Speed of kitesurfing vs. windsurfing

[espana23]

Hi all,

This question is to people that do both kitesurfing and windsurfing. With which of the two sports do you go faster on average (assuming same wind speed when comparing the two)?

I am relatively new to kitesurfing (been doing it for 2 years now) but have been windsurfing for many years (20+). Up to now I can go a lot faster while windsurfing compared to kitesurfing (max speeds of 42kmph vs 24kmph). I am pretty sure that this is most likely because I am new at kitesurfing and haven’t mastered many aspects of the sport (being efficient with the kite, having the right posture, keeping my edge when it’s a bit wavy, etc.). I am curious to see what the experience of others that do both sports has been. One of the things I enjoy the most with windsurfing is going fast and I am hoping I can get that from kitesurfing as well.

Thanks.

-Mike

[or6]

We accelerate faster, but the top speed is about the same. That's me on a fast strapless surfboards and my windsurfing friends on wave boards.

[foam-n-fibre]

Yes, as someone who often uses a GPS and still do both sports, the speeds are quite similar. On certain gear in certain conditions I think either can be faster.

Peter

[james]

Recreational gear for both? Windsurfing is quicker especially in any kind of chop

On race gear up and down wind, kite hydrofoil easily

Windsurf slalom gear fastest all around again especially in chop

Kite speed gear and big speed boards, fastest if it’s flat by a good margin

[espana23]

Thank you all for the answers.

[Slappysan]

90% of people I know that do both sports windsurf when it's 25+ knots and kitesurf when below 25 knots so you'll be going a bit faster with higher windspeeds.

[espana23]

90% of people I know that do both sports windsurf when it's 25+ knots and kitesurf when below 25 knots so you'll be going a bit faster with higher windspeeds.

Do you know why?

[tilmann]

shallow water is the key to go fast on a kiteboard, for example on a flooded beach

[tilmann]

shallow water works even if there are waves (at 0:36)

[longwhitecloud]

shallow water is the key to go fast on a kiteboard, for example on a flooded beach

i always thought i could go upwind better in shallow water . -like the water pushed back more?!