STEP 10

kite in the air

There are several ways to walk upwind. You can keep the kite in the air or land it. For short distances, the best way is to keep the kite in the air.

Never keep your board leash attached when walking upwind. If the kite still generates a lot of pull, de-power the kite maximum with the de-power strap.

Don’t set your kite exactly at the top but a bit lower in the wind window. If you would get lifted when the kite is at the top, you will lose all control over the kite.

If the wind is not parallel to the shoreline, twist your body and lower your kite as you walk upwind. Make sure you direct the kite towards the water.If a sudden gust of wind pulls you over, it’s better to end up in the water than on the beach.

Sometimes, it can be comfortable to lower your kite closer to the ground. Try this out for yourself..

Dragging the Bar

When carrying the kite upwind, the lines may easily become twisted or even tangled up. This mainly happens when the kite’s wingtips flap in the wind. There are ways to prevent this.

Allow the bar to drag behind you while walking upwind. In this way, the tension stays on the lines and they won’t be tangled up by the flapping wingtips. Before launching again, be sure to check that the lines have not become twisted by accident.

Holding the bar

When the control bar is carried together with the kite, the wingtips must be prevented from flapping in the wind, or else the lines will become tangled.

Place the bar inside the kite so that it can be carried together with the kite in one hand. Ask your assistant to hand you all four lines, then hold them together with the bar making sure that there is tension on the lines. In this way, the wingtips will not flap in the wind. If you walk upwind without holding the lines, the flapping wingtips will produce a knot in your kitelines.

Rolled up lines

When the ground is uneven or rocky, you will wish to roll up your lines entirely.

Make sure that the lines are rolled up neatly. If the lines slip over the other side of the control bar, they will be twisted when they are rolled out again. Secure the lines on both sides of the bar so that they don’t come loose while walking upwind.

Place the bar inside your kite so you can carry the kite and bar in one hand and the Kite Surfing Board in the other.

Tips

When you walk upwind in strong wind, it can be handy if somebody helps you. Make sure your board leash is not attached. Keep looking at your kite while walking upwind.

But the standard rule is, if you can’t walk upwind by yourself, use a smaller kite!


Those are the things you need to know about riding upwind. Keep the guidelines above in mind and with enough practice, you'll surely perfom this technique with ease.


video...