Standing Tall

[actionmama]

All-this is a great forum. I have read some really easily explained tips-thanks!

I read in another topic that you should LOCK OUT YOUR KNEES at the wake to get the pop required.

I ride behind a PWC-that's all I can have in JAPAN...licensing issues for BOATS and that language barrier. I can do W2W hs...but I get ZERO pop most times...its like I am just skimming across the water. Looking at video, I am supercrouched. Should I try and lock one or both knees to try to achieve that pop? My board is a hyperlite premier, it says subtle 3 stage...surely THIS is not my issue.

Please advise.

[Blake]

actionmama, sorry to inform you, but you are really limited with the pwc. Even with perfect form, your tricks will still appear hucked and you wont achieve the kind of pop you need to pull off many tricks. However, you do have a few options. First, you can perfect your technique and if/when you get behind a boat, you will be ahead of the game. Second, you can try your best, but just have fun while you are out there not really worrying about all that. The third, and my best option is simply just purchasing a wakeskate. You will be able to do so much more, and actually learn a pretty new sport. Just look into the options and see where you want to go with that!

[actionmama]

I am glad to hear you say that...I thought I was just superlame! Now I can blame the equipment. I am definately having fun! I figured about the max I could do would be a W2W 180. I can also learn to go W2W hs/ts...and of course throw in the 180s. When I get behind a boat I am sure it will be another world.

And I am all about trying new stuff and making purchases to back it up...but not sure how the skate would be more fun? Don't know anything about it. What size does one need? I am 5'8" and pretty beefy...about a guys weight for that height.

But the question still remains-to really LOCK the knees or not?

Thanks for the response.

[howabouttheiris]

Do not lock the knees.

BUT be extending your legs (towards locked but not getting there) as you approach - go up - go off the wake.

"locking you knees" is the guaranteed way that you will not absorb the wake impact when you hit it. It is not really advised, but a good starting point to learn edging properly. It takes part of the total jump process away. I have recommended it several times to learn progressive edging by forcing you to lean back on the rope.

Look at your video, you can be crouched on approach, but from the start of the wake until you are in the air, you should not get more crouched. You need to resist your legs from being pushed up (by straightening your legs or at least holding them rigid) in order to get the push from the wake.

[howabouttheiris]

Post your video.

[actionmama]

What extensions can I post? I have tried MV4 and MP4...no go???

[howabouttheiris]

I've never had luck posting here.....
Utube / Google / Wakepix / etc all have easy ways to post videos... and post the link here.

Get out of 2007 and try posting a .wmv or .mpg

[KristianB]

Well I'm not sure I agree! Event though you're boarding off a PWC, I'm sure you can do alot! If you can do inverts off a Solo (http://www.botoskifree.com/movie6.htm) ... but then I guess you need to get the technique down just right!!!
I've seen other clips of people doing amazing things behind this "thing" so I guess a boat is not all there is to this sport!

/K

[Blake]

KristianB, have you ever actually attempted any invert behind a pwc? I have, and not so pretty!

[nickl011]

I wonder if anyone really bought one of those solos.

[actionmama]

INFO NOTE: TURN YOUR VOLUME DOWN...

Okay...got some vid up at you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4MUCAsywQY

Sorry about the sound...the camera I am using "helmet cam atc-1000" makes my ski sound like an alcohol car.

Try not to bust me up too bad. This is my first REAL SUMMER I have been able to focus on this sport. My summer being only from about Jun-Aug...and I'm not 17 anymore

I watched a vid on you tube this morning of a guy behind a really lame boat...almost looked like a raft with an outboard motor...and he was tearing it up...so...I just need to regroup.

I want more height so I can land in the flats.

[howabouttheiris]

You are not edging very hard at all. It looks like you are standing upright. Lean back on the rope (away from the PWC) and edge harder. If you edge hard, you should notice spray coming off your board. I see very little in the video.

To get the feeling for this, cut way out on your heal side and try to pull the PWC sideways. Cut really hard, the harder you cut the more you can lean back, (or vice versa). Notice when you release the edge that you very violently pop upright and if you are doing it right, you may even have trouble not falling forward. Once you have this feeling, do it into the wake.

To see how this looks (exagerated a bit) look at a side view of a raley. You will see how far they can lean back.

My 2 cents

[actionmama]

Great tip!

I can edge hard on my hs...I guess I am just not doing it there. I can steer that PWC from my board edging so hard out on the left side of it...the other side is more twisted and more difficult to do ts.

I took some time off work-I'll work on it this week. Edge as aggressively when approaching the wake as I would do way out on the left side of the PWC. Will give it a shot.

Thanks!

[howabouttheiris]

Remember to edge most agressively as you come up the wake.

[actionmama]

I didn't get to try the W2W much today...I did get a couple of small 180's, going in either direction. Storm came in-had to pack up. I am trying to get a surface 360...but find it difficult to reach. Still had a blast!

[actionmama]

Here is a reattack on my PWC W2W. It is a little better than the previous posts. I still haven't landed in the flats.
NOTE: TURN VOLUME DOWN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFf3JvYa1SQ

My buddy and I were talking...he lands in the flats everytime. I wonder if it is my board. He is MUCH heavier and rides an OBRIEN Oasis 137...I have a Hyperlite Premier 141. Side by side my board is HUGE compared to his. Wonder if he gets more natural pop being heavier and riding lower in the water?

Truth be told-the premier may be a bit advanced for me...the fin configuration is way more aggressive than that OASIS. I also have an OASIS. Riding that is hard for me now because it feels SUPER SLIPPERY. The wind can make me break those fins loose. I prefer the Premier, but the 141 may just be too big.

Thoughts?

[endlessracingz]

couldn't see the other vid but with this one... wow that wake is teeeeny tiiiiiny...

By w2w you must be speed ramping it, because thats what it looks like your doing in the vid. What I mean is it doesn't look like your getting ANY pop at all. Like your just trying to cut right through the lake.

It may also be the wake size but it looks like your trying to jump the wake. Your legs never seem to straighted out very much which is what will give you the pop. You seem to once you get on your progressive edge just edging over the wake with your knees bent absorbing the pop.

[actionmama]

I see what you mean...I've been watching and watching BUILDING A FOUNDATION...I'll keep at it.

Can't help the wake...its all I have...if I was in the US, there is no doubt I'd have some type of boat.

[actionmama]

I see what you mean...I've been watching and watching BUILDING A FOUNDATION...I'll keep at it.

Can't help the wake...its all I have...if I was in the US, there is no doubt I'd have some type of boat.

[inter]

http://www.wakeboarder.com/display.phtml?a=50
incase you haven't seen this yet, there it is.
It's really great info, helped me out a lot with my edging and jumping the wake when I was starting out.