Your (and everyones) ultimate responsibility as a water user is to ensure that a collision is avoided.

No good being in the "Right" after a serious accident

That is all

I'd settle for downwind kiters dropping their kite!!!

The trouble with the starboard rule (and other right of way rules) is that you don't know that the other guy knows about it.

Most people when they start out go through a couple of phases:

1) Everyone avoids you because you're clearly out of control
2) Avoid people heading towards you, in any direction you feel like
3) Learn about the starboard rule, the overtaking rule, the "less manoeuvrable vessel" rule, the "person on the wave" rule etc, and try to get everyone else to learn these rules as well
4) If on a collision course, make a clear and sudden change of direction so that then you're not on a collision course. Kite high or low comes into this category.

Number 4 seems the most followed rule at the spots I go to, so that's the one that I follow as well. The only time you can assume that the other guy knows the 'proper' right of way rules is when you're racing... and even then I've had a collision with another racer (I was on starboard) when I held my line upwind.

Blueprint and Stamp are on the money I reckon

The starboard rule can be simplified down to "to avoid collisions turn right".

However, as is said elsewhere relying on rules that require other people to do stuff is hugely flawed.

Better is a set of rules that you apply to yourself to avoid situations in the first place.

In no particular order:

- Kite high/low when passing/being passed.

- Don't tailgate or ride in another guys blind spot.

- Be ready to reverse direction or stop if an impact is about to happen.

- Don't do tricks that might put you in the way of other riders.

- The sea is big. Ride away from crowds.

What if you ride switch with the opposite shoulder forward? lol

This is different to the Wife/Girlfriend (I am always right, you d@ckhead) Rule. Mmmmmm.

The conundrum is what to do if you are approaching your wife/girlfriend on a starboard tack????

You are stuffed!

sebol said...

Awesome,escape route is towards the green light and never the red sock, makes sense.

All the spin flick lovers with their boots will have accidents tho

Got a solution for this one too?

fossil

In essence - just be sensible, don't be a selfish w@nker (we have plenty in kiting already) share the water and will be ok.

I always teach the rider coming away from the beach has right of way as well - cos he cant retreat, might have difficult water to negotiate and possibly poor speed and ability to turn, depending on conditions.