Essential maneuver in kite foiling, the tack should be at the top of the list of every new comer in foiling! As soon as you can fly with ease, this is the next move to learn.
Mastering the tack on a surfboard is obviously a major asset, the different phases of the maneuver being very similar. It will however be necessary to operate with more finesse, as the foil will exacerbate the slightest error. The kind of errors that would have been inconsequential with a surfboard. So learning this maneuver involves a lot of practice to get the movement perfectly right. A few splashes will be part of the process 😉
There are several variations of the tack: roll tack, heelside to toeside tack or vice versa, etc. The classic tack is done in a heelside stance with a switch of your feet while tacking to recover a heelside position when ending the maneuver. This is done here without looping the kite as illustrated below:
Kite foiler: Patrice Guénolé, Boss & Shaper GONG, with the Catch Kite Foil Board and Kite Unik
Steering of the kite
Here’s how it goes. Gradually raise your kite towards the zenith while heading upwind. A flat body of water will help you to have some angle, which can be useful when you want to adjust the length of your turn. Your turn must follow the path of your kite. Meaning that when the kite is about to get past the eye of the wind, the nose of your board should do the same. So adjust the speed of our tack if necessary by putting pressure on your back foot to be in sync with your kite.
When your kite starts flying in the opposite half window, you will have to tilt your weight balance just after having switched your feet in a fluid movement. Don’t forget to keep a slight pressure on your bar to maintain traction. You’ll need it for your balance. The switch of your feet is done by pivoting your body in the opposite direction to the one you were aiming when heading upwind. You therefore mostly remain with your back to the wind during the entire maneuver. A pivot in the other direction is also possible. It is then called the roll tack, which involves untwisting your lines at the end of the maneuver.
The feet switch
The feet switch is a phase that requires delicacy. Sustain yourself with the bar. Freed from your weight, the board rises, carried by the foil and its speed. The movement should be very fluid. The height that your board will take at this moment will allow you to dive back to gain speed if necessary. It is essential not to lose too much speed when turning since you are basically flying an airplane, which needs speed not to crash. So be totally focused on the quality of your trajectory.
To easily switch your weight balance to the other side, inertia is your ally. A good pace allows the board to complete the turn without having to help it with your feet. A classic mistake is wanting to resume normal navigation on the other tack while you are still at counter heel (still on the angle your board had heading upwind). It’s a guaranteed splash. Height at the moment of the switch and speed throughout the turn are the key to finishing on your feet and without any touchdown.
At the end of the tack, be solid on your stance not to be surprised by your kite, which is now ready to regain full power in the opposite half window.
It’s all up to you now ! 😉
