How fast do kitesurfers go?

I recently went kitesurfing, and the water was quite flat with a steady wind. I felt like I was flying across the water at high speeds. Curious about how fast I was actually going, I decided to look into it. On average, kitesurfers can reach speeds between 15 and 25 mph. Under the right conditions, with the perfect combination of wind, water, kite size, and board type, a skilled kitesurfer can even double the wind speed, reaching up to 40 mph. Professional racers often push the boundaries, reaching speeds of 50 mph and sometimes even close to 60 mph. The speed you can achieve while kitesurfing depends on various factors, including wind speed, water conditions, the type and size of your kite in relation to your weight, and your technique. However, it’s worth noting that very high speeds often come at the cost of comfort and safety.

Here are some real-life examples of kitesurfing speeds recorded by different riders during various sessions using a kiteboarding GPS, such as the popular Woo:

1. Normal session: 28 mph

2. Speed testing on flat water with a twintip board: 40 mph

3. Regular cruising with a 132 cm board and a 14m kite: 29-32 knots

4. Overpowered riding with a 12m kite: 44 mph peak for 3 seconds, and 40 mph ongoing

5. Riding with a 16m kite in 25-knot winds: approximately 30 mph

6. Kite racing: 40 mph

7. Kitesurfing at speeds up to 30 mph can typically feel natural and safe when riding in strong and steady winds on very flat and shallow water.

However, in choppy or less than smooth water, you may feel like you’re going too fast and risk injury if you fall, despite the fact that choppy water will actually slow you down. Most riders feel most comfortable riding around 15-20 mph in average water conditions. If you ride a directional surfboard in waves, you’ll also feel safer and more in control at these lower speeds.

In general, stronger winds allow for higher speeds, especially in flat water conditions. Kitesurfers can often ride faster than the wind itself due to the effect of apparent wind. Apparent wind is created by the movement of the board, which generates additional wind speed. As a result, a typical kitesurfer can ride significantly faster than the wind, sometimes reaching speeds up to twice as fast. A rider can easily achieve speeds of at least 20 knots (23 mph) in 18-knot winds without much effort, and even faster under ideal conditions. Apart from wind speed, several other factors influence the maximum speed a kitesurfer can reach:

1. Kite Type: Delta and bow kites are generally capable of higher speeds than C-kites.

2. Kite Size: Speed riders, similar to big jumpers, typically prefer an overpowered setup. To achieve maximum speed, you need a large kite relative to your body size and the current wind conditions. For example, a 75 kg rider might use a 14m kite in 20-knot winds.

3. Board Shape and Size: A larger and narrower board can build up more speed, especially in flat water conditions. Look for a board with a slight rocker to reduce contact and friction with the water. Speed-specific boards are often asymmetrical with a pointed nose to enhance hydrodynamics.

4. Riding Technique: To ride at the fastest speeds, it’s essential to find the optimal course to minimize board drag and maximize efficiency.

Kitesurfers build up and control their speed through a combination of kite control, board positioning, and body movement. By adjusting the angle of the kite relative to the wind, a kitesurfer can increase or decrease their speed. Additionally, by changing the position of the board relative to the direction of travel, a kitesurfer can adjust their speed and control. Finally, by shifting their body weight and using body movements to adjust the kite and board, a kitesurfer can fine-tune their speed and maintain control.

This is a question frequently asked by both experienced and new kitesurfers. However, due to different optimal conditions for each sport and safety concerns (such as kite lines and windsurfing masts), direct races between kitesurfers and windsurfers are rare. Kitesurfers and windsurfers also ride at different angles to the wind, making it difficult to organize races between the two. Windsurfers usually ride at their maximum speed, whereas kitesurfers often ride at half their maximum speed in stronger winds. The main reason is that going faster for a kitesurfer requires them to ride somewhat downwind, which means they have to work hard to go back upwind afterward.

Many kitesurfers only accept going downwind for a “worthy cause” such as riding waves, performing jumps, or going on a pleasant downwinder with land transportation for the return trip. Kitesurfers also tend to avoid high speeds because it becomes difficult to slow down once they start to lose control (see previous section).

The easiest way to slow down is often to jump, but even that can be scary if you are going very fast. Another reason few kitesurfers focus on speed is the lack of dedicated speed boards on the market. Most boards available are twintips and kite surfboards. Finally, as mentioned, kitesurfers need very specific conditions to achieve high speeds, such as super flat and shallow water (no chop) and strong, sustained wind.

Windsurfers, on the other hand, can build up speed easily in choppy conditions because they can ride with their board flat (no edging) and lean on the back of the board to reduce the impact of waves. Based on my experience, I often overtake windsurfers even when riding a surfboard with a smaller kite (for my weight). However, I’m sure a windsurfer would go much faster in extreme conditions, which I tend to avoid.

Another factor that sets wakeboarding apart from kitesurfing is the optimal conditions for each sport, which are essentially polar opposites. Kitesurfing thrives in strong wind conditions, typically requiring at least 10 knots of wind, while wakeboarding is best experienced on perfectly smooth and glassy water, with no wind or waves to disrupt the ride.