any kiters have any objections to being run over by sailors when they don't give way to starboard?

when we are on starboard : get out of the f***ing way

yes there were some real asshole kiters out at Takas on Sunday. Take the SA wally with the stupid helmet who had no idea who had right of way - who basically just got in everyone's way - he even managed to kite up behind another kiter and wrap his lines around their head. Go figure! LEARN THE BASICS! Otherwise learn the hard way. But riding right amongst the poleboarders and winding them up was kinda fun - shoulda heard the grumbles!

Yep that is one of the New Zealand water safety rules:-
Power vessels give way to sail vessels
Overtaking vessels give way
Head on - each vessel shall alter it's course to starboard (ie. to the right)
Windward vessel gives way

>>>HOWEVER<<< - being that a kite and its lines have a large striking distance -The unwritten rule that I would say most kite riders adhere to (that is even safer) is that kiters go downwind of windsurfers preventing the possibility of the 2 coming within a kitelines length - whatever tack they are on - otherwise I would have windsurfers just bearing downwind of me when I am on starboard on my kite - and I would seriously not advise this.- especially if you do not know the person in control of the kite.

another one for newbies - first on a wave has right of way - kiter or windsurfer

The great thing about nz is that everyone is everyones mate even if by association of 1 person in the middle..

Sheesh, where/when did this happen. I hear it was a little more crowded and blustery early on. By the time I finally got out there was maybe three kiters and a few windsurfers on the water and more than enough room to get along!

Kia Orana All,

Yep it was busy out there on Sunday but there was more room to move than you normally get at Orewa. I do recall blasting along following two poleboarders when out of the corner of my eye I see a kite come from upwind super fast(out of control) and slam into the water just in front of the poleboarders. The both had to anchor hard and ended up in the drink before crossing the lines luckily. I managed to send the kite back and boost over carnage taking the gamble that the kiter wouldn't relaunch his kite before I was clear.

Suffice to say there were words between the poleboarders and the Mystery kiter in the helmet but it really was the kiters fault.

I agree that in general staying downwind of a poleboarder is safer for both. But if your in control and can safely fly over the top then why loose ground.

It would also be great if upwind kiters were to fly high and downwind kiters fly low when they cross over. Simple and effective. If done correct you can also get close enough to each other to "High Five" as you cruise past.

There was some serious fun to be had at Taka on Sun!! I think the crowds appreciated it!! Bring it On!!

yep its always amused me how pole boarders (especially at Taka) like to yell out their board brand as they go passed. must be a new brand around cause on sunday some of them were yellin fuckoff...
strange bunch of dinisours, don't really understand them
but really who cares, I was having way to much fun to spend more than a passing moment wondering why they bother

DB you are saying that windsurfers should stay upwind of kiters in all situations . what happens when the wind drops and the Windsurfer is grovelling and cant necesarily point upwind?

kt i disagree strongly with your idea of just jumping over the windsurfer .... were not to know if your in control or not.
just go downwind it would be real appreciated

When KT says 'fly over', he almost certainly meant 'sailing upwind of' the windsurfer, safely flying the kite over the top of the man and his pole - not jumping over as 'Guest' assumes.

Still, I'm sure I'm not the only kiter who has an irresistable urge to boost a jump whenever a poleboarder passes - just to emphasise our ability to elevate (and crash and burn half the time also).

Bad Brad glad to see you have your humour back after Sunday. You were not to happy with that wally that had no idea of what curtesy is all about leat alone general safety.

Most of the crew left Taka late afternoon. I headed back for another session.. second wind after my hangover subsided. I had the best session of the day as the wind stayde constant. The 9-meter was perfect !!

Two epic sessions this month.. ok it was 1st Feb.. !!

For those of you who were waiting for the VERY LATE copy of Kite World.. The mag has hit the shores and you can get a copy at Mega Mag in Queen Street
I think that is what its called). You also get 2 free DVDs. (have not watched them yet) waiting for the Misses to get to bed.. lol

Ow and check PG 44.. Thanks Ian for sending my picture through.. I now feel famous with my frog like move at Murawai.. lol.

Laters
Craig

<<Windsurfers>>

are better off upwind of a kiter because it is impossible for you to be in the striking zone of the kite at any time (same for any living thing) - hence safe - even if some idiot without a kite leash lets go of his/her kite (or the leash breaks) - or if they are flying through the air out of control covering 50m every 10 seconds (these events are rare but can and do happen)

you can be sure that the kite isn't going to fly back upwind and nail you

I am just saying that it is safer for windsurfer to be upwind - especially if there are badly instructed/educated newbies flying kites at the beach as seems to increasingly be the case around the place (experienced kiters stay upwind of sketchy looking kiters - you can be sure of that)

The starboard rule is for racing only really because both vessels are supposed to point to starboard( the right) when overtaking but I just think that if that rule meant going upwind of a windsurfer and we were closeby - ( within 30m) - kiters should go downwind.

The recreational water law says the maximum speed of 2 vessels is to be 5 knots if within 30m of each other I think- which does not really cater for kiteboarders as going at 5 knots on a kiteboard can turn into an involuntary 20 knots flying through the air in a split second.

Be Mindful that out of control kiters/loose kites flying through the air are a worst case scenario; however, it does happen that a kiter/kite somewhere around the world nails someone else every now and again - so I say it now rather than later(people love to comment afterwards- but it is a bit late really). A lot of people will find all of this common sense -pretty obvious really if you are experienced on the water.

Nearly all the kiters I know look out for the safety of others - that doesn't mean that they don't totally rip or bust themselves up every now and again though..

If you see kiters being dodgy - go and talk to them and tell them why what they are doing is dangerous - without attitude - they will appreciate the help for sure - and then you will be more likely able to carry on kiting at your local spot without a ban

it was nice on sunday,abit gusty but the water was clean,i launch down at the south end, not nearly so many people, i did stop up the north end for a while to say hi,id like to thank the guy who helped me out ,just how does it happen,you drop you rag,10 min latter you got a line tangle,jesss. oh yeah thats it ,stay away from windsurfers,when they run you down it hurts... b safe :idea:

the next kiter/windsurfer/yacht that does not give way to me on starboard will suffer dire consequences involving a bamboo stick, KY jelly, tabasco sauce and a case of the clap!!!

I say let's start world war three.. poleboarders vs kiteboarders. But i can't be on the same side as saddam can't kite and osama bin kiter 1 and 2. let's sort it out at takapuna, orewa and shakers, get the cops involved and then get both sports banned and everyones happy :twisted: