These are the only signs that I could find - I think they appear in the IKO workbook. They don't seem super useful to me especially out in the water when dealing with a possible collision (as per aerial attack thread).

www.ikointl.com/intl_k_signs.php?menu_id=2

I think learning your right of way rules are much more important especially in the surf. There's normally heaps of room in the surf. If someone is riding a wave or you notice they can't see you, change direction if safe to do so or get downwind of them if safe to do so.
2 Riders passing - upwind, kite high - downwind, kite low.

Look behind you before you turn. If following someone, expect that they could turn any second.

IKO right of way rules are here

http://www.ikointl.com/priority_rules.php?menu_id=2

Of those the only on that is any good is of course the head tap, but If you need to turn and there is someone too close to you, the "wave hand in a circle above head" works really well, most people get the idea beause it is so obvious that you are gonna u-turn that they get out the way pretty quick. just give some time between the signal and the manouvre. could be handy for those i see complaining about being 'pushed' up right to the beach by someone else.

James

kiteboardingschool.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=78

kiteboardingschool.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=78

What so regardless of where you are, all you have to do is boost to have right of way, and everyone else has to take evasive action???? HELP

in regards to au_rick, i think it makes more sence for the jumper to loose rite of way. if they are in a possition where it could be affecting someone elses ride you shouldnt not be jumping full stop.

lex123 said...

Is there a internationally or Autralian recognised sign for "i need help retrieving my board", I can body drag upwind by the way, but sometimes specially in crap conditions it can be a bit hard.

Mby if there isnt one we should come up with one.

It's a bit difficult to sign to someone you'd like your board recovered as it's really something you should be adept at doing yourself. If you wave to someone for help then they come over only to have you ask if they could retrieve your board they may be insulted. On the other hand if i can see someone struggling for longer than a few minutes to retreive their board i'll ride by and ask if they'd like me to bring it to them.

I think most people would rather the 'help me' wave remain only for emergencies.

doesn't work in practice: u have to give newbs room no matter what [cus they are obviously battling enough], only a slight number would know it and most importantly its all about the circumstances and how the particular spot functions best as the locals have developed over the years.

if it gets to the point that you have to resort to the iko rules to deal with the amount of people at your local maybe it's time for a new spot to ride.

Having grown up sailing I'm very conscious of the 'rules of the road.' Unfortunately, most kitesurfers haven't done much sailing or racing.

In sailing the first rule is to avoid collisions at all costs.

At St Kilda I have found that you can bear away a bit to concede some ground, put your kite low, and the oncoming guy will keep bearing away towards you! Very frustrating. Sometimes all you can do is come to a stop and park your kite at 12. Then they HAVE to avoid you. Pretty hard to get out of someone's way when you aren't moving.

That said, if you are riding right leg forward, you have right of way over others coming towards you. But you have to hold your course, not change direction just because you have right of way.

At Hayling Island in the UK a 'loop' system ends up in place with an inbound lane and an outbound lane. And thats pretty much how you can have 100 kiters all riding at the same time