Kitesurfing is a beautiful sport. It pushes us to get out of our comfort zone, to play with the elements, to feel the power of the wind and the thrill of the ride. But sometimes, this search for intensity takes a wrong direction.

Today, I want to talk about a crucial subject: sailing in very strong winds, especially above 40 knots, without supervision, without adapted safety, and without any real added value for your progress. This message is addressed to all kitesurfers, young or old, beginners or experienced.

The myth of the “stronger than average”

I completely understand the need for adrenaline. The desire to prove that we are solid, that we know how to manage, that we can do like the pros. Many, especially among the youngest, want to confront the elements as if it were a rite of passage. But we must be clear: nature is and will always remain stronger than us.

Sailing in more than 40 knots without a professional manager is not performance. It’s recklessness.
This is not a proof of level or courage, it is often a demonstration of misplaced ego.

The pros have conditions you don’t have

The riders we see in Big Air competitions, such as the Red Bull King of the Air, are high-level athletes, surrounded by security teams, jetskis, closed areas, weather staff, ultra-specific equipment and physical preparation for competition.

You don’t have these conditions.
You don’t have those securities.
And neither do I. That’s why, after more than 25 years of kitesurfing, I am very careful not to sail beyond 30-35 knots, unless all the conditions are met.

My example: 67 kg, 7 m² or 5 m² in more than 40 knots… but at what cost?

I’m 67 kilos. Yes, technically, I can sail in more than 40 knots with a 7 m², or even a 5 m².


But let’s be clear:
Is it pleasant? Not really.
Am I having fun? Let’s say it’s a very limited pleasure.

What I feel in these sessions is more personal pride, the feeling of having held on… But not that fluid, natural, liberating pleasure that we love in kitesurfing. These are tense, noisy, very physical sessions, where you are constantly in “survival” mode.
And above all: it’s not in these kinds of conditions that we progress.
It’s not there that you develop your style, your control, your finesse.

It’s not just a risk for you

When you sail in conditions that are too extreme for your level or without sufficient safety, you are not only putting yourself in danger.
You also endanger:

  • other kitesurfers in the water,

  • passers-by on the beach,

  • and especially the emergency services who must intervene if things go wrong.

A rescue in more than 40 knots is not easy. It’s cumbersome, risky, sometimes even impossible without specific equipment.
An accident in these conditions can mark a life… or even stop it.

True style is to last

At Jaxsun Sports, we don’t train wind warriors.
We train enthusiasts, who want to progress intelligently, who want to ride for a long time, with pleasure, with mastery, while staying healthy.

Sailing 25 knots with control, fluidity and style is far more impressive than “surviving” in more than 40 knots gritting your teeth.

Conclusion: Be humble, be smart, be responsible

Kitesurfing is not a war against the elements.
It’s not a race for achievements.
It’s a dance with the wind. And to dance for a long time, you have to respect the rules of the game.

Ride safe, ride smart, ride forever!

— Team Jaxsun Sports

Image sources: North