Technical wave kitesurfing: wave riding, strapless and progression

Quick definition: Technical wave kitesurfing (wave riding) consists of using the power of the kite and the energy of the swell to glide on the face of the waves, as in surfing. The take-off, the bottom turn and the cutback require precise steering of the kite and a careful reading of the ocean.

Introduction

Combining the power of the kite and the beauty of the waves: this is the promise of technical wave kitesurfing. Wave riding kitesurfing attracts riders looking for surfing sensations with the freedom of kiting — take-off in shorebreak, carves on the face, strapless without footstraps. But the discipline requires rigorous progression: bad timing of the kite throws you out of the wave or into the shorebreak zone.

This guide details the fundamental techniques of wave riding: choice of equipment (directional board, twin-tip, strapless), take-off, bottom turn, kite management in waves, shorebreak safety and Moroccan spots. At Essaouira Surf Camp School, our IKO instructors teach wave riding in the morning in Sidi Kaouki — when the trade wind has not yet transformed the bay — then freeride in the afternoon on the lagoon.

Whether you come from Hossegor, Peniche or Réunion, the principles of wave kitesurfing remain the same. The IKO recommends 40 hours of twin-tip freeride before tackling wave riding in real conditions.

Wave riding vs freeride: two distinct disciplines

The direct answer: in freeride, the kite is your main engine. In wave riding, the wave becomes the engine — the kite is used to enter the wave and maintain speed, then stows away discreetly during the ride.

Freeride / wave riding comparison

Equipment for kitesurfing technical waves

Directional board vs twin-tip

• Directional board (kite surfboard): 5'8 to 6'2, volume 25–35 L, straps or strapless. Better glide on the face, natural carves. Ideal for Sidi Kaouki and Cap Sim.
• Twin-tip: to start moderate wave riding and shorebreak. Less surf feeling, more versatile.
• Strapless: without footstraps — expert level, total connection with the board. A leading figure in modern wave riding.

Kite for the waves

Underveil systematically. A kite that is too big pulls you out of the wave at take-off. Instructors recommend:

• 15–18 knots: 7–9 m²
• 18–22 knots: 6–8 m²
• 22–28 knots: 5–7 m²

C-kites and hybrids offer rapid depower — essential when a series of waves is approaching.

Leash and security

In wave riding, the board leash (leg leash) is obligatory — the directional board falls far away. The kite leash remains connected to the harness. Quick release tested before each shorebreak session.

Fundamental wave kitesurfing techniques

Here is the progression from take-off to cutback.

Step 1: Read the wave and position yourself

Observe 10 minutes before entering: direction of the swell, take-off zone, shorebreak, other riders. Position yourself wave side (not facing the shorebreak), kite low in the wind window (9 o'clock for left edge, 3 o'clock for right edge).

Step 2: The take-off

When the wave forms:

1. One hand on the control bar, the other free or on the board
2. Push lightly on the bar to generate traction
3. Weight shift forward — the board catches the wave
4. From the take-off, raise the kite to the zenith so as not to be pulled out of the wave

Classic mistake: flying the kite too high on take-off — you take off instead of sliding down the face.

Step 3: Bottom turn

At the bottom of the wave, transfer your weight to the back rail and carve towards the lip. The kite remains at the zenith or slightly behind — it should not pull during the carve. Bottom turn kitesurfing resembles surfing: compression, rotation of the shoulders, gaze towards the lip.

Step 4: Cutback and top turn

Go back up to the face, then go back down to the cutback to stay in the power zone of the wave. The kite can descend slightly (1 o'clock or 11 o'clock) to maintain tension if the wave weakens.

Step 5: Wave Release

Before the shorebreak, depower the kite, exit the wave sideways and reposition yourself for the next one. Never stay in the impact zone of the shorebreak with the active kite.

Strapless: the pinnacle of technical wave kitesurfing

The strapless kitesurf (without footstraps) requires:

• Advanced balance on directional board
• One-foot or no-foot take-off in shorebreak
• Smooth transitions between surfing and kite piloting
• Frequent falls at first — impact vest recommended

Strapless progression:

1. Sailing strapless on flat water (lagoon)
2. Small waves in straps, then remove a strap
3. Full strapless in waves 0.5–1 m
4. Figures: aerial, 360, strapless transition

Essaouira Surf Camp School offers strapless clinics with specialized IKO wave riding instructors.

Table: wave riding progression by level

Safety in kitesurfing waves: shorebreak and priorities

Priority rules in wave riding kite

1. The rider already on the wave has priority
2. The one who takes-off closest to the peak (starting zone of the wave) has priority
3. Don’t kite between a surfer and the wave
4. In shorebreak, a rider on the ground (kite down) has priority — do not go over them

Dangers of shorebreak

• Falls in impact zone: board, kite and bodies hit by the wave
• Kite down in shorebreak: risk of being swept away — immediate quick release
• Currents: frequent rip currents in Sidi Kaouki — locate the exits before riding

IKO instructors insist: never practice wave riding alone in powerful shorebreak without local experience.

Wave kitesurf spots in Morocco and Europe

Morocco

• Sidi Kaouki: regular beach break, waves 0.5–1.5 m, side-offshore wind in the morning
• Cap Sim: more powerful waves, intermediate-advanced level
• Essaouira (morning): light wind, modest waves — ideal for starting wave riding
• Taghazout — Panorama: Atlantic swell, reserved for experts

Europe

• Hossegor — La Sud: powerful waves, kite + surf
• Peniche — Baleal: Portuguese beach break, variable conditions
• Leucate (sea): Mediterranean shorebreak, strong wind in the afternoon

Essaouira strategy: surf in the morning, kite in the afternoon

Essaouira Bay follows a unique pattern: surf and wave riding kite in the morning (offshore or calm wind), freeride kite in the afternoon (trade wind 20–28 knots). Essaouira Surf Camp School optimizes your sessions according to the weather and the tide.

Practical advice: 4-week wave riding plan

Week 1: Twin-tip sessions in moderate shorebreak (Sidi Kaouki morning). 10 take-offs per session. Focus: low kite, one hand, clean exit.

Week 2: Directional board passage with straps. Basic bottom turns and cutbacks. IKO coaching recommended.

Week 3: Gradual reduction of straps. Strapless on flat water (Essaouira lagoon).

Week 4: Strapless in 0.5m waves. Debrief video session at Essaouira Surf Camp School.

Fitness wave riding: swimming, balance (slackline), yoga — wave riding works the core, legs and shoulders.

Common mistakes in technical wave kitesurfing

1. Kite flying too high at take-off — projection instead of gliding
2. Spot too difficult — violent shorebreak without experience
3. Ignoring surfers — collisions and line-up conflicts
4. Board too small — not enough buoyancy for the take-off
5. Wind too strong — impossible to control the kite in waves
6. No leg leash — directional board lost in a fall
7. Strapless too early — burnt progression, frequent injuries