Jumping is the first trick everyone sees that makes them want to get into kiteboarding. Jumping higher is always on new kite boarder’s minds. Sometimes tutorials can get too technical or delve into steps that are beyond most rider’s level. The key is to focus on a few fundamental things. You want to get these points right before trying anything else. You can’t build anything without a solid foundation.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to jump higher while kiteboarding. These tips are based on Aarons experience coaching riders and are guaranteed to improve your technique and confidence on the water. Whether you’re looking to hit your personal best or refine your skills, this is the perfect place to start.

 There are three foundational pillars to Jumping higher on a kiteboard. it isn’t just about speed or power—it’s about combining three essential elements.

1. Upwind Angle
2. Speed
3. Gear Selection and Setting Expectations

Each of these plays a critical role, and together they’ll help you achieve the biggest jumps possible. There are other useful tips like strength, kite technique, and more.

Kite technique and timing can get very detailed. Down to how you are edging, where the bar is when you sheet in and the way you pop and when you pop. That said, all of that means nothing if you don’t learn these fundamentals first.

It makes perfect sense that Aarons lays out these ideas clearly here. These three things will have the most impact on your jump while the rest will develop over time and some are more like the cherry on top.

With the right technique, the right angle and control over your speed, you will be able to jump higher right away. Best of all, you’ll be building skills that you don’t even know you are building.

The right angle is going to help when you master your timing. Controlling your speed at the right angle is going to improve your edge control. Choosing the right gear is fundamental to staying in control and setting yourself up for success.

Your upwind angle is the single most important factor in jumping high. If you don’t nail this, speed and gear won’t make a difference. Here’s how to master it:

Visualize Your Box: Use landmarks like trees, boats, or channel markers to establish a boundary that aligns with the wind direction. This “box” will help you orient yourself to the wind.

 Maintain a 45° Angle: Riding at a maximum 45° angle to the wind will create a “J hook” trajectory that hooks you into the breeze and generates more altitude.

Avoid Crosswind Riding: If you’re riding too low in the wind window, you’ll get long, low jumps instead of high ones.

Check your water ripples—they should be perpendicular to your direction. Pro Tip: Look back at your bubbles to ensure your path aligns with your upwind box. Small adjustments in your angle can dramatically improve your lift.

This is all a very clever way to get you to pop correctly. The more you carve into the wind, the higher you will be able to jump. 

If you carve too hard into the wind, you will actually lose your edge and go downwind. 

With this in mind, you can find that sweet spot Aaron is talking about. Think about carving hard upwind for maxiumum height on your jumps. 

Pro Tip: Use leverage. Push your hips forward and use your body weight to load the rail of your kiteboard. This will put more umph into the pop and you won't loose any energy when sending it. 

 Once your upwind angle is dialed in, speed becomes critical.

Here’s how to optimize it:

Start with Controlled Speed: Too much speed can crush your angle, resulting in long, flat jumps. Too little speed won’t generate enough lift. Find the sweet spot by gradually increasing your pace.

Adjust for Conditions: Ideal speed varies with conditions. For some days, it’s 20 mph; on others, it might be 25 mph or more. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Monitor Your Feedback: If your angle starts to flatten as you accelerate, you’re going too fast. Scale back slightly to maintain the perfect trajectory.

Pro Tip: Combine your ideal speed with the right upwind angle to unlock maximum altitude.

Speed and edge control are everything when it comes to getting air. The faster you can ride in control the higher you will jump. 

We talked about being in control but there are things you can do to improve your control so you can ride faster. 

I'm talking about strength and explosive pop. Work on jump squats, do leg workouts and jump a lot more when kiteboarding! The stronger your legs and core, the more power you can hold down and the harder you can pop. 

This is an extra layer on top of the three pillars that we're focused on but it's worth mentioning so you understand the full picture. 

Your gear plays a vital role in how high you can jump.

Here’s what to consider:

Choose the Right Kite for the Wind: Match your kite size to the wind speed for optimal lift.

For example:
   -12m kite: Best in 15-20 knots.
  - 10m kite: Best in 20-28 knots.
  - 8m kite: Best in 28-35 knots.

Choosing the right size kite is about being in control. There is a popular but incorrect idea that riding overpower means you will get more air.

Sometimes, pros will ride extra powered with extra small boards. The thing is it requires a lot of strength and mastery of edge control that takes years to develop.

Even then, it’s not that safe. There is no substitute for building skill. My favorite quote regarding progress is: “There is no elevator, you must take the stairs.” This is the simple truth to sports. You focus on the fundamentals and get really good at them.

Each skill builds on the next taking you further along the process. If you try and skip steps, it’s a surefire way to get stuck or prolong the learning process.

Even worse, you might develop a bad habit that holds you back for years. It takes a lot of work to unlearn improper form.

Avoid the “No Fun Zone”: Stay out of overly high wind ranges for your kite size, as this can lead to unstable and unsafe conditions.

Set Realistic Goals: Understand that breaking records requires the right combination of conditions, technique, and gear. If you’re riding in low wind, focus on mastering technique rather than achieving maximum height.

Pro Tip: Even bigger kites (12m-15m) can deliver impressive jumps in low winds when used with proper technique. Lightwind kiteboarding is the most underutilized training in all of kiteboarding.

You can learn so much and get so good by training on a big 15 or 17 meter kite in sub par winds. You can check out some light wind kites here.

Wrapping It Up: Go Upwind, Go Fast, Go Big To recap, the key to jumping higher while kiteboarding lies in mastering your upwind angle, finding the right speed, and selecting the appropriate gear.

When all three elements come together, you’ll experience the lift, control, and height you’ve been striving for.

Remember:
 - Go upwind with precision.
- Build speed gradually while maintaining your angle.
- Use the right gear for the conditions.

 By following these tips, you’ll not only hit new personal records and learn a lot more aboute kiteboarding. 

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equpit with all of the latest kitesurfing gear. 

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202