Lessons / Level 2 · Intermediate / Lesson 7
Back to your boardWhen you fall, the kite usually pulls you downwind of your board. Walking back up the beach works — but in deep water you need to body drag upwind. It’s one of the skills that makes you independent.
Lying flat and facing downwind, the kite drags you wherever it pulls. Roll onto your side, with your front arm stretched forward in the direction you want to go, and your body grips the water like the keel of a sailboat.
Now the kite’s pull turns into sliding across the wind — and a little upwind.
Park the kite steady on the side you want to travel: around 1–2 o’clock to go right, 10–11 to go left, close to the edge of the window. Fly it with your back hand.
Too deep in the window and it pulls you downwind again; straight overhead at 12 and it only lifts you. Steady at the edge is the sweet spot.
You can’t drag straight into the wind. Slide across at an angle, aiming a little upwind of the board. If you need more height, switch: kite to the other side, roll onto your other side, and come back the other way.
Once you reach the board, grab it by the handle and hold it out in front of you on the water — it makes a bigger, steadier keel. Body drag back with the board to where you can start again.
Complete the missions in order. Each one ends with the same move to try on the beach.
You need: Kite and bar, harness, your board (or a float), and your instructor in the water with you.
Tick each step after you’ve done it with your instructor.