Provisions of the Laws on the Protection of Swimmers at Sea of 1968 and 1986 concerning jet skis:

1. They fall under the category of craft.
Article 2 (Interpretation) of the Laws on the Protection of Swimmers at Sea of 1968 and 1986 – Law 72/1968 and Law 12/1986:
"craft" means any motorized or sailing vessel and includes a windsurf board, sea bicycle, canoe, jet ski, and any other floating means capable of endangering the safety of swimmers at sea as well as any object towed by them.

2. Entry and use within a swimmers' area are prohibited.
Article 4(1) Prohibition of passage through the craft area:
4.-(1) Upon the declaration of the area, it is prohibited for any craft to-
(a) pass through it
(b) anchor or station within it.

3. Mooring them on the buoys marking the swimmers' areas is prohibited. Article 4(B) Prohibition of interference with buoys:
4B. Upon the declaration of an area, any person who moors any craft or other object to any buoy within the sea that defines the area, or interferes in any way with such a buoy, commits a criminal offense.

Provisions of the Speed Boats Laws from 1992 to 2020 and the Speed Boats Regulations of 1999 concerning jet skis:

4. A jet ski means a small speed boat and therefore is subject to all provisions concerning speed boats. Definition of a jet ski and definition of a jet ski operator.
Article 2 (Interpretation) of the Speed Boats Laws from 1992 to 2001 – Law 56(I)/1992:
"jet ski" means a small speed boat which is propelled by an outboard engine or an inboard water jet engine and on which one or more persons can ride, seated or standing"
"operator" includes any person, who operates a speed boat at a specific time as well as any person who bears the responsibility for the boat for operation purposes while it is anchored anywhere, while in the case of a towed object, it means the operator of the boat from which the object is towed.

5. Persons permanently residing in Cyprus must possess a speed boat operator's license to operate a jet ski. The operator's license is granted to individuals who have reached the age of 18 and have successfully passed theoretical and practical exams. Individuals who have reached the age of 17 may be equipped with a learner operator's license and operate a jet ski provided they are always accompanied by a person holding an operator's license. Individuals who have reached the age of 18 (eighteenth) are entitled to operate jet skis rented from watersports centers provided they have co-signed a binding statement with the owner (or the responsible person at the watersports center) certifying that the person renting and intending to operate the jet ski has been fully informed about the correct and safe operation mode and the navigation and collision avoidance rules.
Article 4 (Operator and learner operator's license for speed boats) of the Speed Boats Laws from 1992 to 2020 – Law 56(I)/1992:
4.-(1) No one is entitled to be an operator of a speed boat unless equipped with an operator's license for speed boats (hereinafter referred to as "operator's license") or a learner operator's license for speed boats (hereinafter referred to as "learner's license") issued by the competent authority.
(2) Foreign nationals and citizens who are permanent residents abroad are not required to have the license mentioned in the previous paragraph, provided they hold a corresponding license or certificate that certifies their ability to operate speed boats and has been issued by a competent foreign authority.
(3) Individuals who have completed seventeen (17) years can be equipped with a learner's license provided they are always accompanied by a person equipped with an operator's license.
(4) Regardless of the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2), Category B speed boats as defined in the provisions of paragraph (1) of Regulation 3 of the Speed Boats Regulations can be rented for private use and operated by individuals who do not hold the license or certificate referred to in said paragraphs, provided the following terms and conditions are met:
(a) The individuals mentioned in this paragraph have completed the eighteenth (18th) year of age;
(b) the aforementioned boats are not removed beyond six (6) nautical miles from the rental point or from the maritime area designated by a circular of the competent authority;
(c) in the case of a jet ski, it does not move away from the visual field of its owner or the employee who undertook to supervise the rented jet skis, who has at his disposal a wireless device for controlling the jet skis with which he can give instructions with sound signals or immobilize the jet ski when he perceives that the operator is making dangerous maneuvers or/and violates the navigation rules provided by this Law and the Regulations issued under it;
(d) the aforementioned individuals have co-signed the specified binding declaration with the owner of the boat, showing that the owner has assured their knowledge regarding the matters defined in the relevant Regulations issued under this Law.

6. Obligation to carry the speed boat operator's license and/or the learner operator's license, or the binding statement for operating a rented jet ski. Regulation 11 of the Speed Boats Regulations of 1999 – KDP 121/1999:
Every speed boat operator must have on the boat, inside a waterproof case, an operator's license or learner operator's license, as the case may be, issued by the competent authority or, in the case of a temporary visitor, a copy of the binding statement.

7. Provisions for the safe operation of jet skis.
Article 16 (Operation of speed boats) of the Speed Boats Laws from 1992 to 2001 – Law 56(I)/1992:
16. Without affecting the provisions of the Laws on the Protection of Swimmers at Sea of 1968 and 1986 and any law amending or replacing them, in the case where a speed boat is in an area not designated for swimmers but commonly used by swimmers, the operator must enter and exit the area with the utmost care and at the lowest possible speed. Special provision
16A. Regardless of the provisions of the main law or the regulations issued based on it, the prohibition of jet ski traffic between the hours of 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. that applies from May 1st to September 30th does not apply when they are operated at a distance greater than 500 meters from the nearest coast. Regulation 31(1) of the Speed Boats Regulations of 1999 – KDP 121/1999:
31-(1). The operation of speed boats within the channels located between swimming areas, as defined by decree by virtue of the Laws on the Protection of Swimmers at Sea of 1968 and 1986 or any law amending or replacing them, as well as in any other maritime area up to 100 meters from the nearest coast, rock, or islet, is conducted at a speed that does not exceed 3 knots and in any case does not create dangerous waves for any person.
Regulation 32 of the Speed Boats Regulations of 1999 – KDP 121/1999:
32.—(1) It is prohibited to move jet skis beyond 700 meters from the nearest coast.
(2) It is prohibited to use jet skis within a distance less than 100 meters from the clearly distinguishable signs (buoys) in a swimming area, as defined by decree by virtue of the Laws on the Protection of Swimmers at Sea of 1968 and 1986 or any law amending or replacing them: It is understood that the passage and return of jet skis from and to the coast is done through channels, as provided in Regulation 31 of these Regulations.
(3) It is prohibited to operate jet skis:
(a) For the period from May 1st to September 30th, except between the hours of 10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
(b) For the period from October 1st to April 30th, except between the hours after sunrise until sunset.
(c) Throughout the year and 24 hours a day —
(i) when the sea condition is wavy,
(ii) when winds of a speed greater than 16 knots prevail
(iii) when visibility is less than one nautical mile.

8. Prohibition of operating a jet ski under the influence of drugs or medications and under the influence of alcohol exceeding the specified limit.
Article 8 (Operation of a speed boat while the amount of alcohol in the breath exceeds the specified limit) of the Speed Boats Laws from 1992 to 2001 – Law 56(I)/1992:
8. Anyone who operates or attempts to operate a speed boat at sea, having already consumed such an amount of alcohol in any form, that it exceeds the specified limit in the breath or in the blood, or while under the influence of drugs or medications that reduce the ability to operate a speed boat, commits an offense.

9. Provisions for the safe use and governance of jet skis.
Article 3 (provisions of the First Table) of the Speed Boats Laws from 1992 to 2001 – Law 56(I)/1992:
ATTENTION The operator's attention is drawn to the provisions of the Speed Boats Law of 1992, particularly the following:
1. Operating a speed boat without an operator's license is prohibited.
2. Passengers must wear a life jacket or flotation device and sit only in the designated seats.
3. The engine cut-off lanyard (Kill Switch) must always be connected to the operator.
4. Operating a speed boat in a manner that may endanger the life or bodily integrity or property of any person or in a manner that may cause nuisance is prohibited.
5. Driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is prohibited.
6. Driving within swimming areas is prohibited.

Windsurfing is one of the more widely practiced water recreational activities because it can be done in small quiet lakes as well as in rough open water.
With proper training and safety precautions, windsurfing is relatively safe, but the unpredictable nature of environmental conditions (wind and water) plus the high speeds that even beginners can attain can quickly cause a loss of control and serious injuries through collisions or falls.
There are many new windsurfing training organisations gearing programs to children. While it is recommended that children participate in courses, it also increases the responsibility of providers to train young surfers appropriately. Children may not understand changing surf conditions or emergency situations as quickly as adults.

Many windsurfing injuries are caused by the impact of jumps and falls. Muscle and tendon
sprains are very common, especially in the foot/ankle or shoulder areas. While sprains themselves are not that serious, they can cause a windsurfer too much pain to handle the equipment with the necessary strength, which can lead to a more serious problem such as a collision or inability to return to shore.

Why windsurfing can be risky for children and youth ?

Windsurfing is fairly easy to do as a beginner, but also easy to do poorly. Proper positioning and posture are an important part of preventing injuries, but it takes a lot of practice and sore muscles to get that right, leaving children vulnerabl to sprains and exhaustion. Young people surfing in busy waters with boaters and swimmers may find it difficult to negotiate steering and safety rules at the same time, especially under high speeds. Young children may be disadvantaged by not having an understanding of the wind and water currents.

It is expected within the sport of windsurfing that the surfer will spend a lot of time immersed, often re-boarding and launching again in the water. A child must be a very strong swimmer in order to handle that. Additionally, training of children should emphasise the skills of re-boarding and re-launching the mast and sail alone. Balance and stamina are key to this sport. Children may have difficulty realising they are too tired or cold to continue, so it is important that an adult maintain close verbal and visual contact to check on the child while on the water.

Recommendations for windsurf rental and operation
● All surfers must understand and observe boating rules and rights of way.
● Use of a buoyancy aid is mandatory.
● Beginners should only surf in enclosed, calmer waters.
● In cool waters, a wetsuit should be worn, and even in warmer waters a half body suit is recommended to help prevent against abrasions to the skin from the equipment.
● Surfers wishing to rent equipment should have previous adequate training which they can demonstrate by answering questions regarding techniques and rules.
● First time renters should be given training by your staff on the proper operational techniques of the equipment, and a short test launch should be made with your direct supervision.
● Youth and novice surfers should wear protective gear such as windsurfing boots and gloves.
● Record the names, home address and local contact information for each surfer in case of an emergency.

Surfers should be instructed in the following:
● Follow boating right of way rules.
● Understand local safety signage and flags, and accepted safety symbols and cues to use for communication.
● Check twice in every direction for people or objects before gibing (turning quickly).
● Never abandon the board in an emergency. You will swim and float better when holding the board, and will be easier to find.
● Come back to shore as soon as you begin to tire or feel too hot or cold.
● Listen for signals regarding changing conditions. Avoid offshore and onshore winds. Cross shore winds are best.
● Should the winds become too strong, roll up the sail and signal for help.
● Respect speed limits. Stay within safety boundaries and avoid swimmers.

What safety factors to look for in choosing equipment for your operation
Older windsurf models were often 3 metres in length and quite heavy, too heavy for most children to handle. However, newer models are shorter and wider, which provides more stability, and smaller size sails geared toward children are being made. Be sure to not send children out with a sail that is too big or heavy for them. Additionally, have light buoyancy aids on hand in a variety of children’s sizes. Stronger personal flotation devices are not recommended for windsurfers because they can interfere with a surfer’s ability to duck out from under the sail should they fall in the water. Children can, however, use a harness system. If footstraps are used, they should be fitted with a release mechanism to prevent injuries or entrapment in a fall. Have water recreational helmets, footwear and gloves in children’s sizes as well.

Staff Preparedness
● Always have at least 2 staff members present – one to speak with clients and handle training, and the other to assist in launch and landing activity.
● Staff should take care to inspect the equipment before and after each use.
● Be sure that your staff members are trained in CPR and first aid.
● Keep binoculars on hand for monitoring clients, as well as a loud horn and warning light to signal changes in wind and water conditions. Check conditions regularly.
● Have a rescue boat or PWC on hand so that surfers in danger can be reached quickly if no water rescue service is available in the immediate vicinity.
● All staff members should be able to clearly communicate the risks and safety rules to clients. A language barrier could pose a problem should an vaccident occur; both in terms of immediate medical care, and in terms of liability for having failed to properly communicate the rules.

*Source : European Child Safety Alliance, Eurosafe; 2008.- With the support of the European Commission