Backwind Tack

Tacking with the wing held back

This video demonstrates how to perform a backwind tack while wing foiling. It all starts with a leg in switch stance riding position (toeside). First, you go downwind slightly to reduce the pressure in the wing. Then, your back hand on the boom reaches forward and lifts the wing to windward.

The wind is now blowing from the top of the wing onto the wing, which is held to windward with both hands away from your body. The lower tip of the wing is tilted slightly backward (not very visible in this video).

Now it’s time to initiate the turn: luff up while opening the wing toward the wind - extend your front arm and pull your back arm in. This ensures the wind flows into the wing from the correct side again, even before you’ve completed half the turn.

The power of the wind in the wing now helps you ride through the second section of the turn back to a crosswind course. If necessary, pump briefly to stay foiling, and the downwind tack is complete.