participation and sΔfety guidelines...today’s participants. kite boarding is an activitythat at...

VERSION 1.0 FEBRUARY 2014

PARTICIPATION AND SΔFETY GUIDELINES

Introduction 03Scope 04Definitions 05FrameworkandGuidelines 061.0 General Equipment and Safety 062.0 Competency and Capability 093.0 Training 104.0CourseandRoutePlanning 12Appendix 1 14

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\ CONTENTS

MYBEACH.COM.AU /KITEBOARDING

Kiteboardinghasbecomeapopularrecreationalactivityacrosstheworld.Manyorganisationsandindividualshavedocumentedorpublishedmaterialrelatingtosafekiteboardingpractices.ThepurposeofthisdocumentistosummarisethisknowledgeandinformationsothatallrecreationalkiteboardersinWesternAustraliahavetheopportunitytoseekinformationspecifictotheiractivityandmakeinformeddecisionsregardingsafe kitingpractices.

AccordingtotheResearchintoStatusofChallenge/ExtremeSportandActivitiesinWesternAustralia(2007)thenotionofchallengeorextremesportssuchaskiteboardingfirstemergedinthe1980’swheretheevolutionofthesesportswasattributedtogenerationalchangeandtheevolutionoftechnologyandsociety.Whatattractedparticipationinthesesportswasthattheytypicallypromotedfun,hedonism,involvementandlivingforthemoment.Thesesportsarealsocharacterisedbyalackofregulationandcontrolwhichappealstomanyof today’sparticipants.

Kiteboardingisanactivitythatattimescanbeconsideredextremeandischaracterisedbyalackofregulation,howeverifindividualsfollowasimplesetofsafetyguidelines,thenaccesstotheactivitycanbemaintainedinaself-regulatedenvironment.Itwillalsoensureasaferenvironmentforallwhoparticipateandrecreateonthebeach.Eventhoughitisalwaysrecommendedtoentertheactivitythroughorganisedlessons,thenatureoftherisksmustbeunderstoodandmeasurestakentomitigateanypotentialconsequences.

The key to true and exhilarating recreational kite boarding isthenatureoftheclimaticandenvironmentalconditions.Kiteboardersgenerallyneedatleast16kphtobeabletoride,andmostexperiencedkiteboarderswillridebetween40-48kph.Theweatherconditionsthereforeincreasethehazardousnatureofthisactivityandtheriskinvolvedincreasessubstantiallywithanincreaseinwindstrength.

Thefollowingisaframeworkdesignedtoguidesafeparticipation,managementandorganisationofrecreationalkiteboardinginWA.TheframeworkreinforcesinformationandcommonpracticesthathavebeendevelopedbyvariousorganisationsthroughoutAustraliaandtheinternationalcommunity.Itisdesignedtoenablekiteboarderstothinkaboutwhatapproachtheyshouldtaketotheirkiteboardingpractices,andthereforemakeinformeddecisionsabouttheexperiencetheywanttohave.

Theframeworkisoutcomebasedandsupportedbyguidelines,notdirections.Theframeworksurroundingindividualkiteboardingpracticesissupportedbya numberofkeypillars:

1. General and Safety Equipment

2. Competency and Capability

3. Environment and Climate

4. Individual Behaviour

5. Individual Awareness

Whilekiteboardersmayfollowtheseguidesitdoesnotguaranteeanincidentorconsequencefreekiteboardingexperience.Kiteboardersneedtobepreparedtohonestlyassesstheirownabilitytoundertakeakiteboardingexperience,basedonallofthevariablesofthat particular experience.

Akiteboardermustseekadviceiftheyareunsureofconditions,locations,equipmentortheirownability,andmustbepreparedtowithdrawfromtheactivityiftheyretainanyelementofdoubt.Individualsmustalsorecognisethattheypotentiallyputothersatriskbyentering into a kite boarding experience if they retain doubt orlackofconfidencetocompletetheexperiencesafely.AlsoindividualsmustalsobeawareoftheMarineSafetyRegulationsfromtheWADepartmentofTransportthatmayapplytotheirkiteboardingactivity.

Thisdocumentseekstosummarisethecontentofotheravailablesafetyguidelinesorpoliciesandprovidedirectiononwhattheseareandwheretoaccessthem.

\ INTRODUCTION

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\ SCOPE

Thisrecreationalkiteboardingdocumentprovidesguidancetoindividuals,clubs,eventmanagersandrescueorganisationsthatareinvolvedininfluencingthesafeoutcomeofkiteboardingactivitiesandevents.

Kiteboardingappliestoactivitiesinanoceanorriver basedenvironment.Thekiteboarderharnessesthe power of the wind with a controllable power kite to be propelledacrossthewateronakiteboard,usuallywith footstrapsorbindings.Therearedifferenttypesofkiteboardingincluding:

\ Kite boarding – freestyle/wake style

\ Kite surfing – waves

\ Kite boarding – free riding

\ Kite boarding – racing

\ Down winders

\ Off shore kiting (in excess of 400 m)

Who should use this framework and guidelines?

Theseguidelineshavebeencreatedtoaddressarangeofstakeholderneedsandactivities.Anyindividual,club,localgovernmentauthority,authorisingagent,eventmanagerwhetherornottheystandtogaincommerciallyfromthekiteboardingactivity,canbenefitthekiteboardingcommunityinadheringtoandpromotingtheseguidelines.

Theseguidelinesshouldbereadinconcertwithknownstandardsforriskmanagement(AS/NZSISO31000),club/associationspecificorganisationalpolicy,procedureandpracticesandtheWAMarineSafetyActandRegulations.

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\ DEFINITIONS

Event: any organised or unorganised kite boarding activity that involves an individual or group of individuals.

Activity

a) Recreationalkiteboarding

A member of the public participating in kite boarding activitiesintheirowntimeandundernocontroloforganisations,quasigroupsoreventmanagers.

b) Organisedevents

Anentrantparticipatinginorganisedkiteboardingactivitiesfor the intent of participation and competition.

Environments

a) Inshore:lessthan400mfromthecoast

b) Offshore:morethan400mfromthecoastbutlessthanfivenauticalmilesfromtheshoreline

c) Openocean:greaterthanfivenauticalmilesfrom theshoreline

d) Surfzone:negotiatingthesurfzone/whitewater

Foralistofdefinitionsofcommonkiteboardingterminologypleasevisit: www.waksa.org.au/kite-surfing-guides/terminology

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\ 1.0 GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

Theselectionanduseofkiteboardingequipmentisparamounttoasafeandenjoyablekiteboardingevent.Theequipmentselectedbyindividualsmustbecomparativetotheactivityandlevelofcompetencytheycandemonstrate,theenvironmenttheyaretorecreateinandthedistanceoverwhichtheyexpecttotravel.Whilethesevariablescanbeconsideredstaticthedynamicvariableofclimateandweathermustbeconsideredonconcertwiththeaboveascloseaspossiblepriortothekiteboardingevent.

Variablestoconsiderwhenselectingequipment mayinclude:

\ Type of kite and board

\ Size of kite and board

\ Good safety system, preferably from 2007 or later

\ Compartments available to carry accessories or equipment

1.1 Kite Boarding Equipment

Allequipmentusedforkiteboardingshouldbe:

\ Suitablefortheindividual’sabilityandtypeofkite boarding to be attempted

\ Sufficientqualitytoensureitperformseffectivelyonthe waterandinprevailingconditions

\ Checkedbeforetheeventoractivitystartstoensureit isinsafeworkingcondition

\ Cleaned and kept in good repair

\ Consideringchoosingoraffixingreflectivetapetothe kiteandboard,toaideinidentificationofequipment inarangeofweatherconditions.

Theconditionanddesignofthekiteboardingequipmentshouldgenerally:

\ Havenotearsinthekiteorleakybladders

\ Nobreaksorknotsinthelinesheathing

\ Theharness,controlbarlines,webbing,pigtailsbridles andthekiteleashshouldshownosignsofknots,wear, cutsorabrasions

\ Flyinglinesshouldbeequalinlength

1.2 Selecting and Using Kite Boarding Equipment

Suppliersofrecreationalkiteboardingequipmentshouldensurethatpeopleareadvisedofhowtoselect,fitandtesttheuseoftheirequipmentcorrectlyaswellasunderstandthelimitationsoftheirequipment.Theadviceprovidedbysuppliersshouldbeeasilyaccessibleandreadilyavailabletobereviewedatatimeotherthanthepointofsale.Thiscouldbethroughtheuseofprofessionalschoolreferrals,printedbrochures,orwebsiteinformation.

1.3 Personal Protective Equipment

Theuseofpersonalprotectiveequipmentinrecreationalkiteboardingisoftencriticaltoimprovingthechanceofsurvivalduringunexpectedemergencies.Individualsundertakingakiteboardingeventshouldensuretheyhaveequipmentavailabletothemthatwillenhancetheirpersonalsafetyandallowimmediateidentificationofemergenciesandrapiddeploymentofrescueservices.

Theextentandtypeofsafetyequipmentpurchasedbe each kite boarder will need to be determined by the variablesoftheevent/activitytheyaresettoundertakesuchasenvironment,prevailingweatherconditions,lengthofride,distancefromshore,depthofwater,timeofdayornumberofkiteboardersintheevent/activity.

Strongconsiderationandhazardassessmentshouldbegiventotherangeofcompatibleorincompatibleactivitiesoccurringconcurrentlyorincloseproximitytothekiteboardingevent/activity.

1.4 Safety Equipment

Itisrecommendedthatthefollowingsafetyequipmentoraccessoriesareavailableandwhereappropriateshouldbeworn by each kite boarder throughout the duration of any kiteboardingevent/activity:

\ Lifejackets*

\ EPIRBorsomecommunicationtype-device(Personal LocatorBeacon,VHFradio,flaresormobilephone)**

\ Whistleorsignallingdevice

\ Brightcolouredvestortop

\ Safetyreleasesystem

\ Harness

\ Helmet

\ Impactvest

\ Knife

\ Indateflares

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\ 1.0 GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

Theavailabilityofsafetyequipmentbecomesmoreimportantwheretheactivity/eventisnon-organisedanddoesnothavesupportingwatersafetyassociatedwith theactivity/event.

Notes:

*Lifejackets:alifejacketmustsuittheweightofthekiterandbemaintainedingoodconditionandkeptinaneasilyaccessibleplace;preferablyworn.

\ Lifejacketsandotherbuoyancygarmentsare calledPFDs–personalflotationdevices.

\ OnlythePFDType150and100areacceptableas alifejackets–Types50andType50psare buoyancyvestsandareintendedforsportssuch assailingandwaterskiing.

\ Type150and100canberecognizedbytheir orangeoryellowcolour,flotationcollar,and reflectivetape.

\ Type150and100lifejacketsarebulkierandare designedtokeepthebodyafloatforlongperiods of time.

\ Self-inflatablePFDType150and100Jacketsare considerablylessbulkythanthetraditionalstyle ofjacket.

\ AllPDFType150and100jacketsmustdisplaya labelwiththeAustralianStandardsbrandandthe numberAS4758.

Note:ThenewstandarddoesnotmeanPFDsmeetingthepreviousAS1512areobsolete:PFDsmanufacturedtotheearlierAS1512standardswillremainacceptableprovidedtheyarein good condition.

Flotationdevicescomein4typicaltypes:

Level 150

A Level 150providesgreaterbuoyancysupportwhena higherlevelofperformanceandcomfortisneeded.

\ Designedtokeepyouina“faceup”floatingposition.

\ Suitableforoffshoreandgeneralboatinginallwaters.

Level 100 – PFD Type 1

A Level 100 and a PFD Type 1aredesignedtokeepyou inasafe“faceup”floatingposition.

\ Theyaretheminimumrequirementforoffshoreuse.

\ Theycanbewornforgeneralboatinginallwaters.

Level 50 – PFD Type 2

A Level 50 and a PFD Type 2havelessbuoyancythana PFDType1orLevel100andwillnotrotateyoutoa “faceup”floatingposition.

\ Normallyusedforsailing,kayaking,canoeing,wind surfingandonpersonalwatercraft.

Level 50S - PFD Type 3

A Level 50S and a PFD Type 3havesimilarbuoyancy characteristicstothePFDType2butaremanufactured inawiderrangeofcolours.

\ Favouredbywaterskiers,wakeboarders,kayakers andcanoeists.

\ Theymayalsobeavailableasabuiltingarment (egwaterskiingwetsuit).

PFDType50arelessbulkythanType150and100andmaybebettersuitedtokiteboarding.

**Emergency Positioning Indicator Radio Beacon (EPRIB)

\ TheEPIRBdeviceisbulkyandnotdesignedtobe wornonthepersonrathertheyareaffixedto the craft.

\ Kiteboardersshouldgivethoroughconsideration totheneedtoridesignificantdistancesouttosea thatmayrequiretheuseofanEPIRB,soasto avoidtheneedtocarryone.

\ Evenwhenrecreatinginside2nauticalmilesitis recommendedthatadistressbeaconsiscarried.

\ PersonalLocaterBeacons(PLB)aremuchsmaller thananEPIRBanddesignedtobewornonthe body,toimproveidentificationinanemergency andtolocateapersoneveniftheybecome separatedfromtheirequipment.

AlldistressbeaconsinAustraliamustbedigital406MHz,indateandregistered.Registrationoftheunitcanresultinamoreefficientsearchandrescueeffort.Theregistrationprocessissimpleandcanbecompletedonlineviawww.amsa.gov.au/beacons.TheAMSAwebsite(www.amsa.gov.au)isanexcellentresourceandshouldbeviewedbyallkiteboarderswhosensiblyuseadistressbeaconaspartoftheirpersonalsafety.

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1.5 Insurance

Kiteboardinginsuranceisrecommendedbymanylocalandinternationalorganisationsduetothedynamicnatureofthekiteboardingenvironmentandriskofinjury.InAustralia,eachstatekiteboardingassociationofferstheirmembersPublicLiabilityInsurancewhichcoversupto$10000000foranysingleoccurrence.Aresponsiblekiteboarderwillhaveinsuranceforthedurationoftheirinvolvementintheactivity.

1.6 Emergency Management

Theplanning,practiceandactualresponsetopotentialemergenciesisacriticalaspectofanykiteboardingevent/activity.Emergencymanagementbecomesmorecriticalwhentheactivity/eventisinremoteandhardtoaccesscoastalstripsorespeciallyinoff-shoreoropenwaterenvironments.

AkeysafetyprincipleforrecreationalkiteboardersistoNEVERattemptanevent/activityalone.Whereanumberofkiteboardersareembarkingonaneventitisdesirableto‘buddy’kiteboarderstogethertokeepawatchfuleyeovereachother,andtoassistinlaunchingandlanding.Wherearangeofkiteboardingcompetencyexiststhenexperiencedandcompetentkiteboardersshouldbe‘buddies’withlessexperiencedriders.Thisstrategyislikelytoenhancetheprogressionofthelessexperiencedrider’scompetencycurve.Inthiscasethemoreexperiencedkiteboarderwillneedtoclamptheirdesiretosurgeahead.

Wheretheneedtohavemorethanonegrouparises,thegroupsshouldbeassignedbasedonkiteboardingcompetency, experience and type of kite boarding to be engagedin(withanexperiencedpersonassignedtoleadeachgroup).

1.6.1 Emergency Plans

Eachindividual,grouporentityinvolvedinkiteboardingshouldaddresslocalservicesandconditionsforthemanagementofemergenciesthatmayarise.Alllevelsofeventsandactivityshoulddevelopanemergencyplanspecifictoeacheventattempted.

Whereapplicableemergencyplansshouldaddress:

\ Firstaidprocedures

\ Watersafetypersonnel

\ Rescueandresuscitationprocedures

\ Evacuationandextractionprocedures

\ Procedureswhenakiteboarderisthoughttobemissing

\ Procedureswhenakiteboarderbecomesdisabled from equipment or damage or malfunction

\ Survivalinthewater,withandwithoutequipment

Individualsandeventmanagersshouldqualifyinbasicfirstaidandresuscitationsothattreatmentofminororlifethreateninginjuriescanbeprovided.Theachievementoftheseskillsincreaseinimportancewhenkiteboardingoveralongdistanceorduration,offshoreoropenocean,andtraversesremoteorhardtoaccesslocationsfromland.

1.6.2 Emergency Equipment and Procedures

Thetypeoffirstaidequipmentandkitprovidedforeachkiteboardingeventwilldependontheenvironment,lengthofrouteandremotenessfromemergencyassistance.

Thelevelofcompetencyofindividualsprovidingfirstaidwillalsobeinfluencedbythevariablesdescribedabove,andinparticularaweightingshouldbegiventotheremotenessandaccessibilityofadvancedemergencycareandthenumberofindividualsinvolvedinakiteboardingevent.

1.6.3 Rescues

Whileindividualsinvolvedinakiteboardingeventmayhavepreviouslyachievedcompetencyinarescuetypeaward/accreditation,suchasaSurfRescueCertificateorBronzeMedallion,fromarecreationalkiteboardingperspectivefewwillhaveinfactpracticedordrilledthislearningaftertheinitialcourseorwithintheenvironmentsthey expect to kite board.

Theregularpracticeofrescueskillsisessentialtoensurethatinreallifeallparticipantsinanactivity/eventcancarryouttheplannedarrangementandreducetheoutcomesofidentifiedriskinvolvedinrecreationalkiteboarding.Practisemayincludeself-rescuesincludingsafetypackdownsforrescueboatpickuporsailingbacktoshorewiththekiteusedasacanopy.Itmayalsoincludere-launching,deepwaterpackdowns,emergencycareandcommunicatingandraisinganemergency.Itisadvisedallkiteboarderslearnhowtoself-rescuefromaprofessionalschool.

Thereshouldbesufficientequipmentandproceduresinplacetoensurethatatimelyandeffectiverescuecanbecarriedoutrelevanttotheenvironment,prevailingweatherconditionsanddistancefromtheshore.

Considerationsinattemptingarescuemayinclude:

\ Individualstrainedtoperformarescueaswellas beingabletouseallrescueequipmenteffectively –includinghowtoself-rescue

\ Aneffectivecommunicationssystem/alarm,such asawhistle,horn,loudhailerand/orradio

\ Landingapatientontheshoreandpotentially theadministrationofCPR

\ 1.0 GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

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2.1 Fitness and Medical Issues

Kiteboardersshouldmaintainaleveloffitnessthatenablesthemtocompletetherouteandlengthofactivitytheyareplanningtoundertake.Priortoundertakingakiteboardingactivity/event,eachridermustbecognisantoftheirhealthstatustoensurethatitwillnotcompromisetheirsafetyorthesafetyofothers.

Kiteboardersshouldbeabletoswimatleastthedistancetheyarepreparedtorideouttoseaandunderarangeofseaandweatherconditions.Itiscriticalthatthekiteboarderisabletoself-rescueand/orrescueothersthatmaybeinthevicinity.

Itisrecommendedthatkiteboardersdonotproceedmorethan400mouttoseawherededicatedwatersafetyisnotinplace.Evenat400mcomplicationscanoccurthatmayescalatethesituationtolifethreatening.Theavailabilityanduseofsafetyequipmentbecomescriticallyimportantthefurtherouttoseaanincidentoccurs.

2.2 Entry-level kite boarders

Ifarecreationkiteboarderhasanyconcernsabouttheirmedicalconditionorabilitytoridetheyshouldseekmedicalclearanceorundertakeremedialtrainingtoimproveindividualhealthandfitnessandcompetency.

Eventorganisers,managersandinsurersofevents,shouldalwaysrequireeachindividualkiteboardertodeclarethattheirlevelofcompetency,fitnessandhealthissufficientatthetimeofcommencingtheevent.

Itisadvisabletoprovideopportunitiesforindividualsenteringinorganisedeventstoundertakeskillenhancementsessions.Thesesessionsmaycover:

\ Equipment function,

\ Personalprotectiveequipment,

\ Safetyprocedures;and

\ Theenvironmentandpotentialconditionstobefaced.

Whereskillenhancementsessionsareprovidedeventmanagersandorganisers,aspartoftheirriskmanagementplan,shouldhavededicatedwatersafetyinplacesothatsurveillanceoverthekiteboarderscanoccurandifnecessaryrescueactivitycantakeplace.Asignificantrequirementshouldbeforwatersafetyvesselstobeonwaterandalongsidethekiteboarders.

Kiteboardersshouldbeadvisedthat:

\ kiteboardingmaybestrenuous

\ Medicalconditionsthatareaggravatedbyphysical activitymayalsobeimpacteduponbykiteboarding

\ Medicalconditionsthatmayresultinalossof consciousnesscanbeaggravatedbykiteboarding

\ Respiratorydistress(i.e.Asthma)canbebroughtonby beingincoldwater;and

\ Somepeoplemaypanicwhilstkiteboardingandthis mayaggravateamedicalcondition

\ Wavingasinglearmabovetheirheadwillattract emergencyattention,whereitisavailable,shouldthey requireassistance.

Internationalkiteboardingstandardsforhandsignalsexistandareusedthroughouttheworld.Handsignalsareparticularlyimportantasthedistancebetweenkiteboardersandthewindstrengtharebothcontributingfactorstowhyhearingsomeoneelseisalmostimpossible.Apictorialversionofthesesignalscanbeviewedathttp://www.chicagokitesurfing.com/safetyinformation/handsignals.html

2.3 Medical Issues

Kiteboardersshouldbemindfulofmedicalissuesthatcanariseduringarideandtakeprecautionstomitigatetheoccurrence.Thelongertheridethemorelikelymedicalconditionsmayarise.Possiblemedicalconditionscanarisefrom;

\ Dehydration

\ Heatstress

\ Hypothermia

\ Anxiety

Forkiteboardingeventsthathaveadistanceof5kmormoreitisrecommendedthatstrategiesaretakentomitigatetheoccurrenceoftheaboveby:

\ Carryingdrinkingfluid

\ Wearingoflongsleevepaddletops,peakedhatsandsunscreen

\ Wearingofwetsuitsthatprovidesomebuoyancy

\ Wearingsunscreen

\ 2.0 COMPETENCY AND CAPABILITY

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2.4 Self-Rescue and Rescue of Others

Allkiteboardersneedtobeabletoself-rescueandwhennecessaryundertaketherescueofothers.Itisrecommendedthatkiteboardersbeabletoswimthemaximumdistanceinwhichtheyexpecttobefromtheshoreline.Weightingshouldbegivento:

\ Prevailingwinddirectionandspeed

\ Swell direction, and

\ Swellsizeandstrength,

Thereisasignificantrequirementtoreachandmaintainaleveloffitnesstocompletethisphysicaltask.Self-rescueandrescueofotherscanbedemonstratedthroughBronzeMedallion,whitewaterorsimilartypecoursesofferedbySurfLifeSavingWAorotherorganisations.Forspecificself-rescuemethodsforkiteboarders,professionalkiteboardinglessonsisalwaysrecommended.

3.1 Instruction to Kite Boarders

Itiswidelyacknowledgedthatsafeandcompetentkiteboardingstartswithprofessionalinstructionandtopreparethenewkiteboarderfortheexperience,itisimportantthatthepersonprovidinginstructionisexperiencedandcompetenttodoso.Thereareanumberoforganisationsthatprovidecoachingaccreditationcoursesprovideopportunityforindividualstoparticipate:

\ InternationalKiteBoardingAssociation(IKO) http://www.ikointl.com/iko.php?page=kiteboarding- instructor.php

\ BritishKiteBoardingAssociation(BKSA) http://www.britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk/training/ bksa-instructor-training-water.html

Instructorsshouldbeabletoprovidetheirlearnerswithappropriatelocalknowledgeregardinglocationsandtheenvironment,aswellaswithsafetyknowledgeandskillsthattheycanimplementanywheretheychoosetoride.

Theinformationprovidedtoakiteboarder,priortoanactivity/eventshouldinclude:

\ Selectionandappropriateuseofequipment

\ Theenvironmentwherekiteboardingwilltakeplace

\ Weatherandotherenvironmentalconditionsspecificto thekiteboardingenvironment(windwindow,wind speedandquality,obstaclesandotherbeachusers).

\ Howtolaunchandlandakite;includingexitlocationpoints

\ Howtodealwithproblemsthatmayarise;including de-poweringakiteandre-launching

\ Availabilityanduseofflotationdevises(suchaslifejackets)

\ Availabilityanduseofdistressbeacons

\ Availabilityanduseofsafetyreleasesystem

\ kiteboardingsiteboundaries

\ Emergencyandrescueproceduresandsignalling;

\ 2.0 COMPETENCY AND CAPABILITY

\ 3.0 TRAINING

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3.2 Kite Boarding Schools

Itisparamountthatpeoplewantingtostartkiteboardingreceivequalityinstructionfromaprofessionalkiteboardingschool.

TheWAKiteSurfingAssociation(WAKSA)suggestsbeforekiteboardersselectaschooltoreceiveinstruction,theyshouldenquiretoensurethefollowing:

1) Theinstructorsarequalifiedtoaparticularstandard (e.g.BritishKiteSurfingAssociation-BKSA;or InternationalKiteboardingOrganisation-IKO);

2) Theschoolhasitsownpublicliabilityinsurancepolicy;

3) Theschoolhasthenecessarypermit(s)fromrelevant authoritiestoconductlessonsatthelocation(s) lessonsaretaught.

Informationtaughttoanewkiteboardershouldbedonesooveranumberofprofessionallessons.Itissimplynotpossibletoteachsomeoneallthenecessaryknowledgeandskillsrequiredforsafeandcompetentkiteboardinginonelesson.

Ontopoftheinformationprovidedaboveinsection3.1,kiteboardersshouldexpecttolearnthefollowingadditionalinformationandskillsfromprofessionalkiteboardinglessons:

\ Riggingup

\ Launchingasapilotandassistant

\ Body dragging

\ Figureof8

\ Crosswind

\ Boardretrieval

\ Balance

\ Manoeuvres

\ Boardstart

\ Ridingupwind

\ Gybing

\ Ridingtoeside

\ Carvingturns

\ Chop hop

\ Rulesoftheroad

3.3 Kite Boarding Environment

Asuccessfulandincidentfreeactivity/eventissupportedbykiteboardershavingthoroughknowledgeoftheenvironmentinwhichtheactivity/eventisbeingheldandimportantlyhowtheclimaticconditions,astheychange,caninfluenceridersafety.Priortocommencingakiteboardingactivity/event,individualsoreventorganiser’sshouldensurethatinformationonthekiteboardingenvironmentisprovidedtoriders.Theinformationprovidedshouldcoverthefollowing:

\ Site/areawherekiteboardingistotakeplaceand includeacommentonwinds(includingdirection, speedandgusts,currents,swell,storms,rocks,reefs andheadlands;

\ Intensityofsunorcold

\ Locationofappropriateexitpoints

\ Otherbeachusersinthesetup,launchingandlandingarea’s

\ Otherboating(poweredandnon-powered)trafficthat may be encountered

\ Exclusionorotherprohibitedentryareasorzones

Alllocationsandconditionsshouldbeappropriatetotheskillleveloftheindividual(s)andthespectrumofexperience,fitnessandcompetencyofthe likelyparticipants.

\ 3.0 TRAINING

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4.1 Weather Observations

Individualsconsideringundertakingakiteboardingactivity/eventmustbeawarethatconditionscanchangerapidlyorprevailtobemuchstrongerthanwasoriginallyforecastorinterpreted.Wheremodalobservationsareprovidedwindgusts,swellandseasizehavebeenknowntobemuchhigherthanwasforecast,whichmaycatchakiteboarderunaware.Ifconditionschangeduringtheactivity/eventitcanplacetheriderinconditionsthatareabovetheircompetencylevelorequipmenttype,including safetyequipment.

Priortoundertakinganactivity/event,kiteboardersshouldhaveagoodunderstandingoftheenvironmenttheyareplanningtotraverseandthetopographicalnature(headlands,reefs,sandbanks,channels,guttersetc)oftheareasandhowtheforecastconditionsmayinfluence oceanorriverconditionsinthoseareas.

Ifkiteboardersareunfamiliarwiththeproposedrouteorareaandhowtheconditionsmayaffecttheirtravel,thentheyshoulddelaythekiteboardingactivity/eventuntilmoreinformationcanbegainedfromtechnicalexperts or local knowledge.

KiteboardersshoulddefaulttousingtheBureauofMeteorologyweb-site(www.bom.gov.au)fortheprimarysourceofcurrentweatherinformationandforecasts.Therearearangeofotherweatherinformationsitesavailablethatprovideusefulinformationregardingoceanactivity;however,itshouldbenotedthatthesesitesaresimply re-usingandre-interpretingtheinformationfromthe Bureausite.

ManyexperiencedkiteboardersusetheBeaufortWindScale(www.bom.gov.au)topre-assessweatherconditionsandthesuitabilityofkiteboardingactivity/eventsbasedonobservedconditions.Weatherforecastsoftenspeakofwindsintermsofforce3,orforce6-7etc,sothesechartscanbeusedbythekiteboardertotranslateallotheraspectsoftheconditionstoexpect.

TheBeaufortScalewillhelpyoutoselecttherightkitesizetomatchtheconditions,andmaketherightdecisionsonwhethertogooutornot.Thesafestandbestconditionsarewhenthewindscaleisbetweenforce4and5whichallowsakiteboardertogaugetheseaconditionsforapredictedwindspeedandalsotoevaluatethewindbyseastate.

4.2 C.L.E.A.R Guidelines

Allnationalassociations,andsomeinternationalorganisationsuseandpromotetheC.L.E.A.Rguidelinesasaneasytoremembersetofcriteriatoassessbeforeundertakingrecreationalactivities.TheC.L.E.A.Racronymstandsfor:

Conditions

\ Windstrength \ Winddirection \ Alwayskeepdownwindareawellclear \ Waves,tides&currents \ Considerpossiblechanges

Look

\ Beforeyoulaunch,land,jump,jibe,etc

Equipment

\ Alwayspre-flightcheck \ Useakiteleash \ Useaquickreleaseonanythingyouhookinto \ Practiseusingyoursafetysystemsregularlysothatit becomesinstinctive \ Neverexceedmanufacturersspecifications

Attitude

\ Alwaysseekandlistentolocaladvice \ Don’texceedyourlimitations \ Usejudgementtopreventsituations,notrelyonskillto try and get out of it

Respect

\ Others-beconsiderateandcourteoustoallotherwater andbeachusers \ The law \ Fellowkiters-followrightofwayrules \ Theenvironment

\ 4.0 COURSE AND ROUTE PLANNING

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4.3 Location and Route Planning

Itisimportantkiteboardershaveagoodawarenessofthelocationorroutetheyareusingfortheiractivity/eventandtheconditionsthatcanmanifestatthatlocationoralongtheroute.Theprevailingconditionswillinfluencebeachmorphologyandcanalterandintroducehazardsthatarenotnormallyapparentinbenignconditionstherebyaffectingthesafetyofthekiteboarder.Thelocationorroutekiteboarderschoosetotakeshouldbecarefullyconsideredandtakeintoaccountthefollowingconsiderationsasaguide;

\ Locationconditionsrelevanttotheindividualskite boardingability.Foralocationandskilllevelguidevisit www.waksa.org.au/locations

\ Distancefromtheshorelinekiteboarderscanexpectto be,andthedistancefromsafelanding/exitpoints

\ The length of time expected to be on the water

\ Thebesttimeofdaytocommencetherideandthe effectthattheprevailingconditionsmayhaveon completion time

\ Theavailabilityofrescueservicesandthetimeitmay taketorespondtoanotifiedemergency

\ Dynamicorstatichazardsinthearea(reefs,headlands, surfbreaks,marinelife,recreationalboats,otherkite/ windsurfers,otherbeachusers,swimmers)

\ 4.0 COURSE AND ROUTE PLANNING

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Thisappendixprovideskiteboarderswithaccesstoinformationsourcesthatarerelevanttorecreation kiteboardingactivities/events.

Marine Safety Act and Regulations

\ DepartmentofTransport(www.transport.wa.gov.au/ imarine/marine_information.asp)

\ StateLawPublisher(www.slp.wa.gov.au)

Weather Monitoring

\ BureauofMeteorology(www.bom.gov.au)

\ SeaBreeze(www.seabreeze.com.au)

\ SwellNet(www.swellnet.com.au)

\ BeachSAFE(www.beachsafe.org.au)

Associations

\ WAKiteSurfingAssociation(www.waksa.org.au)

\ KiteBoardingAustralia(www.aksa.com.au/)

\ BritishKiteSurfingAssociation (http://www.britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk/)

\ InternationalKiteboardingOrganisation (www.ikointl.com)

\ SurfLifeSavingWA(www.surflifesavingwa.com.au)

\ APPENDIX 1

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MYBEACH.COM.AU /KITEBOARDING