I am sure topics about kiteboarding safety get discussed very often and with good reason. I though I would ask for a confirmation about the right of way when kiteboarding.

I had a good session on Botany Bay the other weekend, it was busy as usual. I was kiteboarding back to the beach and noticed I was on a colision path with another kiteboarder (experienced) coming away from the beach. Since I recently read through the NSW Maritime Rules & Safety, I was certain that I should pass on my right (starboard) and the oncoming kiteboarder will pass me on my left.

We ended up playing chicken. I stopped about 20m away from the kiteboarder only to be yelled at!

So what should have happened in this situation? What are the Right-of-Way rules?

Starboard tack has right of way. Up/downwind as above. Person coming off the beach has right of way.

Nobody follows any of those rules in Japan (much like on the roads) and the basic rules if "keep calm and be considerate" are enough to keep it mellow.

Hang on ... Doesn't the location of the hand depend on the direction of the wind? On Botany Bay in a NE, your left hand is the forward hand when coming from the beach ... would that mean that if you are on a collision course with someon coming towards the beach you should give way?

good advice there from above

Also, to carry on from the trick zone thing, if it's a windy boosting session don't kite in the down wind landing zone, i'm sure people just don't realise as there back is to the booster but take a few minutes people to analyse what is going on in a particular area.

Also, twin tips in the surf, please give way at all times, on all tacks and every direction, if you don't know why… it's because you have no idea and why i have to write this

Also, stay out of the flags or IanR and i will hunt you down...

Unlike sailing there seems to be a rule to the effect that the guy leaving the beach has right of way even on port tack? Makes sense because he can't change tack and kite up the beach. In the same context a yacht would call "sea room" which trumps port/starboard.

But how far off the beach does the port/starboard rule take over? I guess that's where Kamikuza's philosophy keeps us all safe.

Roar said..
in flat water like botany look before you launch - dont launch when someone is coming in to turn. bloody frustrating when you line up a path for a gybe and some dude pulls out straight into your path.

That off the beach right of way only really came about for wave breaks where you had to time the launch between sets.

I agree - when you see a kiteboarder coming towards the beach and lining up for a trick, wait for them to turnaround before getting in the water.