Understanding the wind: wind force table

Explanation and table translation knots, Beaufort, wind force, wind speed, km per hour
Explanation and table translation knots, Beaufort, wind force, wind speed, km per hour

A kitesurfer uses all his senses. That is what is so beautiful about this sport so close to the elements of nature. For example, with kitesurfing you have to constantly anticipate. Both on other kitesurfers, the particularities of the kitesurfing spot and on nature. On this page we mainly focus on the element of wind. With a wind force table and clarification about wind forces, gusts, Beaufort, knots and wind speed. All concepts that are important to understand. Ultimately, the wind determines whether you can kitesurf and what size kite you need.

Read wind force: keep scanning the sky

The situation on the water can change quickly. This way, during a kitesurfing session, you now and then look over your shoulder against the wind at the sky. That way you assess the situation. For example, with rapidly approaching dark sky, you can drop your kite on the side for a while. This way you can safely continue kitesurfing after the passing or fallen shower. look at the checklist with which you can estimate whether it is wise to go kitesurfing at a certain moment.

Insight into the wind forces: wind force table - Explanation and table translation knots, Beaufort, wind force, wind speed, km per hour
Explanation and wind speeds table: translation knots, Beaufort, wind force, wind speed, km per hour

Wind in knots (kts)

Kite surfers often don't talk about wind force, Beaufort, meters per second or kilometers per hour. No, they are talking about knots (kts). A knot, abbreviated to 'kts' or 'kt', is a wind unit used in navigation and aviation. One knot is one nautical mile (1852 meters) per hour. A knot is therefore the speed of 1,852 kilometers per hour (km/h), or 0,5144 meters per second (m/s). If you want to know more about this, take a look at the articles wikipedia.

Tip. Below you will find the complete wind force table. Are you specifically looking for knots in relation to kilometers per hour? Then also view the specific knots to kilometers per hour table.

wind force table

The wind force table below helps you to better estimate the wind and shows how Beaufort (Bft), meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h) and knots (kts) relate to each other. For example from kts to Bft. You can also read about the effect of that wind on the water and the sea. This way you can also make an estimate of the wind force at the water itself.

bftdesignationkm / hm / sktswind force and the effect on the water and the sea
0Style0 – 10 – 0,20 – 1The inland water and the sea are mirror-smooth
1Weak1 – 50,3 – 1,51 – 3Small ripple waves on inland waters and the sea
2Weak6 – 111,6 – 3,34 – 6Small short waves with glass tips that do not break. No frothy cups.
3Mediocre12 – 193,4 – 5,47 – 10Small waves that break. Very small froths become visible.
4Mediocre20 – 285,5 – 7,911 – 16Waves get a little bigger and longer. Foam cups are now clearly visible.
5Pretty powerful29 388,0 – 10,717 – 21Moderate waves at sea and steep waves on inland waters. Foam heads are visible everywhere.
6Powerful39 – 4910,8 – 13,822 – 27At sea, the waves break and large white foam spots are formed behind the waves. There is blowing foam.
7Hard50 – 6113,9 – 17,128 – 33Waves at sea are getting higher. The foam patches now become streaks in the direction of the sea. There is drifting sand on the beach.
8Stormy62 – 7417,2 – 20,734 – 40Moderately high waves. The tops of the waves blow off and form thick foam stripes.
9Storm75 – 8820,8 – 24,441 – 47High waves. Rollers form heavy foam stripes. Wind-blown foam can impair vision.
10Heavy storm89 – 10224,5 – 28,448 – 55Very high waves. Heavy skipping roller forms heavy white streaks. Visibility is impaired.
11Very severe storm103 – 11728,5 – 32,656 – 63Extremely high waves. The sea is completely covered with foam stripes. Visibility is greatly reduced.
12Hurricane> 117> 32,6> 63The sea is completely white with foam. No view due to blown sea water and foam in the air.
Abbreviations: Wind force conversion table in Beaufort (Bft), kilometers per hour (km/h), meters per second (m/s), knots (kts)

Wind speed conversion example

To give an example of how you can increase your insight with the help of the wind force table, the image below. On it, foam heads are visible on the water in front Brouwersdam. This indicates wind force 4.

Understanding the wind force table. Foam heads are visible. This indicates wind force 4.
Understanding the wind force table. Foam heads are visible to Brouwersdam. This indicates wind force 4.

Wind force up to 12 Beaufort

The Beaufort scale or the wind force table does not go further than wind force 12. Therefore, the wind force conversion table shown also stops at wind force 12. Wind force 13 does not exist. After wind force 12, the scales change to hurricane force. Hurricane-force winds are displayed on the Saffir-Simpson scale in up to 5 categories.

The wind force table goes up to and including wind force 12. Above that it is hurricane force.
The wind force table goes up to and including wind force 12. Above that it is hurricane force.

What wind to kite surf at?

The question of what wind force or what number of knots you need to kitesurf is often asked. And rightly so, because kitesurfing is addictive and the more you kitesurf, the better it goes. Kitesurfing with little wind has become increasingly popular. Kitesurfing is possible even at 8-16 knots (wind force 3-4). For example with a super high-performance foil kite in combination with a special kitesurf board with a hydrofoil underneath. With this you can even kitesurf from 5 to 6 knots.

3 little wind combinations

Do you also want to kite surf with little wind? Then read our blog about it how much wind you need to kite surf and the options. When you start kitesurfing, the ideal wind force is between 14 – 21 knots (wind force 4 – 5). Very experienced kite surfers, who love the more extreme side of the sport, quietly take to the water at more than 27 knots (wind force 7).

If you are going to start kitesurfing, the ideal wind force is between 14 – 21 knots (wind force 4 – 5)

Which size kite with which wind?

Kites come in different shapes and sizes. To give you an idea of ​​which size kite suits your weight and the wind force or the number of knots, we have it overview size kite prepared for you.