Kiterisland wrote: ↑Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:55 pm
10-20kts = Green - Beginner
20-25kts = Blue - Intermediate - Slightly more challenging, more skill needed
25-30kts = Black Diamond - Advanced - Challenging, a lot of skill needed
30-35kts = Double-black Diamond - Expert only, extremely challenging with some hazards out of your control
35+kts = Tripple Black Diamond - Extreme expertise required, most extreme challeng with potentially many hazards out of your control
10-20kts = You can kill a beginner in slightly offshore winds with a 17m (or any size) in 10knots if that beginner cannot relaunch it. You could kill a beginner with a 17m on the beach if there are rocks or other hard objects to hit, or if there are big gusts/turbulence. This wind speed should never be considered
safe.
20-25kts = Same here for intermediates on the wrong kite size, lacking experience, unfamiliar location, gusts/turbulence on many kite sizes
25-30kts = Same here for advanced on the wrong kite size, unfamiliar location, gusts/turbulence on many kite sizes
30-35kts = Same here for experts on the wrong kite size, unfamiliar location, gusts/turbulence on any kite size
35+kts = Same here for "extreme experts" on the wrong kite size, unfamiliar location, gusts/turbulence on any kite size
Kiterisland wrote: ↑Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:55 pm
Even the most advanced sailors are taking a pretty decent risk in 40kts, many hazards are not in your control eg-one line snaps and you could die. I've seen guys go out in 30+ knots who had no business being out there, but because they had a small kite they think they are safe. Not true.
You are correct in the statement that having a small kite does not make you safe. It is a 2-5 variable equation.
#1 is experience - more important than kite size because if your 4m is in the shop getting repaired, an experienced kiter would not go out on thier 7m. They would just skip that day. An inexperienced kiter would likely "try" to go out on their 7m.
#2 Kite size - also necessary, but having the right size does not make up for a lack of #1
#3 Conditions (apart from just wind speed) - If turbulent, gusts, direction changes or rotor, or wide range of wind speeds within a 30minute period (4knots to 35knots 45knots), you would have no business kiting, nor would you have any fun if you even made it out. A kiter with lots of #1 would go home.
#4 Gear specs/condition - do you use thin rear lines for higher performance at lower wind speeds? Is your lineset more than 50% through it's lifespan? Any issues with your release of late? If the kiter answers yes to any of these, then even an expert should not go out in above 30knots.
#5 Physical shape/injuries/capabilities - do you poses the mental/physical reaction time to control a kite at that wind speed? Do you have any injuries (even recently healed) that would be detrimental to you making the faster tempo of high wind kiting safe? If no to the first, and/or yes to the last, don't go out.