Before we actually fly a kite we need to have some idea of the wind speed. This will (hopefully) prevent you from hoisting the kite in an unfeasibly strong wind and suffering the inevitable consequences! So what is wind? Simply put wind is the horizontal (usually) movement of air. Measuring wind speed is problematic at best as wind is not a constant force but will change speed and direction regularly. These changes in speed and direction are referred to as:
- Gusts - when the wind increases in strength.
- Lulls - when the wind decreases in strength.
These changes in wind strength or speed are often accompanied by a change in direction. Wind speed is officially given as measurement of wind speed and gust speed. Wind speed is measured as the average wind speed over a 2 minute period. While the gust speed is the strongest measurement taken in the last 10 minutes.
The Anemometer
The most accurate way we can measure wind speed at the beach is with an anemometer (or 'wind meter' for the tongue tied, or 'little windmill' or even more regularly... 'thingy'!). This handheld device when held aloft and facing the wind will give an accurate measurement of the wind. Most anemometers these days will record average wind speed and display the strongest gust.
To use your anemometer simply turn it on and hold it up above your head making sure the cups are able to catch the wind, the longer you can leave it above your head the more accurate reading you should have, about 2 mins should be fine. Then check off the readings and your good to go...or not as the case may be.
Some points to bear in mind, the anemometer gives you a wind reading at the height you are at...most often beach level. Your kite can be up to 25 m above this (depending on line length) where the wind could be a little stronger. This is especially true if there are obstacles in front of you (see Effect of Obstacles on Wind Speed for a full description). Sometimes wind can come and go one minute feeling strong and the next dying almost to nothing. If you feel this is the case on any particular day you can repeat this exercise at 5 minute intervals to see how the wind is behaving over a longer period of time.
You will often hear kite surfers and other wind sport enthusiasts referring to wind not by kph but in terms of a number between 1 and 12. For example, "its blowing a 3 today." This is not some obscure code but is what to referred to as the Beaufort scale. So named as it was created in 1806 by Sir Francis Beaufort. This is a guide to wind strength based on visual signals so anyone upon arriving on the beach will have some idea what the wind strength is simply by looking for visual clues and without the need for an anemometer.
http://www.mountwashington.org
Top Tips when using the Beaufort scale
- Wind will feel and look stronger when it is blowing onshore
- Wind will feel and look lighter when it is blowing offshore
Advantages of using an Anemometer
The great thing about using an anemometer when you're just starting out is that you can get an idea of what the real wind speed is and compare it to visual signals so that after a while you can simply rock up at any given location and say with a great degree of accuracy what the wind is doing and which kite you'll need.
The wind speeds you should attempt to fly your trainer kite in will vary depending upon which kite you have and how much you weigh, you should have been given detailed instructions and safe wind ranges with your kite. However, as a general rule of thumb anything over a Force 5 (between 19 and 24 knots on your anemometer) should be treated as too much, even less (avoid anything over a force 3) when you are just starting out.
If you own an iPhone or Android Phone there are now several handy apps which turn your phone into an anemometer. By measuring the wind blowing into the phones microphone these apps give a good reading of what the wind's doing. I've been using one for a few weeks now and have to say I'm very impressed.
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