What is the Beaufort Scale?

Ever heard of the “Beaufort Scale”? How about Sir Francis Beaufort? If you have never heard of either, its alright… Not many people have and yet, majority of the world uses his wind reading method today!

The Beaufort Scale was a system devised in the 1800’s by Sir Francis Beaufort. It is a simple, objective way of observing your surroundings to gauge the wind speed. The Beaufort Scale has 13 levels ranging from no wind ‘calm’ to ‘hurricane’ winds (0-12).

If you have ever estimated the strength of the wind by looking at the trees moving outside your house or the white caps out at sea;  you are in a way using his method.

For most of us kiters we are aiming for a steady force between 4 & 6 though now with foiling and people wanting to chase storms to fly as high as possible we are seeing kiters out in forces as low as 2 (foiling) all the way up to 9 (mega looping)!

In relation to the Beaufort Scale what is your ideal wind force and what is the lowest/highest you have ever managed to kite in?

Let us know in the comments below!