How to Kitesurf Upwind — Tips from Surf Twins Essaouira
Hello guys!
Welcome to another blog post with Surf Twins Essaouira about one of the most important things to learn when you're a beginner kitesurfer.
We've seen people struggling a lot with riding upwind, and for some people it can take many months. That's why we put together the most simple guide — 5 principles to ride upwind with confidence.
1. Kite and Board Selection
Choose a light board with less rocker. A delta-type kite such as the Airush Lithium is great for riding upwind easily, as its shape allows the kite to travel to the very edge of the window. They're also very easy to power up and down, and generate speed by moving the kite. Now that we have selected the right equipment, it's time to focus on the main 4 principles for going upwind: posture, speed, kite position and board angle.
2. Posture When Riding Upwind
Before focusing on posture, it's important to dominate your water start. The main goal at this stage is to stand up, gain speed while riding downwind for a couple of metres, and then start going upwind.
Keep a nice posture for riding upwind — that way you can resist the bar pressure with your whole body, reduce back pain, and ride comfortably for many hours. Lean back using your back, not your hips. Keep your spine straight. The more pressure you put on the water, the easier it is to ride upwind.
3. Speed Control
You can't know the right speed — you have to feel it depending on the chop. Keep your board glued to the water. On flat water you can go faster. Lift your legs when riding chop to reduce knee pain.
To regulate speed: start by moving the kite to build from 0 to your comfortable riding speed. If you're getting too much speed, sheet out the bar and use that moment to direct your board a little more upwind.
4. Kite Position
It's super important to have the right kite position when riding upwind. Keep the kite between 11 and 1 o'clock when riding. The higher the kite, the more lift and the less drive — find the balance that keeps you moving forward and upwind at the same time.
5. Board Angle
Point your board more upwind than feels comfortable at first. Your board acts like a sailboat fin — the right angle will stop the kite from pushing you downwind. Experiment with small adjustments until you feel yourself making ground upwind.
Book a Kitesurf Lesson with Surf Twins Essaouira
Ready to learn to kitesurf in Essaouira? Check out our kitesurf lessons or contact us on WhatsApp at +212643806655. We teach in Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki — two of the best kitesurf spots in Morocco.
Sidi Kaouki vs Essaouira Beach: Your Surfing Questions Answered
Sidi Kaouki is generally better for surfing, with longer, cleaner, and more consistent waves thanks to direct Atlantic swells. Essaouira Beach is more sheltered, offering smaller waves that are ideal for beginners but often affected by wind.
Both spots are suitable for beginners, depending on conditions. Essaouira Beach is perfect for your first lesson with smaller, softer waves. Sidi Kaouki is also beginner-friendly, with a sandy bottom and multiple surf peaks that allow instructors to find the best waves for your level.
The best time for surfing is from September to April, when Atlantic swells are more consistent. During summer, Essaouira becomes very windy, which is great for kitesurfing but less ideal for surfing. Sidi Kaouki often still offers good surf conditions even when Essaouira is windy.
Most surfers choose to stay in Essaouira and surf in Sidi Kaouki. Essaouira offers more accommodation, restaurants, and cultural experiences, while Sidi Kaouki provides better and more consistent surf conditions. Many surf schools offer day trips between the two.
