The Internationally Recognized Rules of Kiting

These eight essential rules will keep you and everyone around you safe during sessions. It is always important to be responsible, sensible, and educated on the current conditions before sending it.

Rule #1: The kiter entering the water from the beach has rights over the incoming rider.

(Picture courtesy of IKO)

Rule #2: The rider with their right-hand forward (starboard tack) has priority over the left-hand forward (port tack). The starboard rider should keep their course and speed to allow the other rider to avoid him. But, if the port tacker does not avoid you as the person who understands the rules, you should avoid the collision. 

(Picture courtesy of IKO)

Rule #3: When two riders travel in the same direction, the faster rider must give way to the slower rider in front. The faster rider is more maneuverable and should keep clear.

(Picture courtesy of IKO)

Rule #4: Any rider surfing a wave has priority over one who is jumping or going in the opposite direction

(Picture courtesy of IKO)

Rule #6: When jumping, a kiteboarder must have a clear safety zone of 50 meters downwind and 30 meters upwind prior to starting the jump.

(Picture courtesy of IKO)

Rule #7: When two Kiteboarders are on land simultaneously, both proceed and keep clear from each other

(Picture courtesy of IKO)

The Golden Rule:
If you are passing upwind, keep your kite HIGH in the sky.
If you are passing downwind, keep your kite down LOW.