Clearing Up Some Confusion: The Right of Way Rules for Kitesurfers

If you're a kitesurfer, then you know that the rules governing the right of way can be a bit confusing. In this video, we'll clear up some of the confusion surrounding the right of way rules for kitesurfing.
We'll discuss the basic rules of kitesurfing, as well as some common misconceptions about the right of way. After watching this video, you'll know the basics about the right of way rules for kitesurfing, and you'll be able to safely enjoy the sport without any troubles!
On this video, I'll show you how to access if you have the priority or not quickly. I'll also showcase a few situations so you can find out if you have a preference or not in each of these cases.
1.- I can only anticipate your trajectory if you don't change it suddenly.
That is why for me and the majority of people you need to keep track to maintain priority, and you lose it every time you change direction.
2.- if you can't change your direction easily or that quick change will get you in harm's way you should have the priority.
So this goes to beginners, people body dragging, people on the beach, etc.
3.- the collision course situation is not solved by the previous 2, so it's common knowledge to give priority to the rider going to the right. So if you have the red part of the bar in front, you lose priority.
Golden rule: avoid a collision at all time.

[@josemaia6906]

"rookies" always have priority !! yes !!

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

They have priority but they should still be aware of the other riders. It's more for the other riders to give them room for the mistakes they are doing.

[@manygybes7336]

Some good points here. Remember, right of way is something you give, not something you take.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Common sense should be the main one to help us find the correct order. But unfortunately, not everyone has it.

[@nx9537]

Good video. So many kite courses omit this due to time restrictions and focus on getting beginners water starting.

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Additional rules (often forgotten): - move your kite up if you pass upwind to someone , and your kite low if you are downwind ! This is especially fair when someone gives you the way and mandatory on crowded spots! - when you ride upwind and cross someone doing the same on the other tack , whatever if you have priority or not, decide as early as possible what you want to do (passing upwind or downwind of him) and do it soon and clearly! Ride safe😎

[@pg70220]

Great video, clear and well explained, thank you!!

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Pietro Gandi thanks a lot for your feedback.

[@Peachez54]

OMG...does Portugal need to see this video!!

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

I think a lot of people need to see it but mostly understand it

[@Chris_PerthWA]

Excellent again

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Chris Hoath thanks

[@gianlucasteffenini953]

nice video ! well done !

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Gianluca Steffenini kite trainer thanks for the feedback.

[@watevaa1234567]

same with sailing, if you have the left hand on the helm you get to yell and protest lol

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

In kiting people often yell and protest also.

[@M9Diry]

Knowing the rules is great but I still don’t know wtf to do when there’s 2 kiters coming towards me , one guy next to me and a 3rd guy jumping to my right … I just panic and stop

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

The jumping one lost preference if he had it. The one coming towards you depends if he is going to the right or to the left. But when in doubt just stop. Speeding will make things worse for sure.

[@M9Diry]

@@KookProofActivityCenter :) what if I’m on the starboard tack ( right hand forwards ), there’s a kiter 20m down wind of me also on starboard tack, there’s another kiter 20m upwind of me also on starboard tack, and then coming in a direct collision course are 2 kiters on the port tack towards us…

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

@@M9Diry the first rule is avoid collision. In this scenario the ones coming on port tack need to take decision to pass between the other ones or turn around. The ones on starboard also should use common sense and if they feel it’s too complicated maybe they too should take evasive action and go back.

[@M9Diry]

@@KookProofActivityCenter so in theory, I should just stay on my course as I have right of way… but in reality we can’t be confident those on port tack will take the evasive action so we must decide soon enough to stop or turn around… hoping there’s no one behind us !

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

@@M9Diry it’s always a tough call. If all are good kiters they should be able to keep track. I can pass close to people without a problem. Specially if I know they are good kiters. But if you are not sure just turn around and go to another less crowded area.

[@TheMonkini]

At my kite spot a few guys like to ride all the way to shore to show off their tricks. The other day I was following one of them with my intention to get out of the water. The other guy looked as if he was going to get out, since he was heading all the way back. But he stops when his board gets to the sand and turns the kite to get back out. At that point he theoretically has priority because he is heading back out. But by continuously doing this he is getting on the way of people wanting to get out of the water. What do you think? Inconsiderate bastard or he has the right to do this?

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

A lot of people confuse the rule of the guy coming from the beach. For me, this rule applies when you first take your kite up, and you want to enter the water. Once you do the first power stroke and you are riding, this rule doesn’t apply anymore. So if he is riding and turns back even if near the shore, he loses priority as he has changed direction. What you describe is a person without much respect/awareness of other users of the spot.

[@angusgrizzly1730]

@@KookProofActivityCenter Hi, I agree that he lacks respect and also that he does not have priority due to leaving the beach. As you say, he has left the beach and is out kiting. That rule only applies to people launching. I am not sure about the change of direction rule though - where does that come from? I would have thought that priority in this case rests on two things: he needs to avoid a collision (that is rule no 1) so if he is changing direction so close to the other rider that he is not leaving enough time or space for reasonable evasive action then he is in the wrong. The second thing though depends on which tack the riders are on. Lets say they are on port tack heading to the beach. The guy in front transitions to starboard tack and is heading back out so he has priority over the guy who was behind and is still on port tack. If the wind was blowing the other way then the opposite would apply. Would you agree? Again, I am interested in the change of direction rule. I haven't come across that before. Thanks for the vid, great work.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

The change of direction is one of the most basic rules of navigation. The only thing that tells me where you are going so that i can take evasive action is your direction. If you change it, you must be aware that that action will cause problems for others. On the road, we have lines marking the pavement, so i expect you to follow those lines. In the water, the only thing that tells me where to expect that you are going in your direction. It’s the first rule of navigation. You lose priority everything you change your path, so jumps, turning back, or changing even from upwind to downwind is a change in direction.

[@angusgrizzly1730]

@@KookProofActivityCenter I see where you are coming from and I agree. The subjective problem is always timing: when do you go from changing direction to holding a course? For example, in sailing a boat can continually luff up to prevent an upwind boat from overtaking it (in a race). He doesn't lose priority by doing so. Kitesurfers are pretty manoeuvrable so a direction change happens quickly and is over quickly. So you lose priority for a short while and then you are back to "normal". So basically if this guy is changing direction leaving so little time that it causes the guy following a problem - then he is in the wrong. If he leaves the other guy plenty of time then he MIGHT not be in the wrong depending on the situation. From the sounds of it he wasn't leaving enough time. Thanks for the reply - appreciate it.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

It’s as you say, if he changes without causing problems, then it was ok to do so. If he changes and due to that change, the other person can avoid a collision, it was the change that made it happen. Common sense is the most critical rule, but unfortunately, it’s something that often is lacking with people.

[@vr1000m]

Nicely explained, thanks! 👍

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

vr1000m glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback.