Holding on to the handle...

sacwakeboarder · Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 5 City: Sacramento

I've just started trying to clear the wake but once i'm in the air I can't make myself hold onto the handle. Any suggestins?

Oasis137 · Addict Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 687 City: J-Town

yea hold on to the damn handle. Let me guess though you think your going to fall so you let go so you dont face plant just hang on and you will ride out of it. Its just a matter of how big your balls are man. Dont be a puss.

WhoUBe · Outlaw Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 130 City: Spokane

The "bigger" you are the harder you fall and the more it hurts. Mr. Green

Hold on to the handle because chances are unless you're off axis you'll land if you hold on tight and ride it out.

Blake · Posted: Aug 29, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject:

Oasis137, WhoUBe, Agreed... However, I would like to interject one thing... My buddy is having the same problem right now, and after watching the vid today, the damn thing is at his chest... It makes it a tad more rigerous to hold the rope, when you have it away from your body, and at a high part of your body. Aside from getting the handle lower, I would have to tell you the same thing I told him... "Hold that G damn handle or I will not come back around and bring you the rope next time!" Needless to say, he held on a tad better. Wink

luonthesnake · Criminal Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 51

lol.....good teaching method Blake Laughing

assertive. I was having the same prob with the handle thing getting away from me but after watching countless shows on Fuel and the way they ride Rolling Eyes

, I thought I would keep it away from me and just try to go one-hander. man it made a world of difference for me. it does wear ya out and really works your arm (since I'm in sad shape Razz

) but I'm finally gettin into it. I've only been out a total of maybe 6 times but since my last session, I went from barely staying up for 10 seconds to doing fs/bs turns,crossing the wake and even trying to jump the wake and get a grab (pretty sad looking tho lol). By keeping my arm out(and of course a decent speed) I was able to keep more balanced and on top of the water cuz I was actually able to pull any slack out just by bringing in my arm. I did usually hold the handle close to my chest but whenever there was slack, by board would start to slip cuz I got unbalanced. Now I REALLY DO have something to do until the winter months Very Happy

LFevo138 · Outlaw Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 147 City: Grand Rapids

Takeing one hand off is what i do also

Blake · Posted: Aug 30, 2005 7:00 am Post subject:

luonthesnake, I think he was talking about the handle getting away from him when he was jumping... I have only seen a handfull of pro's that jump the wake with "1" hand and get any kind of pop from it... And I have spoke with quite a few!

wake09 · Criminal Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 71

just hold on and hope for hell

luonthesnake · Criminal Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 51

oh crap, my bad Blake. read it again and seen what ya meant Laughing

. guess the whole jump off the wake is a mental thing for us newbs, I saw myself doing it cuz of the thought of faceplants. worry more about my eyes than drinking water.....would goggles help.....lol. guess its just time to face the fact of my face hittin the water and hold on huh Sad

KristianB · Posted: Aug 30, 2005 11:51 am Post subject:

Wakeboarding hurts!

/K

Blake · Posted: Aug 30, 2005 1:07 pm Post subject:

luonthesnake, I can honestly tell you that a wake to wake face plant hurts alot less than an invert thrown into the flats, where your neck and head are the first things that hit water... Bad times... Neutral

QNev · Posted: Aug 30, 2005 8:06 pm Post subject:

It's just a matter of commitment. If you're gonna let go.. make sure it's after you hit the water or if you go really off-balance in the air. Just go for it! Wink

DadKid · Outlaw Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 140 City: Ottawa

Most problems at the Newbie stage are related to technique, not lack of balls. Faceplants are less likely if you maintain an edge through the wake and land on edge. The landing is softer too. If the handle is escaping you then it's probably being held too high and too far out. Keep it in tight at the waist. Review the trick tips section on this site. Also, get yourself videoed. It really helps to actually see what you are doing wrong.