How Many Knots for Kitesurfing?
When kitesurfers start jabbering about wind speeds, it often sounds like a foreign language: ‘It was blowing 20 knots, perfect for my 10m kite!’ 🤔 Knots? Why not just say mph? And more importantly, if you’re new to kitesurfing (or thinking of learning), you’re probably wondering: how many knots do I actually need to kitesurf, and how much is too much? Grab a cuppa and let’s demystify wind speeds for kitesurfing in good old plain terms.
Knots 101: Understanding Wind Speed Jargon
First off, what the he** is a knot? A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. In normal human terms: 1 knot ≈ 1.15 miles per hour (or about 1.85 km/h).
Kitesurfers (and sailors) use knots because wind at sea has long been measured that way, and it’s kind of the universal language of wind worldwide. So when you see wind speeds on kitesurf forecast apps or websites, they’ll often be in knots by default. Don’t let it throw you! After a while you’ll get a feel for what a number in knots means in practice.
For a quick reference: 10 knots is roughly 12 mph (a light breeze), 20 knots is ~23 mph (fairly windy), 30 knots is ~35 mph (hold onto your hat!).
Why not use mph? You could, but once you start kiting, you’ll find everyone at the beach chatting in knots, so it’s worth getting used to. Think of it like Celsius vs Fahrenheit, just different scales for the same thing.
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How Many Knots Do You Need to Kitesurf?
Alright, the big question: what wind speed is needed to get a kiteboarder moving?
The short answer: around 12 knots is usually the minimum to get going on a standard twin-tip board with a full-sized kite. At about 12 knots (that’s roughly 4 on the Beaufort scale, or a flags-are-fluttering kind of breeze), a typical large beginner kite (say 12m or 14m) will have enough pull to lift you and get you riding.
Anything less than ~10 knots and even big kites struggle to stay in the air, let alone drag you out of the water, it’s glass-off time (great for paddleboarding, but kiting will be a non-starter unless you have specialist light wind gear or a foil board).
Ideal Wind Range: For most kitesurfers, the sweet spot is 15 to 25 knots.
In this range, the wind has sufficient power to have fun, but it’s not usually insane or out of control. For a beginner, 15-20 knots of steady wind is ideal. You’ll have enough breeze to get moving on a medium-sized kite (9m–12m depending on your weight), but it’s not so strong that you’ll be hanging on for dear life. Many kitesurf schools (including Northern Kites) conduct lessons in roughly the 12 to 25 knot range – it’s conducive to learning and safe progression.
What’s Too Little Wind?
As mentioned, much below 12 knots and you’re likely not kitesurfing with normal gear. At, say, 8-10 knots (a gentle breeze), a big 17m kite might fly and even propel a lightweight rider on a large board or a hydrofoil, but for a beginner this is not practical. You’d end up frustrated, sinking into the water because there simply isn’t enough power to pull you up. You also risk the kite stalling and falling out of the sky.
So if you show up to the beach and it’s just barely breezy (flags drooping, water looking pretty calm), you’re better off postponing or doing another activity – there’s such a thing as too little wind to kite. Save your energy for a windier day rather than floundering about. (Pro tip: Light wind days are brilliant for practising kite setup, safety systems, and even flying a trainer kite if you have one, to hone your kite handling.)
What’s Too Much Wind?
On the flip side, how windy is too windy? This is hugely important for safety.
For beginners, anything above 25 knots starts to become challenging to downright dangerous. In 25-30 knots, you’d need a small kite (5m–7m) even for an experienced rider, and the wind will be yanking you around aggressively. Think of strong wind like a strong rip current – it can overwhelm your control if you’re not prepared.
Many kitesurf schools set an upper limit (often around 20-25 knots) for novice lessons; beyond that, the risk of getting lofted or dragged increases, and everything happens faster. 30+ knots is generally considered expert territory or ‘call it a day’ for average kiters.
Sure, there are thrill-seekers who kite in 30-40 knots (storm chasing, big air junkies with the right small kites), but that’s absolutely not where you start. Most kiteboarders will pack it in by the time it’s pushing 30 knots, unless they’re very confident and well-equipped.
Remember: there’s no shame in not going out when it’s howling – even seasoned riders sit out the gnarly days.
The Dangers of Too Much Wind
Overpowering: If the wind suddenly spikes when you’re out, a kite that was fine at 20 knots becomes a beast at 30. You could lose control or get dragged.
Difficult launch/land: In high winds, just handling the kite on the beach is risky; it can rip out of your hands.
Injuries: Hard crashes hurt more in strong wind (you’ll be moving faster), and the possibility of getting lifted and slammed on land is real.
If in doubt, don’t go out. Live to kite another day.
Ideal Wind for Beginners vs Experienced Riders
As a beginner, you’ll want that Goldilocks wind aka not too light, not too strong.
Again, roughly 15 knots steady is perfect to learn: you can practice controlling the kite without it falling out of the sky or launching you into orbit. Up to about 25 knots is fine as you progress, with an appropriate smaller kite.
You’ll learn about depowering (reducing the kite’s power) and maybe changing kite sizes as the wind fluctuates. On your very first lesson, an instructor will likely keep you in the 12–18 knot window if possible, using a trainer kite or a smaller kite to ease you in.
Experienced riders have more leeway. With skill (and a quiver of different kite sizes), a kiter can enjoy anything from ~10 knots (on a hydrofoil or large kite) up to ~30 knots (on a small kite, with solid technique). They also tend to seek specific conditions: wave riders might love a steady 18-knot side-shore breeze for surf conditions, whereas a big air competitor is rubbing their hands together when it’s 25+ knots and ramping up.
But every kiter has their personal comfort zone. Some advanced riders still max out around 25 knots because beyond that it’s survival mode rather than fun. Others get a thrill from pushing into the upper 20s. Know thyself and thy limits – it comes with experience.
Reading the Wind (and Why Forecasts Matter)
Understanding wind speed in knots is one thing; predicting and reading the forecast is another crucial skill. You don’t want to drive all the way to the beach only to find it’s dead calm, or worse, dangerously windy. Modern apps and websites (WindGuru, Windy, XCWeather, etc.) give detailed wind forecasts in knots. As a kiter, you should learn to interpret those numbers and also look at wind direction and gusts.
How to read the wind forecasts without getting overwhelmed
TL;DR - The Wind Cheat Sheet
Under 10 knots: Not enough wind for traditional kitesurfing (unless you’re on specialized gear). Go grab a beer or do a wind dance for tomorrow.
10-12 knots: Marginal. Only doable with large kites/foils and experienced riders. Beginners won’t have much success here.
12-15 knots: The lower threshold for fun kiting. Big kite cruising for lightweights or first body-drag attempts for learners.
15-20 knots: Prime conditions! Sweet spot for beginners on medium kites. Plenty of power, but usually manageable. Most kitesurfers are happy as Larry in this range.
20-25 knots: Cranking up. Experienced intermediates are loving it (time to jump higher!), beginners might start to feel stretched especially at the top end. Smaller kite needed as you approach 25.
25-30 knots: Strong wind. Great for well-practiced riders with small kites who know what they’re doing. Not recommended for newbies – it can get sketchy fast.
30+ knots: Mega windy. Only very experienced or slightly mad kiters venture out. Many will switch to watching the chaos on the beach instead of joining it. Safety first!
Remember that wind can be fickle. It might be 18 knots one minute and 25 the next. Always err on the side of caution when choosing your kite size for the day and keep an eye on what the wind is doing while you’re out.
When in Doubt, Ask an Instructor or Experienced Kiter
If you’re new and unsure about the wind conditions, don’t be shy. Ask someone with more experience (ideally a certified instructor).
At Northern Kites, we love talking about wind. Seriously, we’re weather geeks. Send us a message or give us a ring if you’re wondering whether a forecast is suitable for a lesson or a session.
Ready to put that wind knowledge into practice? If you’re itching to get out in the perfect breeze, book a kitesurfing lesson with Northern Kites. We’ll teach you not just the how, but the when and why of kitesurfing, including reading the wind like a pro.
Have questions? Give us a shout at 0151 662 0318 or WhatsApp us. We’re always up for a wind chat and to help you get started on your kiting journey.
