Just wondering what the magic trick is to staying upwind, or even just holding a rail when going upwind in serious chop?

I'm fine in the river, but going out at scabs today I was struggling to stay upwind, and even keeping a rail in was tricky going over the big stuff at times (4ft?).

Seems like really driving the back foot in works a bit, but then I shot too far upwind and lost speed. Trying to balance it out I found I nosedived into the wave (more than once...).

Any suggestions?

Just wasn't strong enough when you where out so early today.
In flat water you go faster and that adds relative speed.
In Scarb's swell you loose speed, so you need an extra 2kn or so.

Steve