Riding Downwind

About this trick

Downwind riding is where the foil really starts to sing. With the wind behind you, you build speed quickly, and the foil generates lift naturally. Learning to ride downwind in control — adjusting foil height with weight and sheeting with the wing — is the foundation of everything that comes after, from swell riding to freestyle.

Key tips

1. 1

   Sheet the wing forward (toward the nose) when going downwind — this is the downwind position and feels counterintuitive at first

2. 2

   Control foil height with your front foot: more pressure = nose dips down; less pressure = nose rises

3. 3

   Don't fight the speed — relax, bend your knees, and let the foil find its own level

4. 4

   Practice slowing down deliberately by sheeting out and shifting weight forward — this is your emergency brake

Learn these first

Video by

Damien LeRoy

Sign in to add a comment