Kitesurfing right of way rules

Beginner Three rules cover almost every kiter-versus-kiter encounter on open water. They come straight from sailing, and they work because they are binary: one glance tells you who holds course and who yields.

Rule 1: starboard tack has priority

When two kiters converge on opposite tacks, the rider on starboard tack, right hand and right shoulder leading, wind coming over the right side, has right of way and holds course and speed. The rider on port tack (left hand forward) yields, by bearing off downwind or tacking away. The memory aid is four words: right hand forward, right of way.

The stand-on rider's job matters as much. Hold a predictable, constant course so the yielding rider can plan around you; erratic last-second dodging by the priority rider causes as many near-misses as failure to yield.

Rule 2: passing, with the upwind kite high and the downwind kite low

When two kiters pass close on opposite tacks, or one overtakes the other, the kites must not tangle, so the sky is split:

• The upwind rider flies the kite high, towards 12 o'clock.
• The downwind rider flies the kite low, towards the water, roughly 10–20 degrees off the surface.

Signal early. Raise or lower the kite well before you cross, so the other rider can read your intention from 50 m out. Two kites and up to four lines of 22–24 m crossing in a two-metre gap is how mid-water tangles happen, and a tangle of loaded lines can multiply kite power and cut through line, and through skin.

Rule 3: same tack, the upwind rider gives way

When two riders travel in the same direction, the rider upwind yields to the rider downwind. The logic is visibility and room: the upwind rider can see the downwind rider, whose view is often blocked by their own kite, and the upwind rider has more space to manoeuvre.

Overtaking on the same tack, pass downwind of the slower rider with your kite low. Never barge through the narrow gap upwind of them, which also robs their wind; the wind-shadow numbers are further down.