Newbie Wakeboarder Questions?

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Just got a boat and am new to wakeboarding. I have purchased a junior board for my kids and an adult board for myself. Since I have never done this before I have a few questions:

1. All I have is a ski rope. Is this okay or do I need a wakeboard rope?

2. Distance behind the boat for a beginer?

3. How fast do you need to accelerate to get out of the water?

4. Basic stance for balance.

Anyhow I know these are probably basic questions, however, I want this to be a positive experience for the family the first time out.

Thanx

Graham Potter · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 3 City: Atown

Once you have wakeboarded a few times, you will appreciate a wakeboard rope. They are non stretch and make a big difference once you start riding more.

I would say start at 60-65 feet (without the handle) for a beginner.

Acceleration depends on how much weight you have in the boat. I have lots of weight in my malibu, so we usually push 3500 to 3700 RPMs to get it out of the water, but it really just depends. You cant really over accelerate to get people out of the water as long as you back off once they are up.

Stance is also about preference. You want to be kind of duck footed (both feet pointing away from each other.

Hope this helps some.

snooks · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 313 City: Calgary

the ski rope is ok...but like graham said u will appreciate the wakeboard rope later on... You just need to get used to the hole thing...enjoy the sport

thrasher · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 34 City: northern MN

I rode with a ski rope for my first two seasons behind an old Lund. You'll want a wakeboard rope once you start jumping the wake, but if you're just cruising and carving around, a ski rope works fine.

I find that with beginners, it works better if you accelerate more on the slow side.

As far as stance, once you get up, try holding the rope with only your front hand. This eliminates the tendency to get pulled sideways like you're skiing.

Hope these tips help.

ty540 · Addict Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 603

For beginners, it is often easier to accelerate gradually. Not too slow, but you certainly don't want to be yanking the rope out of their hands.

DWM · Newbie Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 20 City: Meridian

Yea it would be good to just gradually speed up. I would get the basics down like carving around and balance at a slower speed. Then when you start jumping the wake you should speed up until the wake is clean.

MinnDizzyG · Posted: Jun 01, 2005 7:58 am Post subject:

bugup,

I'll give it a shot.

1. Rope: True wakeboard ropes are completely non-stretch. Ski ropes, as I understand it, have varying degrees of stretch. As has been alluded to, once you start jumps you will want a zero-stretch line, but to start out a ski rope will suffice.

2. Distance off is preference. Short ropes (65' and under) allow beginners who are just learning how to jump the luxury of jumping the wake at a narrower point. The downside is that approach to the jump is quicker, so you have less time to set up properly. Long ropes (70' off and over) give you more time, but the wake may be smaller and is certainly wider, requiring a bigger jump to clear it. We started at 55', personally.

3. Again, as has been mentioned here acceleration is preference. A friend of mine likes to be hammered out of the water, whereas my wife prefers to be gently pulled up. I have found that this is one of those things that works best when balanced - not too hard, not too soft. The big thing is the initial start. Put the boat into gear, wait a moment, then throttle up smoothly. Don't just jam it from idle to full. I don't care who you are, that will hurt.

4. Basic stance should knees slightly bent - or rather not locked straight. Feet apart but comfortable. Toes will probably be slightly ducked out, again do what's comfortable. One way to determine your approximate stance is to jump off a chair. Check out how your feet are positioned when you land - then set up your board to imitate that position. Most experienced riders that I have talked to have their bindings as wide as the board will allow (or close to it) and slightly ducked - 9-18 degrees. Keep the handle low - just above your waist, and in to your body. Try to ride with your arms bent, not straight out. This will greatly help your balance. Finally, when riding remember that from your perspective the board will be traveling sideways! Many beginners have an unconscious tendency to try to fight the fact that they're sideways - get used to it, embrace it. You will feel much more comfortable when you do.

Hey, good luck, and remember you're out there to have fun! Very Happy