Teaching my brother (now myself)

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

Ok, so my brother told you all my problem with standing up. We both think that I am doing what you say but still I am doing more swimming (and drinking the lake) than boarding.
I can get the board almost to the surface but when it starts to plane out, it seams like air gets under the edge and my weight pushs the board back into the water. It's all faceplants from there. I try to keep my weight back but then the boat just drags me. I try to angle the board to +/-45 degrees when it's under the water each time. I am getting really upset because most of the time I can pickup any sport I try fairly quick and I then teach my brother....now it's the other way....and plus I don't like spending $250 for something I can't use.

Sorry about the constant reposting about the same thing, I know it gets annoying to say the same thing over and over again but I would really like to learn. Thanks in advance.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Sep 26, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

i can't stress not standing enough. Stay in a compact ball with your elbows around your knees until the board is stably planing on the water, Then, and not a second before then, should you stand.

Skate252 · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 46 City: Russellville

I second that... all in favor? thats exactly what you have to do... just keep them knees on that chest

Hersh · Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 10 City: Oviedo

Cant agree more. You have to stay in a crouched position until you are obviously planed out. I would stay crouched even longer the first couple of times. I spent the better part of 3 hours faceplanting at OWC until I got it. Now, no prob, every time. After you do it the first couple of times it will click.

dan.smith · Criminal Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 64

Here's a pic to illustrate:

Wakeboarding=Life · Outlaw Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 200 City: Castle Rock

I could be wrong but it looks to me like you're trying to stand up before the board is ready for you.

pet575 · Posted: Jan 16, 2008 7:38 am Post subject:

ak62, do you have any update for us? Did you make it up?

Wakeboarding=Life, that is not him-that is an illustration of the crouch he needed to stay in until he could feel himself get on plane. That guy is probably standing a little too much compared to how much a beginner should be standing.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

The 2 most important things about getting up:

1. Knees bent as far as you can
2. Arms all the way out (around the knees but fully extended)

Do both of those until you are all the way out of the water.

For an exercise on why this is important, sit on the ground and have someone pull you up. First try it legs extended and arms in. It's impossible. Then try it knees bent arms out - piece of cake. It's all about leverage. You should not even be using your arm or leg muscles in the process of getting up.

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

I tried for about a month after this original post and still couldn't get it down. My dad started having some medical problems so we put the boat up early fo the year. We needed the money for medical bills instead of gas for the boat. But everything is fine with him now.

During that month my brother got better and better, he can stand up everytime now and is working on w2w. I still haven't got it yet but I have been working out all winter by lifting and running so it might get easier.

pet575 · Posted: Jan 18, 2008 7:11 am Post subject:

ak62, sorry to hear that but glad everything seems OK now. Wakeboarding is 90% (or more) technique and the rest strength. Nothing wrong with getting stronger, but don't get the impression that strength alone will put you over the top.

Skate252 · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 46 City: Russellville

I concur

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

you guys sound just like my football coach, but yeah i agree technique is everything in any sport. As soon as the spring thaw comes I'll be back trying again (and will get it this time).

ZIRB3L · Criminal Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 75 City: South Holland

It took me all summer dude, i didnt get up till the last 2 weeks and after that its like riding a bike. Keep at it and try different things. What helps, i think, is try sitting on shore and haveing a buddy pull you up. get the formation in your head and then try it on the water

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

Sorry to bring up an old topic but I just had to say...I finally got up! Very Happy

Once I did I thought "Wow, what was so hard about that?" lol

We took a vacation to Lake Cumberland in Ky, and I spent 3 days trying to get up. The last day I was about to give up and my brother told me to try one more time. I did and for some reason that was the time I got it. Now I have no problem with it.

But I wanted to thank everyone for the advice and hopefully now I'm gonna learn really quick. Wink