Everything you need to know about

WAVE SAILING RULES: HAWAII

but didn't know who to ask

SWIMMERS AND SURFERS HAVE RIGHT-OF-WAY
AND WINDSURFERS MUST KEEP CLEAR*!
SAIL SAFELY AND AVOID COLLISIONS!

*The term "Keep Clear" is used over and over again in these rules. Know what it means: slow down, change course, stop ... whatever it takes to keep clear of the windsurfer with right-of-way ... who should maintain course to avoid confusing the windsurfer keeping clear. Nevertheless, if you still find yourself on a collision course, remember, the same rule applies as for driving a car in the USA: you stay to the right of the oncoming car, or in this case, windsurfer ... and avoid crossing paths!

RULES FOR GOING OUT OR COMING IN

A windsurfer going out has right-of-way. A windsurfer coming in shall keep clear!

A leeward windsurfer has right-of-way. A windward windsurfer shall keep clear!

A windsurfer clear ahead has right-of-way. A windsurfer clear astern shall keep clear!

A windsurfer on a tack has right-of-way. A tacking or gybing windsurfer shall keep clear!

RULES FOR WAVE RIDING

The first windsurfer to sail shoreward on a swell or wave has possession of that swell or wave. The other windsurfer(s) shall keep clear!

When it's impossible to determine possession based on the above, then the windsurfer immediately in front of or closest to the peak of the wave shall have right-of-way. The other windsurfer(s) shall keep clear!

When it's impossible to determine possession based on the above, then the windward windsurfer shall have right-of-way. The leeward windsurfer shall keep clear!

RULES FOR TRANSITIONS

When two windsurfers are in transition at the same time, the leeward windsurfer has right-of-way. A windward windsurfer shall keep clear!

A windsurfer shall not make a transition onto a wave when possession has been determined based on the above rules for wave sailing.

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