Geplaatst op:
23/2/2026
You're about to book your first kitesurfing lesson, full of excitement and anticipation. But then you hear other kitesurfers talking about "knots," "Beaufort," and "offshore wind." It can all sound a bit overwhelming. As a beginner, your main question is probably: "What is actually the best wind for learning to kitesurf?"
Don't worry, as an instructor at Kitesurfspot, I'm here to help. The right wind is crucial for a safe and fun first experience. Too little wind and your kite won't stay in the air; too much wind and it quickly becomes dangerous. In this article, we'll explain in simple terms what wind speed and direction are ideal for beginners, so you can confidently plan your first kitesurfing experience.
Wind speed is often expressed in knots or Beaufort (Bft). For a beginner's kitesurfing lesson, a constant wind between 14 and 22 knots is ideal. This corresponds to about wind force 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale.
Why is this the sweet spot?
| Wind Force (Bft) | Knots | Description | Suitable for Beginners? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | 1-10 | Very light to light breeze | No, not enough power |
| 4 | 11-16 | Moderate wind | Ideal to start |
| 5 | 17-21 | Fresh breeze | Good, perfect for progression |
| 6 | 22-27 | Strong breeze | Only with small kite & instructor |
| 7+ | 28+ | High wind to gale | No, too dangerous for beginners |
Besides the speed, the direction of the wind is perhaps even more important for your safety. Not every wind direction is suitable for learning to kitesurf. We distinguish three main directions relative to the coastline:
1. Onshore Wind: The wind blows directly from the sea to the land. This is unsafe because you are blown directly towards the beach and any obstacles.
2. Offshore Wind: The wind blows from the land out to the open sea. This is extremely dangerous! If something goes wrong, you will drift further and further out to sea. Kitesurfing schools never teach in offshore winds.
3. Side-onshore Wind: The wind blows diagonally from the sea to the land. This is the perfect, safest wind direction for beginners! You have space to ride parallel to the coast. If you drift, you will automatically and safely return to the beach.
At Kitesurfspot in Scheveningen, we only teach with safe, side-onshore wind. Safety always comes first, which is why a lesson is rescheduled if the wind is not optimal.
In the Netherlands, the kitesurfing season runs longest from March through October, but the best months for beginners are May, June, and September. During these months, the wind is often more stable and the temperature more pleasant. That said, with a good wetsuit, you can kitesurf in the Netherlands year-round. Want to know the best time to start? Feel free to contact us or book a 1-day kitesurfing course directly.
No, absolutely not. Safety is the most important thing. If the wind is too strong, too light, or from an unsafe direction (offshore), the lesson will be rescheduled. We take no risks. Of course, you won't lose your lesson fee; we simply schedule a new date.
Our instructors constantly monitor the forecasts and current conditions. If the wind becomes too strong, we switch to a smaller kite or pause the lesson. If the wind dies down, we continue with theory on the beach or reschedule the rest of the lesson.
Popular and reliable websites and apps are Windfinder, Windguru, and Windy. These provide detailed forecasts for specific kitesurfing spots. It's a good habit to learn to read them, but always trust your instructor's judgment!
The perfect wind for a beginner is a stable, side-onshore wind of about 4 to 5 Beaufort (14-22 knots). But don't worry: you don't have to be able to predict this perfectly yourself. A good kitesurfing school, like Kitesurfspot, takes full responsibility for this.
We determine whether the conditions are safe and effective for a lesson. All you have to do is sign up and come to the beach full of enthusiasm. We'll take care of the rest.
Want to experience for yourself what it's like to learn to kitesurf in the perfect wind? The best and safest start is an introductory kitesurfing lesson. It's the ideal way to get acquainted with this amazing sport under expert guidance and in the right conditions. We look forward to seeing you on the beach!
Geschreven door:
Founder Kitesurfspot.nl
🚀 Geschreven met passie voor kitesurfen door Kevin, jouw expert in kitesurfen! Pak je kans en boek nu je kitesurfles bij Kitesurfspot
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De kitehut van de Kitesurfschool Kitesurfspot naast Beachclub BIRDS aan de zandmotor. Helemaal zelf ontworpen en gemaakt met liefde door onze instructeurs. Onze ‘kitehut’ staat op één van Nederlands’ beste kitesurflocaties en ook bieden wij:
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