4.1 The Wind Window
4.2 Wind Speed Table
Weather conditions can be unpredictable and can change very quickly. ALWAYS be vigilant and respect the power of the wind
Ripples with no appearance of
scales; no foam crests
<1
1-5
6-11
12-19
20-29
30-38
39-50
51-61
62-74
75-86
87-101
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
<1
1-3
4-7
8-12
13-18
19-24
25-31
32-38
39-46
47-54
55-63
<1
1-3
4-6
7-10
11-16
17-21
22-27
28-33
34-40
41-47
48-55
Calm
Light Air
Light Breeze
Gentle Wind
Moderate
Wind
Fresh Wind
Strong Wind
Near Gale
Gale
Strong Gale
Storm
Smooth as glass
Not enough wind to fly kite
Small wavelets; crests of
glassy appearance
Large wavelets; crests begin
to break, scattered whitecaps
1-4ft waves;
numerous whitecaps
4-8ft waves; many whitecaps;
some spray
8-13ft waves forming whitecaps
everywhere; more spray
13-20ft waves; white foam
blown in streaks
13-20ft waves; edges of crests
beginning to break;
foam in streaks
20ft waves; sea begins to roll;
dense streaks of foam
20-30ft waves; white churning
sea; rolling is heavy;
reduced visibility
Description
Force
MPH
Knots
KPH
At Sea
0-0.2
0.3-1.5
1.6-3.3
3.4-5.4
5.5-7.9
8.0-10.7
10.8-13.8
13.9-17.1
17.2-20.7
20.8-24.4
24.5-28.4
Metres/sec
The Flying Experience
Difficult to fly kite - very low wind
Good conditions for
large kites or beginners
Ideal flying conditions
Ideal flying conditions
Good conditions for smaller kites
or experienced flyers
Experienced flyers
Very small kites or very
experienced flyers
Dangerous winds
Do not fly
Do not fly
Smoke drift indicates wind
direction; vanes do not move
Calm; smoke rises vertically
Wind felt on face; leaves rustle;
vanes begin to move
Leaves & small twigs in
motion; light flags extended
Leaves & loose paper raised up;
flags flap; small branches move
Small trees begin to sway;
flags flap & ripple
Large branches in motion;
whistling heard in wires
Whole trees in motion; resistance
felt in walking against wind
Whole trees in motion;
resistance felt in walking
against wind (again)
Slight structural damage occurs;
shingles blow from roofs
Trees broken/uprooted;
considerable structural
damage occurs
On Land
Before going out on the water it is important that you have a basic understanding of the wind as well as the terminology used in describing the different
conditions. You will find that these terms are frequently referred to in warnings and instructions, so please take some time to familiarise yourself with them.
4.3 Kite Size Information
Which size of kite should you use for which wind conditions?
Generally speaking, you should use smaller kites in stronger winds and larger kites
in lighter winds.
You must not fly large kites in strong winds!
IMPORTANT: If in doubt about which size of kite to take on to the water,
always start with a smaller kite and work up, as necessary. Never start with
a larger kite.
Tip: In stronger winds, the smaller kites will re-launch easily as the wind will easily
lift the kite out of the water.
In lighter winds, more skill is required to re-launch the kite as sometimes the
wind alone is not strong enough to launch the kite from the water. Technique and
practice are required.
Flexifoil strongly recommend you take lessons from a fully qualified
instructor before kiteboarding with your Strike 2 kite. You should be skilled at
flying a traction kite on land before you take a kite on to the water. You should be
able to launch from the edge of the wind window and be able to fully control the
kite through the power zone of the wind window.
Wind strength numbers do not allow for gusts and lulls, but refer to average
wind speeds at a height of 2 metres from the water.
Wind and water conditions can change quickly and even the smallest kites
can cause serious injury or death. Make sure you watch the wind and weather
carefully. If the wind increases or conditions become stormy, stop kiteboarding.
Exchange your kite for a smaller one or, if conditions become too extreme for
your skill level or your equipment, it’s time to pack up and go home. All kite flyers
should fully understand that kiteboarding can be a dangerous sport.
E dg
e o
f u
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ab
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ind
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in
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Minnimum power
Maximum power�
DOWNWIND
Wind direction
OFF WIND
LEFT
OFF WIND
RIGHT
Kite Flyer
Minnimum power
Minnimum power
Water
Land
On-shore wind
Of
f-shore wind
Cross-on wind
Side-shore wind
Wind direction
Upwind
Upwind
Reach
Reach
Downwind
Downwind
The Wind Window
Terminology
Conditions