Kiteboarding | How to Go Upwind and Avoid the Walk of Shame

Welcome to another exciting episode of our kiteboarding series. In this video, we unravel the mystery behind the technique of kiteboarding upwind, often seen as a challenging yet crucial aspect of the sport.

Navigating against the wind may seem like an uphill task initially, and yes, you might have to walk up the beach quite a few times. But remember, every pro was once a beginner who had to trudge their way up the beach too. So, don't be disheartened; consider it a rite of passage in your kiteboarding journey.

Our instructor breaks down the process of kiteboarding how to go upwind into five easy steps. The first step involves building up speed going downwind, creating a momentum that will ultimately propel you upwind. The second step is about sheeting out on the bar, enabling the kite to harness more power from the wind.

The third step is all about body orientation. We delve into how opening up your hips and shoulders and directing them where you want to go can influence your path while kiteboarding upwind. This step also stresses the importance of focusing your gaze on an upwind object, a technique that diverts your attention from the kite and helps you direct your body upwind.

The fourth step teaches you to lock in your stance, aligning your board in the direction you want to go. Lastly, we discuss how to maintain your edge and speed upwind.

By the end of this video, you will not only understand how to kiteboard upwind but will also have the confidence to practice and perfect it. Remember, it's all about persistence and patience. With these tips in your toolkit, you'll soon find yourself kiteboarding upwind without the beach walk of shame!

0:00 intro
0:41 Building up speed
1:06 Sheeting out
1:27 Open shoulders
1:57 Marker point
2:40 Point your board
3:46 Summary

[antoineharel]

Blake is the best...just learning to kiteboard at 62 and loves it....

[Aikidoseiryukandojo]

Blake, love your videos. I am new to kiteboarding this year. Thanks to this video I was able to get slightly upwind the other day. Thanks again for all the, very helpful, videos.

[MrChrisnaron]

Great advice. I have been doing the walk of shame now for two sessions, but hey a few months ago I couldn't even water start, so everything is progress like you say. I cannot wait to get back out there as this video has given me another pointer which I wasn't doing before (sheeting out). Great video, fantastic advice, awesome sport!

[clemensqueiner]

WOW Blake, thanks so much. Just realised you guys put this video out for me. Super stoked! I'm going to hit my kite beach today and give this one a try. You're the man, Blake! Love your content and MacKiteboarding for giving you the opportunity!

[MarreLirre]

Really good tips, I'm struggling at the moment, today I had to pull my safety and untie my bar for two hours, it really sucked!

[erislocker]

I truly like your videos, Blake. Unlike other videos where the guy sounds more arrogant, you sound super humble, while your tips are really useful and easy to understand! Please keep making videos. Cheers!

[joehozzy]

Best upwind video I've seen. Few seem to highlight the need to build speed first, before cutting upwind! Thanks

[davidlatter]

My snow skiing ability is way above kiteboarding. I've just had a "eureka" moment when you explained in skiing, shoulders must be facing downhill, while the hips pivot.

So riding square on to the bar with your ass hanging out, is a guaranteed drift downwind. Big thanks

[barrymonteiro]

Thanks for the great explanation! Im at the point where I need to open up my body to ride upwind!

[ApriliaRSV-]

Thank you so much for all of these tutorials!!

[mikejohn]

Awesome at teaching, great explanations.

[jimmyjames]

When i go upwind, I don't have long arms, but i don't have short arms either, I feel overstretched and i have to either do an underhand grip or if I do an overhand grip I hold the bar more to the end.

[gemeinerhund]

Naa in skiing it's different you shouldn't rotate your upper body for carving. But its the same for snowboarding

[rrrjjj]

I love all of Blake’s videos and tips. Still, I could not go up wind until I got a set of twintip fins from www.RideUpWInd.com First time I tried them I was cutting up wind with ease! Now I just use them on light wind days.

[tropicalsurfhousesurfingsu]

bar in the sweat spot leading riding
yo keep kite 45 and everything coming natural .
understand induce wind
understand apparent wind
and understand the the windows shift
build a study speed but keep down the induce wind.
kite is to low here .

[Vara]

9 dislikes probably because of NORTH haters. Try not wear a North t-shirt next time mate, you'll get better results ;) !! (You know, in the eyes of the ones that can't afford North equipment, North is the worst and overpriced stuff out there :P )