www.f-onekites.com
www.f-onekites.com
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Using a hydrofoil involves inherent risks and
can cause severe injuries or, sometimes fatal,
accidents if misused. F-ONE therefore strongly
recommends to follow kiting lessons in a spe-
cialized school before using a hydrofoil for the
first time.
To find your nearest school, please check online
on the www.f-onekites.com website under the tab
« schools ». When using a hydrofoil, you agree to
READ CAREFULLY THIS MANUAL BEFORE USING YOUR KITE AND KEEP IT STORED FOR
FUTURE READING
take full responsibility for your own safety and those
of others, which includes informing subsequent
users/owners of your equipment of the risks and
responsibilities involved. Before practicing, make
sure that you are properly covered by an insurance
for any damage or injuries caused to third parties
while practicing kiting sports. Please refer to your
national kitesurfing body or federation to get more
information on insurance and responsibilities.
RULE N°1: YOUR OWN SAFETY
RULE N°2: GET SET UP
Specialized equipment contributes to your own safety but constant care and caution
remains the best way to avoid any problem. Please keep in mind that wind and weather
can be unpredictable and that no-one can be in full control of the hydrofoil all the time.
You should never go riding alone. It is strongly recommended to practice in the company of other users
who could eventually call for assistance or help in case of emergency.
Helmet :
It is strongly recommended to wear a helmet to protect you in case of a fall or any other unexpected
situations and especially when launching and landing the kite from the ground.
Wetsuit :
Choose a full-length wetsuit (water T° <19°C) or a shorty (water T°>19°C) depending on the water tem-
perature. Be aware that you will use more energy when you are cold.
Impact vest :
The impact vest can help you with the waterstart and the relaunch of your kite. It might also be welco-
me when falling hard and will become your new best-mate if you ever have to swim back to the shore.
A FEW SAFETY TIPS TO KNOW AND FOLLOW:
RULE N° 3: CHOOSE YOUR PRACTICE SPOT
RULE N° 5: RESPECT AND HELP OUT OTHERS
Check with the local weather forecast, (radio, web, harbor crew).
How strong are the winds and from which direction? You must know how the speed of the wind and
the direction are going to evolve during the day. The hydrofoil enables you to ride even in marginal
conditions, keep in mind the wind can quickly die completely.
You should not ride during stormy weather.
Also check on the tides schedule and the areas for rip currents.
WARNING
RULE N° 4: CHECK THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Product presenting sharp areas - Risk of injuries
Protection helmet and impact vest are strongly
recommended during use.
When falling, the board and kitefoil can keep their pace
for some time before stopping. Beware of impacts.
The board and kitefoil can drift away at higher
speed than a normal single board. Do not leave
your kitefoil unattended in the water for too long or
it could drift far away from you rapidly.
The kitefoil modifies the weight and size of the board.
When immerged, the kitefoil generates more force
opposing the drifting force of the kite. The board
does not slide on the water the same way as a single
board. Handling movements should be soft and
controlled. Beware any hasty or abrupt movement.
EN
Observe local laws and regulations regarding kitesurf and the usage area.
Choose your spot according to your level :
The choice of a good spot is a prerogative for a safe learning. The best spot is not necessarily the spot
where you find the most kites. To choose your place of practice, it is important to select a spot suited
to the practice of hydrofoil. Using a hydrofoil requires a greater water depth than the other kiteboarding
practices. Favor a spot without reefs or shoals, and avoid overcrowded areas.
Wind direction :
Never ride in strong offshore wind. The wind can die at any moment or a line can break. In offshore wind
it is harder to swim back to shore, the wind and the current pushing away from the beach.
It is not recommended to ride when the wind is on-shore especially for beginners as the wind pushes
directly onto the beach. This will make your learning harder: you will not be able to do good runs and
go up wind, and you will end up on the sand very quickly. This will also be more risky as any gust could
send you onto the sand. Therefore always ride while the wind is side or side-on, this will let you go
downwind while keeping a safe position in case of an emergency.
Help out others :
Always keep an eye on your surroundings, and pay attention to others. Do not hesitate to help out or
go after a struggling kitesurfer.
Respect bystanders :
Inform the spectators of the power of the kite and of the potential risk by staying downwind from a
kite surfer.
Do not lend your equipment to a none kite surfer.
SAFETY
