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Forums > Kitesurfing   Newbies / Tips & Tricks

How gusty is too gusty?

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Created by kitesRfun > 9 months ago, 14 Dec 2010
kitesRfun
WA, 13 posts
14 Dec 2010 8:36PM
Thumbs Up

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)



Paradox
QLD, 1326 posts
15 Dec 2010 9:48AM
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That is pretty typical and great conditions if the direction is OK....you would be hard pressed to find 25kts any more consistant really.

It is hard to tell from the graphs if gusts are going to be a problem as gust frequency is not shown, only the maximum gust in a given 10 to 30min period. You could get one of those in that period or 30. In my experience it is only if terrain is the cause that things can get consistantly unpleasent/difficult. ie if the wind is coming across/around a land feature first.

If the turbulance is due to atmospheric conditions it is generally predictable with fair warning of large gusts/lulls. ie watching the water surface and cloud formations will let you when to run and hide.

colinwill78
VIC, 1395 posts
15 Dec 2010 10:55AM
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i wish i had it that good.

kyteryder
NSW, 692 posts
15 Dec 2010 1:31PM
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No. - Looks like good winds to me.

NickT
WA, 1094 posts
15 Dec 2010 11:55AM
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If you think thats gusty try kiting in winter where it ca be 20kt - 35kt in a matter of minutes.

harry potter
VIC, 2777 posts
15 Dec 2010 3:15PM
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kitesRfun said...

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)






Go on rub it in a bit more why dont you.

nebbian
WA, 6277 posts
15 Dec 2010 12:27PM
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I was out at Mullaloo at that time, and it was a little bit gusty but no more so than normal. Normal seabreeze gustiness, real world wind speed probably 18-25 knots for me.

So no it's not too gusty

kitesRfun
WA, 13 posts
15 Dec 2010 12:46PM
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OK, thanks everyone. It was just a bit of a mission that afternoon. I kept getting pulled up out of my foot straps. More practice I guess.... Also only one other person was out - hi Nebbian!

I know we are lucky with our summer winds here in perth. Hooray! Makes up for our lack of surf!

RPM
WA, 1549 posts
15 Dec 2010 2:05PM
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kitesRfun said...

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)






if you're on an 8 or 7m then it's fine.

If your a kook on a 12 then you might understand that it's not optimal for your wellbeing.

kitesRfun
WA, 13 posts
15 Dec 2010 4:22PM
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nope, newbie on a 6m. I'm about 50kg though.

lotofwind
NSW, 6451 posts
15 Dec 2010 8:33PM
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50KG...........I think you need a good feedLOL

WhooshkA
WA, 46 posts
15 Dec 2010 6:10PM
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When its blowing hard or getting gusty fly the kite low and close to the water, and edge deep with the board. With practice you can plough upwind and stay in control in really rough water and overpowered gusts. Your harness can feel like its going to be pulled down your legs! The kite will also be forced closer to the side edge of the wind window, and this can help with control.

If you fly the kite high in overpowered conditions you will be lifted up, loose your edge, and loose control, lofted, and your board may be left behind. So keep the kite low.

Be carefull how much you depower the kite. If you depower it too much it may not fly smooth and you will loose control. Its better to fly it lower and edge harder with less de-power.

Also, if you have a big board try sliding your feet back towards the heal edge to help edging, even if at first it feels looser. I quickly swapped from a 138 to a 123 board when beginning and found it way easier, though many people dont and it has other disadvantages. So a smaller board might or might not help you too.

Fly the kite lower, edge harder, keep practicing, and you will master the gusts.



GalahOnTheBay
NSW, 4188 posts
15 Dec 2010 10:10PM
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Don't forget "gustiness" is actually a combination of changes in wind strength and changes in wind direction, both of which have the same effect of changing the power in the kite at very short notice.

Some great tips from whooshka - controlling the power is not just about how far you push the bar away from you. Kite position, how fast you are riding, weight on the board all play an important part in controlling power and controlling gusts.

Over time you will also (hopefully!) learn to hear and see the gusts before they hit the kite, helping you better anticipate what is going on.

PS: lol @ 50kg - get some pies in to you...

Jr Walks
WA, 284 posts
2 Jan 2011 1:33PM
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kitesRfun said...

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)






Way to gusty for you skill level an the kite you were flying.

T one
NT, 321 posts
2 Jan 2011 9:40PM
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kitesRfun said...

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)






no.... that is considered kn awesome.... go kiting!
no wind here for 2 months now....
things are gettin nasty!

dogfish
NT, 253 posts
2 Jan 2011 10:02PM
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^^^^ what!?! running out of heinies you mean?

T one
NT, 321 posts
2 Jan 2011 10:26PM
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dogfish said...

^^^^ what!?! running out of heinies you mean?


the bottleshop is doing a roaring trade...

if it wasnt for the fact that we all spent nov in vietnam, we'd prob be selling up and moving to perth...

just what they need!!!

Bigwavedave
QLD, 2057 posts
2 Jan 2011 11:52PM
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If you have to ask.... it's too gusty.

Flux
WA, 533 posts
2 Jan 2011 10:05PM
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Bigwavedave said...

If you have to ask.... it's too gusty.


I tend to agree

Poida
WA, 1916 posts
4 Jan 2011 1:33PM
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kitesRfun said...

nope, newbie on a 6m. I'm about 50kg though.


u would have been better off going between 12 and 3pm
weight is a huge factor on kite selection
I was using a 6m at 5pm (77kg) and a friend was using a 10m (105kg)
we both felt fine, but at 50kg, you would need to be on your game with technique and enjoy and be able to control massive boosts, otherwise wait for more suitable conditions



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Forums > Kitesurfing   Newbies / Tips & Tricks


"How gusty is too gusty?" started by kitesRfun