat or a rest.
* Please follow the established rights of way on the water:
o The rider on the port tack gives way the rider on starboard tack.
o The upwind rider gives way to the downwind rider.
o The overtaking rider keeps clear.
o The rider leaving the beach has right of way over a rider riding into the beach.
o Before jumping check behind and downwind of you – maintain a safe distance, erring on the side of caution.
* If you see someone struggling or with a kite down for a long time and can approach them without risk to them or yourself then do so and check they are ok
* If you are comfortable retrieving a lost board for someone then do so but not at risk to yourself or them.
* If you spot a lost board and can retrieve it but cannot take it to the kiter then take it to shore.
On Land
* Kitesurfers should not set up, launch or land in areas that block a stretch of beach used by buggiers or landboarders.
* Land kiters should give way to kitesurfers entering or leaving the water. They will generally be flying larger more powerful kites so are more at risk on land.
* Land kiters must retain control of their speed to ensure the safety of other beach users.
* Follow the same right of way rules as for the water, if in doubt then turn around or give way.
Emergencies / accidents
* In the event of an accident, people should be prepared to act immediately. If you are flying a kite, seek a land and make the kite secure before going to help.
Losing equipment at sea
* If you lose or are forced to abandon any of your equipment out to sea then alert the Humber Coast guard and give them the description of your equipment. This is so that they know that no one is missing at sea and they don’t launch a costly, unnecessary rescue attempt.
Other situations
Motorised vehicles on the beach
* You may occasionally encounter motor vehicles, motorbikes on the beach, if they should not be there then be prepared to call the police to report them. If they are authorised (coastguard for example) then stay well clear and downwind of them
Aircraft
* Aircraft should not pose a hazard and are forbidden from flying below 500 ft. If you see an aircraft flying lower than this you should report it to the CAA
Helicopters
* In the event of a helicopter needing to land on the beach for an emergency, all kiters should come ashore immediately, land and secure their kites well away from a landing area until the helicopter has left the site.
Park considerately
* Don’t take up more space than you need
* Don’t park on the beach or on sand dunes
Litter
* Don’t litter and if possible take some away with you. If you see hazardous material or objects on the beach inform the landowner.
Take a minute to talk to interested people
* People are often fascinated by kite sports and will approach you to ask questions, please take the time to talk to them and show them what nice people we are.
Please refer to the BKSA website for their code of conduct and additional safety advice.