Important Rider Safety

  • Updated

1. Wear a helmet and PFD  

Wear an approved and certified helmet and PFD (Personal Flotation Device) at all times. There may be specific rules and legal requirements in your location that also apply. 

 

2. Keep distance  

Keep well clear of other water users at all times, staying at least 200m away. Check regulations for vessel operating distance rules in your area. Always be on the lookout for swimmers, other vessels or obstacles when riding which may be obscured by waves or glare. 
It is important to keep a safe distance from the shoreline in case of an emergency or equipment malfunction that would cause the need for you to get you back to shore. 

 

3. Release the throttle
Release the trigger immediately on committing yourself to a fall. This will stop the propeller and reduce the forces which could otherwise lead to a more extreme crash. Practice this skill when learning with the goal of stopping the propeller before you hit the water in a fall.

 

4. Fall away from Fliteboard  

The best way to avoid injury is to practice the correct falling technique. As soon as you begin to loose balance, purposely fall in the direction the board is already falling. You will then likely end up in the water on the opposite side to the hydrofoil assembly. Like being on stilts – it is impossible to regain balance once your weight is no longer above the hydrofoil wings (unless you are turning).  

 

Hydrofoil safety:

The Fliteboard hydrofoil system comprises a mast, a main wing and stabiliser wing. These components include sharp trailing edges and wing tips. Take care not to kick or hit the sharp edges when in the water or when climbing on to the board. 

The best way to avoid injury and stay clear of the foil and propulsion system is to practice the correct falling technique. As soon as you begin to loose balance, purposely fall in the direction the board is already falling. You will then likely end up in the water on the opposite side to the hydrofoil assembly. 

 

1. FALLING ON THE HYDROFOIL CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
2. ALWAYS WEAR AN APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) WHEN FLITEBOARDING.
3. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET WHEN FLITEBOARDING.
4. ENSURING SAFE WATER DEPTH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BEFORE RIDING. SELECT A LOCATION THAT IS HAS A MINIMUM DEPTH OF AT LEAST 1.5 METERS.
5. ALWAYS MONITOR BATTERY USAGE WHILE RIDING AND TAKE CARE NOT TO DEPLETE THE BATTERY BEFORE RETURNING TO YOUR POINT OF ORIGIN.
6. NEVER RIDE FLITEBOARD FURTHER FROM SHORE THAN YOU ARE PREPARED TO SWIM BACK.

IMPORTANT: TAKE EXTREME CARE TO ENSURE THAT ALL BODY PARTS ARE CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER WHEN TESTING ON LAND AND WHEN IN THE WATER.

 

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