Check the forecast and wind conditions: Cape Town’s famous summer southeaster (“Cape Doctor”) can crank up to 15–30 knots on a typical afternoon. Plan your session around the wind strength and direction. If the breeze is picking up beyond your comfort zone, consider using a smaller kite or waiting for calmer conditions.

Avoid offshore winds: Never kite in offshore wind (when the wind blows from land out to sea) unless you’re an expert with rescue support. Offshore winds can literally blow you out to sea, making it hard to get back to shore. Side-onshore winds are much safer, especially for beginners, because they’ll naturally carry you back toward the beach if anything goes wrong.

Watch out for gusts and weather changes: Cape Town’s weather can change quickly. Keep an eye on the sky for brewing storms or dark clouds, as sudden squalls can be dangerous. If you see a change coming (or the wind suddenly gets gusty and inconsistent), it might be time to come in. When in doubt, rather sit it out on the beach and wait for safe, steady wind.

Wear the right gear: The Atlantic waters in Cape Town are chilly, so a good wetsuit is a must even in summer (think 4/3mm or thicker – dress for the swim, not just the sun!). Cold water can sap your body heat in minutes, risking hypothermia if you’re out too long. Also, consider wearing a helmet and an impact vest for extra safety, especially if you’re new or practising jumps – they’ll protect your head and ribs without cramping your style. Don’t forget sunscreen for that harsh African UV, and polarised sunglasses can help cut glare (just secure them so they don’t join the fish!). Lastly - wear bright colours (think neon rash vests or kite gear) – it’ll help rescuers and fellow kiters spot you more easily if you ever need help out there. Black, blue and white are nearly invisible out at sea.

Check your equipment: Give your kite, lines, and bar a once-over before every session. Make sure lines aren’t tangled or frayed and that your kite canopy and bridles have no tears or damage. A quick inspection only takes a minute and can prevent equipment failures on the water. It’s no fun discovering a worn line after it snaps in mid-air!

Know your safety systems: Always use your kite leash, and double-check that your harness quick-release is functioning and not jammed with sand. Practice using your quick release on land so you’re confident you can detach in an emergency. If your kite gets overpowered or something goes wrong, don’t hesitate to pull the release – you can replace gear, but not your life. Many kiters also carry a small hook knife taped to the harness for emergencies (to cut tangled lines). It’s one of those things you hope never to use, but it’s good to have just in case.

Learn about each spot: Cape Town has a variety of kiting spots – from flat-water lagoons to wave beaches – and each comes with its own quirks. If you’re new to a location, chat with local kiters or school instructors about hazards. There might be submerged rocks, reefs, kelp beds, or shallow sandbars to avoid. For example, some beaches have old shipwreck debris or rocky sections. A minute of local advice can save you from an unpleasant surprise on the water.

Beware of waves and currents: Many Cape Town spots (like Big Bay or Haakgat) have powerful waves and strong currents. If you’re not used to wave riding, start on smaller days or in spots like Langebaan Lagoon or Dolphin Beach on a calm day, where conditions are friendlier. In the surf, try to hold on to your board if you wipe out, but if you lose it, body-drag away from the breaking waves before trying to retrieve it. Understand rip currents – if you find yourself being pulled out to sea, don’t panic or fight the current directly. Either ride it out until it weakens, or angle your body/board parallel to the shore to escape the rip. Staying calm and using your kite as a towing aid can help you reach safety.

Marine life and environment: While shark encounters are extremely rare for kitesurfers (the noise and activity tend to keep them away), Cape Town waters are home to various sea life. If you kite on the False Bay side (e.g., Muizenberg), you might see the Shark Spotters flags – adhere to any warnings they provide. Give seals or dolphins their space if you’re lucky enough to kite near them. And watch out for patches of kelp (seaweed) floating on the surface – hitting a kelp patch at speed can trip you up. It’s a good reminder to keep an eye on what’s ahead of your board while riding. Lastly, help keep these beaches beautiful: avoid dragging your kite over fragile dune plants and take any litter (yours or others’) back with you.

“Right hand forward” rule: When two kiters are on a collision course, the kiter with their right hand forward (i.e. riding from the right side) has the right of way. If that’s you, maintain your course (but stay alert). If you’re the one with left hand forward, yield – usually by bearing off downwind or slowing down to pass behind the other kiter. Think of it like driving: don’t make any sudden unpredictable turns, and everybody gets by safely.

Passing safely (kite high vs. kite low): When you pass near another kiter, cooperate to keep your kites at different heights. The rider upwind (closer to where the wind is coming from) should raise their kite up overhead, while the rider downwind keeps their kite down low. This prevents your lines from crossing – nobody wants a mid-air tangle. A quick hand signal or nod can communicate your plan. Give each other a thumbs-up or a smile on the way by – we’re all out here to have fun!

Keep your distance and don’t hog the waves: Always leave plenty of space downwind of you – about two line-lengths (≈50–100m) – especially if you’re attempting big jumps or tricks. Launching huge airs or kite-loops with people right below you is a big no-no. Pick an open spot to throw down your moves so if you crash, it’s just water and not another rider or beachgoer in your landing zone. If the beach is crowded, take turns and line up for jumps (Cape Town locals often form an informal queue for popular kicker waves – it’s part of the etiquette).

Launching and landing etiquette: Choose a section of beach well away from bystanders. Before you launch, look downwind and shout “Launching!” to make sure the area is clear. Have a buddy assist if possible – local kiters are usually happy to help hold your kite or catch it on landing. After you come in, quickly move your kite and lines off the sand to free up the space. This keeps the launch/landing zone safe and prevents someone from tripping on your lines.

Respect other beach users: We share the ocean with swimmers, surfers, and everyone else, so give non-kiters a wide berth. In South Africa, swimming areas are often marked with flags and patrolled by lifeguards – do not kite there. Not only is it dangerous, but it could get kitesurfing restricted or banned. If surfers are catching waves in an area, avoid dropping your kite right in the lineup; either yield the wave to them or find a more open break downwind. A friendly attitude goes a long way. Smile, help each other launch, and be the kiter that makes locals say “Come back anytime!”

Buddy up and share your plan: It’s always safer (and more fun) to kite with a friend or in a group. If you’re new in town and don’t have a buddy, no worries – the popular beaches like Bloubergstrand/Kite Beach will have plenty of fellow kiters around. Make an effort to chat and make friends; kiters are a friendly bunch. Never be the only person out on the water if you can help it. If you do go to a remote spot, tell someone on land where you’re going and when you expect to be back. That way, if you’re overdue, they can notify rescue services with your last known location.

Self-rescue skills: As part of your safety toolkit, practice self-rescue techniques in a controlled setting. This means knowing how to pull your quick release and use your kite as a float to drift in if the wind dies or you have a gear failure. Remember: if you find yourself drifting and unable to get back, stay with your kite – it will keep you afloat and make you much easier to spot. Don’t ditch your gear unless absolutely necessary. Wave your arms or signal to shore if you need help. Other kiters or lifeguards might assist if they see you. Stay calm, and use your board as a flotation device as well (holding it can help you rest and be more visible).

Know how to call for help (NSRI): Save the emergency numbers in your phone before you head out. For any sea rescue emergency in South Africa, you can dial 112 from your cell (the national emergency number) or call the NSRI direct at 087 094 9774. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers that saves lives on South African waters – we are the ones who respond if a kitesurfer is blown out to sea or any boat/water user gets in trouble. We have rescue stations around Cape Town and are on standby 24/7. If you ever see someone in serious difficulty, don’t hesitate to call the NSRI or alert the lifeguards. Do not put yourself at risk by trying a solo hero rescue – get professional help on the way first. The NSRI will coordinate a rescue operation (we do not charge people we rescue), and we would much rather be called early before a situation escalates. It’s a good idea to also note the nearest NSRI station to your kite spot (e.g., Station 18 at Melkbosstrand covers Big Bay, etc.). And if you get rescued, consider donating or saying thank you – we run on public support!

Take a Mobile Phone: Always kite with a fully charged phone in a waterproof pouch or dry box (for added impact protection) secured to your person. This way, if you get into difficulty, you can call for help immediately. The South African emergency number 112 will connect you to rescue services. A phone also lets you share your GPS location, which is invaluable in an emergency. Don’t leave your phone in the car or on the beach – take it with you on the water so help is just a call away.

Use a Tracking App (e.g. NSRI SafeTrx): Consider using a free safety app like SafeTrx on your phone before you launch. SafeTrx (by the NSRI) allows you to log your session and updates your live position to a rescue monitoring centre. If you’re overdue or hit the app’s SOS button, rescuers can see exactly where you are and dispatch help right to your GPS location. It’s great peace of mind – especially if you’re kiting alone.

Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): For extra safety – particularly if you love long downwinders, remote spots, or offshore adventures – a PLB is a highly reliable backup. This small device, which fits in a harness or pocket, can send a distress signal via satellite from anywhere when activated. A PLB transmission includes your GPS coordinates and alerts rescue authorities to your location. Unlike a phone, it doesn’t require cell coverage – ideal if you’re out of signal range.

Pack a Pencil Flare Kit: This is a lightweight flare launcher that fires off bright flares. In an emergency, launching a flare can signal people onshore or nearby boats that you need help. It’s an optional piece of kit, but for added safety, it can be a lifesaver if you’re drifting and need to attract attention. If you do carry flares, stow them in a waterproof pouch and make sure you know how to use them.