That is pretty typical and great conditions if the direction is OK....you would be hard pressed to find 25kts any more consistant really.

It is hard to tell from the graphs if gusts are going to be a problem as gust frequency is not shown, only the maximum gust in a given 10 to 30min period. You could get one of those in that period or 30. In my experience it is only if terrain is the cause that things can get consistantly unpleasent/difficult. ie if the wind is coming across/around a land feature first.

If the turbulance is due to atmospheric conditions it is generally predictable with fair warning of large gusts/lulls. ie watching the water surface and cloud formations will let you when to run and hide.

No. - Looks like good winds to me.

kitesRfun said...

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)

Go on rub it in a bit more why dont you.

OK, thanks everyone. It was just a bit of a mission that afternoon. I kept getting pulled up out of my foot straps. More practice I guess.... Also only one other person was out - hi Nebbian!

I know we are lucky with our summer winds here in perth. Hooray! Makes up for our lack of surf!

nope, newbie on a 6m. I'm about 50kg though.

When its blowing hard or getting gusty fly the kite low and close to the water, and edge deep with the board. With practice you can plough upwind and stay in control in really rough water and overpowered gusts. Your harness can feel like its going to be pulled down your legs! The kite will also be forced closer to the side edge of the wind window, and this can help with control.

If you fly the kite high in overpowered conditions you will be lifted up, loose your edge, and loose control, lofted, and your board may be left behind. So keep the kite low.

Be carefull how much you depower the kite. If you depower it too much it may not fly smooth and you will loose control. Its better to fly it lower and edge harder with less de-power.

Also, if you have a big board try sliding your feet back towards the heal edge to help edging, even if at first it feels looser. I quickly swapped from a 138 to a 123 board when beginning and found it way easier, though many people dont and it has other disadvantages. So a smaller board might or might not help you too.

Fly the kite lower, edge harder, keep practicing, and you will master the gusts.

kitesRfun said...

Howdy all,

Is this considered to be gusty (around 5 -6 pm)

Way to gusty for you skill level an the kite you were flying.

^^^^ what!?! running out of heinies you mean?

If you have to ask.... it's too gusty.

kitesRfun said...

nope, newbie on a 6m. I'm about 50kg though.

u would have been better off going between 12 and 3pm
weight is a huge factor on kite selection
I was using a 6m at 5pm (77kg) and a friend was using a 10m (105kg)
we both felt fine, but at 50kg, you would need to be on your game with technique and enjoy and be able to control massive boosts, otherwise wait for more suitable conditions