Kitesoul Magazine #10 English Edition

152
WAVERIDING - SAFETY TIPS
10 things that should go through your head when approaching a new break
I’d imagine it’s a lot more embarrassing getting
rescued by a local, or even the coast guard. Just
imagine the taunting you’ll get in the local pub
when your mates constantly replay the recording
of the newscast of your ride in the “little bucket”
under the helicopter.
3. Wind direction/quality: Sure the wave looks
good, but how’s the wind? Study the weather
conditions and make sure that you shouldn’t just
be paddling out for a regular paddle surf instead
of pumping up your kite.
5. Tide: Is it rising or dropping? “I’m sure there’s an
‘app’ for that.” Tide charts… get one! Know what
the tides are doing. A changing tide can change
everything!
6. Where are the channels, are there any? Both
reef and sandbar shore breaks can offer up a
channel area. They are not necessary, but sure
can make your life easier with a nice smooth,
open area that makes getting back out to the
take off zone a lot easier on your body. They are
also a great ‘safe zone’ if something goes wrong.
4. Currents: How fast are they? Where are they
going, and do you really want to go where they
are going? Asides from the waves themselves,
currents can be one of the most dangerous factors
in the ocean. The can be subtle, but strong
enough that they can drag you down the coast, or
even worse, out to sea without you even noticing
that you are moving. Knowing how to recognize
currents, and knowing how to get out of them
could save your life.
7. Reefs: Do they pose a danger? This factor correlates
to the previous observation points. Do the
tides go low enough that the reefs now become
an exposed obstacle? Several areas of the world
have a severe enough tide change that areas
that are cover with water could be exposed over
a matter of a few hours. What you easily glided
over on your way out is now exposed coral keeping
you from getting all the way back to the
beach. Where there any channels? If so, do they
still exist? Has the lowing tide exposed the reef