Backwind Air Tack

How to jump a tack

A pretty dynamic change of direction that works best in stronger winds.

How do you do it? Ride toeside, reach forward with your back hand, let the wing fly flat into the wind as you luff up, and grab the boom again with your other hand.

It’s best to do this in front of a steep choppy wave, which you use as a kicker for the jump into the wind. The take-off is similar to that of a raley. You pull the wing in tight right away to complete the turn in the other direction – sometimes you’ll practically spin around the corner.

In stronger winds, you can use the power in the wing to take off again immediately upon landing. The higher you jump, the better this works.

However, the move is also quite fun if you just jump into a standing position and then foil off in the opposite direction. This also works in lighter winds.

May 27, 2026 © WING DAILY  |  text: Jürgen Schall  |  photos/graphics: Jürgen Schall  |  translation: DE