The sea is a stage in constant motion. For those who practice kitesurfing, surfing, paddleboarding or any water sport, understanding how it behaves is as important as mastering the technique. Learning to read the sea means interpreting the signals of the waves, wind and tides so that you can use the conditions to your advantage and stay safe.
Waves: energy in motion
Waves are the most visible manifestation of the ocean’s energy. For surfers and kiters, observing them is key:
- Direction: watch where they break. On open beaches they usually come from the front, while in bays or reefs they change according to the shape of the seabed.
- Size: not all waves are the same. Larger waves usually come in a “series” after several smaller ones. Counting the intervals between them helps you predict when the next one is coming.
- Shape: a soft wave is ideal for learning, while a fast hollow wave requires more experience.
The wind: the engine of kitesurfing
Wind is the soul of sports such as kitesurfing or sailing. Knowing how to read it allows you to anticipate your sessions:
- Direction: the safest wind to learn is the “side-onshore” wind, which blows sideways and slightly towards the beach. Avoid offshore winds, which push you out to sea.
- Intensity: a wind that is too weak will not lift you, but one that is too strong can be dangerous. Learn to estimate the force with the sensation in your body and, when you advance, with instruments such as an anemometer.
- Consistency: a steady wind makes the experience smoother. Gusts or sudden changes of direction can complicate the practice, especially at the beginning.
Tides: the pulse of the ocean
The tide is the rhythmic movement of the sea level caused by the pull of the moon and the sun. Ignoring it can make the difference between a comfortable session and a real challenge:
- High tide: on some beaches the water covers more ground, which reduces the space for launching and landing the kite.
- Low tide: rocks, corals or sandbanks may appear that are not seen when the level is high.
- Currents: tidal changes generate currents that can sweep you away. Learning to detect them (by the moving foam or the difference in color of the water) is fundamental.
The perfect combination
The real art lies in combining these three elements: waves, wind and tides. It is not enough to understand them separately, but how they interact with each other. A beach can be ideal at low tide and moderate wind, but complicated at high tide with gusts. Experience and observation are your best teachers.
Final advice
Reading the sea is a process that takes time, but the more you practice it, the more natural it will become. Spend a few minutes before each session quietly observing the ocean: how the waves break, how the foam moves, how the wind blows. That connection will not only improve your performance in the water, it will also make you enjoy every moment even more.