Kite Girl's First Crail Grab

The Crail Grab is the least common grab seen on the beach, mostly because it's not one you would think to do often. Taking your back hand and reaching for the nose takes some flexibility and core, but it looks epic paired with rolls and rotations. For this video I'll cover the most simple variation.

If you want to see the more advanced version, check out this video by Rygo and Blake. They accidentally called it a Nuke Grab, but this video breaks down more variations of this grab.

Step One - Pop or Jump

You can do this with a sent jump or a load and pop. It is easier to make the grab if you keep the kite low, however. Load up your lines, lean back, and pop off the water.

Step Two - Getting the Board Close

Bring your front knee into your chest and poke your back leg down. You can do this vertically, as keeping the board parallel to the water takes more skill and you will have to turn your back to the kite. For this variation, you can just tuck that front knee in close.

Step Three - The Crail Grab

Reach your back hand across like you are buckling a seat belt. Side note: if you grab your tail with the front hand, that is called a Seat Belt Grab! Make sure you grab the nose of the board, not the area in front of your foot. That is a no grab zone in other sports.

Step Four - The Landing

Spot your landing and let your legs drop. Land slightly downwind and smile. You just did your first Crail Grab.

Kristen Cooper

MACkite team rider, social media manager, and fitness junky. Kristen is an avid kiteboarder, cable boarder, and outdoor enthusiast. She's the kind of person who would prefer to spend her days outside on the water and her nights in front of a campfire with her dog. No stranger to living an active outdoor lifestyle, you're just as likely to find her pushing heavy weights in the squat rack as you would find her taking photos or videos for our team. Her mission is to travel as much as possible, spread joy and positivity with everyone, and to just get outside.