Riding upwind is the game-changing skill that transforms kitesurfing from a one-way trip into a full session. Without it, you ride downwind and walk back. With it, you can stay in front of your starting point and ride for hours at one location.
📖 8 min read · Updated May 2026 · By Sergei Sharvarok · Founder & Head Instructor
Why Riding Upwind Matters
Every kitesurfer generates wind drift — the kite and board pull you slightly downwind even when riding across the wind. Without active upwind technique, you drift downwind and must walk back up the beach after each run. At a long beach this is annoying; at a beach with a fixed usable section, it ends your session.
Upwind riding means actively making ground against the wind direction — your overall track is upwind of where you started. This is the skill that makes kitesurfing at any beach practical for more than 30 minutes.
Board Edge Angle
The most critical component: your board must be riding on its heel edge (the edge away from the wind), not flat on the water. A flat board skids across the surface without grip. An edged board is like a fin in the water — it grips and resists the kite's pull, converting it into upwind travel.
How to edge correctly: push your heels down into the board, lean your weight slightly back and towards the kite. Imagine pressing your heels through the board as if trying to push it under the water. The board should be at 30–45° to the water surface.
Kite Position for Upwind
For upwind riding, the kite should be higher in the window than for standard across-wind riding — at approximately 10–11 o'clock (or 1–2 o'clock if riding the other direction). A kite lower in the window (closer to 9 or 3 o'clock) pulls more across your direction of travel, generating speed but not upwind progress.
Park the kite at a consistent position and resist the urge to fly it lower for more power. A kite parked too low feels powerful but is pulling you sideways, not upwind. Less power from a higher kite position but at the right angle gives you more upwind progress.
The check: after 10 metres of riding, look back at your starting point on the beach. Are you upwind, downwind, or level? If you are consistently downwind, either your board edge is insufficient or your kite is too low. Adjust one variable at a time and check again after 10 metres.
Weight Distribution and Stance
Weight shifted to the back foot holds the board edge. Weight on the front foot flattens the board and reduces upwind grip. This feels counterintuitive — the instinct is to lean forward to go faster. Leaning back, pressing heels, and trusting the kite to pull you forward is the correct posture.
Common error: looking down at the board instead of upwind. Looking downwind at where you came from is what most beginners do instinctively. Train yourself to look in the direction you want to travel — upwind, toward the horizon. Body follows where your eyes lead.
Most Common Upwind Mistakes
- Kite too low — Kite at 9 or 3 o'clock pulls you sideways, not upwind. Move kite to 10–11 or 1–2 o'clock.
- Board flat on water — No edge = no upwind progress. Push heels down deliberately.
- Front foot dominant — Putting weight on front foot reduces board angle. Stay back foot weighted.
- Overcorrecting kite — Moving kite up and down while trying to ride upwind destabilizes the edge. Park the kite and maintain a stable position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most riders who can sustain a downwind ride achieve basic upwind progress within 2–4 focused sessions. "Basic" means making 5–10 metres of upwind progress per run. Full comfortable upwind riding (matching or beating your downwind drift) typically takes 5–10 sessions of practice.
A kite that drops during upwind riding is usually parked too high and stalling. If the kite is above 11 o'clock with minimal movement, it can stall in light wind. Maintain a small figure-of-eight motion or keep the kite at 10–11 o'clock rather than directly overhead.
Yes — directional boards (surfboard shapes) are harder to ride upwind as a beginner than twin-tips. Twin-tips are symmetrical and the edge angle is easier to maintain. If you are struggling with upwind on a directional board, switch to a twin-tip for upwind practice.
Rarely. The sequence is: (1) first rides downwind, (2) maintain direction across wind, (3) attempt upwind. Rushing to step 3 before step 2 is solid usually produces frustration. Let your instructor guide the progression — they will introduce upwind when your base riding is consistent.
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