What is the lowest wind you can kite in?

While Armin Harich of Flysurfer Kiteboarding was visiting Toronto, we decided to find out just how little wind you can kite in. In extremely light wind, we attempted foilboarding (hydrofoiling) and twin tip riding. Watch the video to find out just how low (wind) we could go!
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[@kitingasbestwecanforlife3499]

This was an amazing day. Armen was a true gentleman and an amzing embassador of kiting and flysurfer. Thank you Lori and Yuri for helping to promote this sport especially in Toronto.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks for coming out! It was one of the best light wind days we’ve ever had :)

[@joswaterreus4851]

Love your community and the team work, helping each other even if the wind is not as fun as it can be! much love from the Netherlands

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! We have a great kite community :) if you’re ever in Canada, come kite with us!

[@strekke1986]

Great attitude of knowing your skills and being respectful of other kiters, so +1 for going to another area to not be in the way of people who were already out and about, especially in low onshore winds where space is an issue! @ others reading this, please note that the same is true for all other conditions as well, like big waves or strong wind - if you don't really know yet what you are doing or won't be able to respect the rules/right of way, stay on shore or go to a less crowded area, and stay out of the way of those who can handle the conditions (especially waveriders catching waves).

[@OurKiteLife]

Kiting etiquette is definitely important so everyone can enjoy the space.

[@tedrutledge7345]

I really enjoyed this video! Another great job guys! Objective and good camera work! 👍👍

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks Ted :)

[@geokite]

Your videos are so pleasant. Love the wind speed in the corner.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you geokite

[@lrc87290]

Thanks for another very interesting video. Was out today in the ocean on a 12M. Plenty of wind. Earlier today before wind started blowig tried Efoil in the ocean. Still can't get up on that thing even thought I took a two hour lesson a few weeks ago.You guys foiling is impressive

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks Tony, we never tried efoil but we heard it can be harder to learn as there is not kite to balance against.

[@s2oooo]

Hi you forgot something it makes a huge difference in air temperature . In the winter you need less wind to get going. Absolutely lovely to see you on the foil🙋.

[@OurKiteLife]

Very true! Great point. We always find when we go to the Caribbean we need more wind than we do at home with our colder air :)

[@normsbigwindow9379]

Totally my favourite channel - giving back so much. Would love a little more education on the wind with some more graphics. Thanks. Nice looking Jackson.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you Norm! We do plan to make a video about all various things that affect the wind.

[@marteung]

Thank you! This is so informative ❗️

[@starchaser28]

Light wind wind/kite foiling is amazing, nothing better IMO. Before foils I used a giant 11.7 formula windsurf sail, now I can use an 8.6 in the same conditions.

[@AvengerIl]

Exponential: e^n. Quadratic: n^2. Kinetic Energy: 1/2*v^2. Sorry couldnt let it pass. The relationship is Quadratic not exponential. Nice vid!

[@bctt6376]

6knots has around 3.3 times more energy than 4 knots.

[@normanfreund]

Ya, I thought the same, but hey we all knew what she meant.

[@sethc3333]

Doesn’t the term quadratic fit within the definition of exponential?

[@AvengerIl]

@@sethc3333They're two different equations, y= x^2 vs y=e^x. I don't see why anyone would like to confuse them. If you've ever done calculations using one or the other you wouldn't want to mix them up. Suppose it doesn't help much the average person doing their grocery shopping sums hence it's very abstract to some.

[@sethc3333]

@@AvengerIl Ahhh I see what your saying now. Thanks for your reply

[@Nilz4FR]

1:49 Armin sure having fun....lol

[@PinwheelHomes]

So cool. Kudos. I just saw your IG post from yesterday (one year after you posted this :-) ). Wind couldn’t have been much stronger either, so I was a bit envious of foil kite and board. So interesting Armin can almost make it at 4kts.

[@grownnotflown2]

Great vibes love your content. Aloha from Hawaii🤙🏼💛

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks shaka! Cheers back from Canada :)

[@pavelgolin2421]

Thanks, quite a useful info and very impressive.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks, happy to hear you found it useful!

[@LarryRosenfeld]

Hi Laurie and Yuri, thanks for testing all these myths and limits! Great vlogs! Question for you: I meet a guy on the beach in St. Martin who had a flysurfer and said that rather than circling the kite in lite air, he recommended backstalling it a good ways backwards and then letting the bar way out to have it take off diagonally up. I haven't had the right conditions to try it yet but figured you might be able to compare the backstall/release to the kite loop for light air starts, particularly with foil kites. thanks!

[@OurKiteLife]

that would probably work in more wind then 5 knots, we have tried at the beach but not during water starts, if you really have to kite loop to get going we usually would rather stay at the beach as that means conditions are too marginal :)

[@markusbroyles1884]

I can't calculate the exact proportionate math behind how much I like your videos between the value of the info quality and my crush on the girl, but it's probably exponential. The more I watch the more I like ~ Thinking of getting a Flysurfer large for light wind and definitely getting a foil if I survive the learning curve.

[@OurKiteLife]

Happy to hear you're enjoying the videos! Definitely give a Flysurfer foil(we recommend the Soul) a try if you can, they're great for lightwind & foiling too :)

[@robinmordasiewicz]

You guys make fantastic videos.

[@OurKiteLife]

We try, if you have any ideas for future videos let us know :)

[@managerzkp23]

with this wing you can go in 0knots if you a good pumper :)

[@normanfreund]

Manager Zkp , zero knots, have seen and tried it myself on the land - you have to run a lot.

[@kitelehrling]

@@normanfreund You don‘t need to run if you fly an old kite : kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa4k2iDp9-DbZo

[@ripatrip5227]

That’s awesome, killing it in 🇨🇦🤙

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! 😀

[@normanfreund]

Ha ha been there plenty of times with my Lotus 18m + hydrofoil. Mostly in the ocean, once past the breakers, fun time. Some times inland lakes, but caution, wind can change direction in those very light winds, ie 4 to 5 knots, which can equate to a swim.

[@PafcaXuxa]

I would also add the affect of the humidity.. as 8 knots in 80-90% humidity is something completely different than in a regular humidity :) Thanks for all the videos u guys do!

[@OurKiteLife]

100% Pavla, humid winds, especially in the tropics, are completely different from cold winds that we get here in Canada. Add temperature variations to the mix, and elevation and it is no longer apples to apples comparison of 6 knots of wind in one place to another. This is something we plan to talk about in a future video.

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Thank for this great video showing us the limits👍 As you said the wind was low but steady, coming from the center of the lake without trees turbulences! Would you make another video from your experts (especially in TT) to show how to manage very gusty low winds, moving in a second from 0 to 15knts very often, without stalling the soul 15, and if it happens, how to avoid it will roll over the lines making take off in water quite tricky

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! We'll add that idea to our list :)

[@kniefi]

On my Speed III 19m2 I can start going as soon as the kite stays in the Air stable - around 5 knt. Then a Hydrofoil is enough. For my Flydoor M I need - nowat least since my kite is older and more porous - at least 6-7 knts.

[@HolyFacts]

love this, subscribed

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks :)

[@0bm31770]

You said, "I know what you are thing, that doesn't look like fun", just as I was thinking that.

[@thomaskrayer9227]

Great Video !

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you!

[@danielescobarg]

Great content! Love your videos. What about closed cell vs open cell vs single/no stut LEI? Seems that the problem with low end wind is not the kite being able to fly, but generating enough power to get off the water.

[@OurKiteLife]

oh boy we would need to borrow a lot of gear for those tests! But definitely worth trying to compare!

[@aurelienaurie8487]

The increase in the firce if the kite vs the wind speed isnt exponential. It is proportional to the square of the wund speed.

[@helenmacgregor6452]

It would be great to do a vidéo on how two jump with a Soul. I see on Woo you toped 11m2. I have a 12m2 Soul and find it hard to go over 5 m2.

[@superdeifi]

With a Speed 3 21 and a flydoor L i was kiting many years ago from 6 to 8 knots

[@mbkiteboarding]

6-8 knots on foil with Core Xlite 9m2

[@aaronmiller2466]

Hey it's Azza from Mandurah Australia. What application are you using on your phone for the wind speed. Also I understand to depower the kite not to stall it out but some other watchers may not understand why you depower the kite in light wind. I'm 6'3" and 90kg and on my 14mtr switchblade I struggle @ 12knots kitelooping to start t and on a 155 twin tip. Great watching your videos. Where in our off season at the moment. The wind we do get is gusty and stormy. So it's great watching and waiting for our wind to change 👍

[@OurKiteLife]

Check out our video "Every beach SHOULD have one". It's the Weather Flow app that comes with the wind sensor.

[@Zelaa1997]

As a windsurfer I must admit that i´m jealous. Maybe i must try kite for low winds...

[@jbobmusic3125]

Im just learning both and kite be better in low wind

[@TheRealPopol]

Just try kite dude, just try kite...

[@aatamianaatamian3157]

Which board are you using @ 6'19"? It looks like a twin tip board with a box for mast connection to me. That would be a great combo! Great videos by the way ;) Avo

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! I'm using the CR:X convertible foilboard at 6:19. It does in fact convert to a twin tip board :)

[@HEGOBEHE]

Peak kite with short line will get you going much more comfortably at the same wind level

[@tadasmikalauskas3566]

Quality of wind is important. Constant sea breeze of 4-5kn is enough for me to go on HF but turbulent lake wind of 4 kn is something different.

[@OurKiteLife]

Very good point. We had steady wind on this day, but with turbulent wind it would’ve been much more challenging.

[@jyk4]

Can a wingfoil beat kite at the lowest kitefoiling winds? Kitewing goes in surprising low winds but I think kite beats when the wind is at limit, around 4-5 knots

[@OurKiteLife]

It would depend on a few factors. You may have an advantage with a kite if there’s more wind up high

[@siddallj]

Be interesting to see how the new Aluula kites perform. Half the weight, 2 times stiffer, 10 times stronger. Should be super good in light wind

[@OurKiteLife]

That idea is on our whiteboard for future videos :)

[@s2oooo]

At 65kgs 12m flysurfer soul. Min 3 av 4 gusting 6.5 I can have a good session. But in those conditions it can easily go wrong 😂🙈. Also a bigger board helps you to increase speed before you lift.

[@OurKiteLife]

Very nice! Those conditions often lead to some swimming, but that’s the risk you take :) board size does make a big difference too

[@Art-nc7fx]

Good for you! What front wing maker model!?

[@OurKiteLife]

Armin is using a Levitaz Shaka - not sure the exact model

[@totococozza]

Hi guys compliments for the channel… I weigh 100 kg and the wind condition South of Italy 10-12 knots average, based on that What size of Kite should I buy? Best Toto

[@OurKiteLife]

Are you on twintip or hydrofoil? If twintip then an 18 or 21m soul would be our recommendation. If on hydrofoil you could go smaller in kite size, but how much smaller will depend on the hydrofoil setup

[@gBayCanada]

Don't forget the difference between salt water and fresh water. Just returned from PEI where I noticed a considerable difference in marginal conditions.

[@OurKiteLife]

Can't see how would salt water vs fresh water makes a difference, elaborate?

[@gBayCanada]

Salt water is denser than fresh water and offers more buoyancy. It would be most noticeable on a surfboard that has volume. I'm also guessing that you would "plow" less and "surf" more on twin tip, but would it be enough to be noticeable, I'm not sure. The effect of salt water on foiling would also be an interesting experiment. Would it be more exaggerated or subtle?

[@OurKiteLife]

@@gBayCanada not sure how it would be possible to objectively compare in salt vs fresh water though, as if you do it subjectively, it would probably be meaningless as per our helium tests :S

[@erickhernandez-sv3wx]

that's crazy you also need crazy skill to pull that out

[@johnmcleodjohnnyboy]

Where is this launch? I'd like to check it out and hang with you all sometime!

[@OurKiteLife]

West end Toronto, msg us on Instagram to see when we kite next ;)

[@canolando3499]

I've done 6 knots with the FS boost 15 and a tt on flat water. With a soul I think 5 knots is no problem.

[@OurKiteLife]

That’s impressive! We could probably push the twin tip riding in even lighter wind with a 21m soul and door board :)

[@SaulOhio]

I was trying in 10 knots yesterday. Any little lull in the wind made it impossible to even get my feet up onto the board. Its gotta be REALLY steady wind to do it in wind that light. I did one time manage to do it in 6 knots.

[@OurKiteLife]

Yes, steady wind will help a lot!

[@mbkiteboarding]

8 knots on twintip with sonic2 18m2 and 34m lines

[@TKM11370]

Density of wind is the key factor. If that was 4.5 knots of cold air, you would have seen a different result. Also, a 21m Race kite with a low aspect wing like the one he is on would also work better, of course Armin knows this....

[@OurKiteLife]

Agreed, we did not want to get into the topic of various factors that effect the wind, as the video would have been three times longer. We decided to save it for a future video. Thanks for the comment!

[@shawnb5834]

No vlog is complete without Kent!

[@rclegendsuk3235]

Video Idea - explain how to pack a kite up as how long to dry it ?

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! We’ll add it to our list :)

[@rclegendsuk3235]

Our Kite Life great thank you !!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 keep up the good work :D

[@herbertvuijk8]

Which music is used in the beginning.. really nice.

[@OurKiteLife]

The first song is "To all the glory" - Howard harper-banes"

[@kite666G]

I'll love to keep it at 10-12 knots that atleast gives me some time to do my other hobby's to.

[@OurKiteLife]

That’s fair! While it’s fun to push the limits with light wind sometimes, it can be just as rewarding to enjoy other hobbies on those sub-10 knot days

[@rben26]

6 knots with the Gin Marabou 12m and a big ish front wing on my hydrofoil. I’m 80 kg but with better skills than mine I’m sure u can go with 1 knot less. Condition: 39-40c and 40-50% humidity in Dubai ;)

[@OurKiteLife]

6 knots seems to be the universal low, what do you think?

[@MrEvgeniy770]

7 knots, Ozone Edge 17" + foil, no kite or foil pumping. 6 knots the same with Flysurfer Soul like on this video. Just one or two loops to start

[@OurKiteLife]

Impressive!

[@jimmyjames1411]

What size kite were you using at 9kts

[@martinw4380]

In 9 Knots i ride my 12m Solo on HF

[@OurKiteLife]

In 9 knots of wind Armin used the 9m Soul. I was on the 15m Soul.

[@BrettWae]

I can go in 6-7knots with my 17m strutless and a space skate wing.

[@mayaj3762]

Just as an aside, haven't you found the water *freezing* in Toronto this year? I don't know how you can stand it!

[@OurKiteLife]

I can stand it with a winter wetsuit... but when it turns over and is less than 10 degrees, I want my drysuit :)

[@alexsanz6850]

The best kite for super light winds is the peter lynn twinskins. I am always the only one with a kite working here is Spain in light winds. Best kites to learn hydrofoil so easy with autozenith. Unless you have flown one you just wouldn't understand:-)

[@OurKiteLife]

We had few Peter Lynn kites, including phantom, venom and venom2. From our experience they have incredible top end and auto zenith, but horrible low end. No way the twin skin arcs can outperform regular foils

[@kniefi]

Why did Armin choose the 15m Soul though!? As MR FLYSURFER I would have taken the Sonic VMG in 21meters^^

[@OurKiteLife]

Probably because the 15m moves faster - easier to keep it up in the air

[@leonoppermann790]

Impressive if I could do this.... Wow. I would kite Every day

[@OurKiteLife]

It’s possible, just takes lots and lots of practice! Everyday is (or could be) a kite day :)

[@BryceLovesTech]

As a former windsurfer but I have never done kite boarding. Why not just get a board almost like a 6 foot surfboard so you can kite in very light wind?

[@OurKiteLife]

surfboards are actually not that good for low wind, relatively speaking, a large door size twin tip board with a fin or a hydrofoil would outperform a surfboard

[@lindalakota38]

I was thinking just small wind would be better for beginners guess not id think if you know how to pump the board

[@santimaz9053]

For me its 8knots, with a door twin tip and a 14m normal kite (im pretty light)

[@OurKiteLife]

do you use line extensions?

[@santimaz9053]

yepp

[@HurtigRunter]

"Wind force" is not exponential w.r.t. wind speed. It's quadratic!

[@OurKiteLife]

Can you elaborate on that more please, specifically on quadratic vs exponential?

[@HurtigRunter]

@@OurKiteLife Not in a youtube comment. Maybe you could skim the wikipedia articles en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadratic_equation and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth

[@HurtigRunter]

In short: exponential is explosive growth, quadratic is linearly accelerated growth.

[@DmitriyLaktyushkin]

Basically exponential means going from 4 to 6 (6^6 / 4^4) means you gain 162x the power. Quadratic is tamer, only 2.25x (6^2/4^2) the power.

[@HurtigRunter]

@@DmitriyLaktyushkin That doesn't quite capture that there's a categorical difference between polynomial and exponential growth.

[@tomasgulas]

I kite foil at Sherman island and prefer light wind.

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice 😊 there’s something pretty amazing about foiling in light wind - it’s a challenge but once you get going it feels great!

[@ufoufo2000]

9.5m ocean rodeo roam and big wing can get out in 4!

[@OurKiteLife]

Very nice!

[@Mrbillloute]

What is the surface of the Frontwing ?🤔

[@OurKiteLife]

My front wing or Armin's?

[@Mrbillloute]

@@OurKiteLife yes , armin's Foil ?

[@OurKiteLife]

@@Mrbillloute Shaka L Carbon levitaz.com/shop/product/shaka-l?variant=2085

[@Mrbillloute]

Thank you !

[@Alyman1977]

Have u guys tried 21m Ozone R1v3? Would be a way easy to go.

[@OurKiteLife]

We have a couple of guys in the city who have them. It would be interesting to compare them for sure :)

[@MaximSokolov007]

It is quadratic, not exponential :) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_(force)

[@juliusznowakowicz9382]

Tarifa 35 knots 7m² let's gooo no fun with 10 knots for me.

[@OurKiteLife]

Ah, we wish we got that kind of wind! But we have to make the most of what we do get... which is usually about 10 knots :)

[@dannyisrael]

Also, low wind on a foil is actually fun, you can still jump, do tricks, and go really fast in low wind conditions

[@checker1o125]

@@dannyisrael and it is damn near silent

[@hindssites]

I know that guy who is telling us all what an excellent rider Armin is. This guy ( a vet) has visited us in Squamish BC and also Nitnaht. He is only flying Flysurfers. Now the real truth n this video is that Armin is riding a battery powered foiled that is cleverly disguising. Just kidding. Yet another great video to educate and entertain us.

[@Faxe271085]

5 Knoten mit der 21er revolt

[@feritall]

I’m sad. Armin didn’t get to experience swimming in Kipling 😝

[@OurKiteLife]

He did have to swim out, not sure which one is worse.

[@qmoroz]

Starting from 9knots I usually go with my 137cm TT board and 18m Switch Helium inflatable kite. It's possible to do even 7-8knots, but boring =))) So I don't understand why that guy had problems with a door board at 10,5knots.

[@andreaslandgren8357]

Shoal Bay? But water looks to clear 😂

[@teknikkemal07]

😲😲😀😀👍🏄‍♂️

[@perandersen6753]

. Hmmm, I was going to share this video. But - hey you people! The rest of the world is in metric! Yes, I know what it equals.

[@usuariouseruser5618]

6knots

[@OurKiteLife]

nice ;)

[@NotnaRed]

Of course he's a German I reckon

[@Nilz4FR]

Also...pump with your feet not with your arms!

[@kiteaust]

5 knots is my limit.. you need to have the right kite. Soul is not it

[@OurKiteLife]

What is the right kite in your opinion?

[@dannyisrael]

wwwwwoooooooooooowwwwww

[@zeworldadventures]

have to have soul....

[@OurKiteLife]

The Soul is a great kite

[@RUBITOFF]

Err don’t bother in light wind real waste of a day. Go do something else

[@mikejohn1202]

The question is not what is the lowest wind someone else or everyone can kite board in but "what's the lowest wind I can kite in." It will spend on your kite, weight and board. This isn't a one answer for everyone and stupid question.

[@OurKiteLife]

Absolutely, just because one person can go in 4.4 knots of wind doesn't mean *you* can, and that was the point of the video to show that different people needed different wind speeds on various gear to get going! Cheers from Canada :)

[@spqba747]

those videos promoting one brand get boring.