I nearly hit one !

Turn it up... You are only telling 1 half of this story...

You were lucky to get away with hand signals buddy..

define riding surfing down a wave...? Was this in the break at a waveriding spot?

Then Jfunk, no, not if he is overtaking... overtaking vessel must keep clear when passing.

Mark

In the story it sounded like he was heading straight to the shore or bearing away into a bottom turn. That means if you draw a perpendicular line off the stern of his board, anyone to leeward on that wave would be overlapped. So I figured no overtaking was occurring.

Of course, if they are both riding the same wave, we could then apply surfing rules.........however, in the courts COLREGS would apply, but you are right if no overlap, overtaking boat keeps clear.

If desiring to abide by the COLREGS, the following is relevant:

a) whether it was a crossing or overtaking situation

CROSSING (COLREGS Rule 12):
".... when each has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other;
.... when both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward;"

OVERTAKING (COLREGS Rule 13):
"... any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
... A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam"

So if they were "sneaking up" from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam Rule 13 would seem to apply as they would be overtaking and should give way. Otherwise, Rule 12 applies with the windward vessel keeping out of the way (assuming both on the same tack).

b) the nature of the shouting and hand gesticulations made by each party

SIGNALS (COLREGS Rule 36):
"Signals to attract attention . If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel any vessel may make light or sound signals ... in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.... For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided."

This is interesting, so you must be careful about signals you make to each other. "I chose the second and yelled out for his attention. He bear off. Being a smart ass, he was giving me hand signals of all kinds, obviously pissed off by the fact that I yelled at him".

Seems to imply a level of embarrassment and possible violation of Rule 36!

I would think, though, that it would be nice to keep well clear of the one making best use of the wave and let them enjoy it, isn't that the point of playing in the waves?

It reads like you dropped in and the kiter got justifiably mad at you for doing so.

Although it's hard to picture the situation. Was it onshore/offshore? Going left or right? etc. If you're going down a wave and the kiter is behind you how are you even going to collide?

Nice use of thus.

Jupiter were you wavesailing?
No insult intended, but it sounds like you were blasting, he wanted to ride the wave and was positioning himself to be at a peak .... it is was a bit onshore he would be riding hard upwind on that wave.
Based on the info you provided I am leaning towards the kiter here.

Antman good to see you back. Word.

I am now confused - he was on a wave closer to the beach or behind you?

Of course, yes avoid collisions! We all agree there

Reminds me of a incident in Pinaroo a while back. Kiter was heading back to shore, carving upwind then launching into a massive air floating downwind and landing 20m from the beach. It was impressive and he was training this move so had done about 10-15 jumps continuously at same locations each time.

Windsurfer who had been around sailing for awhile in the upwind area . decides to sail from behind and parallel downwind of the kiter straight back to the beach, with difference in speed, windsurfer ended up in the kiters landing zone and got the shock of his life when kiter dropped from the sky.

Difference of opinion ensued about who was right and kiter got a bloody nose. However it was totally the windsurfer fault regardless of sailing rules as he was aware of what the kiter had been practicing continuously and where he was practicing but proceeded to sail downwind close to the kiter and of course ended up in the landing zone. Kiter had not seen him when he started his run and only saw him after commencing jump.

Rules are rules but common sense and sharing of space is priority. just because you have right of way doesn't mean you can ignorant or be awkward to whats happening around you.
Its a big ocean and lots of beach space. I'm not commenting on who was right in this thread incident as was not there, but just making a point about sharing and awareness rather than ruling.

What ever....