You’ve been bitten by the KiteSurfing bug, you can’t wait to hit the first current to propel your body screaming 40 feet into the air and crashing into the water. With each puff of wind, you rise above the surface and break each wave as you land. The excitement associated with the sport of kitesurfing has many able-bodied thrill-seekers flocking to beaches around the world to set sail and soar over the surface of the ocean.

But before you can put your feet in the water you will need to know how to KiteSurf, if you have surfed or sailed you have an immediate advantage in understanding how to maneuver your board, however when you KiteSurf your feet will move a bit and your arms and hands are the only thing holding you to the kite, your feet are attached to the board.

Most novice KiteSurfers have accidents because they have trouble judging the distance and varying levels of speed kites can create with a gust of wind. Learning to kitesurf through instruction and practice is by far the best way to learn and experience the fast-paced action and gravity-defying jumps.

As with any sport, there are safety precautions that you must follow.

You must be a good swimmer. Swimming implies that if your kite flies away from you, you may have to swim behind the handles or swim back to shore. Depending on how far you’ve gotten on your board, this may not be such an easy task.

May be accredited or graded by a professional instructor. This will help you understand the risks and the appropriate conditions for your time on the water. Your instructor must be certified by the IKO, International KiteSurfing Organization. Never go out with a friend, it could be disastrous.

You should always wear a helmet. Like bicycle laws, they are recommended in some countries and mandatory in others. Your head is the most delicate part of your body, if you crash into the sea at high speed or hit rocks, your chances of sustaining a head injury can be disabling.

Observe the weather conditions. It is important to understand the weather and the effects of high wind and how it can wreak havoc on avid kitesurfers.

Other guidelines you’ll learn along the way will be important and common knowledge, but it’s good to brush up on the basics to make sure you and those around you stay safe during the launch.

Never launch kites in crowded swimming areas.
Do not lay your lines along the beach
Whenever possible, try not to launch the kite from the sand.
Be willing to help KiteSurfers when they re-enter the beach.
When performing jumps in the water, measure the leeward zone
If you can’t swim long distances, avoid going into the ocean.
Use your self-rescue signals when you turn off the kite’s power.
Always wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest.

By following the simple rules, you can keep yourself and those around you safe during launch and re-entry to the beach.