Whats the best way to progress?

skinnyrider24 · Newbie Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 9 City: Lockport

I have been wakeboarding for about 3 years now. I have my heelside wake to wake toeside wake to wake, back roll, tantrum, 180's regular and switch as well as various grabs. I really wanna start taking my riding to the next level with the season coming up soon I wanted to ask you guys what the best way to progress is. I saw in the Parks documentary some of the beatings he took, and made me wonder if its best to just keep throwing whatever Im working on at the time until I get it, but I have heard some people say thats not a good way to go about progressing. What do you guys think?

SexyWS6Mama · Outlaw Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 150 City: Killeen

I'm not any where near your level but I know getting instruction at a camp is a great way to progress! Good Luck to you!

kartman · Posted: Feb 27, 2010 10:13 pm Post subject:

SexyWS6Mama · Outlaw Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 150 City: Killeen

kent2010 · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 281 City: Needles

riding with people who are better always works. But for your question, what i do is take the beatings till i get it down, and thats worked for me so far. but if you are really not coming close at something, then it might be time to try something else. especially when you are not having fun anymore, once you stop having fun you stop progressing.

goinbig143 · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 659 City: Wonder lake

My crew is self taught... and I have always been the fastest learner. Learned a ton the first 2 years riding.

I stalled out at roughly your level for a couple years- Backroll, tantrum, heel and toe 3's, switch 3's, and all the 180s.

I went 2 years when all I picked up was a toeside 5 and a switch roll to revert.

Then I had a buddy start riding with me that picked up just as fast or faster than I did- just having him there pushed me to refine what I knew and go for new stuff.

He had just dabbled with wakeboarding and could do a heelside wake to wake and a couple grabs when he started riding regularly with me a couple summers ago- Now he has a Tantrum, Back roll, toeside backroll, and all four fs 180s and is working on his 3.
I had to step it up to stay ahead of him and I have hit 6 new inverts and cleaned my riding up.

Having someone there to "compete" with is huge for me.

dbismyname · Posted: Mar 03, 2010 6:28 am Post subject:

pet575 · Posted: Mar 03, 2010 9:50 am Post subject:

Regardless of what you're trying to do, I've found that taking video is the best tool for progressing. You get to watch yourself and see what you're doing that might be holding you back and at the same time you can match up what is going on on the TV screen with what you THINK is going on behind the boat. Often they are two very different things.

Lantzvillian · Posted: Mar 03, 2010 9:56 am Post subject:

One of the guys I ride with is a trick skiier - they seem to push you pretty well Razz

I know he'll read this at some point. I also used to ride with Aaron Rathy as he started his mission and I found it wasn't competition.. but inspiration.

Competition is another that pushed me hard when i was learning. I slaughtered Novice and got thrown into Intermediate without a roll... and guess what I learned a backroll in 3 days before a comp.

Gymnastics - no joke... I learned alot of air awareness and some body positioning. Tumble tramps helped me learn control in situations where you don't have as much bounce or air.

Camps are a good choice because you are paying for boat time and instruction... and everyone knows if money is on the line you don't want to waste it. The results can be painful bruises, but you will pound the crap out of w/e trick you wanted to learn.

shaggyboarder · Posted: Mar 03, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject:

Get a coach, no better way to learn! You will progress better, faster, and safer.

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

The way I learn is decide on a trick I want to try, find a tutorial for it online, figure out what it would look like in my head. Mentally map it out. Then take it to the trampoline and dial it in. Then try it on the water. If I'm close I'll spend the rest of the day trying to stick it. If I'm not close I'll go back to the drawing board and figure out what I'm doing.

Sounds like you're ready to start trying 360s and front-rolls/scarecrows.

cbc2010 · Posted: Mar 03, 2010 1:07 pm Post subject:

The definite best way is to always ride with people better than you.... this will make you progress if you have any real desire

JeffreyCH · Posted: Mar 03, 2010 3:36 pm Post subject:

TheBigFlip · Newbie Joined: 10 Mar 2010 Posts: 11 City: Raleigh

All you guys sound like you have some pretty good moves. I only have 2 years experience but don't really get to go out much each year. If anyone is in the Raleigh, NC or Greensboro, NC area and wouldn't mind showing me some stuff please let me know.

kriggs · Posted: Mar 13, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject:

TheBigFlip, head out to Coble Ski/Wakeboard camp this summer.
It's really close to you and sounds like it would be perfect for you.

skinnyrider24 · Newbie Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 9 City: Lockport

Thanks guys for all the advice hopefully it goes well this upcoming season I cant wait to get out there.