Taking Turns: How Long Should a Set Last (# minutes)?

wakeboard4fun02 · Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 4 City: NorCal

Taking Turns: How Long Should a Set Last (# minutes)?

1) How long should a set last (# minutes)? How many people usually are on your boat? Also please also specify if you are a rider or a boat owner.

If you are on a boat with 4-5 people, what is a reasonable amount of time for a set? I have heard 20 minutes/person but wanted to hear what other people consider fair. I also am interested if there is a difference between the perceptions of riders vs. boat owners.

2) Does the reasonable amount of time for a set differ if you are out for an entire day on the weekend vs. a morning or evening pull? If so, what set length is fair during a full day? during a morning or evening pull?

3) How do you keep track of how long your set is lasting if you are not wearing a watch - # tricks, # falls, etc.?

The reason that I am asking is that I ride/drive on a variety of boats and wanted to be considerate of the other people on the boat while I am having fun.

Thanks for your advice.

kyle · Guest

20 minutes is actually a pretty long set. I generally will ride for about 10 minutes unless i am trying to learn a new trick. There are some people however that i have seen ride for over 30 minutes and it gets really annoying. Why are you so concerned with the length of your set? Just go out and have fun, wakeboarding isn't some formulaic time card

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

I usually do about 20 minute sets. Or until I get a real hard fall. Then I get up try the trick again and then come back in the boat just so im not scared of it again. I just ride until it feels like my turn is up. Who ever goes first normally sets the time limit for the rest of the people imo.

mikef · Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 44 City: spokanistan

I like to go last after everyone has gotten at least one pull and then I ride about 30 min and repeat.

hco · Posted: Aug 23, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject:

I always ride first when the water sucks the most (choppy before the calm of the night). I make sure that run is the shortest, and then when my second run comes around, I am sure to go for a long one.

TP83 · Addict Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 739 City: Woodside

when we take our boat out theres always one of my friends that just rides forever and one time he rode all the way up one long asz arm and back and then he rode again it gets really annoying. i ride about 10 15 mins because i always think that other people want to ride after me and if im up to it i'll ride again later.

normally we don't keep track of time because there really is no need

burkemw · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 9

i usually ride until i fall three times. i would guess it takes about 20 min with getting my board on at the beginning and getting out at the end.

edit: i'm the boat owner

kind · Outlaw Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 118

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

How many tircks do you know? If you're out there just free riding(meaning not working on a new trick) and you've already thrown all the tricks you know how, you may want to think of wrapping up your set because whats the point of throwing all the tricks that you know how to do over and over again. Sure if some tricks are sketchy you may throw them a couple times to get them solid but most people dont have that many sketchy tricks. If you are that good where throwing your entire bag of tricks is taking you more than 20 minutes then i dont think the poeple in the boat are going to mind watching you for that amount of time. Usually when I am out riding I want to learn something new. So i'll get warmed up, do some fun tricks and just work on that new trick. (learning a new trick for me is getting up and throwing it, falling, repeat) if i dont land it I'll give myself ten or so falls and by then im too beat up to go on. I do that when im on a trip to the lake which means 3 sets a day for everyone for 3 days. Its a little different on day trips when we get maybe two sets and crappy water. Oh and im not a boat owner i use my dads boat so id kinda fit into that category. and i usually ride with 2-3 other riders max.

leviwynnyk · Posted: Aug 23, 2006 11:03 pm Post subject:

Thats a great topic. I'm the boat owner and when I take say 3 or 4 people out I'm lucky if I get 2-10 minute sets. I also have to do all the work filling the sacs and getting everything like the rope, boards and jackets ready . The worst is like last nigt when its butter all day, and when I finally get my turn after everyone else, it turns to whitecaps (literally) and the driver goes between 12 and 30 mph.... just not fun at all especially when you are stoked all day to ride.

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

leviwynnyk, you need to get a better crew. When im out everyone helps get stuff set up, helps wipe down. The driver should usually decide the riding order but if youa re being nice and leeting others go first you cant really complain about bad water. oh and teach some one how to drive.

PimpinD2 · Posted: Aug 23, 2006 11:52 pm Post subject:

Yea, im usually the boat owner, and when we are riding behind my boat I go first, and ride till im beat ... 10 - 30mins depending how the water is and how I am feeling. If im using my roommates boat he usually rides first and goes for about 45mins to 1hr (of course he is throwing tricks non stop so no one minds). On my boat it usually more people 4 - 6 who want to ride, while on my roommates just 2 or 3 other people, but mostly just me and him.

Roos · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 192

We usually are no more than 3 people when we go out riding so unless there is limited time for the trip or we are running low on gas I would say I let everyone ride as long as they want.
Though I agree it gets annoying when someone throws the tricks he knows and then just cruises around cause he is beat instead of just trying something new and then be done when he allready is tired.
My runs vary alot. When I try a new trick I usually go out and throw the stuff I know and then I try the new trick until I'm really beat before I give up, then I do the same thing every set until I get the new trick and when I do, I think my job there is done. =)

When there is limited time or gas or so of course I let other people ride aswell.
And I never do anything but trying my hardest to throw tricks.

I would guess 20 min is a normal run. When people are firsttimers or so they run for 5-10 mins usually, then they start running longer, but I would say you have to know some tricks to be riding for 20 mins. Unless you try to learn a new trick.

And, oh yeah, I'm a boat owner...

Mike

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 24, 2006 1:53 am Post subject:

I own the boat and I primarily ride with two friends. We are all newbs to wakeboarding but I feel like we are ALMOST at an "intermediate" status We are all getting pretty regular W2W, surface tricks, grabs etc.

We have an agreement that so far has worked out for us just fine: Whoever's riding goes as long as he wants to. I know this could be a problem for some people (based on some of the previous posts in this thread) but it hasn't been for us.

We are all trying our best to improve and each wants the others to improve as well. Therefore, we let the rider decide how many times he wants to fall before he lets one of the others get in a set. Laughing

If I had to estimate, I would guess that each of us will usually run around 15-20 minutes and we usually get in 3-4 sets apiece per day. I think a big part of it is that we are out at least once a week and frequently twice a week. So its not as if its a "special occasion" when we get to go wakeboarding.

Works for us. Cool

Darin · Guest

Till I'm tired, which is pretty fast considering I don't do it enough. Not near 20 minutes. Now my 15 year old daughter can go forever. We pretty much have to just stop pulling her to get her back in the boat. Ah, the energy of youth.

WakeBoarder44 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 1107

goofyboy · Posted: Aug 24, 2006 4:57 am Post subject:

we usually limit it to 15 minutes or 3 - 4 songs (normal length). We have 4 - 5 riders but only have from 7am - noon to ride with good water. If someone is working on a new trick, they can ride longer.

rsixxr · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 48 City: Cincinnati

all the ppl i ride with are super cool...its all outta courtesy i think...i almost always tell whoever's boat it is to ride first...its their boat...they should get to ride the most sets...and then everyone else seems to always default to the next guy until its like...alright someone go...hahaha...then we just ride...fall a couple of times...eat stuff bad once and ur prolly done...everyone rides a couple of times and then the day's over...good times...

i just wanna say i ride with a group of guys that Bubb Rubb rocks...

arof · Posted: Aug 24, 2006 6:24 am Post subject:

I take short runs. I'm not out there to become pro, but just to have fun. I'm usually done within 10 minutes. If it's my boat, then I might go for longer, but I ususally don't go for long as I get tired and sore pretty quickly.

I ususally ride with 2 other guys. One will take pretty long runs, the other one will take short ones like me. We're real easy going about it and never really have a problem ...

Most nights (last summer) we'll get in 2 sets each, with lots of down/chill time.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

It does depend if we have limited time.

Normally we are on some sort of schedule with 3-4 riders. I'll take a 20 minute set give or take. If we have all day or I'm working on a new trick and getting close I might extend it to 30 or if we are really crunched on time I'll cut it back to 12-15.

I hate riding with more than 4 riders. 2 or 3 is optimal.

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

Foe me, it depends on the amount of time available. If I'm going out with my two buds on a weeknight and only have a couple of hours, I try to keep the runs short (10-15 minutes) so everyone can get in two sets. I actually had to regulate a little a month or so ago with one friend who had been up long enough because the sun was on it's way down and someone was still waiting for his second set. I can do that since I own the boat.

I could care less on weekends, however.

wakeboardnut · Outlaw Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 213 City: Toronto

We dont have a limited time, but we ride this once channel, 3 passes is usually the longest anyone will go..

after 10 mins my back is messed, i could never see my self taking a 20 min or longer run

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

I kind of think of it like this. There are school days and fun days. On fun days, usually a w/e, there may be more riders and it is pretty much free riding and some riders may try a new trick here or there. Most people ride 10-20 minute sets on fun days. There is no watch set or even discussion of time, but I suppose it is an unspoken understanding that it would be rude to ride a 30+ minute marathon set repeating every trick 3 or 4xs. Besides most people can't comfortably ride longer than that anyway.

School days are when everyone sets out to learn 1 or 2 new tricks or we focus on one of the riders to get him past the next trick. On those days there are lots of falls and the sets grow longer to pick up the riders and if someone is getting close to a trick we will encourage them to stay out as long as their mind and body are still in the game.

Oh and if you are worried by the wakebording manners when riding with a crew you haven't gone out with a bunch, you can always say something like, "hey I'm working on a BS180 and might fall a lot so just tell me when my turn is up if I'm out there too long". I have done that and have had nothing but encouragement.

wakeboard4fun02 · Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 4 City: NorCal

Please keep the comments and suggestions coming.

Bmartin - I liked your suggestion - "hey I'm working on a BS180 and might fall a lot so just tell me when my turn is up if I'm out there too long"

Burkemw - Since I'm usually trying to learn new tricks/improve current tricks, I tend to ride until I fall 3 times like you unless I crash hard enough that my head is ringing.

Leviwynnyk - I agree with The Headless Chicken. The boat owner should always go first and then the boat owner's spouse/significant other/guest should be next. The boat owner should be able to relax and not worry about rope, boards, jackets, flag, wipe down as those should be the responsibilities of a good crew. What has been your crew's response when you have offered to teach them to drive? I enjoy driving and have been on boats where I drive all day except for my sets and the boat owner & spouse hang out.

LFADAM · Posted: Aug 24, 2006 2:11 pm Post subject:

It really depends. If its just me and my dad, I might ride an hour-1hr 15...just having fun, trying little fun tricks, or falling over and over one one trick for an hour. (Dad likes driving the boat)...If its me and a couple guys like it often is in OUR BOAT, (maybe 3 riders) Ill ride 20-30 mins. Ill do all of my tricks, then try something new maybe 3 or 5 times and Im done. If its a boatload (our boat) then Ill keep it to 20 mins. If its someone elses boat, especially with lots of people riding, Ill keep it 20 tops, usually 15. (Yes I know I take long sets)

boobybunny · Guest

When we go out, our guest/crew usually get there a full 15 to 20 minutes before us. My Cuz and a guy we found here as a third are the best. They have the boat READY TO GO, and all we do is climb aboard. The order is usually, if the water is great, we go first, if the water is not so great, the guests go and we hope for better water. Most of the time our ride only lasts 1-3 falls.

Partyb · Posted: Aug 25, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

On my boat we use 15 minutes as the average set lenght. Most of my boyz are over 30 so any longer then 15 minutes and we are pretty tired. I actually have a bit of a compulsive disorder with timing my sports activities (jogging, biking, etc.), I just like to make sure I get at least 30 minutes of cardio a day. SOOO, I actually time my sets to 15 minutes with my watch. It also helps b/c I find that if I go much more then 15 minutes on my first set then on my second set I am fatigued. So I use it to pace myself to.

If we have time or few people in the boat we will go longer sometimes. But usually do same lenght of set but maybe take 3 instead of two, but that's rare. Two 15 minute sets is about as much as I can handle per day without being too tired to do anything.

crhockey66 · Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 19 City: Coon Rapids

When we go out i usually go out with 3 to 6 people and depending on how much time we have is how long we stay out behind the boat. If were at the lake home then we can take pretty long runs because we have a lot of time, but if were just going out for an evening usually we try to cut them down to 10 or 15 minutes. Its just really hard to go out any longer than 20-25 minutes because you feel like you just cant throw anything anymore because your too tired.

goinbig143 · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 659 City: Wonder lake

Boat owner.
We bought a stopwatch and put it on the tower to time runs. Not really because anyone takes too long on a run, but because some people don't take long enough. My lady always takes a short run and says she does not want to hog the water... I had to run the watch to show her that she was ripping herself off.

I usually go with an 1 hour rotation. 3 people, 20 min. per set.
4 people, 15 minutes.
5 people, 12 minutes.
That keeps everyone from being bored between sets.

I also have the new trick rule and the 3 minute warning. You must try 1 trick you have never landed before or a new variation on one of your tricks before you enter the boat.
The three minute warning is intended to alert the rider that time is growing short, so it is time to go big. If the rider tries a new trick and gets close, I will throw the time out the window and continue until they land it.

I think time limits are a good thing. Nobody wrecks themselves by riding too long, everyone gets to ride a few times, and knowing you are on the clock makes you ride a little harder.

Ediktid Chick · Criminal Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 50 City: Sacramento

this si a pretty cool topic idea... i normally would say i ride for about 15min depending on how many people wanna go... or i just ride until i can tell people aren't really that interested anymore and are thinking about what they're gunna throw rather than what you're throwing... but maybe i just have a.d.d. friends haha

Rhawn · Posted: Aug 26, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject:

thekpan · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 168 City: Dallas

i usually take 3-4 people on my boat and we normally go till we want to stop, were not all amzaing so we get tired and tend to fall on a regular basis...but no body is selfish enough to ride for much longer than 20 or so so its not a big deal

Bowen · Posted: Aug 27, 2006 9:53 am Post subject:

It all depends. If the water is butter, and it's early in the morning, then try to take a quick set so everyone will have a chance to get good water. If you don't need to worry about the water conditions then...Are you a good rider or are you doing Heelside jumps the entire time? If you're a good rider, then chances are the people in the boat will enjoy watching you ride, but if you're just doing Heelside jumps then move over b/c it gets boring for the people in the boat to watch (exceptions are if you're a newb and are working on stuff like that...then typically everyone in the boat is genuinely pulling for you and/or want to see you eat it.) How many people are in the boat? How much time do you have? Are you working on something? If you're working on something then take a longer set like The Headless Chicken said, get up , try the trick, fall, do over...most people genuinely pull for you to land the new trick. It helps get the rest of the crew stoked for when they ride.

It all depends...also, are you the boat owner? If Yes, then you're boat your rules... If not, remember, not your boat, not your rules.