How can I make the diggers hurt less?

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

I've been practicing a lot of stuff between 19-22 mph and mostly getting comfy popping w2w and riding switch. I'm timid as all hell to try anything toeside, cause I know I'm gonna eat stuff a couple times until I figure it out.

I'm gonna start riding with my snowboarding helmet, since hitting my head is obviously the worst. 21 to 0 in 6' is fastest at the top, right?!

I guess trying out things at 15-16mph is probably a decent idea.

Any tips on how to keep from getting hurt?

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

Well, it never hurts to practice good technique at slower speeds, but once you start jumping, whether it be ollies or wake jumps, you have to at least be going fast enough to be planed out on your board. As for the falls... there's no way around it. If you catch an edge, it will hurt. Get The Book, and progress at the speed they tell you to. This is the best way that I know to limit falls. Other than that, keep a bend in your knees, keep the handle low, and land on edge. Visualize what you want to go, and try to know what to expect before you attempt something new. The more steps that you can work out beforehand, the fewer falls you take while you learn the hard way.

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

Yeah I think I will order the book for sure. Sounds like a smart investment.

I mean, I'm not trying aerials or spins or anything I know I won't accomplish. But this sport is quite unforgiving since you have very little protection on. I roadraced motorcycles for about 3 years and think I got hurt less during that time than I have wakeboarding in 3 weekends! Go figure, right?

Thanks for the info Chris!

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

edittman1, sounds about right. I raced motocross, but I wouldn't touch the road races. Good things there aren't many faceplants involved in riding motorcycles.

kriggs · Posted: Jul 14, 2009 6:54 am Post subject:

With toeside, all it is, is that it's intimidating going straight at the wake. Commit to it, and you'll get it.

curtblanchette · Posted: Jul 14, 2009 9:06 am Post subject:

Make sure your stretching throughout the day and before you ride. Stretching greatly reduces the chance of injury. Prepare all your joints and muscles for some punishment with a few easy exercises before, after and in between rides.

and Christobull is right, practicing technique at lower speeds will reduce the chance of getting hurt throughout the learning curve.

**PROGRESSION IS COMMITMENT**

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jul 14, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

On top of stretching, I do a warm up set that consists of just carving and sliding around and get more aggressive with each set.

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

GuitsBoy · Posted: Jul 14, 2009 11:58 am Post subject:

The only way to make the fallls hurt less is to keep falling. Eventually your air-awareness helps you contort your body into a position that hurts less. And also, doing a bit of weight lifting in the gym will do wonders for your ability to take a fall.

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

Stretching is a must, but the warm up is the key. Stretching cold doesn't benefit you.

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

many people do wear knee and ankle braces however i have not and do not know how constricting or not consticting one might be so i wouldnt suggest it unless its necesary.

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

With any brace, it just takes time to get used to it. The main purpose is to restrict movement. Mechanical braces do a better job of protecting you, but naturally are more limiting in movement. The only brace I've worn wakeboarding was a shoulder brace, and that didn't restrict my movement enough to prevent injury. Of the pro riders you see wearing them, it doesn't seem like it's holding them back in the least bit. If it would make you feel less at risk, you might give on a try, like a wrap brace for knees or ankles whichever you're more concerned with.

alpalwal · Newbie Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 26

After a couple concussions I've started riding with a helmet. You'll be amazed at how much less almost all the falls hurt.

curtblanchette · Posted: Aug 12, 2009 8:10 am Post subject:

pet575 · Posted: Aug 12, 2009 8:35 am Post subject:

If I have time, I cover my ears with my hands to protect my eardrums.

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

I took some bad hits when I was learning to barefoot - doing about 38 but I was 20 something. Today it would take me out for a week.

What is the book everyone is talking about

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

GnarShredd · Posted: Aug 13, 2009 6:10 am Post subject:

Man up!

I can't begin to tell you how much a fear of taking a hard fall has slowed my riding progression since I started wakeboarding. As with any sport along these lines, it's all about commitment.

I'm starting to realize that I'm not getting any younger (not that I'm old by any means) and that if there is any time for me to become a decent rider, I have to just go for it.

Don't be concerned with falling and just trust yourself and your ability. the bottom line though is to have fun and the rest will flow naturally (like a cool mountain stream in the summer).

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

JohnnyV · Newbie Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 25 City: Dartmouth

I've been pretty comfortable on waterskis, kneeboards, tubes, etc since i was 11 or so and unless I'm doing slalom at 33, taking a spill is no big deal.

Sometimes you just hit the water bad. Landing on your side can suck a lot. As previously mentioned if you can try to spot where you're gonna land and then tuck or dive into it, you're sure to come out with no injury.

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

Falling on a wakeboard hurts me worse than falling on a skateboard. I've landed on my back over a 30' snowboard double and bounced, and it still didn't hurt as bad as some of my wakeboard falls. It's really not the speed that hurts you, it's the whiplash from the board grabbing the water and not letting you go.

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

I rode behind a weighted SN this last weekend and was able to launch way higher than before! I crashed so hard one time when the front edge caught that I thought I got stretched about 3 inches taller Embarassed

! It hurt bad first time I ever almost didn't want to ride anymore that day!

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

yesterday i learned 360's for the first time at a camp slowed down and 1 wake cause thats how i tried them behind my boat... i got it like 3rd try behind the SANTE and the instructor was like "Man up w2w this time". i did a couple w2w jumps to practice the pulling and line tension technique then charged the wake, popped too early, set my axis too late and spun too late. 270 to heel digger and back slapper. Boom i was under water and time slowed down and i remeber opening my eyes and seeing the surface before i floated up and it felt like forever. good theing i wear a USCGA life vest cause when i was at the surface my neck,back,legs and arm muscles seized up and i couldnt move for like 10 seconds and once i relaxed i got the board off and took a break the rest of the day. hardest fall to date and im ready to take another one next set even tho im sore as hell. just gotta take the falls and still have fun, and hell im young and fearless so this is pretty decent sport right now considering ive broken numerous bones skateboarding.

--cresko-- · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 496

Get used to it. I get ejected and slammed pretty much every set. Falling is just part of the sport.