{"id":5198,"date":"2022-09-28T08:19:23","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T08:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/?p=5198"},"modified":"2022-09-28T08:19:26","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T08:19:26","slug":"how-much-wind-is-too-much-for-paddle-boarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/how-much-wind-is-too-much-for-paddle-boarding\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Wind Is Too Much for Paddle Boarding?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The wind, and weather in general, can easily turn a beautiful paddle boarding session into a nightmare. Having the wind turn on you isn\u2019t fun, and sometimes it can be dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that doesn\u2019t have to be the case. You can learn how to deal with a situation like this or, better still, avoid it completely. One way to do that is by understanding the weather and knowing when to go paddling and when to stay away from the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how much wind is too much for paddle boarding? I\u2019d say anything above 10 knots is too much wind for SUP<\/strong>. However, it depends on your skill level along with some factors too. Some paddlers can easily handle 10 knots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to know more.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: What Is Good Weather for Paddle Boarding?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Safe Wind Speed for Paddle Boarding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The wind is a key factor in determining whether you\u2019ll go paddling and how your SUP experience will be. So it\u2019s important to know what wind speed would be considered safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there\u2019s no straightforward answer because every situation is completely unique, and a few factors come into play. A certain wind speed may be safe for one paddler but dangerous for another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as a general rule, anything under 7 knots (8 miles per hour) would be safe for everyone, including beginners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intermediate and experienced paddlers can handle higher wind speeds, even above 10 knots (11.5 miles per hour). But as you move past 15 knots (17 miles per hour), it gets less safe, regardless of your experience level. It\u2019s less fun and even more dangerous if you\u2019ll be paddling against the wind<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Windy Is Too Windy for SUP? <\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"sup-training-3\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If the wind speed is above 10 knots, then it\u2019s too windy for beginners to SUP.  Strong winds translate to strong wind resistance if you have to paddle against the wind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For experienced paddlers, if the wind speed is approaching 15 knots then it\u2019s getting too windy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highly experienced paddlers can handle higher wind speeds and tougher wind conditions, especially for paddle surfing or downwinding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wind direction also determines whether or not it\u2019s too windy for paddle boarding. A strong onshore wind may not be too much trouble. It will actually boost you and make your work easier when paddling back to shore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But even a low-speed offshore wind can be annoying. Paddling against a strong wind when you\u2019re heading back to shore, already tired from your session, is not a situation you want to find yourself in. This means that in addition to checking the wind speed, you shouldn\u2019t forget the direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Check the Wind Before You Go Paddle Boarding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The weather changes a lot and you can\u2019t perfectly predict it. But checking the weather forecast gives you an idea of what to expect, allowing you to prepare adequately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of apps with a detailed wind forecast and you can use whichever one you like. However, I don\u2019t recommend relying on just one app. Use at least three apps to get a more accurate prediction. Weather apps usually have different numbers so you can use several of them and get an average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My favorite app for checking the wind is Windy<\/a>. It offers detailed yet easy-to-understand information about wind speed and direction, wind gust, swell, waves, temperature, rain, and other weather factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WindAlert<\/a> is another fantastic wind app for paddle boarders. It gives you real-time alerts on both the wind direction and speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what important elements should you check?<\/p>\n\n\n\n