Think your spot is crowded? Don't go to Tarifa!

Five Tips for Kiteboarding in Crowds.

Avoid the crowds in the first place. Yeah, we know that crowds usually form around the flattest water and biggest waves. But sometimes it’s just not worth it. If you’re a competent kiter, head out of the way just a little. Take your mates or leave ‘em behind. Forge your own path. Cut your own grass. Do away with the noobs!

No jumping. You heard right, keep that board firmly planted when it gets busy. You want to jump? Remember back to when you were a kid… Look left, look right, look left again. Then look upwind, downwind, up, and down. All clear? Ok you can jump.

Give way to those who need to turn. Don’t be a selfish kiter, make sure you give kiters room to turn when getting close to the beach. You can tell a kiteboarder wants to turn, by noticing the nervous looks he’s throwing you over his shoulder. “It’s getting shallow now mate… Ok, really shallow now… Come on dude… Man I’m running on thin ice now! Is that my fins grinding to nothing?!”

Upwind Up, Downwind Down. This simple rule will avoid almost every collision in the book. If this guy hadn’t  had his kite so low, maybe he too would have continued his session. Remember, if you are UPWIND of someone else, put your kite UP. If you’re passing DOWNWIND of someone else, put your kite down. Just a li’l bit.

Enjoy having friends. One of the best things about kiteboarding is the social element. Spray your mates, slap each others hands as you pass, give someone a hoot if they pull off a jump between the hoardes. Try some synchronized kiting. Kiteboarding with friends is great fun, as long as you’re not a Mr Grumpy about it!

Proactive Prediction.  If somebody is heading towards a groin, you don't need them to tell you they'll be turning soon.   Think about their skills & turning abilities - will they bring their kite to 12 when they turn, or do a fully powered low-kite turn.  Will they turn & try head up wind, or bear off?   Being safe on the water is as much about being able to predict disaster, as avoiding it.

Bonus Tip: No jumping other kites! No matter how good a friends you are, nobody appreciates getting some guy wrapped up in their bridle. Don’t jump kites, don’t jump people, don’t jump solid objects. All three of the aforementioned items are a sure fire way to end up in the back of an ambulance, and nobody makes that look cool.