The most common beginner question of all: is anything happening today, or is it too much? Reading the wind sounds like secret knowledge, but it is quickly learned. With a few rules of thumb you will soon decide for yourself whether the trip to the spot is worth it.
Knots, Beaufort and gut feeling
In water sports, wind is counted in knots. A rough conversion is enough: knots times two is roughly kilometres per hour. For kiting it gets interesting from about twelve knots, and fourteen to twenty is really nice. Above that it becomes a matter for the experienced, and from storm strength the gear stays in the bag.
More important than any number is the steadiness. Steady wind is pleasant and safe, while gusty wind with big jumps between calm and fierce is exhausting and treacherous. A glance at the water reveals a lot: whitecaps everywhere mean proper wind, while dark, rippling patches announce a gust.
The direction decides your safety
Even more than the strength, the direction counts. Wind that comes in at an angle towards the shore is the beginner’s best friend, it keeps carrying you back. Wind parallel to the coast is also safe. What is life-threatening is offshore wind, blowing from the land out to the open sea. On the beach it seems harmless, but out there it catches you at full force. As a beginner, you always skip this direction.
Reading the app correctly
Windy, Windfinder and Windguru are the three classics, all free. They show you strength, gusts and direction over the coming days. One to two days ahead the forecasts are usable, anything beyond that gets uncertain. The best trick: look at two apps. If they agree, you can almost rely on it. If they are far apart, the day stays a lucky dip.
Our advice: learn to read the direction before you worry about the last number. A calm day with fifteen knots of cross-onshore wind is worth more than a gusty storm. And if you are unsure, ask us at the spot, we will look at the water together.