Dangers during kitesurfing

When using a kite, whether learning or practicing, the highest attention is required. Dangers during kitesurfing is a blog entry that aims to highlight the various aspects that make our kitesurfing a safe and controlled activity, or a Russian roulette where you or others around you might be seriously injured.

kitesurfing club mallroca logo Alcudia

Please note the following precautions:

Choose well the wind and weather conditions in which you will learn or practice. Always check the climatic conditions and the weather report.  While this is not exactly what could happen on your kitespot, it is a good approach to know what to expect.

1 bad weather should be avoided to learn kitesurfing

When you’re on the beach at your kitespot, you can see how the wind is and how the situation is developing.
Also consult other kiters and decide what and what not to do. In any case, first of all, common sense and safety should be your priorities.

WIND INFO IN MALLORCA

 

Dangers during the practice of kitesurfing

If you decide to go on and take a kite lessons or practice, analize well the kitespot in where you will practice.
See possible changes in the direction and intensity of wind and its potential impact if something could fail and things may get out of hand.

2 Do not use a kite that is too big, cause the quick releases to run into trouble

Choose the right kite size. A kite that is too big can be extremely dangerous, but even in strong winds a small kite can also become very dangerous.

It will move so fast in the wind window that we could lose control of it, and in this case the size of the kite would not mean much, since the chances of having an accident are also very high.

3 quick release maintenance is very important

In case of problems or loss of control of your kite do not hesitate and pull your quick release immediately.
Your quick release system should be in good condition and you should always check it before starting your kite.
It is good to rehearse it frequently to visualize the use of it, should it be necessary. Your quick release system is something we rarely need, but its maintenance and use should never be underestimated.

How to learn kitesurfing?

http://mallorcakiteschool.com/en/how-to-learn-kitesurfing/

 

A good kite school is your key to success

Remember, if you use a kite you are responsible for your own safety and also of other people around you.

4 Always take kite lessons from a certified kitesurfing school

No one should try to fly a traction kite before receiving professional instructions from a certified kitesurfing school.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KITESURFING SCHOOL

 

Keep your kite in good condition

One of the best ways to avoid dangers at your kitesurfing session is the condition of your gear. Your kite should always be kept in good condition. The most important thing to remember when kiting is to be aware and to recognize and avoid dangers before they may occur.

Your kite, kite bar and lines should be in good condition. Your depower line must also be kept well and without excessive erossion, otherwise replace them as soon as possible.

5 pulleys, lines, depower lines and kite-bar

Always check for possible wear on your equipment. The depower, pulleys and bridles, all are very important parts for your kite to fly properly and also for your own safety. Every detail counts. Remember that we will find a great power traction in our kite and this could be a potential risk.

 

Launch, land and fly your kite

Among the most common dangers during kitesurfing are launch and landings. Do not launch or fly your kite in front or in the vicinity of other people. Overcrowded beach? … Never try kitesurfing there. Kite lines under tension can be as sharp as a knife. Never touch the lines until the kite is properly secured to the ground.

Launching and landing your kite are moments of total concentration and accurate decisions, most of accidents occur during launch and lands. Preferably an assistant should grab your kite. When launching you should move right or left until finding the right angle -90 degrees on a tube kite- don’t expect that the assistant will fing the correct launching angle, you have the kite bar in your hands, your assistant the kite.  You find the right angle, he or she just keep hold of your kite until you give the sign of launch.

6 Do not launch or land your kite near obstacles

Wrong kite use carries a high risk of collision if something goes wrong.
Not enough space to start your kite? Trees, a wall, a fence, rocks?
Look for a more suitable location and always keep a safe distance from at least one line between yourself and people or obstacles.

7 Do not kitesurf at the very busy beach

A kite can be dangerous as long as the kiter stays connected! Practice the proper use of the security system and do not hesitate to activate it in a dangerous situation. If necessary, disconnect the safety line if the kite is still pulling.

Consider as well that, doing so, the kite, lines and bar would drift downwind creating a big risk to anything situated downwind of where you are, that’s why your precautions should start by choosing the right spot

 

Final advices for a safe kite session

8 life jacket and helmet are a must when kitesurfing or kitesurfing

Once in the water, always wear a helmet and life jacket, and only kitesurf as far as you should be able to swim back to shore again.

9 someone should watch you while kitesurfing

Preferably, someone should watch you while you are kite surfing. If possible, do not try to kite alone. It is very important to make sure that you are being watched while you are kitesurfing in case of need emergency assistance.

10 no drugs no alcohol when kitesurfing

Do not try to learn or practice kitesurfing when you are tired and can not concentrate.
Do not go kitesurfing if you are not in good physical condition and you are never under the influence of drugs and / or alcohol.

 

Several links to kitesurfing spots in Mallorca
OUR KITESPOT IN MALLORCA
Best kitespots and best time to kite in Mallorca
KITESURFING IN CAN PASTILLA / PLAYA DE PALMA