Riding Toeside

How to

1. 1

   Start on a steady reach

   Ride heelside across the wind with moderate speed and the kite at 11 or 1 o'clock.

2. 2

   Twist upwind

   Drive off your back foot and twist your shoulders and hips upwind, away from the kite, so the board banks onto its toe edge.

3. 3

   Drop your hips back

   Keep your hips low over your back foot with the back knee bent and the front leg longer, so the nose stays up.

4. 4

   Keep the kite steady

   Hold the bar near the centre with one hand so the kite stays at 11 or 1 o'clock while your shoulders face upwind.

5. 5

   Edge and look ahead

   Press the toe edge and look in your direction of travel to hold your line upwind.

Common mistakes

• Shifting to the toes early

  →Keep your weight on the heel edge until your shoulders and hips have finished twisting.

• Breaking at the waist

  →Push your hips down towards the water over your back foot instead of bending forward.

• Kite drifting up

  →Keep the bar steady and hold the kite at 11 or 1 o'clock.