9.1. Kite Surfing Management

These guidelines are to be followed by all ALSQ Lifeguards to ensure safe, inclusive provision of recreational beach and ocean activities with regard to kitesurfing activities. Kitesurfing is a relatively new sport in Queensland and involves a surfboard with 30 metres of wire line attached to a kite. It is a sport / recreational activity that anyone can get involved in regardless of prior experience or surf knowledge, thus resulting in inexperienced kitesurfers requiring assistance. Due to the increased popularity of the sport, more and more people are kitesurfing, thus resulting in a higher level of interaction between recreational and other aquatic users.

Rescues
Hazard of released equipment:

• When completely released from the kitesurfer, a kite can still fly and cover great distances
• A kitesurfer on the water will trail 30m of lines behind it, dangerous for swimmers who don’t know about them
• If you need to grab a kite on land or water, GRAB THE KITE NOT THE LINES, grabbing the lines WILL result in bad cuts or losing a finger, and may cause the kite to re-launch
  

Self-Rescue:

• Every kitesurfer should be able to perform a self-rescue where they secure their lines and float on the kite using it as a sail to get back to shore.
• This can get difficult in large surf, and the lines pose a tangling hazard, completely releasing the kite may be a better option.
  

Assisted Rescue:

• If the kitesurfer is uninjured but unable to perform a self-rescue, the kite should be secured as part of the rescue.
• Approach the kitesurfer from windward side, as the lines will be in the water between them and the kite.
• Request the kitesurfer to completely disarm the kite to avoid it re-launching during the rescue. Advise the kitesurfer that you will secure the kite then come back for them, but for them to stay attached to kite lines, so you know where they are at all times.
• Move to the kite in a wide arc to avoid the kite lines, and approach it from downwind side.
• Grab the kite NOT the lines, deflate the leading edge bladder (look for valve in the middle of largest inflated section) and secure the kite to the rescue vessel.
• Pull in kite lines ensuring that they stay in the vessel, there may be 4 or 5 attached to the kite.
• Pulling kite lines into boat should bring the kitesurfer closer, as they approach tell them to release.
  

Notes:

• Do not try to pull a kite towards you by grabbing a kite line; only hold the kite by the large inflatable section (Leading Edge).
• The kitesurfer may only need assistance in recovering his/her kite board. If so, please do not attempt to re-launch the kite. If possible, recovering the board and returning it to the kitesurfer is the best option.