How to Kitesurf Upwind — Complete Guide for Beginners
Learning to ride upwind is the moment kitesurfing changes from fighting the ocean to working with it. Until you can go upwind, every session ends with a long walk back up the beach. Once you crack it, you can stay in one spot indefinitely and start actually going where you want to go. Here's how to get there, from our IKO-certified instructors at Surf Twins Essaouira.
Why Going Upwind is So Hard at First
Most beginners spend their first few sessions being carried downwind. You body-drag downwind in your lessons. You ride downwind on your first board sessions. Downwind is easy — the kite and wind are doing the work for you. Upwind requires you to actively resist that pull and redirect your energy.
The difficulty is that going upwind requires several things to happen simultaneously: correct kite position, correct board angle, correct body position, and correct edge pressure. If any one of these is off, you go sideways or downwind. Getting them all right at the same time takes practice — but when it clicks, it clicks permanently.
The 4 Things You Need to Go Upwind
1. Kite Position
Your kite needs to be at roughly 45 degrees — high enough to generate forward pull but not so high that it's pulling you straight up. The classic beginner mistake is flying the kite too high (close to 12 o'clock), which lifts you out of the water instead of pulling you forward. Bring the kite down to 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock and you'll feel the difference immediately.
2. Board Angle
Point your board more aggressively across the wind — almost perpendicular to the wind direction. Most beginners ride too much downwind because it feels faster and easier. Commit to the upwind angle even when it feels slow. The resistance you feel is exactly the edge grip that will take you upwind.
3. Body Position
Lean back. More than feels comfortable. Your back arm should be almost straight, your front arm controlling the kite. Your hips should be low, your weight on your back foot, driving the edge of the board into the water. Think of yourself as a spring — coiled and ready to resist the pull of the kite.
4. Edge Pressure
This is the key that unlocks upwind riding. Dig your heelside edge into the water by pushing your heels down and your toes up. You should feel the board carving against the water, not skimming across it. The more edge pressure you apply, the more upwind you'll go — up to a point. Too much edge and you'll stop; too little and you'll drift downwind.
The Drill That Fixes Everything
The most effective way to learn upwind riding is the head-down drill. Once you're up and riding, drop your chin to your chest and look at your front foot. Hold that position for 10 seconds. You'll notice your body automatically adjusts to a more upwind position — hips drop, weight shifts back, edge pressure increases. It sounds too simple, but it works for almost every student who tries it.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Kite too high: Bring it to 10:30 or 1:30 on the clock face. Feel the horizontal pull increase.
Riding too downwind: Turn the board upwind until it almost stops, then ease off slightly. That's your optimal angle.
Standing too upright: Bend your knees more, lean your upper body back, and push your hips forward.
Not enough edge: Push your heels down harder. If your toes are not pointing toward the sky, you're not edging enough.
Looking at the kite: Look where you want to go. Your body follows your eyes.
How Long Does It Take?
In our experience teaching at Sidi Kaouki, most students who are already riding comfortably start going upwind within 2 to 4 sessions of focused practice. The progression is usually: downwind riding → neutral (staying in one spot) → upwind. Once you crack upwind, your kitesurfing improves rapidly because you can suddenly stay in the same area and work on other techniques.
Practice Conditions at Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is one of the best places in the world to practice upwind riding. The consistent side-on trade winds mean you're always working with clean, predictable wind. The flat sections of the lagoon allow you to practice without waves interrupting your focus. And the wide, uncrowded beach gives you plenty of room to drift before you nail it.
Ready to learn? Our IKO-certified kitesurf lessons in Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki start from €50. WhatsApp us at +212 643 806 655. 🤙
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.
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