Tip of the Month
Traffic School: Maneuvering Your Kite in Busy Waters
This is a skill that requires solid kite-flying skills and time on the water. When you are kiteboarding in an area with lots of other kiters, it can be intimidating to work your way around everyone else without freaking out that your lines are going to cross with someone elses.First of all, always be aware of your surroundings and other kiters on the water. Always look the other way before you transition. Never jump or manuever directly upwind of another kiteboarder.
A good rule of thumb of kiting in traffic is this:
Upwind: Kite up.
When you are passing upwind of a kiter, bring your kite up in the wind window to allow for the downwind kiter to pass "underneath" you.
Downwind: Kite down.
When you are passing downwind of another kiter, bring your kite down in the wind window, closer to the water, so that the upwind kiter can pass "above" you.
As a beginner, you may find it more difficult to place your kite in a particular are of the wind window, but it is good practice to fly your kite in all areas of the wind window so that you know your kite's flying characteristics.
What if you're heading straight toward another kiteboarder coming toward you?
Aah, good question. The best thing to do is motion your intention to go downwind of the other kiter, thus allowing that kiter coming toward you to continue on their path or kite upwind