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daggy said...
I think some of us have learnt that "sure, you CAN kite in over 35 knots, but why would you WANT to!"
I love it. The challenge of harnessing the wind, fighting the gusts, not thinking just reacting. It blows my mind. Combine that with a massive sea. Usually 35+ knots comes with 4m+ swells round here. You have massive waves, punchy wind it is pure adrenaline!
But it is dangerous as all hell and **** can happen in a heartbeat. As stated anything over 40 is stupid. I still enjoy the hell out of it though.
There are times when it is too dangerous though. The key to life and death is picking those times. Also those winds are only for experienced idiots. If you only have a couple of years under your belt then don't even think about it.
Having the right equipment is key to storm riding. My little 2012 6m reo is a gutless kite that doesn't even start getting interesting until 30+ knots. 35 knots and it starts to jump well. I start reaching for trim around 40 knot gusts. Its got huge depower at the bar and then lots more on the trim strap. I have had many sessions when others on different 6m kites have hated the conditions yet I have loved it. I put it down to the right kite for the conditions. In fact there have been several days when every has given up stating its too gusty. I've rigged my little 6 and day a blast.