controlling the board

chrissie0901 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 15 City: Fox Lake, IL

I just started wakeboarding and I'm doing an alright job of getting the hang of it. I have no one to help me other than stuff I read online, but things are going well anyways...

I can get up with no problem over and over and stay up for a little while...a few times I was up for some time...but usually I fall, once face down, otherwise I just lose control of the board and it starts swerving too much and I can't stay in control. At first I had the rope out about 60ft. and this wasn't working for me, and now that I've pulled it in a bit, I end up riding what I think is too close to where the wake starts...I don't have a clue what I should do to stay up, any suggestions??? I don't know if it's rope length, my binding set up, how I'm standing or anything - so what works for all you?? Thanks

BurkeViper · Posted: Jul 11, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject:

chrissie0901, fatigue maybe?

I have my rope at 75 - 80ft.

Maybe you just need more experience, manuever in the wake and out of the wake. Don't know what else I could tell you Confused

pcm2a · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 318 City: LaVergne

Ive been riding for a couple months and I can only go about 8 minutes max before I have to stop and rest. The first few weeks I could only ride about two minutes. It will be better as time goes.

My rope is set about 50 feet. Any shorter and you cant get a good cut. Any longer and its about 15 feet across the wakes.

chrissie0901 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 15 City: Fox Lake, IL

Thanks! I'll be out again tomorrow and I'll try what was suggested and see how that goes. Rolling Eyes

Stanny · Posted: Jul 12, 2004 11:39 am Post subject:

Try to work on balance and keeping your center of gravity over the board. Once you're kinda comfortable get used to your edges by carving back and forth out side of the wake. You can practice carving heelside for a bit, then practice carving on your toeside. that will also help as a stepping stone to learning how to progressive edge when and if you want to attempt jumping the wake.

Hanneyk55 · Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 6 City: East Lansing

I hope you read this because it will help you out a lot. All you have to do is get up long enough to let go with your back hand. This will make you want to lean one way or the other. When you start to lean dont fight it let the board go where it wants. You will learn to use the rope to hold you up and you will instantly get the fin to track in the water Then try leaning the other way and getting the fin to track on the other edge. TRUST ME THIS WILL HELP!!! this made me a novice wakeboarder to semi good in about 15 minutes. Any other questions please feel free to ask.

Hanneyk55@sbcglobal.net <Email

Partyb · Posted: Jul 12, 2004 3:31 pm Post subject:

Really bad advice to let go with one hand IMO. No reason to let go with one hand is if you are grabbing board or handle passing. Keep two hands on handle with elbows close to ribs and arms at about 90 degree angle, and keep legs bent with weight evenly distributed. This should help alot. Behond that, read forums, trick tips, mags, watch videos, buy detention and/or higher education. Get a lesson if possible, especially at this early stage.

chrissie0901 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 15 City: Fox Lake, IL

Everyone thanks again for the advice. I'll give the suggestions a shot tomorrow!

BleedingDead · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 110 City: Granbury

all that stuff works i suppose, but i had the same problem and all i did was stand on my back foot more. if u still have problems, maybe put a bigger fin on the back

chrissie0901 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 15 City: Fox Lake, IL

I was out again today and whatever I didn't differently worked out great! I don't know if today was so much easier because the water was like glass or if I'm slowly figuring out what to do, but the suggestions sure helped. I got around this small island and was able to stay up with no problem at all...I only ended up falling when I tried going back and forth across the wake. Thanks again for the advice and now I can't wait to get on the water again.

craiger · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 498 City: Plano

Glassy water will make it very easy to learn how to ride.

When crossing the wakes make sure you stay in the same body position and use your legs as shock absorbers.

Keep at it, it only gets more fun!