Newbie Start Question.

schwarztrader · Newbie Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 City: Hillsboro

Hello all, I am happy to of found this forum as I too am a wakeboard newbie. I decided to start wakeboarding this last weekend and had a blast although I had a question in regards to "getting up".

Since I have waterskied, snowskied, windsurfed and snowboarded I figured wakeboarding would be a sinch. Actually it is quite easy except for getting out of the water. Since no one in the boat has any experience in wakeboarding, I was left up to my instinct and what I read on-line.

I tried to get out of the water by having the board vertical instead of horizontal. It is quite possible to get up this way as this was the only way I was able to get out of the water last weekend. As I have read in previous posts this is incorrect as you should have the board horizontal then twist the board as you get up.

The real question is, "how in the heck is this possible with the fins on the bottom of the board?" Shouldn't the water catch the fins and make you face-plant? I haven't tried this technique yet, although I may head out to the lake after work if all works out.

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

your going at such slow speeds it doesnt make a difference. i dont really now how to explain why it works it just does i wouldnt worry too much about it just do it. it may not seem logical too you but its soo easy. fins can release and you can easily slide sideways on the water.

schwarztrader · Newbie Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 City: Hillsboro

Ya, thats what I am slowly understanding as the more I read from this forum. Like I said, nobody in the boat knew anything about wakeboarding so when the driver started off he just "punched it", like when pulling a skier. We slowly realized that this just didn't work out and started off with a gradual exceleration of the boat. - This seemed to work better.

We will be going out today after work to try this out and I'll let you guys know how it works out.

simland · Posted: Jun 29, 2004 5:26 pm Post subject:

Yep, sideways and just let the boat pull you out of the water. You can even start edging right away, this allows for some interesting tricks and such.

wesgardner · Posted: Jun 30, 2004 4:29 am Post subject:

Hey schwarztrader,

You've got it ! The fins don't really have that much effect at slow speeds and easily "break loose" allowing for 180/360 surface turns.

Steering is like snowboarding - it's all about the edge, so get out there and practice just riding behind the boat staying inside the wake, start with a bit of carving and then you'll be able to get outside the wake. Practice carving across the wake, you'll probably not get much air at first but that's OK - get a feel for the board, how it turns and handles, try riding switch, etc. When you're ready to try jumping, read some of the threads here, watch the video clips...

Good luck

Wes

schwarztrader · Newbie Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 City: Hillsboro

Thanks to all that replied to my thread as I was able to use the "correct" technique to pop up yesterday on my first try. I was amazed at how "easy" that was compared to what I was trying to do. I can now get up easilly and cross both wakes, carve pretty good on both edges (must be from my snowboarding experience). Now I think I'll try to switch to fakie to get a little more experience the next time out.

Thanks All!

simland · Posted: Jun 30, 2004 7:37 am Post subject:

Awsome, definately learn fakie. If you do it now you will save youself a headache later. Good luck.