I found an interesting comment at the bottom of this page:
http://www.kitesurfing.org/faqs/what...itesurfers.htm

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The contentious point is the following statement: This has been proposed by the BKSA but
rejected by water access governing bodies.
"The kitesurfer has right of way because it is the smaller craft under sail" The BKSA
believe that this should be the case and communicated to ALL water users. I think it needs
to be reworded to express the required meaning - 'lack of contro' - as opposed to changing
normal water practices. Got an opinion? email
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I find two somewhat disturbing points here. First, the claim by some that the smaller
craft should have right of way. Here in the States it was a common belief by paddlers
that they had ROW because they were smaller. While this may be true in some States for
inland lakes, it is certainly not true in open waters. Fortunately, most ocean kayakers
understand this now. In fact, paddles have no special status in the ColRegs - no one is
obligated to get out of their way. by the same token, paddlers are not required to
giveway under the "pecking order" rule, thought they required "not to impede" under the
Narrow Channels/TSS rules.

The other point is that because kitesurfers "lack control" they should be given ROW. I
think makes a better case that they should not be permitted in crowded areas. This claim
would imply that any new sport is automatically entitled to as much space as they want. I
don't know much about kitesurfing, but it looks like it uses a large area for the benefit
of one person. Now they're requesting that everyone stay well clear because they can't
control their craft.




"Donal" wrote in message
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"The_navigator©" wrote in message
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OK, if you say so. I await the analysis with interest.


If you bear away, you will pass downwind of the kite-surfer. The kite is
prone to take sudden dives, and could get caught in your rigging.

The RYA has recently issued advice to sailors to make them aware of the
danger.

They also pointed out that very few kite surfers will be aware of the Coll
Regs, and even if they are aware, they will want to stay downwind of any
vessels.

There is another valid reason for leaving them downwind. Kite surfers don't
go upwind very easily. If you leave them downwind, then they will have
much more room to manoeuver.

It doesn't really matter which tack you are on.

The RYA have called for the Rules to be clarified in respect of Kite
Surfers.




Regards


Donal
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