Help?

x_havokk · Newbie Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 City: pittsburgh

Hello. My name is Mo and I'm fifteen. I'm a girl and I just started to wakeboard at my grandparent's house in Maine. (I live in Pennsylvania, so I'm not going to be able to wakeboard very often. Depressing, I know.) The first day I went out I didn't get up and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing because I hadn't thought of doing any research. I had tons fun however and got over my fear of swimming in the lake. Haha. So obviously, I wasn't able to get up and do much of anything. The next day I went out again after watching some video on the internet. It helped a ton. I was so close to getting up on my last try. I was above the water, but I completely forgot to pull the rope to my hip because I was so excited. I also was still in the squat position. Ha. Now here come my questions: When should I straighten my legs? Because I have never wakeboarded before and my body isn't used to it, would that be the reason I cannot get up very easily? Is practicing the key to all of this? Is Blindside a good beginner's board? That's enough questions for now.

x_havokk · Newbie Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 City: pittsburgh

Damon · Posted: Jul 20, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject:

First off I commend you on your grammar/spelling.

Straighten your legs when the board is on the water, but keep your knees bent. You want your hips/butt right over your boots.

Practice is definitely key. Leg/body strength doesn't really come into play very much, you just need to learn how to do it.

Blindside is a fine board for beginners.

x_havokk · Newbie Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 City: pittsburgh

Thanks for the compliment on my grammar and spelling. I try my best. Ha. And thanks for all the other information. I just wish that I lived closer to Maine so I could actually go out and wakeboard whenever. I guess when I am at home though, I can just hang around here and learn as much as I can.

simland · Posted: Jul 20, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject:

You should find some people in your area that wakeboard. You will find that you learn much faster when surrounded by others of similar interests. There is a "find a ride" sub-board on this site. Might be able to find a ride there. Being 15 I would check with the Rents and bring them along. It's always better when parents support an activity. You find they might spend some cash to help you out.

wesgardner · Posted: Jul 21, 2006 7:42 am Post subject:

x_havokk, Hey - you can "stay low" longer than you think, in fact, standing up too soon can cause the board to submerge and you'll go over the front edge. So squat until the board is "planing" ON the water then start standing up...like Laugh Damon, said, bend your knees keeping your weight centered over the board...a very common beginner thing is crouching over (it kills your back and makes riding tough) so go ahead and stand up once you're actually up and out of the water....now comes the easy part - just have fun riding behind the boat...next lesson - try making small "S" turns behind the boat - DO NOT steer with the handle but use a slight weight shift onto your heels to turn heelside and onto your toes to tunr toeside...keep the handle on (or near) your front hip..oh and did I say have some fun...

Oh yes, PRACTICE is key...you'll be sore the first couple of days but just keep at it...if you could find a place offering lessons, it will be worth it to take one....

x_havokk · Newbie Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 City: pittsburgh

simland: Thanks! I will have to check out that sub-board then. Yeah, my parents are really supportive. It's rare when I find a sport that I actually enjoy, so they're excited that I've found something else. My grandma actually bought my board for me too, so that was really nice.

wesgardner: Thanks for the tips. I am certainly going to look around for lessons. I have experienced that soreness too, but it's expected with every sport, so I'm keeping at it.