The Varatraza: a generous but powerful wind
Sakalava Bay gets the south-east trade wind accelerated by the surrounding mountains — the famous Varatraza. From April to October it blows 20 to 35 knots almost every day, with regular gusts beyond. The consistency is one of the spot's biggest assets: pick your kite size in the morning after reading the anemometer, and you know it will hold all day.
In these conditions, you naturally ride smaller kites than elsewhere: a 9 m is already a big kite at Sakalava, and most riders launch between 7 and 10 m. If the wind feels one or two knots stronger than your home spot for the same reading, your usual kite size no longer applies.
Size chart by level
Here are the benchmarks I use in coaching, for Varatraza winds between 20 and 30 knots:
- Beginners (learning) — 9 m in 20-25 knots: comfortable and reassuring for kite-control exercises and body drag. The power stays manageable for a supervised student.
- Intermediates — 8 to 9 m depending on weight: the ideal versatility to chain transitions and first jumps while keeping margins in gusts.
- Advanced / strong wind (30+ knots) — 7 m and under: perfect for freestyle, big air and long flat-water sessions.
- Light riders (under 60 kg) — Drop one size: take a 7 m where an average build would fly a 9 m, and stay sharp on gust management.
- Heavy riders (over 85 kg) — Add half a size: in 22 knots a 9 m can feel small, where an average build rides comfortably.
Rider weight and surface: the duo that really matters
Board surface and rider weight determine how much pressure the kite gets from the wind. A 68 kg rider will fly with much less pull than a 92 kg rider on the same kite. Practical rule: for every extra 15 kg over 70 kg, consider one additional kite size in lighter winds.
At Sakalava, the Varatraza's strength often makes up for lighter builds: a light rider gets ten more minutes of learning time per session because their back and arms take less punishment. Conversely, heavier riders should not hesitate to reach for a 10 or 12 m kite in lighter mornings — pride has no place on the water when safety and progression matter.
Quick size table by rider weight
The table below gives you an instant reference for Varatraza winds between 20 and 30 knots. Adjust to your real conditions: if gusts exceed 25 knots, move one row down.
| Rider Weight | Beginner (20-25 kn) | Intermediate (25-30 kn) | Advanced (30+ kn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 60 kg | 7 m | 5 to 6 m | 5 m and under |
| 60-75 kg | 9 m | 7 to 8 m | 7 m |
| 75-85 kg | 9 to 10 m | 8 to 9 m | 7 to 8 m |
| Over 85 kg | 10 to 12 m | 9 to 10 m | 8 to 9 m |
These are starting points: your personal sweet spot will depend on your board, harness position and how you trim the bar. The advantage of private coaching is that your instructor picks the right kite for each session, so you never waste time guessing. For a full kite size reference with charts, see our kite size chart guide.
How board type changes your kite size
Board choice has a direct impact on how much power you get from the same kite. A twin-tip with large fins creates more drag and loads the kite more: you feel every gust. A directional surfboard or a hydrofoil slices through the water with far less resistance, so the kite feels calmer on the same size.
- Twin-tip — the reference: the size chart above applies directly.
- Surfboard (directional) — less drag, so you can often drop half a size compared to a twin-tip in the same wind.
- Hydrofoil — the biggest change: most foilers fly one to two sizes smaller than on a twin-tip. A 7 m on a foil feels like a 9 m on a twin-tip.
At Sakalava, where the Varatraza regularly pushes above 25 knots, most riders use a 7 or 8 m on a twin-tip and drop to a 5 or 6 m on a foil. The key is to try different setups: our kite size chart breaks down the numbers for each board type.
Gusts, stability and the winning choice
Steady wind beats strong wind: when the gusts exceed 10 knots difference, pick the size just below your "ideal". A smaller kite is more forgiving and lets you keep trimming down in the lulls. Conversely, an oversized kite in gusty conditions is physical and can catch a tired rider off guard.
My packing advice for a trip: bring two sizes one square metre apart (e.g. 7 and 9 m for an average rider). That duo covers the whole Malagasy season without ever pushing your gear beyond its safe operating range, and it keeps your luggage manageable on the plane.
Refining your choice during the season
Kite size is rarely a fixed number: it evolves with your level, your fitness and the exact wind of the day. Early in your progression, a slightly larger kite in lighter wind helps you learn controlled power; as you gain autonomy, you naturally prefer a size that leaves more margin in the gusts.
Keep a small log of each session: wind speed, kite size, board, how the feeling was. After ten sessions you will notice a reliable pattern — the day's reading on the anemometer tells you immediately which size your body expects. That instinct is exactly what separates riders who pump confidently from those who second-guess every launch.
If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one at Sakalava: the Varatraza tends to build during the morning, and a slightly smaller kite stays comfortable when the wind strengthens at midday. You can always trim the bar or switch boards rather than fighting an overpowered kite.
Gear provided and advice on-site
No need to carry three kites on the plane. Every coaching session includes the right kite for the day's wind: you arrive, we check the weather together and pick the right wing. That's the luxury of private coaching — and the guarantee of riding a maintained kite sized exactly for your progression.
Twin-tip versus hydrofoil: two different kite-size realities
The board under your feet has as much influence on kite selection as your body weight. At Sakalava, where the Varatraza regularly exceeds 25 knots, choosing the wrong board-kite combo can mean the difference between a relaxed session and an exhausting fight. Here is how the two most common setups compare.
On a twin-tip, water resistance is at its maximum: the fins bite, the rails grab and every gust transfers directly through the board to your harness. This is why the size chart above applies perfectly to twin-tip riders — the numbers are calibrated for this drag level. In 25 knots with a 75 kg rider, a 9 m kite on a twin-tip gives comfortable, controllable power.
On a hydrofoil, the board lifts out of the water and drag drops dramatically. The same 9 m kite now feels overpowered because the foil amplifies every pull. Most foil riders at Sakalava use a 5 or 6 m in conditions where twin-tip riders fly a 7 or 8 m. If you are transitioning from twin-tip to foil, expect to downsize by one to two kite sizes and adjust your bar trim to shorter throw.
A directional surfboard falls between the two: less drag than a twin-tip (no fins biting as hard), more than a foil. A common approach is to drop half a size from your twin-tip number. This nuance matters when you are packing for Madagascar — knowing your board choice before you travel helps you pick the right two kites to bring.
How to choose between two kite sizes
Most riders arriving at Sakalava own two or three kites. When you are staring at a 7 m and a 9 m in the morning, here is the decision tree I share with my students during private coaching sessions:
- Read the anemometer, not the forecast — the real wind on the beach beats any weather app. Check the average over the last 10 minutes, not the peak gust.
- Pick the size for the lower end — if the wind oscillates between 20 and 28 knots, size for 20. You can always depower or trim the bar; you cannot create wind.
- Consider your session length — a 90-minute high-intensity session on an oversized kite burns more energy than two relaxed hours on the right size. Comfort extends your time on the water.
- Factor in your fitness on the day — after a long travel day or a morning of snorkelling, reach for the smaller kite. Fresh legs can handle a slightly powered setup; tired arms cannot.
At Sakalava the Varatraza typically builds from morning to midday, so the safe strategy is to start with your smaller kite and switch up if the wind drops — which is rare. Our guide to choosing a kitesurf school explains why having an instructor who reads the wind for you is one of the biggest advantages of private coaching over self-guided riding.
Frequently asked questions
What kite size for a beginner in Madagascar? In 20-25 knots of Varatraza, a 9 m kite is the right compromise for an average-size beginner: powerful enough to learn controlled pulls, easy enough to handle safely.
Is a kite that is too small dangerous? Not really in a steady 25-knot wind: a smaller kite is more manoeuvrable and more forgiving. It is an oversized kite that gets dangerous in gusts, because it produces violent pulls.
Should I bring several kites to Madagascar? For an optimal trip, two sizes one square metre apart are enough (e.g. 7 and 9 m). On-site, our gear rental complements your quiver according to the day's wind.
How does rider weight affect kite size? A heavier rider needs more kite area for the same wind. For every 15 kg over 70 kg, consider adding half a size in lighter winds. Under 60 kg, drop one full size from the standard recommendation.
How does board type change the kite size I need? A directional surfboard or a hydrofoil generates less drag than a twin-tip, so the kite feels less powered on the same size. With a foil, you typically fly one size smaller than on a twin-tip.
Want to give it a try? Our kitesurf lessons in Madagascar include equipment rental. Book your session through our contact page.
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