Next to the jibe (HERE is a tutorial) the tack is the most important standard manoeuvre when foiling. However, because a tack is made into the wind, it is much more difficult to perform this manoeuvre completely on the foil. But what is important? Find out here.
A tack (english "tack") is always a 180-degree turn towards the wind. This manoeuvre is therefore in contrast to the jibe, which by definition is sailed away from the wind. Both manoeuvres can either be toeside or heelside This means, for example, that if you initiate a tack from a normal standing position using the heels, this is a heelside tack. If you start from a twisted foot position ("switch stance"), you initiate the tack via the toes, toeside tack called. Those who are just learning the tack usually struggle with the toeside tack easier. In terms of timing and wing technique, however, there is no difference between the variants - so the following tips apply to both variants.
As before any manoeuvre, it is important that you check the free space before initiating the turn. However, because the view to windward is not obscured by the wing, as is the case with the jibe, the tack is usually a safe manoeuvre that will not give you any nasty surprises.
Almost everyone who learns the manoeuvre struggles with the same problems. These include:
We explain the little tricks you can use to solve these problems in the video tutorial on our YouTube channel. If you don't want to miss any future videos on riding technique or equipment set-up, be sure to subscribe to our channel.

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.