My first invert... what should it be

[wakeboarder50]

Im going up to the lake this weekend for 2 days and i wont be able to go again probably until next summer so i would really like to do some type of flip to finish off the season. I can do hs/ts and switch hs/ts 180s and bs ts 180s, but i dont have a tower and i dont think i have enough air for a 360 so i was wondering what the easiest invert or next trick i should learn should be, the tantrum which most people say to do first is hard for me cause i dont get like any air when i let go with one hand completly and i cant bring the rope to my waist as im cutting in. Is there any other inverts anyone would recommend, and if so how do you do it, step by step description if possible, thanks.

[QNev]

Go for a tantrum if you're comfortable with heelside w2w's. If you're uncomfortable with one handed, just still give it a shot. These don't hurt at all, unless you go really huge or land on your back, or faceplant.

1. Go in with a nice progressive edge
2. 3 ft from the wake (or on the foam), stop edging without going toeside, while releasing your back hand***You DON'T Have to cut in with one hand!
3. Once you're there, hit with straight legs and throw yourself into a back flip.
4. Throughout the flip, keep your legs somewhat straight.
5. Look for the landing and stomp it.

Note: For practice, I did up to step 3, only I dropped the rope to get used to the rotation. If you can do that without the rope, and land on your feet, you're going to be able to pull this off.

Good luck!

[WhoUBe]

good luck dude. I want to try my first invert next year. check the trick tips section. QNev, by throw do you mean "trip flip" or throw yourself backwards to start the rotation?

[Thomas P.]

try not to let go of the rope when attempting move until the last possible second. the rope is your control in the air, and to drop it right off the wake, also throws your control out the window. plus it creates bad instinctive habits.

one rider i occasionally ride with, would try back rolls and let go after popping off the wake. this was originally for "getting a feel for things" but now she can't hang onto the rope during a back roll to save her life, she hits the wake, hucks the roll motion and instinctively drops the rope every time. it gets quite frustrating.

try what you're comfortable with, and one try at either couldn't possibly be the end of the world. no matter what you throw, make sure you edge thru the wake to get maximum pop needed to complete the invert.

[QNev]

WhoUBe, Yeah. Trip. I had no clue what trip meant until someone went straight though a tantrum and dumbed it down a bit

Thomas P. If you're one of those people that won't let go of the rope even if it means losing your shorts and getting a nice pull around the lake, letting go can help with getting a feel for the rotation if you're uncomfortable with back flips, and also can feel a little better falling.. I mean falling at 22-25 can hurt a wee bit If you let go of the rope, It won't hurt as much when you land head or ass down.

[holdsworth]

QNev, that was a really good explanation.

i had trouble holding onto the rope when i started doing tantrums...i could land them and all...i just always let the handle loose. try to focus on that once you have your rotation down, that is, if you are having the same trouble.

[wake_quake]

duct tape the handle to your front hand

[classik5onit]

i learned a backroll first. just ride it like a rollercoaster and dont get scared. my second try i got scared and pulled out. cased the wake n strained a ligament in my ankle

[hyperlite22]

i'd go with the tantrum

[J_DOGG]

OH NO, you said the wrong thing....

[hyperlite22]

J_DOGG, hes right,you might seriously hurt yourself tryin somethin thats not even at your skill level

[hyperlite22]

even though i said go with the tantrum before,you might wanna practice on a trampoline or tryin somethin a little easier first till you really think you can do it