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