vela99 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2017 1:46 pm
One situation I come across occasionally on a crowded day is that as I approach shore I take a look backwards before initiating a jibe to learn that close behind me lee wards another kiter approaches the shore leaving me without any options but to stop.
The kiter that forced you in is wrong.
Anther situation I come across occasionally in small onshore wave conditions with waves coming in very short sequence. Two kiters surf two consecutive waves with the risk of kites or lines actually crossing during bottom turns and top turns. Does the kiter surfing the 2nd wave, the one coming behind give way to the guy on the first wave in front? I guess so.
This can be a special circumstance that applies to only kiteboarding, though it does not conflict with maritime law as no vessels other than kiteboarders utilize the surf break (ok..kayaks, SUP's are now vessels, JetSurfboards, standup jetskis [only one with more maneuverability than a kiter]. But for the most part, this is a kiter on kiter interaction. And because of this, the widely agreed upon kitesurfing specific rule is that a rider on an incoming wave, while riding that wave, has the right of way.
So lets define this rule (please note there is no rule book on this, so this rule is an interpretation of local customs, and the majority agreement from forums):
(1&2 change rule of
"out going has right of way over incoming")
1. If a kitesurfer is on an incoming wave and a kitesurfer is just heading out form shore into the water, outgoing kiter must yield for the kiter ON THE WAVE (I do not particularly agree with this one but abide by it).
2. If a kitesurfer is "under way" and heading out after coming to the inside from a wave ride, but a rider is ON A WAVE coming in, the outgoing kiter must yield to the kiter ON THE WAVE.
(3, 4, & 5 illustrate when the rule of outgoing has the right of way over incoming is
"not changed")
3. If a kiter ON THE WAVE disengages the wave, or the wave closes out becoming small enough to ride back out over, the kiter that was on the wave now yields right of way back to the outgoing kiter - and must turn around to head back out. That kiter previously on the wave can re-assume the right of way (head back in) if faced with an incoming wave that cannot be safely gone over. This helps avoid an outgoing rider pushing another outgoing rider into something that they will fall on, lose their board, and become much more of an obstacle in the break than if the rider on the inside just waits on the inside.
4. If the incoming rider is NOT ON A WAVE, but rather between sets/crests, that rider does not have the right of way over an outgoing rider. Only a kiter ON THE WAVE CAN change the rule.
5. An incoming rider ON THE WAVE does NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY to force the kiter on the inside to retreat to shore or run aground in shallow water. Wave or not, you must not run another kiter out of the water or cause them to run aground/stop and stand (I do stop out of courtesy on most occasions, but this should not be the rule).
This response would also be up for debate on the proper course of action.
So the answer to your specific question about 2 kiters on consecutive waves is as follows (as i see it). Both have equal right to ride the wave, but must avoid collision. Personally, I only ride a wave in tandem with people I know. But with consecutive waves, I just do not have a good record of riding and not having to change my ride because of the guy on the next wave out or the next wave in.