I can get up but I can't do much more...

dingledangle · Newbie Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 8

To much delight I can get up... That for me was a great achievement... However now I'm up I can't do anything except the occasional face-plant.

I'm righthanded and I ride in the style of 'Goofy', only because this is how I was standing when I got up my first time.

My problem is as I stand up I automatically drift to the righthand side and thats about it, I just stay out there and I can't turn in. OK maybe that's not entirely correct, I can just about turn in but as I head for the wake the board squares up and pushes me back out again. I can switch ok and I have been given a couple of pointers on how to stand ie. as if you're sitting on a chair.

It must just be me becasue most of the messages on the beginners board are people who either can't get up or can't do Wake2Wake.

Any help much appreciated

howabouttheiris · Addict Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 677 City: Austin, TX

This is usually caused by holding the rope in front of you (like a skier)

Try this...

1. Stand on the floor facing forward.

2. Rotate you upper body 90 degrees over you front (right) foot.

3. Put your hands by your right hip with your right hand directly over your right heel and you left hand over your right toes.

This is a slightly exagerated version of where you need to get when on the water.

One thing that I see alot that could be screwing you up....

If both your arms are straight while being towed... this is bad. When your left arm is straight your right arm needs to have a bend, as it is closer to the lead foot. AND don't rely too heavily on the back hand for towing as this will tend to unwrap you. Try to keep the pressure on your hands even.

Many folks will say to let go of your back hand all together. This will allow you to go perfectly sideways, without twist. It will help you to carve back in to the wake, but use it for learning only. Nothing looks worse than someone on the outside, with one hand on the rope, leaning to get farther from the wake to setup for a jump.

chris83 · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 7 City: Rosemount

ok i had the same problem when i started this year also.... but i always went to the left.. i am regular and am right handed... so try to lean back evenly when you get up... once up have your left foot forward... get used to balancing that way. then remember toes and heals, because where ever your weight is shifted thats where your gonna turn. like heal side you'll go left toes side go right.. and lean slightly forward so your arms dont hurt.. i hope this helps let me know.

good luck

dingledangle · Newbie Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks for the advice there.

Wakeboarding looks simple when you are watching from the sidelines. Once you're up you imagine thats pretty much it but (and I know this is the same for all sports) it's all those little bits like 'howabouthheiris' mentions about hand postitiong on the bar and rotation of the body. It all feels so strange at the moment but I'm out on Friday so hope to try the above advice - Thanks

nick@night · Posted: Aug 16, 2006 3:46 pm Post subject:

try regular and see which one you like best

pet575 · Posted: Aug 22, 2006 11:44 am Post subject:

dingledangle · Newbie Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 8

I CAN DO IT!!!!!

Thanks for those who posted replies to my original question. In the last 2 weeks I have learnt to carve in and out of the wake and moved onto other problems which I'm sure I will post here soon