Several weekends ago on Seabreeze and BOM the wind graphs for Esperance, was showing 15 knots winds and up to 28 knots gusts, I didn’t go out as I cant imagine being able to maintain an edge in those conditions, let alone thinking it would be safe.

I realize its a very open question because of so many factors , kite type, wind temp density, user level of experience, board size, chop and im sure the list goes on - to exactly how much top end gusts compared to average wind speeds can be kiteable and safe.

Yesterday was blowing a cold south easterly of 14 knots with 22 knots gusts I felt it would have been fine going out, unfortunately it was raining (still was tempted) and the place I kite was choppier than a prison kitchen riot, so hence i didnt end up going.

so whats your thoughts and experiances on the subject?

I went out in what was recorded as being 19 in the lulls and 33 in the gusts the other day. I found that using my smallest kite, a 10m (I'm a fat bastard), I was perfectly powered in the gusts and when it got down to the lulls I had enough momentum up on the plane to keep me going through them without bogging down.

Actually I was probably a bit overpowered, but I prefer to ride that way. At 108kg and 6'2" the 134cm board I was on is almost a bit short, but that seems to be the way these days, and who am I to not follow fashion. That probably helped in managing the gusts a bit more than a longer board would have. So the momentum I built up would be considerably more than the average sized sandgroper.

I'm not too used to such a small kite either, it's only the second time I've ridden it, and only the fifth time I've ridden anything smaller than 11. Christ it moves fast! I'm not sure the difference it would have made to riding said kite in consistant wind due to such little experience on said small kites.

This was in Cape Town where the air is cool and powerful. I've been kiting over two years but am not very good for that long riding as I don't get out often. Reasonably experienced in lots of different conditions though. Was on the 134x41.5 Liquid Force Element (awesome board), a 10m kite and riding in the waves at Cape Town's Kite Beach.

www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=1876