No tower & I can't get up!

FitChik1 · Newbie Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Posts: 1 City: Morrisville

Ugh, I'm frustrated, y'all! I'm totally new to wakeboarding and was psyched to get out there. I skiied as a kid and thought "no problem." Well, my boyfriend's boat doesn't have a tower and isn't going to, so I need to figure this out. The bioggest problem seems to be that the rope lays on top of the board and as I let the boat start to pull me, I eventually end up getting my knuckles pulled right into the top edge of the board and, finally, it hurts too much to hold on. My fingernails and upper knuckles are all bruised and I'm out of ideas! Confused

Does this make sense to anyone? Am I doing something wrong (or lots?) and, if so, how can I correct it? I plan to go to camp in the Fall and will have access to a boat with a tower, but what can I do in the meantime? Question

HHI Dave · Posted: Jul 23, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject:

You don't need a tower to get up.

Most beginners seem to let the board plow the water like you described. Remember, the board has to sink under you first, THEN it planes to the surface. Try sinking the board under you at idle speeds first and see if that helps.

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

Get a new boyfriend with a better boat???

skinny99 · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 119 City: Deland

I tried two different days to get up before I found this website! The way you get up is backwords from how we all think it should happen. The board will go under water! The tower means nothing in getting up and riding normal. This post is the best description I have found. Good Luck Get Wet!

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=82382&highlight=frog

TnR6Rida · Posted: Jul 24, 2009 9:00 am Post subject:

Post a picture of yourself, and then I can better understand your problem. Cool

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

Prizzy is kidding... I think. But, if you can't get up without the tower, you wouldn't get up with one unless you start doing the things these guys are talking about. Heels to ass, then chest to knees. Think about pointing your toes at the boat, or keeping your feet at an angle parallel to the slope in the rope. Does that make sense?

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

Remember to point your toes forward slightly, this helps the board to start planing on the water. If it helps, which ever is your lead foot, you can hold this edge up and foward slightly, so the board will automatically come up on that side instead of sliding stright forwards.

Board go underneath the water? Standing starts are hard to learn at first, wouldn't worry about that at this stage to be honest.

Don't fight the boat, let it do all the work.

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

Chocoholic, I'm pretty sure no one was talking about a standing start. When you start correctly, the board naturally sinks in the water when you bend your knees, which is something most people THINK is incorrect when they're trying to learn.

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

True. I guess I'm just used to the fact that we pop up so fast, that our boards are on the surface from the start, they never go under.

BigAirNZ · Criminal Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 59 City: Auckland

Perhaps part of the problem is the speed your boyfriend is starting off at? I find with the boys we pull we go flat out and get them up in a hurry. One of them who frequently drives me tried starting my girl off when she was learning and she had a similar problem as you are describing.
I tried basically easing her up really slow and she popped straight up. We're talking around 1/4 throttle and thats on a 115hp outboard so taking it really easy. Just seemed to really help her out as she doesnt have the same muscles in her arms as the boys to hold the rope? something worth looking into anyway

Chocoholic · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 363 City: Dubai

BigAirNZ, that's a really good point. Girls as a rule are a lot lighter than the guys, so we don't need heavy handed throttle work. Slow and gentle is much nicer.

WilsonH · Posted: Jul 25, 2009 11:01 am Post subject:

big_steve, I was just thinking the same thing Razz

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

When you take off, your fingers should never get to the front edge of the board.

Let the pull rock you over a bit such that the front edge of the board goes under the water slightly. While you are doing this, also let the rope pull your butt to your heels, think like you are going to squat like a frog on the board.
Just remember to not let the board tilt past pararellel to the water surface. Your leading edge needs to stay pointing up a bit to plane to the surface.

svahle · Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 28 City: Bolivar, MO

I'm certainly no expert on wakeboarding, but I have taught a few people. What I find is that people try to keep the board perpendicular to the boat too long. They fight to hold it in the position rather than letting it rotate with their preferred leading foot forward. Once I suggest that they allow the board to rotate naturally as the boat pulls they pop right up. Just a suggestion. Again, I'm fairly new to this sport so take this for what it is worth which may not be much.

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

svahle, while this is certainly true, the reason they are "fighting" the board to hold position is because they are plowing through the water. Once you get used to getting up, you adjust to what feels best for you.

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

twixy · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

hey guys, just been reading all your answers...lots of help! i'm totally freash to wake boarding, we havnt got a tower or ski pole or anything, just the normal low down ski rope attachments. Will this be enough to get us up and running? any help will be massive...thanks guys

pet575 · Posted: Jul 29, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject:

twixy, all you need is a boat, rope, and board. There are pros who can do all kinds of stuff behind a setup like yours. Just ride with whatever you can.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jul 29, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

twixy, I did my first whole season off the ski hook, it's a bit harder to get up but not bad. Then once you get addicted enough to get a tower it'll be a breeze

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

twixy · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

thanks guys, thats gave me more confidence, also, I bought the board, bindings and fins sepperate....probs a mistake as its my first set up but.... the fins I've bought are 1.1" the seem small, should they be ok? and what about binding positions.......thanks a millionn guys!!! Wink

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

twixy, go ahead and start with the fins till you get comfortable. But, once you get to the point of going wake to wake, I'd take them off. The Book tells you to jump in the air and land like you would naturally with your feet just slightly wider than your shoulders, then just position your bindings to match. It's supposed to reduce knee injury by having them at the proper angles. Try the bindings that way, and make small adjustments from there to find what you like best.

twixy · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

Hey thanks for taking the time out Christobull....I'm sure I'll have many more questions in time!
Thanks again!