Kitesurfing: What You Should Know About Right Safety Equipment

In this video, we're going to talk about what you need to know before you go out and start kitesurfing. We'll discuss things like the different types of kites, the right safety equipment, and how to safely kite.
If you're looking to try out kitesurfing, or just want to be safe when you're out kiting, this video is for you! We'll discuss everything you need to know about kitesurfing safety, from the equipment you need to the tips and tricks for having a safe and fun experience!
Helmets are not just for school insurance; they're an essential thing to have. A couple of reasons come to my mind :
If you lose control of your kite in the strong wind while flying or relaunching, you can get pulled and fall, potentially hurting yourself. The head is the most critical organ and should be protected.
If you get dragged out of control upward or down the beach, a helmet may save your life if you hit a rock, a wall, a tree, a car, or crash onto the ground.
Even for instructors, the helmet is an essential piece of equipment. There are several reasons why instructors should use them. The instructor is one of the persons closer to the students piloting the kite and can hit you as they do not control the kite yet. When you teach in the shore break, there is a high chance the board gets caught in the wave, and you get hit by it. It can help you keep your body temperature as most of the heat is lost by the extremities in cold places. Another good reason to use one is so you can have a go pro and record the session for your student or yourself after lessons. So I recommend its usage for any person that is kitesurfing.
An impact vest is another thing you want to use when you go to the water. A lifejacket may be an even better alternative if you get dragged out at sea or knocked unconscious by your board, and yes, this can happen to you. In any water sport, a flotation aid is essential. If you are kitesurfing, it is also crucial.
If you are not sure what to get as a flotation vest or a helmet, check our description below, as I'll post a link to videos on how to choose the right one for you. Or subscribe to the channel, so you don't miss any tips.
If you're unsure what to get for a safety vest or helmet, my recommended safety gear page can give you a good starting point.
If you are learning by yourself, do not use a board leash and especially do not use one without using a helmet. Before getting the board, makes sure you know how to body drag in all directions perfectly. Check some of my video tips about each one of them. Learning to go body dragging upwind is essential to get back to your board, and you will use this technique all the time. Once you master this technique, you will be able to get to your board all the time. Using a leash can get the board thrown into your direction at high speed, and if it hits you, it will cause tremendous damage.
Another thing i recommend is to get a line cutter, a small tool with a blade that can save your life if your lines get tangled up in your harness, your board, some rocks, or yourself. Most Harnesses have a small line cutter pocket to store the line cutter, and usually, the line cutter will come with the harness. Check when you purchase your harness if it has one or if it is sold separately. Make sure to get familiar with taking it out and use it as you will only need it in extreme situations, but then there will be no time for you to learn.
If you decide to learn by yourself, consider getting this equipment for your practice, but you should still use it even after you know. Since at the start you don't know if you are even going to like to kitesurf it might be better to take lessons first as there you will get all this gear included in the lesson.
6 tips to find the best kiteschool - kookproof.com/experiences/kit...
00:00 Safety Equipment you should have
0:25 Who am I?
0:54 Helmets
2:08 Impact vest
2:43 Board leash
3:18 Safety knife - Line cutter
4:08 Recommendations and next episodes
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[@KookProofActivityCenter]

The helmet is something essencial for all sports as the head is a vital organ. In the water using a life vest to help you lost is also a good idea.

[@kst157]

Since your video a kite surfer in the U.K. on the east coast was washed up dead from the cold & wintry sea, last Sunday. I’ve been thinking a lot more about safety since your excellent video and found my knife was missing. I’ve now got two knives, an orange smoke sea rescue flare, a mountain whistle, waterproof phone bag, and a waterproof small rucksack to take out to sea with me on cold wintery days as as extra backup. I do kitesurfing all year but extra safety is needed in the winter, above normal safety. Also make sure there are other kite surfers and the general public around - just don’t get out of sight or too far out.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Sorry to hear about a fellow kiter misfortune. Glad this video might help out people to get better prepared for what can happen and do not take unnecessary risks. Especially with hard conditions such as cold environment, the pre-planning is even more important. Things can go wrong when we least expect them. I had my fair share of situations. I was lucky in a few of them.

[@kst157]

Checked my safety knife cutter was still attached to my harness but it wasn’t! Thanks for reminding me to check this...

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Also check for rust and if the blade is still effective. I have had a few that after some years stopped working. Since it wasn’t there i recommend you get a new one. You never know when you will need it. The only time i needed one i didn’t have it. Since then i make sure to always have one on the harness.

[@markfnz]

At 3:55 there’s a great demo of stepping off the board onto shore. Is there a video on doing that??

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

I can make it. It’s merely removing your feet from the foot strap and placing them in the Center. Better without a handle.v

[@yenerakdag2300]

Tell it 2 times about safety ...or 10 times...or 20 times. Its never enough to repeat it over and over again 👍