EN
- 20
When practicing kitesurfing, always have common sense, respect nature, and try to help others with caution when
they are in trouble. It is imperative that you use a suitable bar with a quick release system and a Kite Release Leash as
well. We recommend the use of our
GONG KITE
bars equipped with AKA2 Quick release system certified AFNOR
NF S-52 503 standard.
This list of recommendations is not exhaustive and does not replace knowledge and a serious study of the rules of
safety and navigation at sea. Kitesurfing is a dangerous sport that cannot be improvised.
LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY THE STRENGTH OF THE WIND OR EQUIP YOURSELF WITH A WIND
GAUGE BEFORE DECIDING TO GO IN THE WATER OR NOT.
Force WMO
Classification
Wind
(Knots)
To Kite, or not to
Kite?
On the Water
On Land
0
Calm
Less
than 1
Get the SUP out !
Sea surface smooth and
mirror-like
Calm, smoke rises
vertically.
1
Light Air
1-3
Start assembling your
Foil ;-)
Scaly ripples, no foam crests
Smoke drift indicates
wind direction, still wind
vanes.
2
Light Breeze
4-6
Get on it baby, time
to Foil !!!
Small wavelets, crests
glassy, no breaking
Wind felt on face, leaves
rustle, vanes begin to
move.
3
Gentle Breeze
7-10
Good times a rollin’ on
your Foil or kiteboard
with a big Kite.
Large wavelets, crests
begin to break, scattered
whitecaps
Leaves and small twigs
constantly moving, light
flags extended.
4
Moderate Breeze 11-16
Foil or Kite, the choice
is yours !
Small waves 1-4 ft.
becoming longer, numerous
whitecaps
Dust, leaves, and loose
paper lifted, small tree
branches move.
5
Fresh Breeze
17-21
Perfect in Kite !
Moderate waves 4-8 ft
taking longer form, many
whitecaps, some spray
Small trees in leaf begin
to sway.
6
Strong Breeze
22-27
Kitetastic !!!
Larger waves 8-13 ft,
whitecaps common, more
spray
Larger tree branches
moving, whistling in wires.
7
Near Gale
28-33
Heavy session !!! Be
prudent, use small
Kite.
Sea heaps up, waves 13-19
ft, white foam streaks off
breakers
Whole trees moving,
resistance felt walking
against wind.
8
Gale
34-40
Danger in Kite !
Reserved for only the
brave.
Moderately high (18-25 ft)
waves of greater length,
edges of crests begin to
break into spindrift, foam
blown in streaks
Twigs breaking off trees,
generally impedes
progress.
9
Strong Gale
41-47
Bad Idea...
High waves (23-32 ft), sea
begins to roll, dense streaks
of foam, spray may reduce
visibility
Slight structural damage
occurs, slate blows off
roofs.
10
Storm
48-55
Nice watching the
Ocean with a cup of
Hot Chocolate.
Very high waves (29-41 ft)
with overhanging crests, sea
white with densely blown
foam, heavy rolling, lowered
visibility
Lots of damage.
11
Violent Storm
56-63
Maybe watch the
GONG Surfboards
Youtube Channel ?
Exceptionally high (37-52 ft)
waves, foam patches cover
sea, visibility more reduced
Seriously lots of damage,
your Insurance Agent is
crying his mama…
12
Hurricane
64+
Stay home, board
up windows, wait for
the rapture in good
company ;)
Air filled with foam, waves
over 45 ft, sea completely
white with driving spray,
visibility greatly reduced
Apocalypse now,
Insurance Agent left the
country...
