Let's say you normally go out when it is onshore at > 13 knots - or maybe when you see some healthy whitecaps. What wind speed should you add to "normal" to make up for offshore winds? Asking because I'm headed to a place where there's healthy wind, but mostly offshore.

If 13 knots is my minimum should I wait for 18? I can't rely on whitecaps obviously.

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crashflow said..
Let's say you normally go out when it is onshore at > 13 knots - or maybe when you see some healthy whitecaps. What wind speed should you add to "normal" to make up for offshore winds? Asking because I'm headed to a place where there's healthy wind, but mostly offshore.

If 13 knots is my minimum should I wait for 18? I can't rely on whitecaps obviously.

I'd pay more attention to the gusts than averages when it comes to offshore. The gusts are naturally going to be more pronounced and you'll need to power thru the lulls. Also, offshore usually means flat or cleaner water which can also help.

DC

Not sure I understand the question. If you can go in 13 knots, then go in 13 knots. You'll probably have to go out further to get out of the wind shadow of the land and be prepared to paddle back in the last bit.

Off shore-ish winds close in can be very turbulent so you might have to wait out a few lulls. I sometimes use a bigger board and/or foil to make the waits more comfortable and getting up easier. It's usually easy to see the wind lines approaching across the water and you can pump up as they arrive.

Once you're up and riding it's usually possible to stay out further in the clear air and not come in to the turbulent zone. That raises the safety issue and how you plan on getting back in if the wind dies.

Hey Wingers,

I've seen offshore wind wingers going for it along the Perth coast in a straight Easterly. I've personally foiled with wing in South Easterly winds from Whitfords which is 45 degree offshore changing to directly offshore once you round the point at Pinnaroo.

Off shore winds are rideable, but seldom pleasant. Always gusty and filled with holes. Sometimes it blows for 15 minutes only to stop for 10 minutes and then return etc. Riding in these conditions is only really practical with a nice floaty board that you can sit on and wait in between the gusts. No wing size will be perfectly correct but I would rig for the average speeds or gusts, not the lulls.

It's very difficult to ascertain the wind strength in offshore conditions without an anemometer. I've been worshipping with for more than 45 years and still struggle to estimate offshore wind speeds. Take into consideration that the disturbance of the wind exists for 7 times the height of the obstruction. This is the case in steady winds, so when you add in the turbulent nature of offshore winds, the disturbance can be amplified and the wind may not stabilize for more than double the 7X rule.

When venturing out in offshore winds, pick a distance to keep within. Ideally this should be a distance you can easily paddle back in, taking into consideration that you may end up paddling back into a blustery headwind. I'd suggest 400m as this is the legal limit before encountering maritime regulation. If you reach your distance limit, lay on your board, tie the wrist strap around your foot and drag the wing in (assuming you will continue wing foiling), otherwise, deflate the wing and roll it up, lay down and paddle in.

A good idea to tell someone where you are going and when you should be back. You can VERY quickly end up too far out, end up dehydrated, suffer a cramp and not be able to paddle against the wind. Or find a mate to wing with to accompany you.

DM

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