trying to convert a trickskier to wakeboarding

mtn_bik_chk · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 53 City: Southeast MO

I know board questions are BORING but please help. Newbies can't answer this question, although I posted there.

34 yr old Girl, 5'2", 110#. Excellent Trickskier, hates wakeboarding but will give it one more shot. Would a 119, Hyperlite (which we bought and are going to try out this weekend) be a good choice to try to convert her ?? Please help, I know she would be excellent and love it. She's all into barefooting right now and I want her to enjoy boarding. Transition is what we need.

wakedude83 · Posted: Aug 12, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject:

Sure it will work great. How could anyone not like wakeboarding???

mtn_bik_chk · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 53 City: Southeast MO

I know. But she says she feels like she has no control over the board. The board rides her, instead of her riding the board. I'm 5'8", 110 and ride an Obrien 136. Maybe that's not right for me either, but I'm trying to find her a board to make her do this sport. She just got done barefooting with the #1 barefooter in Fla. I want to see what she can bring to this sport !!
Thanks again, all help appreciated !

ttuclint · Addict Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 984 City: Lubbock, TX

that is a really small board.

mc_driver · Criminal Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 84 City: SF Bay Area

First off, does she want to learn to wakeboard? Her attitude tells otherwise - appears she prefers to barefoot at this point in time. Don't force her to wakeboard. Then again, don't give in and let her barefoot. Sounds harsh, but eventually, she'll end up being left out when everyone else wants to(talks about) wakeboarding.

The 119 board is/may be too small. My wife and daughter (about the same size as your friend) started on an HL Voyager 124, but now ride boards 131 and 133. At least when deciding on which board to get for your riders, check the board specs. You'll at least have some general idea of the type/size of rider for a particular board.

As far as the board riding your friend, she just may not be used to riding on a bigger platform. To help her transition, try adjusting the bindings so that they are mounted similar to that of her trick ski. Give her some time, let her freeride and get a feel for the board's handling, then slowly adjust the bindings back to normal position.

I had a trickskier wakeboard for the first time this summer. You could definitely tell by the way he positioned his body. Afterwards, words could not express just how much of a thrill he had, even after taking some good falls.

Good luck!!

Mike.H · Posted: Aug 12, 2004 11:36 pm Post subject:

119 too small, im thinking somewhere between 128 and 131

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

Most trick skiers have a real problem wth handle position and trying to slide the board. Tell her to one-hand the handle. The best way for her to get control of the board is to surf the ouside of the wakes so she get the edging difference in her head.

khoekz16 · Posted: Aug 13, 2004 5:38 am Post subject:

sorry, i am a newbie, but i just thought i would let you know that my fiance, who is starting to rip on the board, rides a 137 byerly. It was her choice, she didnt like the smaller boards. by the way, she is 5'4" and 105 or so. i would suggest letting her ride about a 126, 133 and 138 or so. after that, i think boarditup and others are right, it is more about positioning and the handle. good luck

got water · Soul Rider Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 379 City: Detroit

I think that the 119 is a little too small personally. 131 133 sound pretty good for her, but if the board is controlling her do some experiments with the fins. I pulled them off completely for my lady and let her ride around for a while to avoid another face plant until she started to pick it up a little better, and that was all it took. But as boarditup said just have her track around one-handed for a while, she will get hooked in due time.