Push Tack

Pushing the wing into the wind during the tack

The push tack is a variant of the backwind tack. Both tacks are initiated in switch stance (toeside).

While you first bring the wing into the ‘backwind’ position during the backwind tack (lift the wing upwind over your head) and then head upwind with the wing behind you, the push tack is a bit faster.

From the ride in switch stance, the wing is pulled all the way around the body when sailing into the wind without changing your grip. The front tube should point downwards , opposite to the direction of travel, in front of the body. You have to push against the wind to push the wing to windward.

This pushing motion not only gives the move its name, but also provides the propulsion so that you can ride in a tight radius with the trailing edge ahead in the first half of the turn. Stretch out your rear arm (meaning the rear grip position, which now points in the direction of travel) so that the wind blows over the trailing edge into the wing.

Now pull on the front arm, let go of the back hand and pull the wing over your head with your front hand. This returns the wing to a horizontal position and makes it rotate quickly. In the process, the hands reach around and you are back in the correct riding position on the board halfway through the turn. Pull the wing tight and continue riding. Done.

Don't be confused: in some video tutorials on the web, the term ‘push tack’ is used for a tack in which you reach with your hand onto the front tube or into the canopy to lift a sagging wing again or to push it manually in the right direction. This is not necessary for a cleanly foiled tack.

Here in the video you can see Finn Flügel performing a push tack in the action pool at the boot trade fair – mirrored and in slow motion, so you can take a close look at the move for both directions of travel.

Freestyle Push Tack Level ★★★☆ Rider: Finn Flügel Text: Jürgen Schall Photos/Videos: Jürgen Schall DE

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