Pumping to go upwind

Pumping to go upwind can be useful if you need to gain a lot of ground on the wind or dodge something. To pump in this way you must first master the technique of how to pump on your foil and pump on your wing.       

Going upwind means to head quite strongly towards the wind. When you’re on an upwind tack, you may be lacking the power to keep it up. This means you should bear off or pump to gain speed. Pumping will allow you to maintain your speed and your course. The only limit will be your thighs and your cardio, so this is a technique for a few hundred meters at most. It is therefore only a temporary option.

You should pump as if you had to go through a wind hole but with a little more angle. You have to be able to load the foil on its descent and lighten it on the ascent. So sheet in by pushing on the foil, then on the back foot by bringing the wing forward / up. Leaning into the wind will oppose energy to the wing and help you get even further upwind. Be careful not to lean too much or you will fall on your back, try to find the right balance depending on the wind.

The little trick to head upwind even harder is to move the wing back a bit in relation to the board and you. At each pumping stroke it will luff your board. You will gain even more ground on the wind.

Malo Guénolé