Wakeboarding virgins

semperfly · Newbie Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 2 City: branson

My son is 13 and is trying real hard to get up on the wakeboad that came with the boat i bought. i have waterskied before bu never waked. So a couple of questions i have for the good folks here.
1) Should he start from a beach or dock? is that the best way for him to "get up" or is there a semi easy way for him to get out of the water?
2) What speed should I pull him at? I would think that going about 19 mph would create to much of a "wobble" and not enough tension on the rope.

I have a 21 ft 4 Winns with a 350 I/O..does this make a difference?

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated!

SemperFly out

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Has he tried yet? I think water starts are easier, but when I started I had some skate/snow experience. It's best to explain it to him like he's sitting on the ground and someone offers a hand to help pull him up. He pretty much just has to stand up when you drop the hammer. Have him sit in the water w/ the board perpendicular to your line you're gonna set. When you drop it he'll have to stand up, then turn his board for normal riding once you've planed out a little.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Oh yeah, 19 is probably a good speed for him. Much slower than that and he'll be plowing through water making it hard to get straightened out. You're boat doesn't make a difference really, just start trimmed down, then trim up to make the wake cleaner/bigger. We pull around 22 mph.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

This helps too:

http://www.wakeworld.com/Articles/2002/GettingUp.asp

Mike.H · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 2:03 pm Post subject:

if you watch other ppl get up then that gives u an idea on how to do it...i learned by watching my friend and him giving me small pointers

Chad H · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 3:58 pm Post subject:

I am 14 and i go around 18-19... What kind of board it it? Is it plastic or fiberglass? If it's plastic i would say get rid of it but thats just cause i learned on a plastice board.

Scorched_Ice7 · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject:

hey dont be hatin cheap boards drumma, everyone has to start somewhere. Let people learn and get used to the sport before they drop 300+ on a nice setup.

colefooter · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 6:06 pm Post subject:

Wakeboarddrumma, age really doesnt matter on how fast you go, but just curious, profile says your 14,so in reality your probably like 43

Chad H · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 9:48 pm Post subject:

Colefooter, What?

and scorched ice.. I just got my Real board and i had a plastic. I started on a plastic and couldn't stand it

Mike.H · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 10:09 pm Post subject:

Chad H · Posted: Jul 24, 2004 10:50 pm Post subject:

Mike I agree, And for me i'm not too big for my age 5' 3" and wiegh 110 I don't go too fast either. I tryed 23 today and it was REAL fast

semperfly · Newbie Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 2 City: branson

Dirtysparks,
yes he has tried, but wasnt able to get out of the water. I think your advise of "helping hand" makes sense. I think he will be able to relate to that.
He has snow skiied and is actually pretty good at it.
Thanks for the tips,
hopefully i will be able to make a post during the week letting you know he made it.
Thanks
If you and your family are ever inBranson...you get a free fishing trip on me!
Check out www.semperfly.com

vision135 · Posted: Jul 25, 2004 1:39 pm Post subject:

sit down dock starts is the easiest way to get up 19 mph is about the right speed

Mike.H · Posted: Jul 25, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject:

HatzicMotive140 · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Posts: 261 City: abbotsford

yeh cause everyone falls so it would suck having to go back to the dock everytime u fall kinda pointless too.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Yep, going back to the dock to start would suck every time you fall. We kinda had to do that with a larger friend who was tubing. Every time they fell off, we had to let them crawl back up in the boat, pull the tube back in, and let them get on again Laugh

Kinda got annoying after a while....

gayrat · Newbie Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 6

so you guys are saying you should start with the board perpendicular to the line but not parellell..

how long do you stay perpendicular with the board until your straighten out?

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

gayrat,

yep, you got it. You have to stay perpendicular like your tryin to "push" water, same as how you stop on a snowboard (if you snowboard). Once you come out of the water, straighten out. You probably wont be able to hold it perpendicular for much longer than you're supposed to, you'll just kind of naturally fall into the path the board wants to go once your up - if your driver is getting up to speed. If your driver is having trouble planing out and dragging you through the water, sometimes it's easier to "push" water till they get leveled out, then straighten out.

aloharodeo · Posted: Jul 27, 2004 12:27 pm Post subject:

yep perp, until on top of the water, then turn.

Mister C · Posted: Jul 27, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject:

Well I dont think anyone really explained the start from floating in the water, so here it is.

How to get up - Basically, you sit in the water with board floating in front of you perpendicular to your body. You hold onto the rope and the boat will start pulling you up. The key here is patience. If you try and force the process you'll just fall to the side or faceplant. Make sure to keep your weight back on your heels and as the boat starts to pull you up all the way out of the water move the board sideways into your stance and your up. This will take a while and there will be some falling, but it all comes with time.

Also, 19 may seem a little fast at first, and so dont be afraid to go 17 to start out and then work the speed up. Just make sure you he doesnt get too accostumed to 17 or else it will feel weird when he tries to go faster.

aloharodeo · Posted: Jul 28, 2004 7:14 am Post subject:

well the perferred way to start is with the board under the water, it's harder for some people, it's easier for others. Either way it's best, starting with the board under, helps you learn board balance a little better.

plus if he wally starts (starting floating) all the time, he's going to get made fun of.

show_boy08 · Criminal Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 93 City: Cedar Falls

wrap your arms around your knees and push your toes foward. have the driver go to 2600-2800 rpms and lean forward a little bit. kind of like halfway getting out of a chair. the board will go underwater untill the water hardens.(driver should be accelerating) once board is out of the water stand up and rotate.