Speed

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 11:25 am Post subject: Speed

Hey guys I was wondering what speed I should be riding at or if it even matters? Im a beginner, as most of you know, and I usually ride between 15-17mph just because thats what Im comfortable with & speed that I was taught to ride at...

mseller · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 220 City: Charleston

what kind of boat are you riding behind? typical speeds are from 21-23 mph but it all depends on the boat...i ride 26 mph behind my x45 but it feels much slower due to all the weight in the boat

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 2:31 pm Post subject:

mseller, I ride behind a 1980 something Supra Solitare...my dads boat.

mseller · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 220 City: Charleston

Good enough for riding...I would stick with what speed your comfortable with and slowly get up to 21...whatever speed makes the wake the best

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

I would probably consider speeding up a bit if you're comfortable doing so. I have an 89 Supra Sunspot and I have issues with the wake being clean and crisp at the speed you go with the weight I run. How is the wake at that speed?

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Speed is extremely important, especially on purpose-built wakeboarding boats.

15-17 is fine for a beginner as long as you aren't sinking in. As you get better, you'll want to up the speed so that your wake won't wash over and you'll be able to hit it hard.

From what I've seen, most decent riders with decent wake boats ride at 21-23 mph.

A top-of-the-line boat weighted out with aftermarket ballast for a pro quality wake will need a higher speed to keep the wake clean. Most pros seem to ride at 24-26 mph. Some crazies like Randall Harris ride as fast as 28 mph, but that's really pushing it.

You'll really feel the difference as you start to increase your speed. You'll have a lot more energy to hit the wake and carve around with, and your falls will hurt a lot more.

Also, keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to find the perfect combination of speed and rope length. As you increase your speed, you'll want to increase your rope length as well.

In general...

Rope length isn't terribly important if you can't jump
60-65 feet is good for novice riders
65-75 feet is good for intermediate riders
75-85 feet is where most advanced riders and pros ride
Randall and others who love to go big will ride at 90-95 feet

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 3:43 pm Post subject:

Okie Boarder, I think that it is fine, but then again I havent rode any faster so...

TheHebrewHammer, yeah 28 is a tad much. Razz

So remember increase of speed equals incrrease of rope? My rope length right now is somewhere between 60-65 feet.

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject:

But dont go over 22 (not that I would)? I feel like Im being jerked if I go fast and to be quite honest that sensation scares me...

michigan boarder · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 333 City: MI

You don't necessarily have to stop at 22 but that's a good rule of thumb for your rope length.

If you feel like you are being jerked then you need to either work your way up to that speed or you may even be going to fast for your setup.

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject:

Ok...I dont know if I actually am or not its just a sensation...

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

What Mich. Boarder said.

It's natural for you to feel uncomfortable at higher speeds. It will take you awhile to work your way up to the higher level of board control you'll need, but you'll get there!

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I am trying to set goals for myself this summer. Im one pf those people who are scared to try things, but once I do and suceed then I feel ontop of the world!

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Wakeboarding is the scariest thing I've ever done! It has definitely gotten less scary with experience, though. When I was learning to do my first tricks, I sometimes got so scared that I could hardly even enjoy it. Now that I'm stronger and more comfortable on my board, I feel like I can trust my mind and my body to keep me safe from all but the most unfortunate freak accidents.

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 6:56 pm Post subject:

Yeah I think Im in it for the rush...love it. I think your right...if I just stick to it and continue to ride the stronger, better, and more confident I will be. I just get frustrated so easily when I cant do tricks.

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

I actually was drawn to wakeboarding because it was less scary then my downhill days hitting pavement going 40+. That's not to say I haven't taken some very painful spills, but no road rash or gravel picking is a huge huge plus.

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 12, 2012 7:06 pm Post subject:

Baltfrog, what in the world did you do?!?!?

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

FlatH20 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 167

all good advice - ditto on the speed with the boat weighted down - on the rope length, I look at the wake and try a couple different lengths - some of my crew are pretty young so making the rope shorter works well to take advantage of the narrower wake whereas I like a bit wider - just wanted to mention my 02 cents

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 14, 2012 5:59 am Post subject:

FlatH20, so rope length deals with the width of your wake? Or did I miss that up?

msimpson · Posted: Feb 14, 2012 6:07 am Post subject:

Shorter rope = narrower wake but wake shape changes too.
I never went above 18mph for a long time. My first invert (backroll) was at 18mph. Around 21mph now.

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

Longboarding, started at a young age, did downhill and ditch riding. I still ride ditches every once and awhile. Lot less painful typically, not to say that i haven't paid my ditch dues too. Here is the gem I grew up next to: http://munksauce.blogspot.com/2010/07/pot-springs-ditch.html not my blog, but thats my ditch. Downhill tailed off after breaking my hand and getting screws put in.

FlatH20 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 167

Wakechick- the wake gets progressively wider the farther from the boat (longer rope length) - it's easier to clear the wake the closer to the boat (shorter rope length) as the wake is narrower. as mentioned by others, speed plays into this as well - My Malibu throws a fairly wide wake, my kid clears the wake a 65 feet where at 70 feet he's casing going 20mph

FlatH20 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 167

its the difference between this and this

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 14, 2012 8:02 am Post subject:

Okay I understand. Thats an awesome pic btw. How olds your kid if you dont mind me asking?

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Baltfrog, gnarly! I ride a longboard to class every day, but I think I'll stick to flatland soul turns.

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 14, 2012 7:42 pm Post subject:

Okay yall TOTALLY lost me on this longboard stuff... Confused

FlatH20 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 167

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 15, 2012 6:52 am Post subject:

What about an 11??

mgs917 · Addict Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 532 City: Spartanburg

wakechick, I think he is talking about his son's age. Or else he just rides really, really slow Shocked

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

Hebrew hammer can i call you heeb? I understand if not. I have put the aggressive downhill days behind me i love some mellow carving on some fresh asphalt, only thing that comes close to the sensation of riding a wakeboard that I can walk out my front door and do.

Haylee just imagine a bigger longer skateboard with bigger wheels that are usually a little softer. Its like surfing or wakeboarding on pavement.

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 15, 2012 8:47 am Post subject:

mgs917, Yeah I kinda caught on after I said that. Baltfrog, that sounds dangerous! Im clumsy!!

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Baltfrog, sure Very Happy

wakechick13, THIS is longboarding at its finest:

more tricks:

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

Heeb you ever on the NCDSA forums? I never go there anymore but spent a bunch of time there in highschool. Gotta check out those videos when I get home, work won't let me watch them

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 15, 2012 11:36 am Post subject:

Baltfrog, Same here! At school right now and my unsmart phone refuses to let me watch them Sad