Rules of the Road
Teaching
As a general rule, friends don't let friends teach kiteboarding. Especially on four line kites. If your friend wishes to learn how to kite, we can recommend some excellent
coaches! Under town bylaws, a license is required to provide kite instruction on Nantucket for hire. Most importantly, if you do decide to teach your friend to kite, make absolutely sure there are no other bystanders or kiters in your direct vicinity to prevent collisions.
What to Know
The Wind
The wind blows consistently year round on Nantucket. During the summer months, the prevailing winds are from the southwest, and the best kiteable spots are in the harbor due to the thermal effect of the Island. Frequently, it will be marginal on the south shore and pumping within the harbor as the land heats up. Kite sizes will generally range from 9M - 14M weather. During the spring, fall, and winter seasons, big, low pressure systems roll in and we see strong wind coming from the northeast and southerly directions. Then, kite sizes will range from 5M - 12M weather. For accurate wind reporting within the harbor use the
NANTUCKET HARBOR sensor on iKitesurf (be sure to add a few knots to the reading for southwest winds). For accurate wind reporting on the south shore, use the
NANTUCKET AIRPORT wind sensor on iKitesurf.
Current Winds
SHORE BIRDS
Nantucket is a natural habitat for many endangered species of shorebirds and other animals. Our friends at the
Conservation Foundation and
Land Bank are patrolling many of the areas we ride continuously for these birds (in particular the western end of Coatue, Jetties Beach, and Madaket) and rope off areas that are closed. If you see a roped off area, please stay a minimum of 200 yards away with your kite and be respectful of any requests of rangers on patrol.
WETSUIT SELECTION
Having the right suit is key to comfort. During the Nantucket summer - late June, July, and August - you will want a 2mm Shortie (wetsuit top) or you can go just board shorts and t-shirt during the day. During the spring - April through mid-June- or the fall - September and October - you will want a 4.3 or 3.2 wetsuit. In the winter - November though March - you will want a 5.4 with hood, booties, and gloves. The wind is always colder when blowing from the north, and we always recommend airing on the side of caution.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Please be sure to put your contact information on your equipment. If you abandon a kite or lose a board, please contact the police to let them know you are safe (and so they don’t go on a wild goose chase looking for you!). If you do lose equipment, feel free to
call us, as people tend to report lost gear they find, and we can help get it back to you. If you see someone struggling or needing help, please assist if you can or call for help.
