Who has the right of way when kitesurfing?
Avoid kite collisions
To avoid accidents and collisions in the kitesurfing area, there are simple right-of-way rules that every kitesurfer must know. Just like in road traffic, there are rules in kitesurfing that govern which kiter has priority and must stay on course, and which kiter must take evasive action. When you learn to kitesurf, this is an important part of your theory training and also part of the kitesurfing licence exam. The aim of the right of way rules is to give every kitesurfer simple guiding principles so that no one is put in danger.
Every participant on the water has to behave in such a way that the safety and ease of traffic is guaranteed and that no other person is harmed, endangered or inconvenienced.
International priority rules
When kitesurfing, the International Right of Way rules always apply on every body of water in addition to the rules developed specifically for kitesurfing (e.g. by the IKO and VDWS). The international right-of-way rules also apply on German inland waters:
- Commercial shipping always has the right of way.
- After commercial shipping come sailing vessels, which have the right of way over recreational craft (motorboats or sailing boats that run with a motor), which in turn have the right of way over sports equipment. Kitesurfers are considered sailing vessels in this case.
- Within the group of sailing craft, kitesurfers must give way to sailboats, as sailboats are more sluggish and cannot manoeuvre nearly as fast as a kitesurfer.
- Muscle power before sailing power: swimmers, surfers, bodyboarders, SUP, canoe ... always have right of way.
On the German coast, kitesurfers are seen as "sports equipment" and are thus at the top of the duty to avoid.
So on the German coast you have to avoid everyone.
