PFD's now mandatory for offshore kiters in WA.
;
Taking effect from the 1st of August, these new laws require the skipper (yes, that’s a kiteboarder) to wear a PFD when kiteboarding more than 400m from shore.
To put that in perspective, in a cross-shore seabreeze, that’s any more than 1 min 20 seconds on one run! Assuming you’re riding at a board speed of around 12 knots (which is pretty average on a twintip) you’re going to cover 400m in about 1 minute 20 seconds (roughly).
Past this point, you must be wearing a life jacket. You must also carry either Flares, or an EPIRB device. Past 2nm an EPIRB is required, and if you plan to go kiteboarding more than 5nm offshore (that’s about 30mins riding). You’ll need to carry Flares, an EPIRB, Parachute flares AND wear your PFD.
Type 3, or Level 505 in the new standards is required, which means your super cool image won’t be tarnished. 505 standard PFD’s require a certain level of buoyancy, but can be black or dark colours. Some impact vests from the kite brands are certified, but make sure you check out the inside of the vest for the certification codes. Many are not certified, and at a glace look the same as a certified PFD, but don’t offer the same floatation (and protection from the transport authority.
So if you’re what kiters call a ‘lone ranger’ and enjoy long runs out to sea, it’s time to invest in a PFD, and a set of flares because the rules take effect from now.
There have been a few nay-sayers who think the sky is falling in, and that all kiters will need to be running around in life jackets & carrying flares. This only affects a minor percentage of kiters. Facts are that it's pretty much been like this for decades, anyway. If you have entered in any offshore race (kiting, windsurfing or otherwise), everybody knows you need a lifejacket to enter the event.
See your local kite store for options on PFD’s, and for all the nitty gritty rules on wearing a life jacket while kiteboarding, visit the Transport WA website here.
dee why, NSW
