Gabriele Steindl: Professional Kitesurfer & Freelance Writer - Action, Lifestyle & Travels
28
Jul 08
Pre-session checks and what to consider before going into the water:
– Check your equipment before riding! It only takes a few minutes but it’s much better than swimming back to the shore because of equipment troubles! Thus:
Check the material and seams of your kite for any tears or weaknesses. Ensure the pressure in the bladders is correct.
Check your lines are connected correctly, ensure no “unwanted” knots or weariness, and that they are free of any obstacles or debris.
Check your bar for weariness on the connection points to the lines, chickenloop, depower system, safety leash and ensure the full functioning of the safety system.
Check your board for damages such as cracks or sharp edges, ensure the foot straps are well screwed on and adjusted to your foot size. Take off the boardleash in case you use one. Board leashes can endanger your health drastically. If you’re not able to body drag upwind to get back to your board or control your kite from launch to land with only one hand, go back and practise until you are fully competent!!
– Adopt your kiting according to your constitution (physical and mental) and the weather conditions of that very day.
– Never kite further out than you could easily swim back (please be aware of the possibility of rips and currents).
– Never go kite alone or without having anyone notified, who’s observing you from land.
– N e v e r e v e r underestimate the power of nature or overestimate yours !!!