The Ministry of Transport is looking to make it mandatory for kiteboarders to wear PFDs in Canada. We propose that PFDs should be a choice by the kiteboarder and not mandated.
It is the opinion of many kiteboarders that PFDs increase the risk to kiteboarders because they:
1. make body dragging to your board difficult
2. can interfere with the use of quick release safety
3. can result in more line entanglement
reduce mobility, so can limit a kiteboarders ability to depower kite and board
Furthermore they are not deemed necessary because both the board and kite offer more than enough flotation (and certainly more than a pillow style PFD that is certified on many vessles) to allow for kiteboarders to self rescue
The current proposal by the Ministry of Transport:
Sailboards and Kiteboards
219. A sailboard or kiteboard is not required to carry on board life-saving appliances, vessel safety equipment or firefighting equipment if
(a) the operator is wearing a personal flotation device of an appropriate size that is not fitted with an automatic inflator; or
(b) the operator is engaged in an official competition at which a safety craft is in attendance and carrying on board a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size for the operator that can be donned in the water.