Matin
Between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., the wind is often gentler, around 12-18 knots. The light weather kite, around 10-12 m² depending on weight, becomes useful.
What size kite to choose in Essaouira?
Is one kite enough? Should you rent a second size? Here are the practical guidelines that the team uses with its students and tenants.
Why kite size matters so much
A kite too small: you don't move forward, you lose your board, you get stuck on the edge. A kite too big: you are overpowered, dangerously towed, tired in 20 minutes.
The right ratio between the day's wind, rider weight and kite size determines the quality of the session, often more than the brand or model.
Parameters to take into account
Three main variables guide the choice of kite.
- Le vent moyen en noeuds, pas seulement les rafales.
- Your weight in kilos: a 60 kg rider does not take the same kite as a 95 kg rider.
- Your level: a beginner needs a stable and forgiving kite, sometimes slightly different from that of an experienced rider.
Wind/weight/kite reference table
These values are averages. Depending on your equipment, your style, your board and your preferences, you can adjust by one size.
| Weight / Wind | 12-15 knots | 15-20 knots | 20-25 knots | 25-30 knots | 30+ knots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55-65kg | 10-11 m² | 8-9 m² | 7-8 m² | 6-7 m² | 5-6 m² |
| 65-75kg | 11-12 m² | 9-10 m² | 8-9 m² | 7-8 m² | 6-7 m² |
| 75-85kg | 12 m² | 10-11 m² | 9-10 m² | 8 m² | 7 m² |
| 85-95kg | 13-14 m² | 11-12 m² | 10 m² | 8-9 m² | 7-8 m² |
The specific case of Essaouira
In Essaouira, the wind often follows a predictable pattern: gentler in the morning, stronger in the afternoon with the thermal effect. The choice of kite must therefore take into account the session time, not just the overall forecast for the day.
Pour un séjour d'une semaine en haute saison, prévois idéalement deux ailes : par exemple une 10 m² et une 7 m² selon ton poids. En basse ou demi-saison, une seule aile peut suffire si tu acceptes de manquer quelques créneaux.
Afternoon
Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., the thermal can rise to 20-30 knots. This is the moment when a kite of 7-9 m² often takes over.
Midsummer
In July and August, averages can still rise. A kite of 6-7 m² can become essential to stay comfortable and safe.
What if you only have one kite?
Choose the medium kite
A 9 m² for a rider around 70-80 kg, or an 8 m² for a rider around 60-70 kg, often covers the 16-25 knot window. You may miss the very quiet or very loud sessions, but you still have a versatile option.
Complete with on-site rental
He's often the smartest. You travel with your favorite kite and rent a second size depending on the wind of the day. It's sometimes cheaper than an extra boardbag on a plane.
Common mistakes
- Underestimate the thermal effect of the afternoon.
- Choose your kite according to the gusts rather than the average.
- Keep a big kite when the wind picks up because you feel more comfortable with it.
- Thinking that an expensive kite makes up for a poor choice of size.
KSE Team Advice
À chaque cours et à chaque location, nous regardons la prévision avec toi le matin et nous te conseillons la taille du jour. C'est l'avantage de partir avec une école locale plutôt qu'avec ton matériel sans repère extérieur.
If you want to test several sizes during the week to understand what really suits you, we can easily organize this with our rental service.
Special case of beginners
If you are starting out, the size of the kite used during your lessons is defined by your instructor. We are looking for a kite that is stable, predictable and suited to the day's exercise, not necessarily the size that an independent rider would use for their session.
To understand the process of complete learning and the number of hours necessary to achieve autonomy, consult our kitesurfing lessons in Essaouira.
Are you preparing your kite trip?
Ask us for advice on your equipment configuration before you leave. We can guide you even if you don't rent anything.