The tack (HERE is a tutorial) is one of the most important manoeuvres in wingfoiling and, along with the Jibeis one of the moves that you normally practise first when learning to wingfoil. But even if you have the normal tack down pat, there are numerous other variations that are fun and can expand your repertoire. One of these is the back to wing tack, which we present to you here. You can find the complete sequence in the picture gallery above - click through!
The cross slope when wingfoiling
Before you start with the tack from the cross slope, the first step is of course foiling back to wing, i.e. standing with your back to the wing, on the slip of paper. This is how it's done:
- Foil on a half wind course in switch stance and look for a spot with some space
- Check the free space to leeward before reaching round - because once you have your back to the wing, it is almost impossible to see to leeward
- Release the back hand from the wing and reach for the front hand with it
- Release the former front hand and reach behind your back to the rear grip. Tip: Hold the wing with your front hand far down, close to your hip - this allows you to reach the rear handle easily without the mobility of a contortionist
- Stabilise your course to half wind - you are now foiling in the cross slope!
The tack from the cross slope
You can initiate various manoeuvres from the cross-slope position - including a tack. Here are the most important steps:
- Initiate a turn to windward
- Release the back hand and continue the turn to windward
- Pull the wing up over your head with your front hand and onto the inside of the bend
- Grab the rear handle and continue your course in the new direction of travel
Finally, a tip on changing your grip: There are two ways of gripping when initially changing to the cross slope. If you grip from the top with your front hand as usual, your wrist will twist during the following tack, which can be uncomfortable. If you grip the handle from below when you first switch to the cross slope, there is no twisting at the end of the manoeuvre - try it out!
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
Manuel Vogel, born in 1981, lives in Kiel and learned to windsurf at the age of six at his father's surf school. In 1997, he completed his training as a windsurfing instructor and worked for over 15 years as a windsurfing instructor in various centers, at Kiel University sports and in the coaching team of the “Young Guns” freestyle camps. He has been part of the surf test team since 2003. After completing his teaching degree in 2013, he followed his heart and started as editor of surf magazine for the test and riding technique sections. Since 2021, he has also been active in wingfoiling - mainly at his home spots on the Baltic Sea or in the waves of Denmark.
