Pics: James Jagger, Alex Irwin.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment has come on leaps and bounds in the last 20 odd years. So much so recreational, real world riders can now comfortably do battle with Mother Nature’s rambunctious moods. At time of writing Storm Eunice is ramping up in the UK.
After a mostly benign winter to date (2021/2022) Eunice is the first real significant storm to hit. And with red weather warnings issued and schools and public services shut the potential for Storm Eunice to be a real barnstormer is real.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing in storm force winds.
Windsurfers and kitesurfers love a good blow. For those riders who’ve been involved for years the windier the better. As we said at the start of this article windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment has evolved to the extent that ‘normal’ storms (let’s say with winds around 30-40 knots) are doable for riders with skills and experience. It may be baffling to the uninitiated – there are often comments to be read online about the selfish nature of riders venturing out in such conditions. And whilst there’s an upping of the ante in terms of risk most windies battling weather such as this will have plenty of skills and experience of dealing with such elements.
But there does come a point. For various reasons. So how windy is too windy for windsurfing and kitesurfing?
Water state.
Whilst the focus is often on wind it’s often the water state which proves prohibitive to riders. Overly choppy, rippy and frothy sea states are extremely hard to contend with. Boards rattling over confused waters make things tricky. It’s one thing having to contend with ferocious gusts, and your power source (kite or sail). But having the board bouncing around all over the place adds more variables to the mix.
In an ideal world super flat water, sheltered from chop and flotsam, with minmal current would see most wind strengths be doable. With the right equipment in tandem of course. Unfortunately, these types of spots are extremely rare. Even the majority of what we describe as flat water spots aren’t that flat when conditions go off the Richter. And this makes a lot of storm riding prohibitive. Should a rider be lucky enough to have access to a location like this then game on!
Storm Eunice.
Storm Eunice is predicted to be a real boomer. Only time will tell whether this comes to fruition. Whilst we’ve been writing wind readings have jacked up. It’s still doable for those with the most experience at the right location with the right gear. But perhaps as anemometer readings continue to climb perhaps Storm Eunice will become too much for everyone.
It should go without saying that if you’re planning on windsurfing or kitesurfing with any storm activity in the mix make sure you’re well and truly up to the task. If in doubt don’t go out. Don’t put yourselves and those who may have to come and help you at risk. There’s no shame in sitting it out on days like today.
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