Absolutely new to Wakeboarding. Lotsa Questions

Rawhide · Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

I am almost 50 years old, Have never Skied, Snowboarded, Wakeboarded, or even Skateboarded, so I really have tons of questions. I hope someone here has the time to answer some of them.

After about 2 weeks of research and with a limited budget, I settled on a CWB Faze 141 / seven bindings. I am 6' 2" tall and 218 pounds.

1. This board has removable fins, having never done any of the above should I start with or without the fins?
2. What happens if I remove the back fin and leave the front fin, remove the front fin and leave the back fin or remove both fins? ( a friend told me both fins can be removed).
3. The seven bindings are hinged, what is the hinge for?
4. Helmets, should I wear one while learning the basics?
5. Are gloves specially fitted for Tow handles or can I use an old set of Bike gloves while I am learning the basics.
6. What is the minimum tow speed to get up, The wife will need to learn how to tow and I hope she is not ticked at me for anything Smile

Any answers will be greatly appreciated, and thanks beforehand.

Jason

Punkpenguin · Outlaw Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 224

1) Personally I would start with the fins until you get comfortable riding then take them off, they lock in your edge and keep you a little more stable, however, once you get proper edging down, you dont really need them. Without them you can reinforce your edging even more.

2) I wouldnt remove the back fin only, if anything just leave the back one on and take the front off, this will allow for a little more freedom but still keep you on track a bit.

3) the hinge is there to make gettin in/out of the bindings easier, you can just clip/unclip it and it should loosen up enough to get in / out with ease.

4) Helmet is a personal preference, however, progessing from getting up to w2w 360s i've never came close to hitting my head. But, its always nice to be safe.

5) You can use any gloves, bike gloves might come apart because of the water? idk much about this, tho you can buy water specific ones, you'd have to look up "Water skii'ing" stuff tho.

6) Minimum speed... Depends really, i can get up going about 10mph, but its alot more work. I'd say for learning, and at 218 on a 141, probably around 17-18mph, and you can tell your wife to speed up / down depending.

kevoLFwake · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 132

knowing how to snowboard or skateboard would be very helpful...
1. leave the fins in when you begin learning how to get up. then take them out after a while and learn how to use your edge.
2. you can take the front one out and leave the back in, ive seen a lot of beginners do that. your choice. its all personal preference
3. think of the hinge as a lock down. when your set lock down the hinge for a snug fit.
4. i dont think anyone wore a helmet when they learned how to wakeboard. so dont bother with that.
5. you dont really need gloves, just a firm grip.
6. 19-20 mph should be good.

anything else... holla
good luck

lottinala · Newbie Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 11 City: hazel green

i can tell you that te fins that come with this board is about 3 inchs tall becase my son has the same board, the problem he had was there was to much bite when he was trying to get out of the water and he had a hard time getting up. as soon as we took them off he popped out of the water like he had been doing it for years. as for the hinged binders thats the best thing since buttermilk it makes it alot easier to put on.

Rawhide · Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks all, as soon as the equipment arrives we are going out. I'm sure there will be plenty more questions.

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

1. Leave both fins in when you're first starting. When you are getting to the point where you are jumping the wake you could start thinking about pulling your fins. You do both or none. This is because you should start learning to ride switch as early as you can.
4. In my opinion, no. Wearing a helmet in the first place is questionable because of the extra torque your neck takes when hitting the water with a helmet on. Especially when you're first starting I wouldn't think it would be worth it because you're not attempting any risky maneuvers.
5. Don't wear gloves. Skiers use gloves because of the extra strain due to going faster, the stretchy line etc. If you have a good wakeboard rope and handle (necessities) you don't need gloves. Get a handle with a EVA or leather grip and you're good to go.
6. It depends on the size of the person and board. But for an adult male, 20mph would probably be a good beginning speed. When you're ready to start jumping the wake you'll need to figure out the optimum speed for the wake with weight, etc. Most girls that start can get by at 18mph and kids will go lower than that.

wakespeak · Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 42 City: Austin

It took me a while to get the line length, boat speed combo right for me. On our boat ('07 Suprra 22v) it is 22.6 mph and 63'. Wider boats have wider wakes, so if your's is around 8' or wider I would go for 60'-65' rope. Start at slower speeds until you get the hang of it and know when to let go and when to hang on.

Best advice I got: Look across the wake at where you want to land.