Why do I have trouble straightening my legs at the wake?

[Jayhoo]

Hello All,

I have been wakeboarding for a couple years now, but only a handful of weekends a year, so I have not had the chance to get much practice. I own The Book which I watch regularily, and have taken many lessons trying to fix my problem. I know what I need to do, I just cannot do it

I am having troubles going wake to wake, the reason being is that I cannot seem to get my legs straightened at the wake. I do not know if it is poor riding position on my part or what. When I really work on it, I can get my front leg straight, but never my back.

When I make my cut to the wake heelside, I shift my weight to the centre, and then start my cut. As I get close to the wake I try to extend my legs, but can never seem to do it. My back leg always seems to be in a poor position and I cannot seem to straighten it. Any thoughts as to why this might be?

Thanks for the help

[JeffreyCH]

That's a tough 1 without video. The only thing I can think of is maybe you are sliding into the wake rather then edging? Or, you said as you get close to the wake you try to stand up, could be trying to pop to soon. Stand up off the top of the wake, timing is the key with that. Stay in the seated position until you are going up the wake.

[Sandbagger]

My guess is the problem might be "FEAR".

When u approach the wake do u ever find yourself thinking "Ok, what if I really catch this w2w jump, then what? And then when you are hitting the wake inside your head u are saying "OH SH**" and loosen up the legs to absorb the wake?

I have found that to be my problem in the past.

[Christobull]

Well, one way to ensure that you are hitting it with your legs straight is to make a couple of passes without the bend in your knees. (I'm talking about short cuts out and then progressive edge back in) I'm thinking that understanding what it feels like when you hit it straight legged will help you overcome this. The point at which you feel the most resistance, or pop off the wake is the point that you are trying to hit with your timed jump. If you have the Book, focus on the tall edging position first, then middle and finally ollie edge. It's not easy to get the timing down, but if all other factors are in place, proper timing is only going to control amplitude, not your ability to clear both wakes.

[JohnnyV]

I am also a wakeboarding newb: This talk about popping off the wake with your legs straight, is that also referred to as "jumping with your hips"?

i know "jumping" off the water isn't the same as jumping off solid ground because water absorbs the force of you pushing into it.

[Christobull]

JohnnyV, I've never heard it called that. Like you said, there's really no actual "jumping" on the water. Lift is created by having the proper resistance against the water with your board which pushes you up, like a ramp. Jumping off of the wake has the added resistance generated by the boat and that extra boost you might call pop.

[Enygma]

When they say straighten legs to pop off the wake, they're referring to not absorbing the wake with your legs. If you charge at the wake then lift the board once you hit the wake you're going to get VERY little air, if any. If you stand tall then bend your knees when you hit the wake, you may get a small amount of air.

Basically just don't bend your knees to absorb the wake and that's where you'll get your jump. keep your legs stiff when you hit it and you'll get some air for sure.

I have a problem with standing tall then bending the knees right off the tip of the wake. I find it makes me jump far, but there's no height there. I can go W2W this way. But it's just not the same.

Also I have a friend that actually tries to jump and you can tell. I used to do the same thing. And the results were always the same. When I tried to jump off the wake I ended up crashing. I founit throws you waaaay off balance. Every time my buddy jumps he ends up doing a mini superman and crashing. I think I may tell him the trick to it one of these days. But I'm really enjoying his faceplants in the meantime.

[JohnnyV]