
APPENDIX F - KITEBOARDING RACING RULES
Kiteboarding course races shall be sailed under The Racing Rules of
Sailing as changed by this appendix. The term ‘boat’ elsewhere in
the rules means ‘kiteboard’ or ‘boat’ as appropriate.
Note: Links to kiteboard rules for some other formats or
competitions can be found on the World Sailing website.
CHANGES TO THE DEFINITIONS
The definitions Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap, Continuing
Obstruction, Finish, Keep Clear, Leeward and Windward, Mark-Room, Obstruction, Start, Tack,
Starboard or Port and Zone are changed to:
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap One kiteboard is clear
astern of another when her hull is behind a line abeam from the
aftermost point of the other kiteboard’s hull. The other kiteboard is
clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they
also overlap when a kiteboard between them overlaps both. If there is
reasonable doubt that two kiteboards are overlapped, it shall be
presumed that they are not. These terms always apply to kiteboards on
the same tack. They apply to kiteboards on opposite tacks only when
both kiteboards are sailing more than ninety degrees from the true
wind.
Continuing Obstruction An obstruction is a continuing obstruction
when a kiteboard will pass alongside it for at least 30 metres.
However, the following are not a continuing obstruction : a vessel
under way, a kiteboard racing, or a race committee vessel that is also
a mark .
Finish A kiteboard finishes when, after her starting signal, while the competitor is in contact with the hull, any part of her hull, or the competitor,
crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not
finished if after crossing the finishing line she
(a) takes a penalty under rule 44.2,
(b) corrects an error in sailing the course madeat the line, or
(c) continues to sail the course.
After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. The
sailing instructions may change the direction in which kiteboards are
required to cross the finishing line to finish.
Keep Clear A kiteboard keeps clear of a right-of-way kiteboard
(a) if the right-of-way kiteboard can sail her course with no need to
take avoiding action and,
(b) if the right-of-way kiteboard can also change course in both
directions or move her kite in any direction without
immediately making contact.
Leeward and Windward A kiteboard’s leeward side is the side that
is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However,
when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the
side on which her kite lies. The other side is her windward side. When
two kiteboards on the same tack overlap, the one whose hull is on the
leeward side of the other’s hull is the leeward kiteboard. The other is
the windward kiteboard.
Mark-Room Room for a kiteboard to sail no farther from the mark
than needed to sail her proper course to round or pass the mark on
the required side, and room to pass a finishing mark after finishing.
Obstruction An obstruction is
(a) an object that a kiteboard could not pass without substantially
changing her course or the position of her kite, if she were
sailing directly towards it and 10 metres from it;
(b) an object that is so designated in a rule;
(c) an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
(d) an area or line in a rule that kiteboards are prohibited from
entering or crossing.
However, a kiteboard racing is not an obstruction to other kiteboards
unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies,
avoid her.
Start A kiteboard starts when, her hull and the competitor having
been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her
starting signal, any part of her hull or the competitor crosses the
starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.
Tack, Starboard or PortA kiteboard is on the tack, starboard or
port, corresponding to the competitor’s hand that would be forward if
the competitor were in normal riding position (riding heel side with
both hands on the control bar and arms not crossed). A kiteboard is on
starboard tack when the competitor’s right hand would be forward and
is on the port tack when the competitor’s left hand would be forward.
Zone The area around a mark within a distance of 30 metres. A
kiteboard is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.
Add the following definitions:
Capsized A kiteboard is Capsized if
(a) her kite is in the water, or
(b) her lines are tangled with another kiteboard’s lines.
Jumping A kiteboard isjumping when her hull, its appendages and
the competitor are clear of the water.
Recovering
A kiteboard is recovering from the time she loses
steerage way until she regains it, unless she is capsized.
F1 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 1
[No changes.]
F2 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 2
PART 2 — PREAMBLE
In the second sentence of the preamble, ‘injury or serious
damage’ is changed to ‘injury, serious damage or a tangle’.
13 WHILE TACKING
Rule 13 is deleted.
16 CHANGING COURSE OR KITE POSITION
Rule 16 is changed to:
16.1 When a right-of-way kiteboard changes course or the position of
her kite, she shall give the other kiteboard room to continue keeping clear.
16.2 In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack kiteboard is
keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of a starboard-tack
kiteboard, the starboard-tack kiteboard shall not bear away or
change the position of her kite if as a result the port-tack kiteboard must change course or the position of her kite immediately to continue keeping clear.
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
Rule 17 is deleted.
18 MARK-ROOM
Rule 18 is changed to:
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between kiteboards when they are required to
leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the
zone. However, it does not apply
(a) between kiteboards that are on opposite tacks when the
first kiteboard reaches the zone; or
(b) between a kiteboard approaching a mark and one leaving
it.
Rule 18 no longer applies between kiteboards when mark-room
has been given.
18.2 Giving Mark-Room
(a) When the first of two kiteboard reaches the zone,
(1) if the kiteboards are overlapped, the outside
kiteboard at that moment shall give the inside
kiteboard mark-room..
(2) if the kiteboards are not overlapped, the kiteboard that
has not reached the zone shall thereafter give mark-room..
(b) If the kiteboard entitled to mark-room leaves the zone,
the entitlement to mark-room ceases and rule 18.2(a) is
applied again if required based on the relationship of the
kiteboards at the time rule 18.2(a) is re-applied.
18.3 Changing Tack in the Zone
When an inside overlapped right-of-way kiteboard must change
tack at a mark to sail her proper course, until she changes tack
she shall sail no farther from the mark than
needed to sail that course if by so doing she affects the course
of another kiteboard. Rule 18.3 does not apply at a gate mark
or a finishing mark.
19 ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION
Rule 19.2(a) is changed to:
(a) A right-of-way kiteboard may choose to pass an
obstruction on her port or starboard side. If a right-ofway
kiteboard changes course or the position of her kite
when choosing on which side to pass the obstruction, she
shall give the other kiteboard room to keep clear.
20 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
Rule 20.1(a) is changed to:
(a) she is approaching an obstruction, and, to avoid it safely,
will soon need to make a substantial change of her course
or the position of her kite, and
Rule 20.4 is changed to:
20.4 Additional Requirements for Hails
The following arm signals are required in addition to the hails
(a) for ‘Room to tack’, repeatedly and clearly circling one hand
over the head; and
(b) for ‘You tack’, repeatedly and clearly pointing at the other
kiteboard and waving the arm to windward.
SECTION D — PREAMBLE
The preamble to Section D is changed to:
When rule 21 or 22 applies between two kiteboards, Section A
and C rules do not.
21 STARTING ERRORS; TAKING PENALTIES; JUMPING
Rule 21.3 is changed and new rule 21.4 is added:
21.3 During the last minute before her starting signal, a kiteboard that
stops, slows down significantly, or one that is not making
significant forward progress shall keep clear of all others unless
she is accidentally capsized..
21.4 A kiteboard that is jumping shall keep clear of one that is not.
22 CAPSIZED; RECOVERING; AGROUND; RESCUING
Rule 22 is changed to:
22.1 If possible, a kiteboard shall avoid a kiteboard that is capsized,
is aground, or is trying to help a person or vessel in danger.
22.2A kiteboard that is recovering shall keep clear of a kiteboard that is not.
F3 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 3
26 STARTING RACES
Rule 26 is changed to:
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall
be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal
shall be disregarded.
Minutes before starting signal |
Visual signal |
Sound signal |
Means |
3 |
Class flag |
One |
Warning signal |
2 |
U or black flag |
One |
Preparatory signal |
1 |
U or black flag removed |
One long |
One minute |
0 |
Class flag removed |
One |
Starting signal |
29 RECALLS
Rule 29.1 is deleted.
30 STARTING PENALTIES
Rules 30.1 and 30.2 are deleted.
In rules 30.3 and 30.4, ‘hull’ is changed to ‘hull or competitor.
In rule 30.4, ‘sail number’ is changed to ‘competitor number’.
36 RACES RESTARTED OR RESAILED
Rule 36(b) is changed to:
(b) cause a kiteboard to be penalized except under rule 2,
30.4 or 69 or under rule 14 when she has caused injury,
serious damage or a tangle.
F4 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 4
41 OUTSIDE HELP
Add new rules 41(e) and 41(f):
(e) help from another competitor in the same race to assist a
relaunch;
(f)help to change equipment, but only in the launching area.
42 PROPULSION
Rule 42 is changed to:
42.1 Basic Rule
Except when permitted in rule 42.2, a kiteboard shall compete
by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or
decrease her speed.
42.2 Exceptions
(a) A kiteboard may be propelled by unassisted actions of the
competitor on the kiteboard.
(b) A competitor may swim, walk or paddle while capsized or
recovering, provided that the kiteboard does not gain a
significant advantage in the race.
(c) Any means of propulsion may be used to help a person or
another vessel in danger.
43 EXONERATION
Rule 43.1(c) is changed to:
(c) A right-of-way kiteboard, or one sailing within the room
or mark-room to which she is entitled, is exonerated for
breaking rule 14 if the contact does not cause damage,
injury or a tangle.
Add new rule 43.1(d):
(d) When a kiteboard breaks rule 15 and there is no contact,
she is exonerated for her breach.
44 PENALTIES AT THE TIME OF AN INCIDENT
Rules 44.1 and 44.2 are changed to:
44.1 Taking a Penalty
A kiteboard may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have
broken one or more rules of Part 2 or rule 31 in an incident while
racing. Alternatively, the notice of race or sailing instructions
may specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other
penalty, in which case the specified penalty shall replace the
One-Turn Penalty. However,
(a) when a kiteboard may have broken a rule of Part 2 and rule
31 in the same incident she need not take the penalty for
breaking rule 31; and
(b) if the kiteboard caused injury, serious damage or a tangle
or, despite taking a penalty, gained a significant
advantage or caused significant disadvantage to the other
kiteboard in the race or series by her breach, her penalty
shall be to retire.
44.2 One-Turn Penalty
After getting well clear of other kiteboards as soon after the
incident as possible, a kiteboard takes a One-Turn Penalty by
promptly making a 360° turn with her hull appendage in the
water with no requirement for a tack or a gybe. When a
kiteboard takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, her hull
and competitor shall be completely on the course side of the
line before she finishes.
50 COMPETITOR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Rule 50.1(a) is changed to:
(a) Competitors shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment
for the purpose of increasing their weight. However, a
competitor may wear a drinking container that shall have
a capacity of at least one litre and weigh no more than 1.5
kilograms when full.
PART 4 RULES DELETED
Rules 45, 48.2, 49, 50.2, 51, 52, 54, 55 and 56.1 are deleted.
F5 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 5
60 PROTESTS
60.2 Intention to Protest
Rules 60.2(a), 60.2(b) and 60.2(c) are changed to:
(a) If a protest concerns an incident observed by the
protestor in the racing area:
(1) If the protestor is a kiteboard, she shall hail
‘Protest’.
(2) If the protestor is a committee, it shall inform the
kiteboard after the race within the protest time limit
of its intention to protest her.
(b) However, if
(1) the protestee is not within hailing distance at the
time of the incident,
(2) the incident was an error in sailing the course,
(3) the incident was not observed by the protestor in
the racing area, or
(4) a protest committee decides to protest a kiteboard
under rule 60.4(c),
then the only requirement for the protestor is to inform
the protestee of its intention to protest at the first
reasonable opportunity.
(c) If at the time of the incident it is obvious to a protesting
kiteboard that a member of either crew is in danger, or
that injury, serious damage or a tangle has resulted, rules
60.2(a) and 60.2(b) do not apply to her, but she shall
attempt to inform the other kiteboard within the protest
time limit of her intention to protest.
60.5 Protest Decisions
Rules 60.5(d)(1) and 60.5(d)(2) are changed to:
(d) If the protest committee decides that a kiteboard has
deviations in excess of acceptable manufacturing
tolerances:
(1) The kiteboard shall not be penalized if any
deviations in excess of tolerances specified were
caused by damage or normal wear and they did not
improve the performance of the kiteboard.
(2) However, the kiteboard shall not race again until
any such deviations have been corrected unless the
protest committee decides there is, or has been, no
reasonable opportunity to do so.
Add new rule 60.5(e):
(e) if a kiteboard has broken a rule and is not exonerated
and, as a result, caused a tangle for the second or
subsequent time during the event, her penalty shall be a
disqualification that is not excludable.
63 CONDUCT OF HEARINGS
63.5 Decisions
Rule 63.5(d) is changed to:
(d) When the protest committee is in doubt about any matter
concerning the measurement of a kiteboard, the
interpretation of a class rule, or a matter involving
damage to a kiteboard, it shall refer its questions,
together with the relevant facts, to an authority
responsible for interpreting the rule. In making its
decision, the committee shall be bound by the reply of
the authority.
Add new rule 63.8:
63.8 Hearing Procedure for an Elimination Series
For a race of an elimination series that will qualify a kiteboard
to compete in a later stage of an event:
(a) Rules 60.3(a) and (b), 61.2(a), 63.6(b) are deleted.
(b) Rule 63.4 is changed to:
Protests and requests for redress need not be in writing;
they shall be made orally to a member of the protest
committee as soon as reasonably possible following the
race. The protest committee may take evidence in any
way it considers appropriate and may communicate its
decision orally.
70 APPEALS AND REQUESTS TO A NATIONAL AUTHORITY
Add new rule 70.6:
70.6 Appeals are not permitted in disciplines and formats with
elimination series.
F6 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 6
[No changes.]
F7 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 7
90 RACE COMMITTEE; SAILING INSTRUCTIONS; SCORING
The last sentence of rule 90.2(c) is changed to: ‘Oral instructions
may be given only if the procedure is stated in the sailing
instructions.’
F8 CHANGES TO APPENDIX A
A1 NUMBER OF RACES; OVERALL SCORES
Rule A1 is changed to:
The number of races scheduled and the number required to be
scored to constitute a series shall be stated in the notice of race
or sailing instructions. If an event includes more than one
discipline or format, the notice of race or sailing instructions
shall state how the overall scores are to be calculated; see rule
90.3(a).
A5 SCORES DETERMINED BY THE RACE COMMITTEE
Rule A5.2 is changed to:
A5.2 A kiteboard that did not sail the course, retired or was
disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one
more than the number of kiteboards entered in the series or, in
a race of an elimination series, the number of kiteboards in that
heat.
A10 SCORING ABBREVIATIONS
Add to Rule A10:
DCT Disqualified after causing a tangle in an incident
F9 CHANGES TO APPENDIX G
Appendix G is changed to:
Appendix G — Identification
G1 Every kiteboard shall be identified as follows:
(a) Each competitor shall be provided with and wear a bib
with a personal competition number of no more than three
digits. The bib shall be worn as intended with the
competition number clearly displayed.
(b) The numbers shall be displayed as high as possible on the
front, back and sleeves of the bib. They should be at least
20 cm tall on the back and at least 6 cm tall on the front
and the sleeves.
(c) The numbers shall be Arabic numerals, all of the same
solid colour, clearly legible and in a commercially
available typeface giving the same or better legibility as
Helvetica. The colour of the numbers shall contrast with
the colour of the bib.