Sailing and kitesurf forecast: is it on today?

One rating for the sports that need wind: sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and wing foiling. More wind is better here, up to a point. GoDay also checks the wind direction against your beach, and finds the best 2 hours of each day.

What it weighs, most important first

  1. Wind
  2. Gusts
  3. Wind direction to the beach
  4. Wave height
  5. Rain
  6. Air temperature
  7. Water temperature

Also on the page, but not in the score: wind direction, which way the beach faces.

What holds the score down

A thunderstorm holds the score at 1, and one due within two hours at 3. Wind under 8 km/h (5 mph) holds it at 3, gusts over 65 km/h (40 mph) at 3, and offshore wind of 12 km/h (7 mph) or more at 4, because it blows you away from the beach.

Daylight counts too: at dusk the score is held at 4, and once it's dark at 1.

Questions

How much wind do I need to kitesurf?

GoDay's sweet spot is 20 to 40 km/h (12 to 25 mph, about 11 to 22 knots). Under 12 km/h (7 mph) there isn't enough to ride, and past 48 km/h (30 mph) it's overpowered for most riders.

Why is offshore wind dangerous?

Offshore wind blows from the land out to sea. If your gear fails or the wind drops, it carries you away from the beach. Cross-shore wind is best, and onshore is safe but messy.

Why do gusts matter?

Gusty wind swings between too little power and too much. GoDay compares the gusts with the average wind: gusts up to 30% stronger count as steady, and more than 80% stronger as very gusty.

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