Responsibilities of Water Sport Enthusiast

 

Now days people are trying to find new ways of recreation and play. There are all kinds of ways available to include land, air and water sports. The water sports demand a lot of space as well as access points to that water. Some require mechanical propulsion like fishing boats, ski boats, cabin cruisers and PWC or waverunners. Others require human power like paddling, rowing, and kayaking. The winds of nature help propel the rest of us, with sailing, windsurfing and a relatively new water sport called kiteboarding.

 

With the demands of all water sports, all waterways, and the Laguna Madre are quickly becoming over crowded. The USCG has safety boating rules of the sea. Basic sense says that any human powered equipment kayaks and rowboats should have the right of way over all others. The USCG says that sailing, windsurfing and now maybe kiteboarding have the right of way over powerboats and waverunners.

 

We that use the wind love the peaceful serenity of the open water and fresh air against our skin. We are often shaken back to reality. When something has disturbed our moment of serenity. The noise of the powerboats and waverunners comes across the water from great distances piercing your ears. This sound alerts you to be on the watch for a possible encounter. After a quick check to see in which direction they are headed you can enjoy yourself again, but still with the noise and air pollution of their motors. To encounter another sailboat, windsurfer or kiteboarder one can still enjoy that feeling without the noise and air pollution.

 

 

A windsurfer and kiteboarder need not be afraid of sailboats because of their generally slow speeds and maneuverability. As you pass you wave and respect them for they are on the water and using the wind as you. Most sail boaters are on a course to sail somewhere, tacking upwind and downwind around the waterways. Most windsurfers and now kiteboarders are usually on a course straight out and back across the wind. Fearing only the power boaters and waverunners who cut across their paths.

 

 

Now that windsurfers and kiteboarders are using the same winds and waterways in close proximity, special attention needs to be taken to these different sports. Do to the large areas needed to launch a kite. It is best for

two sports, to have separate launch areas. Almost all access points are over crowded, and have come to a rule that kiteboarders should rig down wind of windsurfers. Now how far down wind? The separation is to allow for a safe rigging and launching area for the windsurfers upwind of the kiteboarders. Once out on the water each individual is reaching across the wind trying to find that peaceful feeling of the wind against his or her skin. Again you are awakened to the fact that not only are there windsurfers racing back and forth, but kiteboarders too. The lines of the kiters are very intimidating and the kiters are jumping out of the water like jack in the box.

What should I do?

 

1. When a windsurfer arrives at the beach he should quickly take notice of the wind and at what end of the beach he is going to rig and launch.

2. A windsurfer having trouble staying upwind when on the water should launch as far upwind from the kiteboarders as possible. Give yourself room.

 

3.    A windsurfer who drifts downwind from lack of boardspeed or experience into the kiteboarding area should be alert to his direction, right of ways, and hold his course. An experienced kiteboarder upwind of a windsurfer will fly his kite high over head when passing the windsurfer. Do not be to concerned about a kiteboarder or windsurfer downwind of you, stay clear. A beginning kiteboarder upwind should be alert to all windsurfers and kiteboarders downwind of him. A windsurfer should be alerted to any kiteboarder upwind of him, but especially a beginning kiteboarder with lack of experience and control of his kite. Take precautions and stay clear before it’s too late to escape.

 

 

South Padre Island Windsurfing was founded to retain and improve present water access locations, as well as to create a safe, fun and clean environment for all water sports. With your cooperation we can make this work, sail friendly. Here are a few safety tips and guide lines for you to follow.

 

 

 

 

North Flats – Access for SPI Windsurfing members only

 

1.    To keep our area clean and free of ATV’s and overnight campers the gate must be closed (not locked) after you enter and exit.

2.    All trash and litter should be removed by your group.

3.    Kiteboarders will always rig and launch downwind of windsurfers, the area will change according to wind direction, there is a lot of room. These areas are marked and a no rigging area marked to create a safe zone between the two sports. Do Not use this no rigging area.

4.    Kiteboarders and windsurfers should not sail straight out from or in close proximity to the others launch area.

5.    When on the water try to follow USCG safety rules of the water as listed

A.  Port Tack (left arm forward) windsurfers/kiteboarders Stay Clear of Starboard (right arm forward) sailors

B.   Upwind windsurfer/kiteboarder Stay Clear of downwind sailors

C.   Faster (overtaking) windsurfer/kiteboarder Stay Clear of slower sailors

D.  Tacking, Jibing, Freestyling (jumping) windsurfer/kiteboarder Stay Clear of all sailors

E.   Always avoid collisions, even if you have the right of way.

 

Remember these few safety tips and there will be less severe encounters

and more people enjoying SOUTH PADRE ISLAND’S newest windsurfing and kiteboarding area.