FINS!!!

srhboarder · Posted: Jul 09, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject: FINS!!!

Hey all! I have been riding for about 2-3 yaers now but hardly get a chance to cuz we only go to havasu most of the time and when im here. (Im in Arkansas) We live rite on the lake so a get alot of practice in but scence im only 13 I havent really tride much. Also i wakeboard behind a pontoon boat because they dont leave there ski boat in very much and the lake is really small(Smooth as Hell) but raelly small. What i want to know is if i should take off the fins on my board yet because i learn to do surface 180s and ride switch. I decided to take off the huge fin I had in the back and switched it for the smaller one in front and left the front finless. I rode it like that yesterday and liked it but should i take the small one in the back comletely off for S 180s. Also i would like any tips on surface 180s please. Thanks in advanced!!!

DMBeer41 · Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 12 City: Stamford

I'm fairly new to wakeboarding as well and based on advice on here I took my fins off my last two times out. I LOVED it. You do slide a lot more over the water but at the same time surface tricks are a breeze. I did a 180 my first try without the fins. It'll also help you learn to edge more. I'd recommend taking them off and trying it out. It'll take a minute to get used to it, but it's a lot of fun.

HHI Dave · Posted: Jul 09, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

I've been riding without center fins almost since I first started riding. I have really gotten accustomed to a loose feel and I love being able to break my board loose without any effort. Cool

Also, as far as surface 180's, handle position is a big part of the puzzle. Most people are concentrating so hard on breaking the board loose that they forget to move the handle around to their other hip. They end up fighting themselves to bring the board around.

Try it this way... have the boat driver run at "sliding speed" around 12-14 mph. Get in the center of the wake and start carving back and forth inside the wake. When you are at the peak of your toeside cut, cut back towards your heelside and as the board gets into a neutral position (flat on the water), move the handle from your lead hip to your rear hip. This will naturally pull the board around in a front side surface 180.

Also, you can practice riding in the center of the wake at "sliding speed" and simply sliding back and forth doing 180s by keeping the board neutral and moving the handle back and forth. Do this a few times and you'll quickly see how much the handle position plays a role in board position. You will probably catch an edge a time or two but that's the purpose behind practicing surface tricks at lower speeds. It doesn't hurt nearly as much. Wish I'd know that when I first started. Mr. Green

srhboarder · Posted: Jul 09, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks so far. Another thing. If im gonna be switch should i adjust my board some or can i go just set up really comfortable regular. As in should i face the back out some and should i move the whole "package" forward some. Please help more.

DMBeer41 · Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 12 City: Stamford

srhboarder · Posted: Jul 09, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks ill try that.

srhboarder · Posted: Jul 10, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject:

Well i didnt get to go out today(RAIN SUCKS). I got my board adjusted some though and really think it will let my get S 180s down soon. Q. Does anyone have anything else that is posible to do behind a pontoon boat. Im kinda getting bored. Sad

srhboarder · Posted: Jul 11, 2008 8:39 am Post subject:

Wahoo. Yeah. I got the surface 180 down and surface 360 twice(My grandparents) stopped me) I love it finless and cant wait to go out again today. Hey, How much harder is it to spin a board with molded in fins. Rite now I have an old Jacknife by lunatic(Cheap board I know but it works for 6 weeks during the summer and I dont have money for a new one out here.) What would be a really good board for me. I want a really cheap one. 134-138. I like the feel of a lose board but want to be able to edge out fairly well. Any help....