If you train in relatively constant highwind conditions than even extremely gusty highwinds (switching from 5 to 8 bf in one second) are kiteable
The highest and most extreme conditions i was out so far was 2 months ago in 93 km/h (in the gusts) winds with a PL Arc 460 on 20 m lines on our local lake (Lake neusiedl / Austria)
In the gusts the water surface was covered with flying water that hit my face like ice cristaly or needles - a very unique experience i will not forget fo a long time
A few others were out on inflatables (size 5 flat)
Winds like this are extremely gusty here and even the windsurfer had severe troubles not to be blown of their boards with their 3.x sails.
All Kiters that were out had no troubles staying upwind, and after some time we even started Jumping, but it was next to impossible to time the jumps due to the extreme gusts (including wind direction changes up to 15 degrees - the kite is suddenly deep in or suddenly out of the powerzone - well the cracks among you get the picture how heavy the conditions were)
With lots of highwind experience gained in rocksteady 7bf maroccan winds it was surprisingly kiteable - hardcore, extreme, dangerous etc. but kiteable, only thing you had to do was to move the kite quick (not too hard with a 460 arc....) to filter out the gusts by positioning the kite before the gust hit or was over
The most experienced local kiters (most of them +3 years, + 1000 hrs. total on the water) went out.
Bad thing was that we had to stop a few less experienced guys from trying to follow our lead
I must admit I was shocked to see how many people were willing to go out in these conditions with kites in size 7.5 - still many people seem to have no idea that lift and windspeed are NOT proportional - a big danger for newbies watching very experienced Riders who make everything look easy and managable - so the question is if it is wise to go out in these conditions and act as a "bad example" for less experienced Riders (you know the old "if they can do it i can do it" thing that kills too many people who dont know their personal limits)
PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS (highwind kiting) UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED KITER (+1000 hrs on the water in more moderate conditions)
Use a Helmet, Impact Vest, Shoes, Gloves AND quickrelease WITH a permanent trigger leash for the Quick release attached to your hand.
WHY permanent Trigger? In conditions like this you have only around one second to release before you get propelled to nearly windspeed, so please be careful If you decide to go out in highwind conditions (anything above 40km/h or 25 knots or 5bf) Even the smallest kitesurfable kite has the potential to kill yourself by getting smashed into any possible downwind obstacle with impact speed close to windspeed
Greetings to all highwind kiters out there - please be careful
Paul
http://www.psn.at