Surface 180's?

[IrideLITE]

So at the end of my season i had started to try some FS surface 180's...i could definatly tell my improvement in just a few times out, but i really want to get those down really soon. So do you have any extra tips? Like handle position/knees bent/hands? Anything would help.

BTW I read that link about them in the links for beginners, but it didnt cover that stuff.

Thanks

[howabouttheiris]

IMHO... the best way to learn them is to stay sideways when you get up.

Start in the water with the board facing the boat and when you are pulled up, do no move the rope to your hip. Just stay facing the boat.

Get used to sliding back and forth...

It is a funny trick, as soon as you get the hang of it, you can break and slide anytime. (FS/BS/lip/etc)

[ontrider]

If you're having trouble with them when the boat is up to speed, cut out hard and then flatten your board off. This will let you coast for a second and give you time to do the surface 180 without the rope tension yanking you forward.

[IrideLITE]

Alright thanks, I'm pretty sure I understand now

[bonsaitree]

As crazy as it sounds I practiced these at work when I was trying to learn them. (its a pizza place) Get the floor nice and soapy wet, then grab on to a counter and try and pull the counter to your hip while also changing the weight on your feet.

I'm with howabouttheiris in this one though. Its a funny trick cause the trick is such a pain to learn with catching your toeside and falling flat on your face, but after you do it makes all sorts of other surface tricks really easy.

[LF_WaKeR]

Just make sure you use the rope to pull your hips around. If you dont you could catch your front edge.

I dont think i need to say much more!!!!

[IrideLITE]

Alright...I took all the tips togethor and take it this is what I need to do?

-Cut hard into the wake
-Pull up so the board slows
-Pull the rope into my hip
-Board should just slide into a 180?
Put weight on back foot?


Thanks

[howabouttheiris]

[Wakebrad]

The biggest key is moving the rope from 1 hip to the other. This will initiate most of the rotation. Weight on your heels is important, I would keep the weight even between the front and back foot.

[toothpick]

Hey IrideLITE, good work on wanting to cover the basics first. One big key that hasn't been mentioned yet is to slow the boat down so you can catch an edge without getting hurt. Slides are easily done at speeds between 13-15 mph, no need to go any faster. Lengthen the rope all the way out so you have a lot of room between the wakes.

To slide, get your weight even on both feet and sit like you're in a chair. A good drill is to move left and right inside the wakes while still sliding. That's done by turning the board a little one way, then the other way.

Don't be afraid to try backside slides at that slow speed too. When you do, here are the keys: Look at the boat, turn your hand over so the back of your hand is facing the water, and break at the waist so your hips are up by the handle and your chest is facing the water.

[IrideLITE]

Thanks for the help guys.

toothpick, when you say slide back in forth inside the waist, do you mean without turning the board? Like

[toothpick]

Haha, I got your little illustration, I like it. I think the word you're looking for is that the board is perpendicular to the boat instead of parallel with it.

Yeah, so instead of just doing a full surface 180, do a surface 90 and play around with the sliding position. What that does is teach you board control.

[IrideLITE]

Haha glad you like it. yeaaaa Perpendicular was the word...big word just to say right angle haha.

I will definatly try that next time I hit the water. I think I actually have good board control specially for bein 130lbs and ride a 139. I guess core probably helps alot with that since it helps with balance and, well, pretty much everything you do.

[LF_WaKeR]

That was almost perfect. I wish when I posted on this topic I would have thought to do that.