You know how to read the wind and handle the wing. Now it's time to get the board moving. Before you can fly, you have to learn how to taxi. The first step is mastering the 'knee taxi', a skill that builds the foundation for your first flight. It's all about generating just enough forward momentum from a kneeling position to create a stable platform for standing up. Trying to stand up from a dead stop is a recipe for a swim.

Start by getting on the board in a kneeling position, with one knee on either side of the board's centerline for balance. Your board should be positioned crosswind, or perpendicular to the wind. This orientation prevents the wind from pushing your board's nose or tail around, making it much easier to control. Hold the wing by the front handle and let it flag downwind. Once you're stable, grab the wing's power handles. Gently sheet in to catch a little wind. Don't try to power up fully; you just want a small, consistent pull to start gliding across the water. Keep your weight centered and your eyes looking forward.

Once you're comfortably knee taxiing and can maintain a straight line, it's time to stand. This transition needs to be a smooth, deliberate motion. From your knees, you'll use a staggered technique. First, shift your weight slightly and bring your front foot up, placing it flat on the board's centerline. It should be positioned roughly where your front knee was.

Now for the most important part: placing your back foot. Push up off your back knee and quickly place that foot on the centerline directly over, or just slightly in front of, the foil's mast. You can feel for the mast's location through the board. This foot placement is non-negotiable. With your back foot over the mast, you have direct control over the foil. Any pressure here will influence the foil's lift. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart. As you stand, keep your knees bent, back straight, and look toward the horizon, not down at your feet. Use the wing to stabilize yourself, making small adjustments to maintain a steady pull. A sudden gust of power will throw you off balance.

You're up! Now the goal is to stay up. Focus on maintaining steady forward momentum. If you slow down too much, the board will become wobbly and you'll likely fall. Keep a consistent, light pull in the wing. Your front foot will control your direction (your 'steering wheel'), while your back foot controls the foil's lift (your 'gas pedal'). For now, keep your weight slightly forward to prevent the foil from engaging prematurely. Think of it as riding a scooter; you need some speed before the real fun begins. Practice taxiing on your feet, getting comfortable with the balance and control before you attempt to fly.

Now you have the tools to get up and riding. It takes practice, so be patient with yourself. Every session on the water will build your muscle memory and confidence.