Getting some pretty serious gusts of wind down here in Wellington, SE is cranking in a big way. Anyone been keen enough to get out with small kites??

I don't have kites small enough for the 50 knots + we are getting here in the naki.

No expert, but could you get away with a 2 meter kite in 50 knots?

the problem is at those wind speeds theres usually enourmous gusts and lulls. so the wind actually is 30-55 knots as an example.... mad conditions indeed. i've held my 8m lie to 43ish knots and that was Balls to the wall. I'm guessing 5m inflatable. for those winds. But there comes a point where it is juts too dangerous. Also in enourmous winds the sea is also massive. yourl need a kite to depower through the 50 knots surges but still have enpugh power in the 30 knot lulls. It really is survival kiting.

ill just say no , not worth it. Butch used the Ozone Uno last time it lit up , but when it hits 50 knots its just crazy and a matter of time before you eat it, you might get lucky.

We flew in winds gusting to 50 knots at the naki nutbuster (on the land). I didn't have a kite small enough but i flew charlies Speed wing delta kite about 1m sq and a 5 stack of 6foot flexi stackers. it surely was seat of the pants stuff.... none the less we pulled it off and no one got seriously hurt.

With the right kite its possible. But not for the faint hearted or the inexperienced.

Su Kay also went out in around 50+ using a 5m Ozone sport or something if I recall. I've been out on the water sporting a 2.1m Cquad in over 40knots which ended with crashing the kite into the sea on purpose in order to avoid something worse.

As mentioned storm conditions can be squally and variable. A 20knot variation and the short amount of time it takes to change is something to be respected. Small kites are also very responsive and any short lapse of judgement easily escalates into a kitemare. Onshore winds are best avoided with lots of room to run downwind on big jumps or any unexpected accelleration.

Don't forget the force of currents, waves and resulting undertow or wash from storm surge. While it may seem wise to go out one size smaller you can get yourself in trouble by being underpowered when current runs with the wind and when trying to avoid large waves etc. Even waist deep water can become perilous with large waves and +100m storm surge.

Hence why it is such a personal achievement to have been out in such conditions.

not me, my underpant collection took a serius hammering during the 40knot nutbuster and i havnt replaced the ones i tore...

if i went out in 50knots id have to wear 2 pairs at the same time and i just cant afford that kind of underpant expendature.

cant even imagine launching in 50knots id have to break into my magical 50knot sock collection!!!

I went out last week with Josh in 40+ knots at Muriwai on the Rev 7 metre. Didn't last long a small jump, to avoid the fence at the back, rapidly developed into a superman dive. I swiftly put the kite away and lived to kite another day!

yes. not much room for error in those winds. on the bright side my kiting pants now has some sweet black rip stop sown into it after the nut buster 60m skud

Yew. Got out on the 1st at Orewa, average 44 knots on the 7m C4 & Decay Falcata pro

Some vid if anyones interested

www.vimeo.com/23146961