Need Serious help, how do you turn?

[tequilasun]

Ok, So I'm a new guy to Wakeboarding, I can get up, and ride, this crazy thing, but I have no Idea how to turn it. My wife says to use you toes and heels, but I don't know what that means. To me it usually means a nice face plant. I can do surface 180's and ride behind the boat, in between the wakes, but how do I get outside the wake, what is a turn supposed to "feel" like? I am very frustrated at this point, and I want to be able to cut into the wake to start doing other tricks. PLEASE HELP!!

[savage3221]

first work on leaning against the rope and putting your heels into the water...much like a snowboard or skateboard. same way for the toeside, but that is a little bit harder and most people feel more comfortable cutting on their heels first.

[joedirt00]

You can do surface tricks......But you can't edge?????


I'm impressed!!!

[BurkeViper]

Putting pressure on your heels or toes is hoe you "turn". Not a ton because this will likely result in a fall. When going outside of the wake, remember to bend your knees.

Good luck

[tequilasun]

yes, you should be impressed!! No just kidding. My sister in law, can't ride switch, but can get massive air. I can't cut in and out, but I can ride switch and do a few surface tricks. Does turning involve rotatating the hips, or just leaning. From my skateboard days, if you lean, the board turns slow, if you lean back and lift the front foot, twist your hips, the board turns fast. Does this apply to wakeboarding?

[wesgardner]

Hey tequilasun,

Whoa!!! First, go slow...maybe 15 mph till you get the feel of the thing....just ride behind the boat and spend some time ON the board. Imagine your wakeboard is a 4 foot long skate board (I've not ridden a longboard so I'm not sure) but you turn in the same manner. Try to keep weight even over both feet. It DOES take a while. Try riding straight, get it down, stand on up, don't ride hunched over...bend knees slightly, look up at the horizon (look down, fall down). For most folks, learning a heelside turn is easier so lean a bit and see what happens. Try going out when the water is flat (glass, butter) with no wind.

Wes

[BurkeViper]

tequilasun, there really isn't much leaning for just getting in and out of the wake. You're not trying to lift the board out of the water and turn. You apply pressure on your toes or your heels. You're not turning your hips; this results in a fall.

If you can; get your hands on a skateboard. Stand on it, staying stationary. Apply pressure to the heels and to the toes. You will notice that the board tips that way on it's trucks. This is what you want to happen on a wakeboard.

[BrandonC]

If it help, thnk of steering as being done by your ankles, not leaning. The ankles tilt first, and the lean comes after.

[beasoldierprstn]

i lean and it all works

[mcolclo]

use your back foot primarily to cut hard...pushit waaayy out

[roundbaywakeboard]

people fall because they turn at the hips....and then i'm like "get off my river"

[Go_Ride17]

I'm a beginner myself but I found it's just all in the hips. Move your hips the same your doing with the surface tricks, just do what everyone is telling u, dig in ur heels or toes and keep square to the boat. But I'm sure by the time you've read my input on the topic you've figured this out

[tequilasun]

Thanks everyone for you help, I finally figured out how to turn!!

First pull
got up, cut back and forth between the wake, tried to cut out of the wake, BIG Crash.

Second Pull, very similar!! Only cut out the other direction..BIG CRASH!!

Third pull, buddy said just cut out on the pull up, cut way out into the flats. I did this and rode great, did some surface 180's then cut back in to try a jump!! DID NOT MAKE IT!! But I am loving it again!!

Spent the rest of the day, trying to land a jump, that will be next! I am sure I will have a question or 7, be prepared.



THANKS A MILLION!!