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Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:02 am
by longwhitecloud
Problem is super high winds (ie above 40knot gusts) are usually violently gusty. Would love to experience super constant 40 knots. So much more comfortable choosing from bigger range of smaller kites in these kind of winds, and shorter lines.

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:00 pm
by Kamikuza
I've got a 7m kite I've never used, a 10m that comes out maybe twice a year, and I'm psyched when I can get out on my 12 or 13m... and I get out whenever there's wind :( sucks being The Heaviest Kiteboarder in Japan :baby:

I usually go by the water conditions and feel of the wind, at my local spot - how white the caps are, how chunky the waves, ripples on the surface of the water, how much sand is moving... I gotta use a wind meter when it gets to about 18 knots though, cos above that it all seems the same and I like hitting the sweet spot with the kite...

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:23 pm
by Faber
When I cannot resist anymore with my 7m, there are two things which keeps me out of the water:
1. it's not safe
2. it's not fun
so what's the deal ?
I've broken 3 ribs with a backloop in gusty winds. I'm not into these stuff No More :nono:

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:15 pm
by TheJoe
Kamikuza wrote:I've got a 7m kite I've never used, a 10m that comes out maybe twice a year, and I'm psyched when I can get out on my 12 or 13m... and I get out whenever there's wind :( sucks being The Heaviest Kiteboarder in Japan :baby:

I usually go by the water conditions and feel of the wind, at my local spot - how white the caps are, how chunky the waves, ripples on the surface of the water, how much sand is moving... I gotta use a wind meter when it gets to about 18 knots though, cos above that it all seems the same and I like hitting the sweet spot with the kite...
Wow makes me think I should never come to Japan to kite. I'm in the 80-85kilo's range and my biggest kite is 13m.

I'm like Faber now. I am no longer kiting every chance I get just to kite. If it's windy and gusty I don't want to play. I'm into wakestyle and surf, I'll throw big air when it's nuking but it's not fun getting tea bagged because you hit a lull mid flight.

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:51 pm
by Kamikuza
TheJoe wrote:Wow makes me think I should never come to Japan to kite. I'm in the 80-85kilo's range and my biggest kite is 13m.

I'm like Faber now. I am no longer kiting every chance I get just to kite. If it's windy and gusty I don't want to play. I'm into wakestyle and surf, I'll throw big air when it's nuking but it's not fun getting tea bagged because you hit a lull mid flight.
We're inland on a lake in the middle of the island, which probably doesn't help - there are much better places on the coast! I compensate by having really big kites :) thankfully, the new breed of light wind kites aren't slugs and can actually be fun.

Just make sure you come in spring instead of summer :D I'm still hooked and want it all the time...

Back on topic... kinda! Typhoon season gets pretty wild here... it's usually fairly consistent too, which is groovy. But we only get the tail at the lake...

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:23 pm
by jan_hou
I got this picture yesterday when it was blowing 40+ knot.
It was very steady wind and I had lots of fun. I used 5M2 kite and a 5'11" surf board.
I totally agree with Peter's thesis. When the wind is common in the location, strong wind at 40+ knot is quite enjoyable.
The spot is Penghu, Taiwan. It is not too far from Japan.

Image

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:47 pm
by jan_hou
Kamikuza wrote:I've got a 7m kite I've never used, a 10m that comes out maybe twice a year, and I'm psyched when I can get out on my 12 or 13m... and I get out whenever there's wind :( sucks being The Heaviest Kiteboarder in Japan :baby:

I usually go by the water conditions and feel of the wind, at my local spot - how white the caps are, how chunky the waves, ripples on the surface of the water, how much sand is moving... I gotta use a wind meter when it gets to about 18 knots though, cos above that it all seems the same and I like hitting the sweet spot with the kite...
You can use your 7M kite here in Penghu, Taiwan. :bye:

Jan Hou

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:03 pm
by RideLow
This day was measured to 27m/s (more or less 52knots) on the beach. kinda steady..

here is an average jump that special day :P

Long arms on a 8m kite :P

Image

here is the same day. abit further out :D
Image

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:49 pm
by LynchMob
35+ knots is where I draw the line. Things just happen too quickly and the risks outweigh the enjoyment IMO. Having experienced a death loop on a 7m in 40kts is not something I want to do again.

Re: How strong is too strong?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:45 pm
by JaanTatikas
There is no such thing as too strong wind, only a too big kite.