How to Master Upwind Body Dragging and Board Retrieval in Deep Water (Beginner to Advanced Kiteboarding Guide)
How to Master Upwind Body Dragging and Board Retrieval in Deep Water (Beginner to Advanced Kiteboarding Guide)
Upwind body dragging might not sound glamorous — but it’s one of the most critical skills in kiteboarding. Whether you’re in your first season or your fifth, being able to recover your board in deep water can mean the difference between a great session and a frustrating — or even dangerous — one.
At Elite Watersports in St. Pete, Florida, Aaron and the coaching team have helped thousands of riders develop this exact skill. And if there’s one thing they emphasize, it’s this: don’t wait until you’re in deep water to learn how to get your board back.
“It might be your first session, or your 30th — but if you can't get back to your board in deep water, your day’s over.”
In this guide, you’ll learn how to body drag upwind with confidence, control your kite with one hand, and retrieve your board without stress — so you can ride anywhere, in any condition, without hesitation.
Why Is Upwind Body Dragging Important in Kiteboarding?
Imagine this: You’re 200 feet from shore, your board is drifting out of reach, and the water is too deep to stand. The wind picks up, your kite tugs at the harness, and that board — the one thing you need to ride back in — keeps slipping farther away. This isn’t just inconvenient. It’s the moment that can turn a fun session into a full-blown safety issue.
Upwind body dragging isn’t just a technical skill. It’s your self-rescue system.
When you know how to hold your position in the water and work your way toward your board — without getting pulled downwind or losing kite control — you’re not just protecting your gear. You’re protecting your session, your energy, and sometimes, your safety.
As Aaron puts it:
“Even in shallow water, every time you lose your board — body drag back to it. Build the habit now, so you're ready when it really matters.”
The stress of being separated from your board in deep water isn’t something to take lightly:
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You might lose your board entirely (good luck replacing that mid-session)
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Your kite becomes a liability without a plan to get mobile
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Panic sets in quickly if you’re unsure how to move safely and efficiently
And here’s the truth: most riders don’t practice body dragging enough when it’s easy. They walk back to their board in waist-deep water and skip the reps. But when they end up in deep water — whether it’s their 5th session or their 50th — they’re unprepared.
That’s why Aaron teaches it from Day 1:
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Drag to your board every single time, even when you could walk.
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Train the skill like it’s second nature.
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So when it counts — when the water’s over your head and the board is upwind — you don’t hesitate. You recover.
Upwind body dragging is more than technique. It’s your insurance policy out there.
What Are the Fundamentals of Body Dragging You Must Know First?
If you want to retrieve your board confidently in deep water, you need to start with solid habits — and that starts in shallow water.
“Board upwind. Always. That’s your number one rule for control.” – Aaron
Rule #1: Board Upwind, Always
When you're retrieving your board or body dragging with it, keep it upwind and in your front hand. Your back hand controls the kite. This gives you maximum control and keeps you from tangling or getting pulled off-line.
Cross-handed dragging, holding the board behind you, or grabbing wherever it lands? These are habits Aaron breaks early.
Match Your Kite, Board, and Body Position
Your board and kite should always be on the same side of your body. If your board’s upwind to the left, the kite should be parked on the left side too. This keeps you balanced and in control.
Build Habits in Waist-Deep Water
Even if you can walk to your board — don’t. Body drag every time.
“The more you practice when it’s easy, the more confident you’ll be when it’s not.”
How to Control Your Kite with One Hand (Beginner to Advanced)
One-handed kite control is a milestone for every kiteboarder. It’s essential for body dragging, transitions, and board recovery — especially in deep water where your other hand may be holding the board.
“Graduation moment? It’s when you can ride with one hand and still power the kite without it moving.” – Aaron
Step 1: Practice in Waist-Deep Water
Start by parking the kite at 10 or 2 o’clock. Use your back hand (your kite hand) to control the bar. Keep the kite steady without oversteering. This teaches you how to hold power with finesse — not muscle.
Step 2: Use Leverage, Not Strength
Control comes from subtle movements:
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Use your thumb to stabilize the bar
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Push with your palm to depower
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Lift or pull your elbow to steer gently
“Pull on your pinky, push with your palm — and if your wrist is tired, use your elbow,” says Aaron.
Step 3: Transition to Body Dragging
Once you’re stable on land or in shallow water, start dragging:
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One hand on the bar
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Other arm extended forward like Superman
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Kite parked around 1 or 2 o’clock
Stay smooth and focused on control — not speed.
With this foundation, you’ll be ready for steady body dragging, board retrieval, and riding with confidence in any conditions.
How to Body Drag Upwind Without Losing Ground
Upwind body dragging isn’t about sprinting to your board — it’s about holding your position until the board drifts to you.
“Body dragging upwind isn’t a race. It’s about staying in one spot and letting the board come back to you.” – Aaron
Step 1: Start with One-Handed Control
Park the kite around 1 or 2 o’clock. Begin dragging slowly with your back hand on the bar and your front arm extended forward. This is your baseline.
Step 2: Streamline Your Body
Stay flat in the water, head low, and dig your lead shoulder slightly. You want water flowing cleanly across your body — not pushing against your knees or twisting torso.
DO: Glide like Superman
DON’T: Don’t curl up or twist sideways
Step 3: Hold Your Ground
The goal isn’t to “gain” upwind. It’s to avoid drifting downwind. If you're holding a clean line while gliding, you’re doing it right.
“Most people over-angle and end up going backward. It’s about balance, not brute force.”
This skill builds your foundation for board recovery, transitions, and self-rescue. Don’t rush it — master holding your line before anything else.
Common Body Dragging Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Even experienced riders make costly mistakes during body dragging, especially in deep water. Here are three of the biggest ones to watch out for (and how to avoid them):
1. Over-Angling Your Body Upwind
Riders often torque their body at extreme angles trying to claw upwind — but it backfires.
“They end up going downwind because their form creates drag” Aaron explains.
Fix it: Stay streamlined. Keep your body flat, lead shoulder dipped, and let the kite do the lifting. Glide, don’t fight.
2. Reaching for the Board Too Early
This one’s common under stress. You see the board, reach... and suddenly lose kite control.
“The second you reach out and lose kite control, you lose everything” Aaron warns.
Fix it: Focus on maintaining kite control first. Only grab the board when you’re directly aligned and stable.
3. Dragging Cross-Handed or Holding the Board Downwind
Dragging with the board behind you, or using the wrong hand for control, throws off your balance and increases line tangles.
Fix it: Keep the board upwind and always in your front hand. Back hand = kite control.
Avoiding these three mistakes alone will make your body dragging smoother, safer, and more successful.
How to Transition Directions While Body Dragging
Once you're holding your position in the water, the next challenge is switching sides — without losing ground. This skill is essential for recovering your board in deep water, especially when tacking past it and coming back on a clean line.
“If you can swim backwards, transition cleanly, and keep your spot — you're ready for deep water,” says Aaron.
The Transition Sequence (Step-by-Step)
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Park your kite at 12 o’clock — this neutral position gives you time to breathe and prepare
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Swim backwards while keeping eyes on the kite
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Switch hands on the bar
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Move directly into the opposite-side drag
– New back hand controls the kite
– New front arm reaches forward, body stays streamlined
Done right, you won’t lose any distance and you’ll be perfectly aligned for your next tack.
Practice Tip: Hold Position at 12
Don’t rush. Practice holding the kite steady at 12 o’clock while swimming backward. If you can stay neutral and switch smoothly, you’ve got full control.
Common Pitfall
Many riders hesitate during the transition, letting the kite drift or body position collapse.
Fix it:
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Stay focused on kite control, not rushing to the new side
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Keep your body line long and stable throughout the switch
Once you can tack back and forth without drifting downwind, you’re no longer reacting — you’re in charge. And that’s when board retrieval becomes simple, even in deep, choppy water.
How to Body Drag with Your Board Like a Pro
Once you’ve retrieved your board, the job isn’t done — now you need to keep moving, stay in control, and prepare to put the board back on without losing position.
Here’s how to do it like a pro.
Use the Board as a Shield
“Treat the board like a shield. Protect yourself, stay streamlined, stay moving.” – Aaron
Tuck your front elbow into the footpad and hold the board upwind, just like during recovery. This positioning blocks waves and keeps the board from flopping around or hitting you.
Maintain One-Handed Control
Keep your back hand on the bar, flying the kite high (11–1 o’clock). Use subtle bar pressure to stay lifted and stable.
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Don’t try to slow down or stop
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Stay gliding — focus on the kite, not the board
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Let the board move with you, not against you
Transition with the Board
Need to change tacks? Same process as before — kite to 12, swim backward, switch hands, and reset. Just keep that elbow locked into the board’s pad during the switch.
This is where practice pays off. The more stable you are with transitions, the less energy you’ll burn.
Pro Tip: Get comfortable body dragging with the board before trying to put it on. Control always comes before setup.
How to Easily Put the Board Back On in Deep Water
Struggling to get your board back on in deep water? You’re not alone — but it’s not supposed to feel like a wrestling match.
“If you’re body dragging right, putting your board on should feel easy — not like wrestling a crocodile.” – Aaron
The key is simple: kite control first, setup second. If you’re stable, lifted, and calm, everything gets easier.
Step 1: Park the Kite at 12 O’Clock
Before you move the board:
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Bring the kite to neutral overhead (12 o’clock)
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Keep bar pressure slightly in to stay lifted and balanced
This gives you the calm, stable platform you need.
Step 2: Swing the Board Around in Front of You
With your elbow still planted in the pad:
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Rotate the board into position in front of your body
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Let it float flat and wide — don’t compress your legs inward
This eliminates the chaos of trying to “squeeze” it under yourself while floating awkwardly.
Step 3: Insert One Foot (Front or Back)
There’s no strict rule here — front or back foot works as long as:
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You’re balanced
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The kite is steady
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You’re not losing your position in the water
From there, slowly ease in the second foot, staying focused on the kite the entire time.
What to Avoid
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Don’t drop the kite to one side — keep it at 12
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Don’t rush — any sudden motion can spin the board or crash the kite
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Don’t forget: if the board starts drifting, go back to body dragging with it
Putting the board on should feel like a calm setup, not a high-stress scramble. With the kite overhead, steady body position, and a little practice, you’ll be clipping in like it’s second nature.
Why You Should Never Chase Your Board Directly
It’s the most common panic move in kiteboarding: you crash, see your board drifting upwind, and instinctively start swimming or dragging straight at it.
Don’t.
“Never chase your board. Overshoot it. Set your line. Hunt it with discipline.” – Aaron
Chasing the board directly almost always sends you downwind of it. The second you reach out too early or angle too hard, your body positioning collapses and you drift farther away.
The Right Strategy
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Ignore the board (for now)
Get back into your upwind body drag position and pick a clean line past the board — 10–20 feet upwind. -
Tack across
Use smooth, controlled transitions to bring yourself back across the board’s path. -
Run over it — don’t reach for it
When you’re lined up properly, the board will drift directly into your path. That’s when you scoop it cleanly without losing kite control.
Common Mistake
Trying to reach too early breaks your form and crashes your kite. You lose the board and your position.
Fix it: Be patient. Drag past it. Reset your angle. Then recover.
Once you trust this process, chasing becomes unnecessary. You’ll get the board every time — without panic, crashes, or wasted energy.
Recap: Mastering the Deep Water Board Retrieval Process
The only way to stay confident in deep water is to build your skills before you need them. That means taking every lost board — even in shallow water — as an opportunity to practice.
Here’s your deep water board retrieval blueprint:
The Process, Step-by-Step
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Build the habit in waist-deep water
Always body drag back to your board — even if you could walk. Repetition builds instinct. -
Master one-handed kite control
Learn to keep steady power without flailing. Use your thumb, wrist, and elbow for leverage. -
Streamline your body
Stay flat, dig your lead shoulder, and let the kite lift you. Avoid over-angling or twisting. -
Hold your position upwind
Drag slowly in place — this lets the board drift down to you over time. -
Practice clean transitions
Swim backward, switch hands, reset your tack. The goal is zero ground loss. -
Drag with the board like a pro
Keep it upwind, elbow in the pad, kite high. Don’t slow down until you’re stable. -
Put the board on with calm control
Kite at 12, board in front, one foot at a time. Focus on the kite first — always. -
Never chase the board directly
Go past it, tack back, and meet it on your terms. That’s the pro move.
“Master this skill, and you'll ride anywhere, in any condition, with total confidence.” – Aaron
Whether it’s your first week or your tenth season, upwind body dragging is a skill that pays off every time you're on the water. Practice it. Own it. And pass it on to the next rider who needs it.
Become a Self-Sufficient Kiteboarder with Elite Watersports
At Elite Watersports, we believe every rider should feel confident, capable, and in control — no matter the conditions. That’s why we train our students to master every skill from the ground up — and why upwind body dragging is such a critical part of that journey.
Whether you're just starting out or fine-tuning for deep water confidence, we’ve got the coaching, gear, and resources to help you succeed.
Want more step-by-step guidance?
Check out our full Beginner Kiteboarding Video Playlist — including lessons on launching, riding, transitions, and more.
Looking to improve your technique?
Here are a few key blogs to level up your skills:
Ready to train in person?
Come ride with us in St. Petersburg — or give us a call at 727-800-2202. We’ll help you become a self-sufficient kiteboarder for life.
“Our mission is simple — make you a better rider, so you can pass it on and keep the stoke alive.”
Written by Ryan "Rygo" Goloversic:
Rygo is a globally recognized kiteboarder, digital marketing expert and an advocate for wakestyle kiteboarding. An avid waterman, he's passionate and knowledgeable about all things watersports from wing foil to wake. When he's not writing articles, you can catch him competing on the KPLxGKA world tour or grinding it out in the gym.