How do I grab a kiteboard out of the water while riding?

It’s not something you think of when you get into the sport. But we’ve all had the experience of losing our board and someone else helps us out. It’s one of those insider, initiating things—where you get your first taste of community in kiteboarding. A small cultural thing that sets the tone for the whole sport.

We practice a very individual-based sport, but we also care for each other. And unlike many watersports, we love to ride together.

I remember my first time riding solo after a lesson. It was actually a risky spot where the shore angles away sharply—like 90 degrees. I was about 1,000 yards away from drifting a mile offshore, trying to get my kite launched. A rider came to check on me and offered to get my board or bring it to shore for me. I’ll never forget watching them tack back upwind, get the board, and drop it off just as my kite was launching.

At that time, I would’ve been toast if he didn’t get me my board. I couldn’t even ride upwind back then. I used the board to ride back to shore and walked back to my bag. Later, I remembered to pay it forward.

It’s funny to think this is a fully unspoken part of the sport—and something you will experience yourself.

This guide should help you lock in the different ways to do it without making a mess.

How Do I Grab a Kiteboard Out of the Water While Riding?

At some point, your board gets away from you. Maybe it’s yours. Maybe it’s your buddy’s. Either way, you’re upwind, it’s drifting, and someone needs help getting it back.

This guide walks you through how to grab a kiteboard out of the water while riding, without crashing your kite, losing control, or putting yourself or someone else at risk. We’ll break down three proven techniques:

• On-the-lap method for full control and easy delivery
  

• One-handed ride for advanced riders who want to stay moving
  

• Two-board carry when you're helping someone else in your group
  

Whether you're searching for “how to retrieve a kiteboard mid-session,” “kiteboarding board grab while riding,” or “how to carry someone’s board back,” this walkthrough shows you exactly how to do it.

Safety First: Don’t Make the Situation Worse

Before you try to grab anyone’s board, you need to check the situation.

Just because you see someone body dragging doesn’t mean they need help. Wind, current, gear, experience level, you don’t know what’s going on until you ask. So first, ride over and make contact. Look them in the eye and ask:

“You good?”
“Want me to grab your board?”
“Need a hand?”

Let them tell you. Don’t assume.

If they say yes, now it’s about how you help.

And this is where most riders mess up. They rush in, lose their kite, or tangle it with the other person’s lines. Now instead of helping, you’ve made it worse. Two kites in the water. Two riders drifting. Nobody in control.

So before anything else, ask yourself: Can I do this clean?

• Can I get to the board without crashing my kite?
  

• Can I control my lines if I slow down?
  

• Can I keep enough space to avoid a tangle?
  

If the answer’s no, don’t go.

Board retrieval isn’t about being the hero. It’s about being useful, and staying in control. If you know your capabilities and you’re confident in the wind, then yeah, go for it.

But if you’re guessing? Ride past. Let someone more experienced handle it.

Technique 1: The On-the-Lap Method

This is the easiest way to grab a kiteboard in the water, especially when you’re helping someone else. It keeps the board stable and gives you full control while riding.

Here’s how it works:

1. Approach slow and straight. Ride directly to the board. Don’t overshoot it or come in too hot.
   

2. Sink down and scoop. As you reach the board, squat into the water a little and pull the board in front of you. Let it rest right on your thighs.
   

3. Cup it with your elbows. Hug the board slightly with your arms. Use your front hand to stabilize it so it doesn’t slide off.
   

4. Start riding again. Once the board’s on your lap, dive the kite gently. Get moving. It’ll feel awkward for a few seconds, but once you build momentum, the board stays in place.
   

If you need to switch hands to adjust, that’s fine. Just stay low, stay balanced, and don’t overcorrect. You’re using one hand to steer the kite, one hand to secure the board. After a few rides, this becomes second nature.

When you reach the other rider, just slide the board off and keep going.

This method works best in flatter water, steady wind, and when you’ve got time to set up. It’s a great move to master first, before trying the one-handed or two-board techniques.

Technique 2: One-Handed Ride

This move is more advanced, but it keeps you moving and gives you flexibility in choppy or high-traffic spots. The idea is to grab the board with one hand, steer with the other, and ride it back without stopping.

Here’s how to do it clean:

1. Slow down as you approach. Come in with control. Don’t overshoot. Don’t slap the board.
   

2. Choose your direction ahead of time. If you’re going to ride left, line yourself up to dive the kite left. Don’t make this decision last second.
   

3. Use your front hand to grab the board. Reach down, grab it by the rail or strap. As you pick it up, dive the kite with your back hand and start moving.
   

4. Adjust your grip and sides as needed. Sometimes you’ll have to switch hands, switch the board position, or even rotate the board mid-ride. That’s normal. Don’t panic. Feel it out.
   

This method takes practice. You’re riding with one hand, managing power, and holding something that doesn’t want to cooperate. It’s not clean the first time, but once you get it, it’s fast and effective.

You can always transition into the lap method mid-ride. Grab it one-handed, ride upwind a little, then sink and rest it on your lap if it’s getting unstable.

With experience, you’ll be able to switch hands, switch sides, and ride either direction with the board in hand. Until then, practice when it’s calm. Don’t try this on a gusty day with waves and traffic.

Technique 3: Two-for-One Carry

This one’s exactly what it sounds like, you’re riding back with two boards.

You’ve got yours, you pick up your buddy’s, and you bring them both in.

There’s no special trick here. Just grab the second board however you’re comfortable. One hand, lap, whatever works, and ride steady. The challenge is balance and awareness. Don’t try this unless you’ve got full control over your kite and enough space to move.

This is a great move if you’re already heading back to shore or cruising past a rider in need. Help out. Carry the extra board. Keep it simple.

Be the Rider Everyone Wants on the Water

Helping someone out on the water is part of why we ride. Sometimes kiteboarding is solo. Sometimes it’s social. But when you see someone struggling to reach their board—don’t just cruise past.

Ride over. Ask if they need help. If they do, grab the board and bring it back.

These techniques aren’t just for style—they’re for safety, for community, for building real water awareness. The more you practice them, the better you get at staying in control, reading conditions, and handling the little stuff before it becomes big.

And yeah—karma’s real. One day, you’ll drop your board. And someone will bring it back.

FAQ

How do I grab a kiteboard while riding without crashing?
Slow down as you approach the board. Decide your direction ahead of time. Use your front hand to scoop the board, steer with your back hand, and keep your movements smooth. If it feels unstable, transition to the lap method mid-ride.

What’s the easiest way to carry someone else’s board back?
The on-the-lap method is the most stable. Ride to the board, squat in the water, rest it on your thighs, and use your elbow and front hand to hold it. It’s slower, but much easier for most riders to control—especially in gusty wind or chop.

Can I ride with two boards at once?
Yes. It takes balance, but it’s doable. Grab your buddy’s board and ride back with both. Use whatever carry method you’re comfortable with—lap, one-hand, or even dragging it by the strap if conditions allow.

Should I help someone get their board, or just let them body drag?
Always ask. Some riders prefer to get it themselves. But if the current, wind, or distance is against them, offering help is the right move. Just make sure you don’t turn it into a bigger problem by tangling kites or losing control.

Ryan "Rygo" Goloversic