Having troubles with my form, help?

CosmoBlaster · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 City: Edmond

Like the title says, I'm having some trouble with my form. I can get up out of the water no problem, but staying up is proving to be quite a bit more difficult. I don't know if it's me or the driver but it feels like the rope is gaining and losing tension so it's jerking me forward over the board. I've talked to the driver and he says he's keeping it at a steady speed so I'm starting to think it's me. How can I avoid that from happening? I don't think I'm keeping my weight on my back foot enough either. Is there anything I can do to work on that besides being in the water? I haven't done any wakeboarding in about 5 years so I'm still pretty rusty and trying to get back to the basics so I can drop the bad habits! Any advice will be appreciated

spanky92 · Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 46 City: Clinton

im still new at it too but the guys that taught me have been at it for 10+ years... i think that its the rope?

pet575 · Posted: Jul 07, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

Only way to know is to try a different rope before you run out and buy one.

I'd say you need to ride more to get comfortable. And you should NOT have a ton of weight on your back foot. Your weight should be pretty evenly distributed on both of your feet. It is NOT a slalom ski.

Think of it like you're riding a skateboard or a snowboard-you don't put the majority of your weight on your back foot on either of those when you're just riding.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jul 07, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject:

I keep my weight distribution at about 60/40 maybe a bit less 57/43 . Laughing

I did have the same problem when I learned and I'm 90% sure it is the rope. You don't have to run out and buy a super expensive rope/handle, Any non-stretch w/WB handle will help that problem. I got mine at the boat place for $50, it's an Airhead brand if I remember right. I really like the handle, it has a 15 deg. radius to it and is a lot more comfortable on my wrists and forearm then a strait handle. Hold your arms out like you would a WB handle, look how your wrists are naturally, then grab a strait handle, you'll see what I'm talking about. I don't know why the main line manufactures haven't picked up on this?

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

As far as the weight distribution goes, you should start to feel what is the correct stance. IMO, leaning back too far is better than leaning forward too far at first. That's what I typically tell beginners to keep them from sliding out due to inexperience with edging. With my riding I feel like there's not a set percent of weight that I keep on either foot. It varies depending on what I'm doing obviously. It would also depend on the boat speed. If you aren't planed out, you will have to lean back to resist the drag. I disagree with the rope issue though. I rode with a ski rope and handle for quite some time before buying my own wakeboarding/non-stretch rope, and didn't have problems like what you're talking about. More information about when your problem occurs would help, but my guess is you're initiating your cuts back toward the boat without allowing yourself time to slow down from your cut out. Could be way off, but I've seen that happen, and know what it feels like myself.

pet575 · Posted: Jul 08, 2009 7:04 am Post subject:

CosmoBlaster, when you say "forward over the board" which part of the board are you talking about? Is it the front side or "nose" of the board? Or is it the long edge of the board under your toes, which is the "toeside" edge of the board?

I would think the answer to that question would help us figure out how to help you.

CosmoBlaster · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 City: Edmond

Definitely the front edge, I was biting it hard before even being able to turn completely. Sometimes the nose when I was able to get turned. I just picked up a copy of "The Book" so I'll be watching and studying that a lot. Lake was real choppy this past weekend so I didn't get out and try different things.

Now that I think about it a little more, the driver of the boat was making a lot of turns and stuff instead of just going straight. I don't think that helped me any.

Thanks for the replies! Very Happy

edittman1 · Outlaw Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Posts: 151 City: San Jose

You using a ski rope that has elasticity?

Put more weight on your rear foot, too.

CosmoBlaster · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 City: Edmond

Watching "The Book" helped me realize a few things about my form. Thumbs up to them. Yup, using a ski rope.

mucksoup · Outlaw Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Posts: 120 City: eugene

just keep at it. the more water time you have the beter you will get. are other people on your boat having the same prob? and is your rope a no strech rope?

edittman1 · Outlaw Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Posts: 151 City: San Jose

Normally ski ropes stretch to slingshot a skier when making a cut. You want to make sure you're using a no-stretch towing/wakeboarding rope.

A rope with elasticity would make for a wild ride on a wakeboard I'd imagine.. Laughing