What makes water shoots risky – and how to plan them

Water is one of the most dangerous forces of nature – never forget that. So:

• Basic swim fitness – not just for the athlete, but the whole team (camera often stands knee- to hip-deep in the water).

• Rescue chain: rescue staff, a safety briefing, ideally a boat nearby – everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

• Seasickness in the camera team (underrated): a stationary boat rocks more in swell than a moving one; looking through the lens, people get queasy fast. Medication beforehand helps.

• Wind – offshore vs. onshore: onshore (pushing you to shore) is less dangerous but makes bigger waves. Offshore (pushing you out to sea) is especially dangerous – on gear failure you get carried out. The upside of offshore: glassy water, perfect take-offs, good to film from land – but then keep a safety boat/jet ski ready.

• Rule of thumb: keep height, keep distance from jetties/rocks; know the currents and tides (local knowledge).

• Location & law: cable parks for wakeboard/water ski, a boat licence where required.

Kite safety: modern kites have many safety systems (the big switch came in 2007, including quick releases). You release via the chicken loop, the kite depowers and flags out. If something tangles, you get a death loop – the kite spins endlessly and pulls like a tractor; then you need a fast, well-powered boat. In the worst case you separate from the gear entirely.

Aerial/drone shots when kitesurfing

A distinct, often underrated angle. Kiting needs wind – real action from about 20–25 knots (~50–60 km/h). Worth knowing: consumer drones (e.g. a Mavic) only do ~60–70 km/h in sport mode – flying into the wind, the drone is near its limit.

• Watch the lines: the kite hangs on four lines on the leeward side. At a spot there are usually several kites in the air; flying backwards, you can't see what's behind you.

• Worst case: if the drone hits the kite, it ranges from a tear in the canopy to a severed bladder at the front tube – then the kite drops into the water, no relaunch, self-rescue is hard, and the drone is gone in salt water anyway. The lines (Dyneema) are very cut-resistant, but the rotor blades break every time.

• Safety distance: for normal kite runs at least 25 m (standard line length). Coordinate on the beach with the camera team – you often want the kite close-up too.

• FPV: more power against the wind, but it has to keep orbiting and can't look back – keep the airspace clear.

• Timing: set a buoy as a take-off marker; observe first, then fly – every jump is different (a drone at 40 m plus a high jump over 10 m gets tight; gusts make jumps unexpectedly higher). Best to keep the drone upwind and film from behind.

Knowing this from both sides helps: I work with a Mavic drone, action cams and Insta360 myself. More real material at @tobi_deckert_sportmodel.

Planning a campaign with credible water action? Send a booking request.

FAQ

What makes a good watersports model?
Versatility and a real feel for the board: someone who masters kite, wake, surf, SUP and foil gets up to camera level fast even on new or unfamiliar gear – delivering credible action instead of staged poses.

What makes water shoots especially risky?
The water itself, plus wind (especially offshore), currents and tides. Safety means: swim fitness across the whole team, a rescue chain, a safety boat, and – when kiting – mastering the safety systems (quick release, chicken loop).

What do you watch for when filming kitesurfing with a drone?
Wind speed vs. drone speed, the four kite lines, other kites in the airspace, and a safety distance (at least 25 m). A collision can destroy both kite and drone.

Facts & Skills